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Collagen injections versus dry needling in the treatment of chronic supraspinatus tendinopathy: a randomized controlled trial
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Challenging Social Desertification. Design Tools and a Theoretical Framework for Inner Areas
No full textEpistemic objects and curious collectors: The revelation
Get PDFEpistemic objects are defined by a continuous process of revelation through a series of engagements that complement their morphing nature. Here, epistemic value takes a central role in one’s understanding of, and engagement with, consumption objects. Through 15 interviews with online collectors who used Instagram to connect with others, the findings show how epistemic objects create fundamentally different relational dynamics than traditional collecting practices. Whilst acknowledging that objects within collections can operate through seriality, we reveal how epistemic objects also operate through three distinct relational dynamics that have been overlooked in existing collecting literature: object-knowledge relations, object-community-object relations and object-temporal relations. These dynamics distinguish epistemic objects from conventional collectibles by positioning individual objects as the unit of analysis rather than a desire for completed collections. This study contributes to a growing area of research that moves away from the focus on objects as passive entities towards analysing object-oriented relations
Researching Incels: A Critical Feminist Intervention
No full textIn February 2024, the UK Government’s Commission for Countering Extremism (CCE) published a commissioned report entitled Predicting Harm Among Incels (Involuntary Celibates) (Whitaker et al., 2024). This work, touted as the largest of its kind and offered to UK government select committees, contains several substantial ontological, methodological, and conceptual limitations. However, this book is not alone in conducting problematic research.
The aim of this book length rebuttal is to critically discuss in detail the extent of these limitations, questioning the quality of the report and related literature. Cumulatively. this is important because many of the findings from this kind of research on incels are disseminated to stakeholders and policymakers.
As such, this book provides not just an academic criticism of a significant portion of research into incels from multiple disciplinary perspectives (linguistics, sociology, criminology, etc), but also provides clear and actionable points for policymakers. Drawing on long histories of research, we provide clear evidence for the problematic nature of multiple approaches in disciplines such as evolutionary psychology. This work that has gone into this book has since informed multiple pieces of evidence to the UK Women's and Equalities Select Committee, but also has international implications for any policymakers interested in researching incels
The ‘Walking/Wheeling With’ Framework: Establishing Walking/Wheeling with Children as a Mobility Justice Issue
Get PDFAdopting a mobility justice lens, this review paper brings together the often-fragmented literature on walking and wheeling with children and develops a ‘Walking/Wheeling With’ framework to understand and address the infrastructural, social, and cultural barriers that constrain these mobilities, and celebrate the many benefits they bring at the individual, family, community and planetary levels. Rooted in the everyday realities of caregiving mobilities, and adopting a disability-conscious lens, this framework emphasises that the removal of barriers to mobility enhances inclusion for all. Drawing from history, geography, disability studies, environmental planning, social policy, mental health, physical activity, and early childhood studies, we argue for a more cohesive, inclusive, and cross-sectoral research and policy agenda that recognises walking or wheeling with children as a site of both challenge and possibility. Ultimately, the ‘Walking/Wheeling With’ framework demands from researchers and policy makers alike that they systematically consider family/caring mobilities in relation to broader questions of access, inclusion, and movement in contemporary society. In practice, this might mean decentering speed and car-commuting while centering physical safety, slowness, health, civic engagement, environmental justice and inclusivity
Blending Tailoring and Tessellation – A New Framework for Zero Waste Pattern Cutting [may be later titled 'Tailoring, Jigsawing and Tessellation – Developing a Zero Waste Pattern Cutting Methodology']
No full textBackground
Yearly the fast-fashion industry is responsible for 1.9 billion tonnes of textiles waste, (Igini, 2023). It is one of the largest contributors to landfill. In response, fashion practitioners such as McQuillan & Rissen (2015), Ramkalaon & Sayem (2021) and Helmersson (2023) have provided zero-waste frameworks as a move away from the fast fashion model to reduce textile waste commencing at the pattern development stage. These frameworks, though useful, often rely on multiple garment types or the inclusion of different sizes in a lay plan with silhouettes that are loose-fitting, to make the framework achievable. Reliance on adding more than one garment type to a lay to reduce waste carries risk, as both garments need to be equally profitable. Consideration of fabric width to meet zero-waste targets is not considered which is notable as cloth can be woven to varying widths to accommodate a lay. In addition, the silhouettes produced by these frameworks can lie outside of acceptable aesthetics making them unfamiliar to consumers thereby impacting sales and creating more waste through unsold products.
Purpose
This research provides a new zero waste pattern development framework based on utilisation of 100% of the fabric containing a single garment for both tailored and loose-fitting styles thereby broadening the appeal of the garment to a wider consumer market and facilitating opportunities for ready-to-wear retailers to adopt this framework.
Methodology
A practice-based approach was undertaken to develop lay plans using tessellation of the pattern pieces for each garment on different fabric widths. Tailoring techniques were used within the construction of each garment type to provide shape. Garments were constructed and fit tested to check silhouette/fit were correct. The process was documented at each stage to produce a framework.
Results
The resulting collection of garments demonstrated that the zero-waste pattern-cutting framework produced garments with accessible silhouettes that were reproducible. The results demonstrated that different sizes were easily accommodated given different fabric widths. The findings illustrated the emergence of a new skill set where design and pattern development were blended into one process.
