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Resilience in practice:A systematic review of coping factors for therapists with lived experience of mental ill health
Get PDFTherapists with lived experience of mental ill health (MIH) bring unique insights and empathy to their practice. However, this dual identity creates significant challenges as they balance personal wellbeing with professional responsibilities. This systematic review explores coping strategies and resilience factors to support therapists with MIH. The review adhered to PRISMA guidelines and included studies using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches. Eligible studies focused on coping strategies and resilience mechanisms for therapists with MIH. Databases searched included Web of Science, MEDLINE, ASSIA, CINAHL, Embase, and APA PsycINFO, with additional forward and backward citation searches. Data synthesis employed a thematic narrative approach to identify recurring themes. The search and screening process resulted in 14 eligible studies of various designs. Key coping strategies identified were personal therapy, support systems, self-care practices, and reflective techniques. Personal therapy provided a safe space for therapists to process challenges and enhance their professional empathy. Support systems, including peer networks and nonjudgmental supervision, fostered resilience, although stigma and systemic barriers often reduced their accessibility. Reflective practices, such as journaling and supervision, were essential for promoting self-awareness and professional growth. Despite these strategies, therapists faced challenges in managing dual identities and navigating workplace stigma. The studies highlighted the professional value of lived experience in enhancing therapeutic relationships, but systemic support and organizational change were often lacking. This review emphasises the importance of systemic and institutional support in fostering resilience for therapists with MIH. Addressing stigma, providing resources for self-care and supervision, and integrating lived experiences into professional practice are critical. Future research should explore diverse populations and longitudinal perspectives to deepen understanding and inform inclusive practices. Enhancing support for therapists with MIH will ensure their sustained contributions to the mental health field
From the master's tool to an instrument of change:HCI design method subversion
Get PDFThe dominant view of HCI design methods, aligned with profit-driven goals, reinforces existing power structures and economic inequality. Inspired by Aude Lorde's assertion that "the master's tools cannot dismantle the master's house,” this paper examines their potential to enable socially just, community-driven outcomes by subverting conventional methods like example mapping. We apply Amos Vogel's framework of subversion of form and content, using case study in cooperative and community land trust context. This research represents a novel approach as it specifically focuses on subverting a conventional design method to align with cooperative principles and economic justice. Findings highlight the importance of inclusivity, mutual aid, and community-centred processes in shifting technology design goals toward equity and collective ownership
Data benefits:Attitudes and aspirations of benefit recipients in Scotland towards data sharing
Get PDFObjectivesThe reuse of administrative data has the potential to transform public services. However, there remains limited evidence on the views of affected communities towards the sharing and linking of their data. Our research aimed to gather attitudes of one such group: those in receipt of benefits.MethodsWe ran seven deliberative focus groups at community centres in Edinburgh, speaking to 37 individuals in receipt of benefits. These focus groups discussed four data sharing scenarios that were co-produced with stakeholders from the public sector, academia and the third sector. Our four scenarios included three scenarios of data sharing for the administration of benefits (one of which currently happens), and one scenario based on sharing of Scottish social security data for academic research (i.e. for data linkage). These events were followed up by two community discussion events which were open to the general public.ResultsAll participants were familiar with the idea of ‘personal data’, and spoke about various kinds of data sharing that already happens with their data. While some expressed trust, most participants strongly distrusted agencies and their ability to keep their data safe and use it in ways that would benefit them or be proportionate. Despite this, when discussing the four scenarios, participants did outline some advantages. These were that data sharing could: help ensure those who were entitled to benefits received them; make benefits easier to receive; and facilitate research for the public good. Nonetheless, participants all expressed concerns about the data sharing scenarios. In particular, there was considerable concern about the lack of choice or consent, and that certain communities’ data were being disproportionately used.ConclusionsOur research demonstrates the importance of talking to affected communities in ways that are grounded in specific scenarios rather than general attitudes (as views often change depending on the context). It also highlights the interest these communities have in being consulted and involved in discussions around data sharing and linkage
The future of AI & human creativity:Ethics authorship and the future of originality in the age of AI
Get PDFHuman creativity has never been more challenged: Through the advent of AI-based storytelling and creative tools, new forms of computational creativity emerge (Lee 2022, Boden 1998), which give rise to rapid advances across animation, storytelling, and computer graphics. Storyboards can now be created within seconds through AI-based platforms, animations are prompted into existence, and image inputs allow for digital doubles to take the lead in feature films. However, risks persist across authorship, accreditation, royalties, but also authenticity, individual human expression and handcrafted digital artistry. Following brief presentations, this workshop invites participants to brainstorm their own responses to a rapidly evolving field. As a global forum for research excellence in computer graphics, ACM SIGGRAPH's Frontiers workshop brings together experts from diverse fields, providing a unique opportunity for public discourse around the ethics, challenges and new realities the future of creativity entails
The impact of child maltreatment and adverse childhood experiences on problematic alcohol use in a nationally representative survey of youth
