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Fight, flight, or freeze: an exploration of police firearms officers in situations of risk and confrontation.
No full textThe level of stress in an armed confrontation is profound, and incidents involving the discharge of firearms, though rare, provoke significant public concern in the UK. The physiological and psychological challenges faced by Armed Firearms Officers (AFOs) in these scenarios are seldom discussed yet have substantial implications for operational performance. This thesis investigates arousal levels in AFOs within their training environments to enhance understanding and inform practice. Given that British AFOs are volunteers from a predominantly unarmed service the lack of research in this area underscores the importance of this study.Two experimental studies were undertaken. The first, during a bi-annual qualification shoot with 128 AFOs, revealed that less experienced officers exhibited significantly higher heart rates and reduced accuracy. Experienced AFOs maintained accuracy despite elevated arousal, indicating that inexperience exacerbates arousal's negative effects. These findings directly informed adjustments to national qualification processes, which subsequent analysis showed significantly reduced failure rates.The second study, a tactical simulation with 69 officers, found that less experienced personnel were less proficient tactically and in first-shot accuracy, with higher heart rates suggesting greater physiological arousal. Crucially, psychological arousal, measured by situational awareness, was consistently poor across all experience levels, though recall for decision-making remained robust.This research highlights that while experience mitigates some effects of physiological arousal, psychological factors like situational awareness require dedicated focus. Furthermore, those with less experience are more susceptible to the deleterious effects of arousal. Consequently, it is recommended that training programmes integrate structured support processes involving those with significant experience supporting those with the least experience. Training should also consider more detailed immersive scenarios alongside stress exposure to inoculate less experienced officers and explicitly target the development of situational awareness skills. Implementing such evidence-based strategies is vital for enhancing AFO preparedness and ensuring public safety.</p
Beyond Disparity – Value as a metric of gender inequality in American independent cinema
No full textStatistical studies of female directors in American film have tended to focus on measuring the numbers of women and men working in the industry. Whilst such research has been vital in demonstrating the extent of gender inequality, it provides less information on what may have caused the inequality. This thesis overcomes this limitation by measuring indications of how a director is valued within the funding, distribution, marketing and reception of films. As these are important stages in the release of a film, comparing how female and male directors are valued in these stages provides data on the extent of equality and potential areas where inequality occurs. Combining statistical analysis with more textually based methods, this thesis examines how directors who won the Directing Award or Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival are valued across the release of their films. This thesis is divided into three chapters which each focus on a key stage in a film’s release. Chapter One uses statistical analysis to examine value as indicated in the opportunities experienced by directors in the funding and distribution of their films. Chapters Two and Three combine this approach with more text focused analyses, examining indications of value in film trailers and reviews respectively. From this, I argue that inequality occurs on a deeper, obscured level, with the most visible manifestation of value judgements demonstrating a surprising level of equality in how directors are valued. Building on this, I argue that inequality in the generated data reflects patriarchal ideologies and power structures by positioning men as superior to women. I conclude by discussing how the endemic nature of the inequality in these value judgements, indicates both the extent of the challenge of addressing gender inequality and the need to look beyond the boundaries of the industry to do so.</p
Antigen-associated determinants of response to CD20xCD3 bispecific antibodies in diffuse large B cell lymphoma
No full textCD20xCD3 bispecific antibodies (BsAbs), which engage CD20 on B cells and CD3 on T cells, have shown unprecedented activity in relapsed/refractory diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL). However, molecular determinants of BsAb response – including construct-specific and tumour-intrinsic factors – remain poorly understood. Importantly, CD20 epitopes vary between BsAb constructs and glofitamab retains bivalent CD20 binding. Furthermore, CD20 expression levels poorly predict BsAb response and mutations represent an uncommon mechanism of resistance. Using a flow cytometry-based cytotoxicity assay, I compared the in vitro activity of glofitamab, epcoritamab, odronextamab, and mosunetuzumab biosimilars against DLBCL cell lines with varying CD20 expression. Cells were treated for 24 hours with healthy volunteer peripheral blood mononuclear cells as effectors. All BsAbs demonstrated dose-dependent killing of sensitive cell lines with concurrent T cell activation and degranulation. Glofitamab showed the highest maximal efficacy and potency, likely due