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How peer support is conceptualised and implemented to reduce bullying in 10 European countries
No full textSchool bullying is recognised as a global concern with severe impacts on students’ physical and mental health, as well as educational outcomes. While peer support has been recognised as valuable in bullying prevention, knowledge of how it is understood and effectively implemented remains limited. This study investigates how peer support is conceptualised by official educational authorities responsible for secondary school students in 10 European countries; Albania, Austria, Cyprus, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Switzerland, and the UK. The purpose is to explore the concept of peer support, including the requirements of effective peer support and its outcomes in bullying prevention. A total of 63 documents were retrieved and analysed using Applied Thematic Analysis. The findings reveal that peer support is an umbrella term encompassing various activities, including peer mediation, mentoring, and tutoring. Effective peer support is characterised by the development of trust and forming relationships in diverse communities, and training students in communication skills and conflict resolution. The study concludes that while peer support initiatives are widely implemented, their effectiveness varies depending on programme design, implementation, and contextual factors. Their success largely depends on school communities and leadership. The findings underscore the need for a holistic approach that integrates peer support into the broader educational framework to create inclusive and safe school environments.</p
Reading as communal luxury: on the formation of a resistant subject group
No full textThis provocation argues for the importance of reading groups, and for reading books, as a mode of resistance against the instrumentalisation and individualisation of academic labour in today’s neo-liberalised universities. Against the dominant ‘information processing’ paradigm of reading, we argue that reading groups function as invaluable moments of social reproduction in the ‘undercommons’ of contemporary higher education. Combining Harney and Moten’s concept of the undercommons with Ross’ analysis of communal luxury, we argue that reading groups can articulate a radical, performative demand for the right to collective cultural creativity. Reading groups can steal back a small degree of academic autonomy, not over academic labour, but over the social reproduction that makes such labour possible in the first place. This argument is interspersed with intermezzo reflections on our collective experiences as members of a ‘viral reading group’, meeting since the start of Covid. We conclude our provocation with a manifesto for reading groups as a way of contesting the hegemony of instrumental rationality in management learning and education, for academics and for students, and as a place where the two can meet to plan and study, within and beyond the institutional limits of contemporary higher education.</p
Design and development of zinc diethyldithiocarbamate nanoliposomes for potential anticancer therapy
No full textIntroduction: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Zinc diethyldithiocarbamate (Zn(DDC)₂), a disulfiram metabolite, shows potential as an anticancer drug but suffers from poor solubility and bioavailability, limiting its therapeutic effectiveness. This thesis aimed to design, develop, and optimise liposomal formulations of Zn(DDC)₂ to improve its solubility, stability, and therapeutic potential for CRC treatment.Materials & Methods: Liposomal formulations were prepared using various phospholipids, preparation methods, size reduction techniques, and drug-to-lipid ratios (D/L). Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) was explored as a co-solvent to enhance Zn(DDC)₂ solubility at different concentrations. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) was incorporated to improve liposome stability. The formulations were characterised using dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), drug encapsulation efficiency (EE%), and thermal analysis. Stability was assessed under storage and physiological conditions, including human and horse sera. In vitro cytotoxicity was tested on sensitive and resistant CRC cell lines, with combination studies using 5-fluorouracil (5FU) to investigate synergistic effects.Results: Encapsulating Zn(DDC)₂ presented significant challenges, but the ethanol-based pro-liposome method with HPH and DMSO as a co-solvent yielded liposomes with impressive high EE% of 75 ± 12% for non-PEGylated liposomes and 84 ± 13% for PEGylated liposomes. DMSO significantly improved Zn(DDC)₂ solubility and liposomal characteristics, increasing drug loading. PEGylation further enhanced stability. In vitro, cytotoxicity assays showed a reduction in IC50 values from 23.8 ± 12.3 μM to 5.79 ± 3.39 μM for non-PEGylated liposomes and 7.35 ± 4.48 μM for PEGylated formulations. Combination of Zn(DDC)2 liposomal formulations with 5FU significantly reduced its IC50 from >1000 μM to 32.71 ± 3.71 μM for non-PEGylated and 30.85 ± 4.00 μM for PEGylated liposomes, showing potential synergistic anticancer effects.Conclusions: This research concludes that Zn(DDC)₂-loaded liposomes are a promising drug delivery system for enhancing the solubility, stability, and efficacy of Zn(DDC)₂ in potential CRC treatment. This is the first study to successfully design and develop PEGylated Zn(DDC)₂ liposomes containing DMSO as a co-solvent, with high EE%, offering a more practical approach for potential clinical use.</p
Predicting the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology treatments: a systematic review and quality assessment of prediction models
No full textImportance: Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a common iatrogenic complication of controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) in assisted conception. OHSS can be life-threatening and associated with significant morbidity. Several measures could help prevent OHSS; however, accurate risk prediction remains a challenge to enable early prevention. Objective: To review available prediction models for OHSS in women undergoing assisted conception and to identify the best-performing models for their accuracy, generalizability, and applicability. Evidence review: We searched electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL) until October 2023. We included studies reporting on the development or evaluation of models predicting the risk of OHSS outcomes before or during COS among women undergoing assisted conception. We reported on models’ discrimination, calibration, type of validation, and any implementation tools for clinical practice. Findings: We screened 5,699 citations and included 14 observational cohort studies reporting on 14 prediction models. The median sample size was 782 participants (range 105–256,381), and the majority of models were developed using logistic regression (13/14, 92.9%). The commonest predictor was maternal age (7/14, 50.0%), followed by number of antral and mature follicles (6/14, 42.9%). Six models were internally validated (6/14, 42.9%), and none were externally validated. Only one model had an implementation platform as a smartphone-based application (1/14, 7.1%). Most of the included studies had an unclear risk of bias (7/14, 50.0%), and only three studies were at low risk (3/13, 21.4%). Conclusion and relevance: There are no clinically appropriate and validated prediction models for OHSS among women undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation. More research is needed to improve their generalizability and applicability into clinical practice. PROSPERO: CRD42024509423</p
