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Social comfort and attractiveness perception: impact of prosthetics, physical disability and comfort distance on interpersonal interactions
Get PDFDerived from the disease-avoidance model is the hypothesis that people may direct negative cognitive and behavioural responses towards individuals with physical disfiguring conditions, including physical disabilities. According to the behavioral immune system, physical disability—a non-contagious physical disfigurement—may falsely activate cognitive disease-avoidance processes, resulting in prejudicial or negative responses toward individuals with physical disabilities. For the first time this hypothesis is put to the test by investigating whether ratings of attractiveness and comfort for a social interaction vary systematically with physical disability (Studies 1 and 2). In addition, we tested whether these ratings were associated with individual differences in pathogen disgust and perceived vulnerability to disease. In Study 3 we overcame possible methodological limitations by employing a virtual reality (VR) environment. A fourth study was conducted to extend the first two studies by using a more diverse set of avatars. Results from Studies 1 and 2 indicated that disability did not significantly impact comfort ratings for social interactions, although non-disabled stimuli were rated as more attractive. However, Study 3 showed that in a VR environment, participants preferred closer proximity to non-disabled avatars over disabled ones, a preference not mitigated by the presence of prosthetics. Study 4 replicated these findings with varied 2D avatars, showing that disability significantly affected both comfort and attractiveness ratings, with non-disabled avatars rated highest, followed by those with prosthetics, and finally disabled avatars. Despite these findings, the expected relationship between comfort ratings and individual differences in pathogen disgust or perceived infectability did not emerge, challenging the behavioural immune system proposal. The discomfort associated with physical disability may be more related to social stigma or preconceived notions than to an innate disease-avoidance response
Forming of economies of wellbeing through responsive practice in everyday life
Get PDFIn recent years, most Western economies have increasingly focused on the narrow pursuit of economic growth with its unintended and undesirable impacts on the wellbeing of people and planet being well-documented. This has led to the growth in ‘alternative economics’ that addresses these critiques and proposes new economic models. However, alongside these critiques, there is another that questions the modern scientific approach underpinning economics, arguing that it overlooks the importance of lived experience, creating feelings of detachment in the economic practitioner as well as undermining the relevance and effectiveness of economics and policy making. The research develops a more responsive and reflexive approach to economic thinking and practice through tracking significant moments of experience through reflexive narrative. In so doing, it turns away from ‘analysing and measuring’ towards immersing in the experience of practicing as an economist in different situations, observing and attending to the detail, finding ways of showing others what was previously unnoticed, to bring significance to, and thus open the way for other pathways of action. Through this immersive, responsive and reflexive approach to economic practice, the research discovers experientially, key concepts in the theory of ‘Entanglement and Agential Realism’ as developed by Karen Barad. By experiential I am referring to my own experience of working as an economist and then being reflexive by relating these experiences to wider traditions of thought This experiential interpretation of ‘entanglement’ highlights how economic practices shape and ‘perform’ different economies, rather than merely describing or measuring a pre-existing reality. Importantly, this research avoids the ‘false move’ of taking these theoretical concepts from Entanglement and Agential Realism and simply applying them to economics. Rather, the findings highlight the importance of developing new ways of thinking and practicing economics that arise from within experience rather than being conceptually driven.Building on this foundation, the research distinguishes between three different approaches to economic thinking and practice [objective, relational and entangled]. Each of these approaches ‘performs’ different types of economics, shedding new light on Gross National Happiness [GNH] as a global experiment in wellbeing economies. The thesis argues that to take forward the inspiration of GNH into other countries and cultures means more than replacing GDP with GNH. It also requires shifting how we understand wellbeing from a ‘thing’ out there that can be measured and maximised, to recognising how wellbeing is related to how we perceive and respond to the world, as both separate and entangled, as both individuated and related. The thesis warns against the dangers of an ‘instrumental’ adoption of GNH that can arise by only taking forward ‘part’ of GNH, typically importing the wellbeing indicators. Rather a fundamental reorientation towards entangled economic thinking and practice is recommended to move beyond abstract ways of knowing predominant in Western economies
Australian and UK Perspectives on Social Prescribing Implementation Research: Theory, Measurement, Resourcing and Discovery to Ensure Health Equity
Get PDFThere has been a rapid increase in the delivery of social prescribing globally in recent years. However, a lack of theoretical framework, the diversity of social prescribing interventions and outcome measures, a lack of ongoing resources to provide services equitably and a lack of coordinated research agenda make it challenging for practitioners to know how best to put social prescribing into practice. This paper summarises perspectives from 29 UK and Australian authors and sets a course for future social prescribing implementation in four key areas: theory, measurement, resourcing and equity, and discovery (big questions on the research agenda). Eight recommendations are made: (1) multilevel or systems theory frameworks should inform programme design and implementation; (2) methods should be developed in collaboration with participants and service providers; (3) a core set of outcome measures should be developed and complemented by framework-specific measures; (4) factors at multiple levels should be included to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the experience and value of social prescribing; (5) funding models should ensure that community sector organisations providing the programmes and services are well supported; (6) social prescribing stakeholders could advocate for equitable funding through dialogue and knowledge translation; (7) future research could focus on understanding barriers and enablers of engagement in social prescribing in marginalised populations; and (8) future research should focus on link workers? and community workers? experiences of social prescribing. Emphasising health equity and asset-based community development, our perspective positions social prescribing not merely as a response to individual health needs but as a catalyst for a broader societal transformation