to bivalent CD20 binding. BsAb activity occurred at CD20 levels as low as 2,000 molecules per cell. Two cell lines exhibited resistance despite substantial CD20 expression and high T cell activation, indicating tumour-intrinsic resistance mechanisms. Target antigen-associated determinants of BsAb response – i.e. relating to CD20 and its interactome – were investigated using co-immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry in a panel of B cell lymphoma models. The relative abundance of co-precipitated proteins was highly heterogeneous and implicated CD20 in B cell signalling, lipid raft clustering, immune synapse formation and metabolism. A preliminary analysis also identified CD20-associated proteins that may contribute to BsAb resistance – such as NEDD4L and CD44 – or to sensitivity, including MHC II, CD38, CD48, CD74, CD147, MCT-1, and GLUT1. Finally, a cell surface proteomics workflow was optimised and applied to one representative cell line.Collectively, this work highlights the importance of BsAb construct selection in DLBCL and proposes that CD20-associated proteins modulate therapeutic response, providing a foundation for predictive biomarker development.</p
Test accuracy of glomerular filtration rate estimation with creatinine and cystatin C in adults with moderate chronic kidney disease: prospective cohort study
No full textOBJECTIVE: To study the performance of two contemporary sets of estimating equations for glomerular filtration rate, published by CKD-EPI (Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration) and EKFC (European Kidney Function Consortium) that include one (creatinine or cystatin C only) and combined (creatinine and cystatin C) biomarkers, to assess their accuracy in a population with moderate chronic kidney disease. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SETTING: Primary, secondary, and tertiary care in six centres in England. Participants were recruited from April 2014 to January 2017. PARTICIPANTS: 1167 adults, aged ≥18 years, with moderate chronic kidney disease (estimated glomerular filtration rate 30-59 mL/min/1.73 m2 sustained over at least three months before recruitment). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Accuracy of estimating equations CKD-EPIcreatinine, CKD-EPIcystatin, CKD-EPIcreatinine-cystatin, EKFCcreatinine, EKFCcystatin, and EKFCcreatinine-cystatin compared with measured glomerular filtration rate (iohexol clearance). Remodelled 2021 versions of the CKD-EPI equations were also studied. Accuracy was expressed as P30 (percentage of estimates within 30% of measured glomerular filtration rate). RESULTS: Median age was 67.5 years, 58.3% of patients were men, 86.9% were white participants, and 27.8% had diabetes. Median measured glomerular filtration rate was 47.0 mL/min/1.73 m2; 57.0% of participants had albuminuria. Test calibration critically affected measurement of cystatin C. After recalibration of cystatin C, P30 values were 90.2% (CKD-EPIcreatinine), 89.5% (CKD-EPIcystatin), 94.9% (CKD-EPIcreatinine-cystatin), 88.0% (CKD-EPI(2021)creatinine), 94.9% (CKD-EPI(2021)creatinine-cystatin), 89.4% (EKFCcreatinine), 91.0% (EKFCcystatin), and 94.9% (EKFCcreatinine-cystatin). Creatinine based equations showed varying bias depending on the glomerular filtration rate level; inclusion of cystatin C in the equations improved this effect. Differences in accuracy in age, sex, and glomerular filtration rate level subgroups varied by equation. Equations combining creatinine and cystatin performed equally across age, sex, diabetes status, albuminuria status, and body mass index categories. CONCLUSIONS: The CKD-EPIcreatinine equation had acceptable accuracy in a white population in England with moderate chronic kidney disease. Combined dual biomarker equations showed higher accuracy than the CKD-EPIcreatinine equation and their equivalent creatinine only equations. Further research is needed to determine the most accurate equation to use in people of black and South Asian origin living in England.</p
Developing public health risk messages about antibiotic resistance using metaphors: An international co-design and e-Delphi consensus study
No full textAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health threat, yet public awareness of its causes and risks remains low, limiting behaviour change. Metaphors—linking abstract ideas to familiar concepts—are promising but underused tools in AMR communication. We conducted the first systematic mixed-methods study to develop novel metaphors addressing key misunderstandings and behaviours. Co-design workshops with the public and doctors in the UK (n = 29) and public in South Africa (n = 22) generated 89 initial metaphors. These were extended through 101 additional suggestions, and evaluated via a 3-round e-Delphi study with 37 AMR communication experts from 27 countries, using the UCLA/RAND appropriateness method. 38 metaphors were endorsed for global use. Invoking domains like nature, tools, and fire fighting, they offer relatable, culturally resonant alternatives to alarmist war and doomsday imagery. This study pioneers participatory methods in behavioural science and provides a blueprint for co-creating health messages, such as tailoring AMR metaphors to specific needs.</p
Geodynamic controls on magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide mineral systems through time
No full textNo description supplied</p
Experiences and perceptions of affected individuals, families, caregivers and healthcare professionals regarding end-of-life planning in Huntington’s disease: A narrative synthesis