Get PDFChild maltreatment and problematic alcohol use in adolescence represent significant public health concerns with interrelated risks. We examined relationships between maltreatment exposure, non-maltreatment adversities, and problematic alcohol use in a representative sample of Australian youth aged 16–24 (n = 3,500). Structural equation models revealed that youth experiencing multiple maltreatment types reported greater levels of problematic alcohol use, even after controlling for non-maltreatment adversities, mental health, and gender. When accounting for co-occurrence, only sexual abuse was independently associated with alcohol problems. Household substance use was most strongly associated with youth problematic alcohol use among non-maltreatment adversities, while self-perceived racial bias showed an inverse relationship. Duration of maltreatment was directly associated with alcohol outcomes, though neither age of onset nor duration moderated the relationship between maltreatment exposure and alcohol use. These findings highlight the need for comprehensive prevention and intervention strategies addressing both maltreatment and family-level risk factors for problematic alcohol use
Modular and Interoperable Workflows for Benchmarking Alchemical Binding Free Energy Calculation Methodologies
Get PDFAlchemical free energy methods are gaining traction in computer-aided drug discovery. An expanding array of methodologies is available for the setup, execution, and analysis of relative binding free energy (RBFE) calculations. However, the sharing of algorithms and protocols developed by different organizations is often impeded by incompatible software and outdated file formats. In this work, we leveraged the BioSimSpace framework to build modular and interoperable RBFE workflows. We assessed the performance of various setup, simulation, and analysis tools developed by the community on a benchmark set of six protein–ligand congeneric series, providing recommendations on best practices for the reliable application of RBFE methods in drug discovery
Iodo-Labeling of Peptides for Quantitative MALDI MS Analysis─Screening for Bacteria-Binding Peptides from a Glycine-Zipper Library
Get PDFMatrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS) is widely valued for its speed and sensitivity in biomolecular analysis, yet the inherently nonquantitative nature hampers its use in many applications including high-throughput screening. Here, we introduce an iodo-based labeling strategy that enables accurate quantification of peptides and peptide libraries using high-resolution MALDI FT-ICR MS. The peptides are coupled at the N-terminus with benzoic acid (BA) or 4-iodobenzoic acid (IBA) to generate the analyte and its internal standard, respectively, differing only by a single iodine substitution. This new labeling strategy was first validated using a simple four-peptide mixture, and subsequently applied to quantitatively evaluate glycine-zipper peptide libraries containing up to 125 members for the discovery of bacterial-binding peptides. Screening of these libraries against Gram-negative Escherichia coli and Gram-positive Bacillus subtilis revealed peptides with strong and selective interactions with the bacteria. This universally applicable, cost-effective, and straightforward approach for peptide quantification significantly enhances the reliability and accuracy of high-throughput peptide screening via MALDI FT-ICR MS
Syntax-guided synthesis with counterexample-guided E-graphs:A work-in-progress report
No full textProgram synthesis algorithms suffer serious scalability issues due to the exponential growth of the space of solutions as programs grow longer. A common way to tame this search space in programming-by-example is to use observational equivalence. In this work in progress report we discuss a method for using equivalence graphs (e-graphs) to lift observational equivalence to more general program synthesis problems. We first present a naive synthesis algorithm using an e-graph to perform bottom-up enumeration. We also propose an extension of e-graphs, using approximate equivalence guided by counterexamples. We evaluate a preliminary implementation of both approaches against a state-of-the-art solver, and further outline scope for improvements and further research.</p
Identifying the optimal time point for adaptive re-planning in prostate cancer radiotherapy to minimise rectal toxicity using normal tissue imaging biomarkers
No full textBackground and Purpose Adaptive radiotherapy (ART) in prostate cancer (PCa), although not yet standard practice, is typically triggered by inter-fractional anatomical changes that emerge progressively during treatment. This study investigates whether radiomics extracted before and during treatment can identify the optimal time point for re-planning, with the goal of reducing late rectal bleeding. Materials and Methods This study included 187 PCa patients from the single-centre, prospectively collected VoxTox dataset (UK-CRN-ID-13716), treated with image-guided radiotherapy using TomoTherapy and daily MVCT. Patients received either 74 Gy in 37 fractions (N = 110) or 60 Gy in 20 fractions (N = 77). Radiomic features were extracted from pre-treatment planning CTs and daily MVCTs. Grade ≥ 1 rectal bleeding was assessed at 2 years post-treatment using CTCAE v4.03. Two analysis strategies were employed: a separate analysis, where weekly features were evaluated independently; and a cumulative analysis, which progressively incorporated features from previous weeks. Logistic regression models with elastic net penalty were trained and evaluated using AUC.In both groups, week 1 provided the highest standalone predictive performance (test AUC = 0.766 for 74 Gy; 0.734 for 60 Gy). In the cumulative analysis, week 3 was optimal for the 74 Gy group (test AUC = 0.767), balancing performance and timing. For the 60 Gy group, week 1 remained optimal but suffered from reduced generalisability (test AUC = 0.643).Conclusions Radiomic analysis of daily imaging can support early, proactive ART in PCa, offering a personalised strategy to reduce late rectal bleeding beyond conventional anatomy-based approaches
Epigenetic study of the long-term effects of gulf War illness
No full textINTRODUCTION: Gulf War Illness is a chronic multisymptomatic disorder that affects as many as 25-35% of the military personnel who were sent to the Persian Gulf war in 1991. The illness has many debilitating symptoms, including cognitive problems, gastrointestinal symptoms, and musculoskeletal pain. Those so afflicted have been sick for more than 30 years and, therefore, it has become imperative to understand the etiology of Gulf War Illness and then produce treatments to ease the symptoms. We hypothesized that the length of the disease was reflected in epigenetic modification of possibly several genes related to the symptoms.METHODS: We subjected male and female mice from 11 BXD strains to combined corticosterone and the sarin surrogate, diisopropylfluorophosphate, to emulate the physiological stress of war and the potential exposures to organophosphate pesticides and nerve agent in theater. Three hundred days after treatment, we used Methyl-CpG-binding domain sequencing (MBD-seq) to assay genome-wide methylation.RESULTS: The analysis revealed 20 methylated genes, notably Eif2b5, that regulates myelin production.DISCUSSION: Loss of myelin with accompanying musculoskeletal pain is a major symptom of Gulf War Illness. Our work demonstrates multiple genes were methylated by exposure to organophosphates and glucocorticoids. These genes point to biochemical mechanisms that may be targets for therapeutic intervention.</p
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