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‘The Truth Was, Most Biodiversity Was Redundant’: Caring About Mass Extinction in Ned Beauman’s Venomous Lumpsucker
No full textThis essay reads Ned Beauman’s Venomous Lumpsucker as exploring the gap that exists between caring about mass species extinction and taking meaningful action to prevent it. The novel, at first, undermines the conventional reasons for caring; however, one of its protagonists is then revealed as having become willing to die for the issue. Equally, the reason for this change proves strangely hard to locate. This essay argues that the real reason for caring about species extinction in Venomous Lumpsucker is connected to a transcendence of the self that aligns the novel with both science fiction and spiritual traditions; however, this reason is so unappealing that it can manifest in the text only in disguised and tortuous forms. Venomous Lumpsucker enables new insights into the connection between spirituality and species extinction in the current moment, and suggests further questions that might be explored in the light of this
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Composites: limitations on decision making for composite [environmental] sustainability
No full textBridging the gap: Exploring the potential of virtual reality for supporting autistic individuals in interview and recruitment processes through a realist review
Get PDFThe aim of this realist review was to systematically analyse the peer-reviewed academic literature, reports and blogs to determine: (1) the mechanisms and contexts by which recruitment and early employment experiences lead to poor outcomes for autistic adults, and (2) how a Virtual Reality (VR) intervention might lead to positive outcomes within the recruitment and early employment experiences for autistic adults. Throughout, we worked with a PPIE group of autistic people who were fully involved in the realist synthesis process. We identified challenges across the employment journey including limited vocational guidance and employment readiness support, exclusionary job descriptions, and traditional interviews that disproportionately favour neurotypical social behaviours. These issues were further compounded by disclosure anxiety and lack of workplace adjustments. We also identified factors relevant to the development of VR scenarios: (1) the provision of tailored clear job information (2) structured interview preparation experience tailored to the role, and (3) materials to foster supportive workplace practices. Findings highlighted that holistic VR scenarios for employers and employees should include material to promote self-advocacy, build social skills, and address sensory challenges. VR scenarios would likely help autistic people practise and improve their ability to undertake job interviews and work-related tasks while promoting understanding and empathy amongst neurotypical work colleagues. Using the findings of this realist review, we considered the implications for the co-creation of a VR package that can prepare autistic individuals for employment, help educate employers and foster a more inclusive and supportive workplace environment
Working within a perfect storm: the current UK care crisis in community neurorehabilitation
Get PDFIt will not have escaped the notice of our readers that there is a crisis in social care in the UK. This is not just because of a failure of integration between health services and community care provision, but because of the effects of COVID, and because of a shortage of care workers which the British media has widely reported as becoming more acute due to the UK leaving the European Union. The effects of this shortage will have been experienced by anyone involved in catastrophic injury litigation who will have heard case managers routinely reporting problems in recruiting care staff
Eco-genotoxicology: A personal reflection
Get PDFThis reflective commentary provides a personal viewpoint of developments, over the last 3 decades, in the relatively new, multidisciplinary field of ‘eco-genotoxicology,’ also called ‘genetic ecotoxicology’. It aims to outline the scope of the subject area in relation to the historical development of the discipline, critically categorising accomplishments made, taking into account the available information. It also recognises limitations of the existing information and difficulties encountered in this challenging field. Where appropriate, the article makes comparisons to the advances made in human genetic toxicology and radiation biology. The article critically covers the applications of prevailing and emerging tools being used in the field, such as omics, in vitro methodologies, modelling approaches, and artificial intelligence (AI). It also identifies potential areas of development and attempts to credit some of the important personal contributions made in this exciting and challenging subject in relation to human and environmental health
Analytical modelling of chloride diffusion in circular section concrete columns with binding effects
Get PDF– Reinforced concrete structures in marine environments face significant durability challenges due to chloride-induced corrosion of the steel reinforcement. Understanding and modelling chloride ingress are critical for the prediction of the service life of these structures. This study presents an analytical model for chloride diffusion in circular section concrete columns, addressing a critical gap in existing research by incorporating the effects of chloride binding. The model employs a bilinear chloride binding isotherm to derive an analytical solution in cylindrical coordinates, which captures the nonlinear interaction between free and bound chlorides. Validation is performed by comparing the model\u27s predictions with numerical and experimental solutions from one-dimensional cylindrical and slab coordinate systems, demonstrating high accuracy. The results show that the diffusion front advances more rapidly in the cylindrical model than in the slab model. For instance, chloride ingress reaches approximately 90 mm in a circular section column after 10-year diffusion time, whereas in a corresponding concrete slab, it extends only to about 80 mm. The present model offers engineers a valuable tool for designing and maintaining durable reinforced concrete columns in chloride-rich environments, contributing to enhanced service life predictions and more resilient infrastructure
Examining relationships between the Danish Composite Deprivation Index and risk of developing schizophrenia: A national multilevel analysis
No full textBACKGROUND: Few population-based multilevel analyses examining individual- and neighborhood-level risk factors for schizophrenia have been conducted.
METHODS: A study cohort of all persons born in Denmark from 1990 to 1999 was followed for diagnosis with schizophrenia. Follow-up was initiated at 10th birthday and terminated at death, emigration, incident diagnosis, or 31st December 2018, whichever came first. A Danish Composite Deprivation Index was derived using 10-year weighted average neighborhood-level indicators in 1990-1999 categorized into five domains: Income; Employment; Education, Skills & Training; Health & Disability; and Crime. By fitting multilevel log-linear Poisson regression models, neighborhood-level deprivation indicators were examined with and without adjustment for individual-level covariates.