Saying hello again rather than a long goodbye: a novel way of addressing pre-death grief and facilitating continuing bonds for dementia caregivers
Get PDFThe ‘Hello Again’ letter-writing intervention is sometimes used in grief counselling to facilitate continuing bonds with the deceased. Family member caregivers of those with dementia often experience a ‘long goodbye’, as the relationship with their loved one gradually changes through serial losses before they have physically died, making the relationship markedly different than the one before the dementia. There are limited interventions to support caregivers with this pre-death grief. This study aimed to address this lack by offering the ‘Hello Again’ intervention to dementia family caregivers, exploring the perceived helpfulness of the task, and attempting to understand the meanings of the ongoing relationship as expressed through letter writing. Two dementia caregivers were recruited to the study. Each participant met with the researcher on several occasions, completed two interviews, which were audio-recorded, and two take-home letter-writing tasks. The audio recordings were transcribed, and both interview data and letters were analysed using Dialogical Narrative Analysis. The analysis revealed positive perceptions of the task, and participants described individual journeys of rediscovery and forgiveness. It was concluded that this study provides initial evidence for a promising innovative intervention to address pre-death grief experiences. Further development and testing of the intervention with a wider range of dementia caregivers is recommended
Sevoflurane sedation – blind alley or cunning plan?
No full textLow-dose inhaled sevoflurane sedation impaired volunteers\u27 ability to complete a button-press task, without significant cardiorespiratory compromise. Patient-controlled sedation using sevoflurane might be feasible, however regulatory hurdles require proof of safety and efficacy through clinical trials. Whilst a promising concept, it must be demonstrated that patients cannot induce unconsciousness on their own, despite any interactions with opioid analgesics. Significant steps remain before practical, patient-controlled sevoflurane sedation can be implemented
Intergenerational Codesign of Immersive Technology for a Heritage Site and Underwater VR Experience
Get PDFThe development of immersive Extended Reality (XR) applications tailored for older adults remains a significant challenge, even amidst rapid technological advancements. Neglecting to account for the specific needs and requirements of endusers in the design process can result in reduced adoption rates or a total lack of engagement. We present findings and recommendations for building immersive experiences for older adults by exploring the similarities and differences encountered during the development of two immersive XR applications, with a specific focus on cultural heritage and underwater telepresence. The application development followed a monthly, iterative approach, integrating rapid prototyping for a total of 16 intergenerational codesign workshops, with 24 older adults and 12 younger adults codesign participants. The findings indicate that immersive experiences for older adults have significant potential to effectivelyrecreate cultural heritage sites or underwater environments in XR. However, achieving this requires the implementation of simplified and intuitive locomotion and interaction mechanisms, facilitated through a streamlined and simplified control scheme. In addition, accessibility and affordability together with comfort in using the immersive hardware and minimising hand strain when holding the controllers are priorities for older age codesign participants
Historical Perspective and Contribution of Aquaculture to the AMR Global Pandemic
No full textThe global rise in the emergence and spread of pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites) that have developed or acquired new resistance mechanisms to drugs, commonly referred as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is alarming. The emergence and spread of AMR, which is mostly attributed to the use (often overuse and misuse) of antimicrobial substances such as antibiotics, is not a new phenomenon. In fact, AMR was discovered several decades ago. However, exponential increases in global antimicrobial use have led to a rise in the emergence and spread of AMR, which is nowadays considered as one of the top ten global public health threats by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Antimicrobials, in particular antibiotics, were first used in aquaculture practices in the 1950s, as a source to control bacterial infections. However, as in other food-producing sectors, non-therapeutic antimicrobial use in aquaculture (e.g., as prophylaxis treatments to promote animal growth or as preservative to prevent fish and shellfish spoilage) become widespread soon after. The pervasive use of antimicrobials in aquaculture has facilitated the emergence and dissemination of antibiotic resistance worldwide, 1) by directly selecting for resistant pathogens within the aquaculture facilities, 2) by disseminating AMR resistant microorganisms and genes through high levels of international trade of reared aquatic species and 3) by allowing antimicrobials to enter freshwater and marine ecosystems, where they can select and transfer AMR genes to the wild populations and environment (i.e. water, sediment). Aquatic environments, in particular aquaculture inland facilities, are often considered as hotspots of AMR, since they may not only contribute to AMR emergence through antimicrobial use but may accumulate and disseminate AMR microorganisms and genes coming from other AMR-contaminated sources (e.g., urban and agricultural effluents), amplifying AMR selection pressure. The aquaculture contribution to the global AMR pandemic has now been recognised by WHO and other international organisations, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and several efforts have been launched over the past decade to regulate antimicrobial use in aquaculture. Although structured and systematic surveillance efforts of AMR in aquaculture are still lacking, increasing scientific literature is revealing geographic aquaculture AMR hotspots, which may help in developing local targeted surveillance measures
