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A Mixed Methods Examination of Intimate Partner Homicide-Suicide by Age Using Domestic Homicide Reviews From England and Wales
Get PDFThis study examines the phenomenon of intimate partner homicide-suicide (IPHS), specifically, how it differs (or not) from intimate partner homicide without suicide (IPH), and how the ages of victims and perpetrators shape the risks, vulnerabilities and contextual features of cases. A mixed methods document analysis of 232 domestic homicide reviews (DHRs) was undertaken, using bivariate analysis to compare 37 IPHS to 195 IPH-without suicide, and a gendered, thematic analysis to gain deeper, contextualized insights into IPHS structured by victim and perpetrator age. IPHS victims and perpetrators were older, and in the case of perpetrators, more likely to be white. Risks and vulnerabilities also differed, with less substance use, criminality, and violence, but greater physical and mental health difficulties. Themes of “Separation and loss,” “Dependency,” and “Mental health and suicidality” ran through the 37 IPHS, but with IPHS involving older adults appearing as phenomenologically distinct, shaped by gendered contexts of care and a loss of autonomy due to chronic, degenerative illness. Our findings highlight the key role for physical and mental health services—particularly General (Medical) Practitioners—alongside the need for comprehensive support systems and coordinated care to manage the complex interdependencies in elderly couples
The Use and Reproducibility of Transabdominal Ultrasound to Provide Indices of Left Common Iliac Vein Diameter
Get PDFIntroduction: May Thurner Syndrome (MTS) is a rare vascular condition whereby the left common iliac vein (CIV) is compressed by the overlying right common iliac artery. It can lead to serious medical problems such as deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. Currently the gold standard for diagnosis is invasive imaging techniques such as catheter venography or intravascular ultrasound. Opinions differ on the best way to use transabdominal ultrasound to determine CIV compression and the size at which a CIV measured with transabdominal ultrasound would indicate compression and necessitate the need for further imaging.
Aims: This thesis aims to investigate the use and reproducibility of transabdominal ultrasound to provide indices of left CIV diameter, to aid diagnosis of MTS in patients presenting with unexplained left leg swelling.
Methods: 40 patients were recruited from the vascular department at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust. 20 patients were symptomatic for left leg venous disease and 20 patients were asymptomatic. Three clinical vascular scientists performed a transabdominal ultrasound assessment on each patient, measuring the diameter of the left CIV three times with the patient supine and three times with the patient tilted to 45-degrees reverse trendelenburg (RT), to assess for intra- and inter-operator reliability.
Results: Readings were obtained from 36 out of 40 patients, partial data obtained from 3 patients and no readings could be obtained from 1 patient. Analysis of the data from the 36 patients found an average diameter of the left CIV of 8.0mm ± 3.8mm in the symptomatic group (n=16, 6 male, 10 female) and 7.8mm ± 2.7mm in the asymptomatic group (n=20, 11 male, 9 female). There was no statistically significant difference in left CIV diameter between the symptomatic group and asymptomatic group, however, there was a statistically significant difference in left CIV diameter based on posture (p<0.05). The diameter of the left CIV measured 7.0mm ± 2.6mm when assessed supine and 9.0mm ± 3.3mm when tilted to 45-degree RT. Intra-operator reliability was excellent (ICC=0.92 with 95% confidence interval =0.90-0.93) whereas inter-operator reliability was moderate (ICC=0.67 with 95% confidence interval 0.60-0.72).
Conclusion: This study determined an average left CIV diameter of 7.0mm ± 2.6mm as measured by transabdominal ultrasound. Importantly, the diameter of
the left CIV significantly increases when a patient is examined in the 45-degree RT position (7.0mm ± 2.6mm vs 9.0mm ± 3.3mm, supine vs tilted; p<0.05). This suggests that symptomatic patients presenting with a left CIV measuring smaller than 7.0mm ± 2.6mm should be reassessed in the tilted position, and if still measuring smaller than this, further investigations should be considered. In this study intra-operator reliability was excellent whereas inter-operator reliability was moderate, therefore results from scans should be interpreted with caution. Further larger scale studies using MTS patients would be beneficial to confirm the average diameter measurements established in this study and to further determine a diameter range that would be highly suggestive of left CIV compression when examined using transabdominal ultrasound
Ratios are misleading exposure variables that compromise a regression model unless fundamental scaling assumptions are satisfied: a comment on Valente et al.