No full textIntroductionPeople with Huntington's disease (HD) are encouraged to consider end-of-life planning early on to mitigate future challenges. Initial evidence shows that undertaking planning discussions around this subject presents various barriers; however, a comprehensive evidence synthesis has not been completed to date. Accordingly, we here synthesise evidence regarding experiences of end-of-life planning discussions (EOLPD) among people with HD, their families and familial caregivers, and healthcare professionals supporting them.MethodsFive databases were systematically searched for peer-reviewed articles addressing the research question. After screening, eight articles meeting the inclusion criteria were identified, and a narrative synthesis undertaken to develop key themes.ResultsFour themes were developed. “The value of EOLPD” details the perceived effectiveness of such discussions. “To talk or not to talk” reflect motivations to seek out or avoid EOLPD. “A clear vision of the future” encapsulates how EOLPD may provide comfort for some but fear and anxiety for others. The final theme highlights the importance of those engaging in EOLPD accessing “The right people at the right time”.DiscussionEnd-of-life planning in HD remains inconsistently implemented and often process-focused, with a need for more holistic and patient-centred discussions. Further research is necessary to explore needs, expectations and experiences among HD families, and to support healthcare professionals to successfully lead on introducing these discussions. Additionally, much of the literature addressed euthanasia rather than natural death, highlighting a need for more research in the context of natural death.</p
Observations of the temporal evolution of Saturn's stratosphere following the Great Storm of 2010-2011. II. Latitudinal distribution of CO and stratospheric winds
No full textContext. Saturn’s Great Storm of 2010-2011 has produced two stratospheric hot spots, the “beacons,” that eventually merged toproduce a gigantic one in April and May 2011. This beacon perturbed stratospheric temperatures, hydrocarbon, and water abundancesfor several years.Aims. We aim to assess whether the beacon induced any perturbation in another oxygen species, namely CO. A second goal is tomeasure how the vortex perturbed the stratospheric wind regime.Methods. We conducted interferometric observations of Saturn in the submillimeter range with SMA and ALMA to spatially resolvethe CO (J=3-2) and (J=2-1) emissions, respectively. We used a previously determined CO vertical profile as a template, to search for(i) the meridional distribution of CO and (ii) variations of the CO abundance associated with the storm. The high spatial and spectralresolutions of the ALMA observations enabled us to retrieve the winds from the Doppler shifts induced by the winds on the lines.Results. Despite limitations resulting from the removal of baseline ripples, we find a relatively constant meridional distribution of CO.The average CO mole fraction implied by the adopted and rescaled 220-year-old-comet-impact vertical profile is (1.7˘0.7)ˆ10´7at 0.3 mbar, i.e., where the contribution functions peak. We also find that the CO abundance has not been noticeably altered in thebeacon. The winds measured at 1 mbar show striking differences with those measured in 2018, after the demise of the beacon. We findthe signature of the vortex as an anticyclonic feature. The equatorial prograde jet is 100 to 200 m.s´1 slower, and broader in latitude,than in quiescent conditions. We also detect several prograde jets in the southern hemisphere. Finally, we detect a retrograde jet at74˝N which could be a polar jet caused by the interaction of the Saturn magnetosphere with its atmosphere.Conclusions. With Saturn’s equinox season approaching, new wind measurements would enable the findings presented in this paperto be confirmed by probing the two hemispheres equally and searching for a southern retrograde polar jet.</p
macroeconomic and financial forecasting in the aftermath of the covid shock: Inflation Forecasting with Large language Models
No full textWe compare the inflation forecasting performance of large language models (LLMs) to traditional models and the Kalman filter approach developed by Hall et al. (2026). Using monthly data for inflation in both the United States and the euro area, we forecast over the period 2020:M1 to 2025:M9; our findings show that all the LLMs significantly improved forecasting performance against the traditional models.</p
Global lessons from disaster: rethinking risk and resilience in an age of compound crises
No full textThe devastating 6 February 2023 Türkiye–Syria earthquakes tragically highlighted the urgent need for disaster risk reduction and resilience worldwide. Striking a region of well-known seismic faults, the Mw7.8 mainshock and its aftershocks killed over 50,000 people in Türkiye and more than 7,000 in Syria (Yildiz and Shaw Citation2024). Thousands of buildings, including homes, hospitals, and schools, collapsed or were damaged, and already vulnerable groups faced compounding hardships. The tragic outcomes show how underlying risk factors, ranging from weak infrastructure and inadequate enforcement of building standards to pre-existing social inequalities, can amplify the human toll of natural hazards. And while this disaster was regionally specific, it also reflects some broader global challenges. In an age of escalating climate extremes, urban expansion, and systemic interdependence commonly observed across many nations, the Türkiye–Syria earthquake is a powerful reminder that the world must urgently strengthen disaster resilience in every community.</p