Emotional labour of service employees: a workplace bullying perspective in UAE's hospitality industry
No full textPurpose: This study aimed to explore the interplay between emotional labour and workplace bullying within the UAE hospitality sector. The primary focus was to understand how these phenomena influence employee well-being and performance, identify contributing factors, and propose tailored strategies to mitigate the adverse effects. The research was grounded in the Conservation of Resources (COR) theory to examine the dynamics of emotional labour and bullying.Methods: The research employed a mixed-methods approach, including 328 employee surveys, 15 follow-up interviews with employees, and 24 semi-structured interviews with HR managers.Findings: Key findings indicate that emotional labour amplifies the negative effects of workplace bullying on employee performance but does not significantly exacerbate psychological distress, which is primarily influenced by bullying itself. Cultural diversity, power imbalances, and organizational ethos were identified as critical factors driving workplace bullying. The "customer is always right" mentality further intensified emotional demands. Gender dynamics and inadequate organizational support were significant contributors to the prevalence of bullying.Practical Implications: The study recommends implementing comprehensive anti-bullying policies, fostering psychological safety, and developing culturally sensitive training programs. Organizations are advised to integrate emotional intelligence training, promote genuine emotional expression, and provide resources for employee recovery, such as wellness programs and flexible schedules. Leadership development and gender-sensitive interventions are emphasized to create inclusive and supportive workplace environments.Originality/Value: This research bridges significant gaps by contextualizing workplace bullying and emotional labour within the UAE’s hospitality sector, offering a nuanced understanding of their interaction in a multicultural workforce. It expands theoretical insights into the roles of emotional regulation, cultural diversity, and organizational practices, providing actionable recommendations applicable to similar high-stress, service-intensive industries globally.</p
Simultaneous ruptures of the palmar carpal ligament and superficial digital flexor tendon in a traction horse
No full textThis report described the clinical case of a gelding, approximately 13 years old, mixed breed, with concomitant ruptures in the forelimbs, including the left palmar carpal ligament and the right superficial digital flexor tendon. After the clinical examination, it was observed severe hyperextension in the carpal joint and swelling, heat and intense pain in both thoracic limbs, in addition to reluctance to move and severe degree of lameness. In the radiographic examination, the right forelimb showed hyperextension of the radiocarpal joint with 225° and the presence of lateral subluxation of the carpal-ulnar bone and the left forelimb had hyperextension of the same joint with an angle of 235°. After euthanasia, partial multifocal tearing of the carpal palmar ligament was observed in the left thoracic limb and total tearing of the superficial digital flexor tendon in the right forelimb. This study presented the case and discussed the possible causes of the occurrence of concurrent ruptures. Also, the report explored equine carpal hyperextension, a rare condition with limited recovery records following palmar carpal ligament rupture injuries. It emphasizes the biomechanical role of this ligament, and its synergy with the superficial digital flexor tendon in preventing hyperextension. Although tendon ruptures have treatment options, complete rupture of the palmar carpal ligament often leads to euthanasia due to irreparable joint damage.</p
Encountering research in Northern Ireland
No full textAs Northern Ireland marks 25 years since the Good Friday Agreement was signed, the political afterlife of the conflict persists in affecting the everyday lives of communities, kept alive through individual and institutional memories and stories. With state archives continuing to be released and living actors in the conflict still available to interview, they offer opportunities and challenges for researchers trying to understand the Troubles to navigate. This paper reflects on our different research encounters considering how our research has been affected by questions of access and positionality in the making of new and critical knowledges on the conflict in Northern Ireland.</p
The wellbeing of researchers of sensitive and emotionally challenging topics
No full textThe impact of researching sexual violence on researcher wellbeing has largely been overlooked in academia. Acknowledgement that researchers may experience secondary distress, such as vicarious and secondary trauma, is growing. A small-scale pilot survey was conducted at a UK university to gain insight into how conducting sensitive and emotionally challenging research affects the wellbeing of researchers, how researchers accessed and received support, and their support needs. Forty-five staff and students self-selected to complete the survey. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative responses were thematically analysed. Findings revealed negative and positive outcomes associated with conducting sensitive and emotionally challenging research. The fieldwork and analysis phases were particularly difficult for researchers. Findings suggest that universities need to do more to prepare staff and students to conduct emotionally challenging research. Barriers to seeking help included the lack of specialist support and concerns about being negatively judged. The findings illustrate the need to create an open and supportive culture and recognise researcher wellbeing as an emotional and psychological health and safety concern. The findings can help institutions develop preventative policies and responses, proactively mitigating potential harms and supporting researchers in this important work.</p
A systematic review of how quality of care for care home residents living with dementia is defined and operationalised in research
No full textNo description supplied</p
Data set for research paper: Mitigating the Impact of Late Engagement of Students in Higher Education Item
No full textThis research includes a quantitative analysis of the impact of late engagement of students with their academic outcomes. The data for the quantitative analysis is included here</p
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