Metabolic Flexibility as a Candidate Mechanism for the Development of Postoperative Morbidity
Get PDFBACKGROUND: This study investigates the role of metabolic flexibility in determining perioperative outcomes. Metabolic flexibility, a key feature of metabolic health, is the ability to efficiently switch between different fuel sources (predominantly carbohydrates and fats) depending on energy demands and availability. Given the rapidly changing physiological conditions in the perioperative period, we hypothesized that good metabolic adaptability could mitigate postoperative complications. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational study utilizing a prospectively collected, single-center preoperative cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) database of patients undergoing a range of major surgeries between 2012 and 2022. On day 3, patients were categorized into 3 groups based on their Postoperative Morbidity Survey (POMS) scores: 0 to 1, 2, and 3 to 6. Metabolic flexibility was evaluated through measurements of fat and carbohydrate oxidation during exercise testing (CPET). Associations were explored between metabolic flexibility, cardiorespiratory fitness, and postoperative outcomes. RESULTS: Of 585 patients, those with no or low postoperative day 3 morbidity (POMS 0-1; n = 204) demonstrated significantly higher fat oxidation early in exercise before anaerobic threshold (fatty acid oxidation [FATox] area under the curve [AUC] 826 [578-1147]) compared to both POMS 2 (658 [448-922; n = 268]) and POMS 3 to 6 (608 [414-845; n = 113]); both P \u3c.001. POMS 0 to 1 patients also had more effective carbohydrate utilization at peak exercise intensity. Higher postoperative morbidity (POMS) categories were associated with diminished metabolic flexibility characterized by a reduced ability to switch between metabolic substrates - carbohydrate oxidation (CHOox) POMS 0 to 1 group AUC 10277 (interquartile range [IQR] 7773-13358) compared to POMS 2 AUC 8356 (IQR 6548-10377) and POMS 3 to 6 AUC 6696 (IQR 473-9392); both P \u3c.001. Reduced metabolic flexibility correlated with increased postoperative complications and an extended hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic flexibility may be a pivotal factor in determining postoperative outcomes. Patients with greater metabolic adaptability had fewer complications and shorter hospitalization by 4 days on average. This suggests that preoperative metabolic conditioning - something potentially achieved by targeted prehabilitation - could be linked to surgical recovery. Future research should focus on prospective studies to confirm these relationships and explore underlying mechanisms. If confirmed, metabolic flexibility assessments could be integrated into routine preoperative evaluation to better predict and improve patient outcomes
A Qualitative Exploration of Self-Harm Among Autistic Women
No full textBackground: Autistic individuals, particularly females, demonstrate a higher prevalence of self-harm compared to those who are not autistic. Core cognitive, affective, and sensory differences inherent to autism are linked to the increased vulnerability within autistic populations. However, these factors are not sufficiently explored in relation to individuals’ social and environmental contexts, resulting in a gap in understanding the self-harm experiences of autistic females. Methods: Eleven autistic women participated in semi-structured interviews to explore their experiences of self-harm. Data was transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Three key themes were identified: Regulation of Emotional States, highlighting self-harm as a coping mechanism for managing high and low energy affective states; Navigating a Neurotypical World, exploring how societal and interpersonal challenges influence these behaviours; and Changes in Self-Harm Over the Lifespan, examining the evolution of self-harm across different life stages. Conclusions: Findings reveal that self-harm in autistic women stems from both autism-related differences and unique experiences, vulnerabilities, and societal expectations. Influences of delayed diagnosis, burnout, and victimisation, required self-harm for self-punishment and regulation. Mislabelling and misdiagnosis throughout participants’ lives exacerbate risks and demonstrates an ongoing misunderstanding of distress of autistic females. Future research should focus on adapting interventions to better address the challenges unique to this population, and improving diagnosis and identification by considering the functions of these behaviours
Artist Designed Systems in Community Radio
Get PDFSkylark is a full-time licensed radio station, founded by the author of this thesis. Since 2020 it has broadcast a continuous and ever-changing sound installation, rejecting the conventional radio schedules of presenters, programmes, music tracks, adverts etc. Its content is drawn from contributors within Dartmoor National Park, and includes oral histories, music, poems, field recordings, archive material and fragments of bespoke music. Skylark is also a public service and research project that intends to offer an innovative way forward for community radio in the UK. Such stations are intended to respond to their locations, include multiple voices, and be not-for-profit. Applying these limitations to full time broadcasting is often demanding, leading to over reliance on the kinds of automation technologies—playout systems—that were originally designed for commercial radio, and can reduce agency for presenters and producers, whilst offering listeners a generic sounding station. This thesis outlines the social, historical, technological factors that have influenced the development of community radio in the UK, and how the Skylark project has responded to them. It uses a systems-based approach to identify ways in which access to broadcasting could be improved by applying insights from artistic practice