No full textLetter to the Editor
Power Hardware-In-the-Loop for Electrical Systems: from Research Experience to Guidelines for Industrial Testing
Get PDFPower Hardware-In-the-Loop (PHIL) testing is a powerful approach that combines the flexibility of numerical simulations with the high fidelity of hardware tests to allow experimental validation of electrical equipment in a close-to-reality laboratory environment. This is enabled by using specially designed software and hardware that serve as an interface between the modeled environment and the equipment under test. Using PHIL for testing and validation can help significantly reduce time-to-market for novel energy solutions by both reducing the number of design/prototyping iterations, which in turn reduces the development costs, and the need for timely and costly field tests later during the system validation stage. The PHIL as a technology has been studied over the last 20 years, focusing mostly on the software/hardware interfaces and on system stability challenges. However, there has not been a consensus yet on how a PHIL system should be designed, validated and operated to maximize its benefits. The present work provides answers to these questions. Starting from the existing research experience and use cases, the present paper introduces practical guidelines for PHIL modeling, design, laboratory implementation and validation, and it identifies a few remaining open topics that need to be addressed to enable wider adoption of PHIL for testing and validation of electrical equipment in industrial environments
“Not Everything is an RCT”: A Zemiological Analysis of Researcher Social Harms
Get PDFThis paper explores complex and often overlooked challenges faced by frontline social researchers, particularly those engaged with vulnerable or marginalised groups. Using a series of reflective vignettes from our research, we draw attention to a typology of harms researchers may encounter in fieldwork, ranging from vicarious trauma to direct harassment. This study critiques current normative ethical frameworks that dominate academia, arguing that these often rigid and risk-averse paradigms fail to adequately protect researchers or fully appreciate the dynamic nature of harm in fieldwork. Instead, we advocate for a zemiological approach to ethics in research, which emphasises the identification and mitigation of both foreseeable and preventable harms to researchers as a social group. Key recommendations include integrating therapeutic supervision as a standard practice, fostering open and compassionate academic discussions about researcher-based harms, and developing flexible ethical guidelines that are sensitive to the specific contexts of individual research projects. In proposing these changes, we aim to create a more supportive and ethically sound environment for researchers and move towards a more resilient and responsive academic culture
Professional referees' knowledge of the FIFA Medical Concussion Protocol and their experiences with concussions during match-play
Get PDFThis cross-sectional online self-administered survey aimed to investigate professional referees' experiences of concussion during match-play, and their knowledge of the then-current pre-2022 FIFA Medical Concussion Protocol. A 25-question survey was emailed to 200 FIFA-accredited referees, with 83 completed responses being returned. 75% of referees correctly answered five basic questions pertaining to the Concussion Protocol, but only 52% perceived that their concussion knowledge was appropriate, with 28% of referees reported attending structured education on concussion. Interest in learning more about concussions was high, 95%. Concussion education tailored to future and current referees should be considered a priority
Physical performance and tactical experience: determinants of competition outcomes in amateur vs. elite cyclists – a descriptive study from the UCI tour of Lithuania
Get PDFIntroduction: The aim of this descriptive study was to compare laboratory and in-competition performance metrics between elite and amateur cyclists competing in the 2024 UCI Tour of Lithuania with respect to physical performance, racing approach, and tactical behavior. Methods: Two teams of five elite and five amateur cyclists completed laboratory tests 1 month before the event. Tests assessed peak oxygen uptake ( V ˙ O 2 peak ), gross efficiency, peak power in incremental and sprint protocols, and seasonal power records. During the five-stage race (870.2-km, 4,039-m elevation gain), competition data, including stage and general classification results, power data, heart rate, and gpx tracks, were analyzed. Descriptive statistics and Cohen’s d effect sizes (ES) were used to assess between-group differences. Results: Amateurs exhibited lower V ˙ O 2 peak , maximal aerobic and critical power (ES: 1.68–2.37). During competition, amateurs spent more time above critical power (ES: 2.09–3.25) and exhibited a more homogeneous power distribution within their team (ES: 0.49–1.82). In contrast, elite cyclists displayed a polarized effort profile. These differences corresponded to poorer stage and overall classification results for amateurs (ES: 1.39), while elites followed specific competition strategies, contributing to better stage and overall results. Nevertheless, all amateurs successfully completed the five-stage race. Discussion: Amateur cyclists demonstrated sufficient physical capacity to complete the Tour of Lithuania despite lower aerobic capacity and limited experience in team tactics. These findings illustrate the rising performance levels in amateur cycling while emphasizing persistent gaps in physical conditioning, race experience and execution, particularly in energy management, pacing strategies, and situational decision-making, factors that remain key competition-specific performance limitations compared to elite cyclists
Leggi razziali e diritto allo studio. La resilienza accademica di Salvatore Galgano
No full textun episodio di resilienza (far laureare uno studente ebreo impossibilitato a trovare un relatore per la tesi) compiuto dal professore di procedura civile alla Sapienza di Roma Salvatore Galgano nel 1938 - comportamento che gli comportò il deferimento al Tribunale della razza - consente di riflettere ancora una volta sulla dignità della persona, sui diritti fondamentali dell'uomo e sul diritto allo studio oggetto della Costituzione italian
Minority Stress e Neurodiversità: l’impatto dello stigma sulla salute mentale degli studenti universitari. Verso un Ateneo neurodiversity friendly
No full textLa presente tesi esplora il fenomeno del Minority Stress nella popolazione universitaria neurodiversa, analizzando l’impatto che stigma, pregiudizi e dinamiche di esclusione esercitano sulla salute mentale degli studenti. Attraverso un inquadramento teorico che connette il paradigma della neurodiversità ai modelli contemporanei di stress sociale, la ricerca evidenzia come le esperienze di stigmatizzazione – sia manifesta sia interiorizzata – influenzino il benessere psicologico, le traiettorie accademiche e i processi identitari degli studenti. La parte empirica del lavoro approfondisce i fattori di rischio e le risorse di resilienza che emergono nei vissuti degli studenti neurodivergenti. I risultati convergono verso la necessità di politiche universitarie inclusive e consapevoli della neurodiversità, delineando le basi per la costruzione di un Ateneo Neurodiversity Friendly capace di promuovere equità, partecipazione e benessere psicologico