RESULTS: Four neighborhood-level deprivation domains, Employment, Education, Skills & Training, Health & Disability, and Crime, as well as the Danish Composite Deprivation Index (adjusted IRR 1.14; 95 % credibility interval 1.10-1.17), were associated with elevated risk independent of individual-level deprivation measures. The specific neighborhood-level indicators linked with the highest adjusted elevations in risk were: Proportion of inhabitants aged 18-22 years who did not complete primary school before age 18 (adjusted IRR 1.23; 1.20-1.27); Proportion of inhabitants convicted for any violent crime (adjusted IRR 1.19; 1.16-1.23); and Proportion of inhabitants convicted for any crime resulting in a custodial sentence (adjusted IRR 1.15; 1.12-1.18).
CONCLUSION: This novel population-based multilevel analysis has evidenced the independent associations of neighborhood-level deprivation indicators on schizophrenia risk elevation. Replication is needed in other populations to inform the refinement of preventive strategies
The WELLBEING Study: Exploring Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) Psychological Wellbeing at Work and Patients’ Experiences of Care
Get PDFKathryn Marie BamforthTitle: The WELLBEING Study: Exploring Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) Psychological Wellbeing at Work and Patients’ Experiences of CareBackground: HCPs’ psychological wellbeing affects patients’ experiences of care. The COVID-19 pandemic, cost of living and workforce crises have taken their toll on HCP wellbeing. There is scant evidence on HCPs’ perceptions of psychological wellbeing at work or how they could be better supported. There is less research that considers patients’ perspectives.Aim: To explore HCPs’ and patients’ perceptions of staff psychological wellbeing at work and use the first four stages of experience-based co-design (EBCD) to identify models of practice to support HCP psychological wellbeing.Methods: The empirical research was informed by a scoping review. EBCD methods were used to gather experiential narrative data via semi-structured interviews (HCP: n=13, patients: n=6). Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis to identify touchpoints which were edited into a Catalyst film and shown at co-design events for HCPs (n=6) and patients (n=4). Following wider dissemination with the ward staff and discussion, recommendations to support staff psychological wellbeing at work were agreed. Findings: The scoping review highlighted a deficits-based view of wellbeing and the complex relationship between organisational culture, HCPs’ perceptions of psychological wellbeing at work and patients’ experiences of care. A conceptual model was developed and revised from the themes from the interviews, co-design groups and further discussion with the senior ward staff. Most of the interview data focussed on the negative experiences of staff. Patients responded by minimising their requests for help, putting their own health at risk. The recommendations focussed on improving teamwork, clearer discharge information for patients, better access to work and improving communication with the wider hospital. Following discussion with the ward staff, the findings were disseminated to the Senior staff across the organisation and have been presented at regional and national conferences.Conclusion: The Catalyst film had an immediate impact on the ward staff: improving teamwork, communication and leadership behaviour. The ward developed a “Who’s Who” poster for clearer communication for patients, which was adopted by the organisation. Wider operational pressures within the organisation made it difficult to progress the system-level recommendations. This study suggests that stressful working conditions have been normalised and do not promote the teamwork and nurturing culture necessary for HCP wellbeing. There is, therefore, a need for healthcare organisations to address the urgent need to prioritise HCP wellbeing, which is fundamental to person-centred care. The WELLBEING Study has highlighted that developing an assets-based approach to wellbeing measurement and using co-design methods to identify meaningful and relevant models of practice can offer tangible solutions to improving HCPs psychological wellbeing at work
Optimising the care of the trapped patient following a motor vehicle collision: A UK-Based Delphi consensus study
Get PDFBackground Motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) are a leading cause of injury and death worldwide. Up to 40% ofcasualties may become trapped and entrapment is associated with delayed care and worse outcomes. There is littlenational or international consensus guiding the care of physically trapped patients who cannot self-extricate. Thisstudy aimed to develop multidisciplinary consensus-based principles to optimise clinical and operational care fortrapped patients following MVC.Methods A three-round Delphi study was conducted from January to March 2025, following the CREDES framework.A multi-professional steering group developed preliminary statements informed by literature review and expertconsultation. Subject matter experts (SMEs) with operational experience in extrication, prehospital, and traumacare were recruited through stakeholder organisations. Statements were refined iteratively through SME feedback.Consensus was defined as ≥ 70% agreement or disagreement. Statements reaching consensus were removed fromsubsequent rounds; others were revised based on free-text feedback.Results Sixty-six SMEs participated, with high engagement across all three rounds. Consensus was achieved for 104statements covering standardised extrication terminology, prioritisation of time-sensitive extrication for criticallyinjured patients, minimisation of unnecessary on-scene interventions, emphasis on early psychological support fortrapped casualties, and the importance of interdisciplinary communication and coordination. The consensus supportsa paradigm shift towards rapid, patient-centred extrication, balancing clinical needs, operational realities, andpsychological welfare.Conclusions This Delphi study establishes expert-endorsed principles for the care of physically trapped patientsfollowing MVCs. Adoption of these principles could reduce delays, strengthen multi-agency response and improvepatient outcomes. Further work is required to validate the impact of these recommendations on clinical outcomesand to support their integration into practice through policy development, training, and evaluation