Impact
The research added to the existing body of knowledge around zero-waste cutting and tailoring practice. The framework has implications for fashion educators as the process can be taught, making it open for new and existing industry fashion practitioners to understand and adopt
Vasopressin for hemodynamic stability and cardiac tissue repair in post-cardiotomy pediatric patients: A retrospective observational study
Get PDFObjectives: Vasopressin is increasingly used in pediatric intensive care unit for circulatory support; however, evidence on its hemodynamic benefits, survival
impact, and adverse effect profile remains limited. This study aims to evaluate the effect of vasopressin on hemodynamic parameters in post-cardiotomy
pediatric patients (as a foundation for cardiac repair), assess its influence on 30-day survival compared with data from the National Congenital Heart Defects
Association (NCHDA), and analyze associated adverse effects.
Methods: This was a retrospective observational study that included pediatric patients admitted to the intensive care unit between July 2016 and July 2021
who received vasopressin infusion. Collected data included demographics, hemodynamic parameters, vasoactive-inotropic scores at baseline, 24, and 48 hours,
infusion duration, intensive care unit length of stay, 30-day mortality, and adverse events. Outcomes were compared with NCHDA audit data.
Results: A total of 96 children received vasopressin, with 70 admitted for cardiac and 26 for non-cardiac indications. The mean age was < 1 year in both
groups. Non-cardiac patients required extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation more frequently (46.2% vs. 22.9%), while 30-day survival was slightly higher in
the cardiac cohort (85.7% vs. 80.8%). Vasopressin infusion was associated with significant improvements in systolic (P = 7 × 10−7), mean (P = 2.1 × 10−3), and
diastolic blood pressure (P = 3.5 × 10−4) at 24 hours, thereby optimizing the perfusion groundwork essential for cardiac repair. Vasoactive-inotropic score did not
change significantly at 24 hours but decreased by 48 hours (P = 6 × 10−6), reflecting reduced inotrope requirements and a potentially more favorable metabolic
environment for cardiac repair. Each additional day of vasopressin use was associated with a 3.2–6.7-day increase in intensive care unit stay (P = 8 × 10−6). No
adverse events associated with vasopressin infusions were observed.
Conclusion: Vasopressin appears to be a safe adjunct for improving hemodynamics and reducing vasoactive requirements in the pediatric intensive care unit,
particularly at low doses. By improving hemodynamic stability without increasing adverse events, vasopressin may provide a physiological environment that
supports endogenous reparative and regenerative processes in pediatric cardiac patients. However, prolonged use is associated with a longer intensive care
unit stay, without evidence of improved short-term survival. The hemodynamic stability it provides, despite prolonging intensive care unit stay, can be beneficial
for the repair of cardiac tissue damage.
Key Words: congenital heart defects; hemodynamic support; pediatric cardiac surgery; pediatric intensive care; regenerative medicine; vasoactive-inotropic
score; vasopressi
From angel investors to venture capital: fundraising pathways and financial viability in professional esports teams
No full textProfessional esports teams increasingly rely on venture capital (VC) to fund their growth. However, the structural dynamics of this financing model and its financial viability remain underexplored. Anchored in signaling theory, this qualitative study based on seven interviews with esports team representatives and esports investors investigates the structuration of fundraising deals within professional esports teams, analyzing its stages and allocation of funds. It highlights that VC funding is often preceded by early-stage financing, such as business angels and Series A or B rounds, serving as legitimacy signals and used as a cyclical resource for specific projects like international expansion or player acquisitions. Interviews with team executives indicate that fundraising is critical for survival and project acceleration but does not lead to a viable income stream. Challenges include esports' fluctuating market appeal, limited investor understanding of the industry, and difficulties in monetization. However, emerging opportunities lie in leveraging fan communities, exploring cryptocurrency integration, and artificial intelligence applications. The findings deepen the understanding of VC structuration in esports, identifying adaptability and balancing current growth with financial viability as key success factors. Offering practical insights, this study underscores the need for innovative, viable business models to navigate the complexities of the esports ecosystem
Determinants of health outcomes of stroke survivors in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Get PDFBackground: Understanding the determinants of stroke prognosis and outcomes is crucial for guiding treatment decisions and recovery expectations. This systematic review aimed to synthesise the key determinants of health outcomes for stroke survivors (SSVs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with a particular focus on Africa. Methods: This review adhered to the PRISMA guidelines and was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42025629244). Literature search was conducted using EBSCOhost, Scopus, and Web of Science databases for studies published from inception to April 14, 2025. Original researches on SSVs in Africa were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Data was analysed using a narrative synthesis and summarised in tables and texts. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to quantitatively synthesise the findings from the included reviews. Results: The literature search identified 979 articles published between October 1987 and April 2025. Of these, 52 studies conducted in seven African countries met the inclusion criteria. Clinical determinants were reported in 40 studies, while 12 studies assessed psychosocial factors. Risks of bias were classified as low in 47 of the studies and moderate in the remaining five. The key clinical determinants of health outcomes were stroke severity/neurological status (n = 19), biomarkers and blood parameters (n = 18), and abnormal radiological/imaging findings (n = 10). The psychosocial determinants were mental health and emotional well-being, especially from social support (n = 6) and quality-of-life domains (n = 5). The overall pooled estimates of clinical risk factors among SSVs indicated a statistically significant association, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.446 (95% CI: 1.202-1.739, P < 0.001) based on 11 studies. Conclusion: The determinants of health outcomes among SSVs in Africa are multifactorial. The significance of these findings highlights the critical importance of comprehensive management approaches that target key factors to enhance health outcomes and reduce the burden of stroke in Africa