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What is so special about student counselling? A Foucauldian analysis of discourses shaping practice in UK embedded university counselling services
Full text linkBackground:
An extensive theory‐based clinical literature related to the UK student counselling sector belies a deficiency of empirical research investigating UK Embedded University Counselling Services (EUCS). Although research attention has recently been re‐focused on the sector, its concern with standardised outcome measurement, while important in justifying the value of such services, may fail to elucidate any unique features of counselling practice in this setting.
Aims:
This research aimed to provide a framework for understanding the influence of the HE institutional context on counselling practices and investigate how practitioners construct the role and functions of their work in an EUCS setting.
Method:
Semi‐structured interviews were undertaken with six student counsellors working across different UK EUCS, and the transcripts were analysed using Foucauldian Discourse Analysis (FDA).
Analysis:
The study identified four dominant discourses: academic achievement, life‐stage, mental health crisis and professional counselling practice, which were seen to influence the counsellor role as they manifested through a series of subdiscourses, such as the precedence of educational attainment, loco‐parentis, risk vulnerability and flexible practice subdiscourses.
Conclusion:
The analysis suggests that student counselling is broadly constructed as a time‐limited psychosocial intervention which aims to facilitate academic engagement while attending to the perceived developmental needs of student–clients in a highly flexible manner. This may contrast with the expectations of student–clients themselves as well as other stakeholders, especially at a time of perceived mental health crisis within the student population. Implications for practice, supervision and training are discussed
Virtual encounters: the making and manifestations of Deleuze’s Bergsonism
No full textIntroduction:
It is common for the influence of Henri Bergson on Gilles Deleuze to be explored in reverse, with readers starting from a mature Deleuzian text and then proceeding back to Deleuze’s book on Bergson, after which some may carry on to study Deleuze’s earlier essays on Bergson. This direction of travel means that Deleuze’s publications on Bergson are often read in the light of his mature work. This anachronistic approach can obscure the germination of Deleuze’s thinking, and in particular its sequence. For example, Bergsonism is the fifth of Deleuze’s books, published 4 years after his book on Nietzsche and only 2 years before Difference and Repetition. From this one might surmise that Deleuze’s encounter with Bergson happens after and is influenced by his reading of Nietzsche (and Kant and Proust), and that this encounter happened not long before the creation of Difference and Repetition. But as Deleuze tells us in his ‘Letter to a Harsh Critic’, he read Nietzsche “only later” after his engagement with Bergson (N 6). The publication date of Deleuze’s book on Bergson is therefore somewhat misleading, for the main features of Deleuze’s encounter with Bergson were in fact formulated much earlier
'You would never pick up the thread from where you left off’: older Irish women migrants' narratives of non‐return, post‐retirement
Full text linkThere is growing interest in the extent of post‐retirement return among migrants. However, most research focuses on those approaching or soon after retirement, e.g. in their 60s. Less is known about how return, and indeed non‐return, decision‐making evolves in later years, with calls for more research on migrants in the old‐old age groups. Moreover, there are indications that women migrants may be less inclined to return than their male counterparts. Our article seeks to advance understanding in this area of research by drawing upon rich qualitative data from Irish women migrants, who worked as nurses in Britain and are now entering older age, e.g. 70s–80s. Many simply asserted that they could not leave their adult children and grandchildren. However, using the embedding framework, through a life course lens, we argue that non‐return may reflect complex processes of disembedding and non‐belonging in the origin country – which are less easy to articulate
Development, acceptability and engagement with the mind tutor: lessons learned from testing a novel digital application for first year UK undergraduate student wellbeing
Full text linkUniversity student wellbeing has been declining in recent years, leading to increased demand for universities to provide support services. This paper aims to describe the development process of a novel chatbot enhanced app for student wellbeing, the Mind Tutor, and to evaluate the acceptability of this app. The paper also serves to provide multiple lessons learned from the development process and the testing of the app, which will be of use to other researchers in the field. Mind Tutor was developed with input from students and university service stakeholders. Findings from the development process suggested that the app should focus content on anxiety, mood, managing academic work, transitions and balance and relationships. Behaviour change techniques (BCTs) within the app were information provision, goal setting, mindfulness, skills/actions and reframing. Mind Tutor content relating to transitions appeared to be the most acceptable to students; however, engagement with the app was poor (two interactions per student). Although universities are keen to offer app-based wellbeing support to students, and students may like such tools, our study demonstrates that low engagement may impact the efficacy of such tools. Considerations for future research are discussed, including the practicality of randomised controlled trials, better integration with existing support services and integration with learning and teaching platforms. The paper also advocates for greater use of co-production methods, and the need to ensure appropriate face-to-face support is not superseded by digital technology
Mpox virus (MPXV): comprehensive analysis of pandemic risks, pathophysiology, treatments, and mRNA vaccine development
No full textMpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a zoonotic disease caused by the Mpox virus (MPXV), which has recently attracted global attention due to its potential for widespread outbreaks. Initially identified in 1958, MPXV primarily spreads to humans through contact with infected wild animals, particularly rodents. Historically confined to Africa, the virus has expanded beyond endemic regions, with notable outbreaks in Europe and North America in 2022, especially among men who have sex with men (MSM). The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the current Mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. This review explores the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical manifestations of MPXV, along with current treatment strategies and the role of mRNA vaccines. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the changing dynamics of Mpox transmission, which are influenced by factors such as waning immunity from smallpox vaccinations and increased global interconnectedness. The potential for developing multi-epitope vaccines that can stimulate robust immune responses is highlighted, showcasing how bioinformatics can facilitate the identification of immunogenic antigens. Continued research and investment in vaccine development are crucial to address the urgent need for effective candidates that can protect at-risk populations. In summary, this review underscores the necessity for proactive public health measures and collaborative efforts among healthcare authorities, researchers, and communities to mitigate the impact of Mpox and enhance global preparedness for future outbreaks
The concrete function of the banking system: Samir Amin’s monetary theory of financial underdevelopment
No full textBuilding on Samir Amin’s monetary theory, this paper argues that the underdevelopment of banking systems in peripheral economies is not merely the result of institutional inefficiencies or market failures but is deeply rooted in structural constraints. These constraints, such as insufficient production capacity and limited foreign exchange reserves, significantly limit the ability of banks to inject credit into the economy. Within this constrained capacity to extend credit, the concrete function of the banking sector is fundamentally distributional. Banks allocate scarce financial resources among sectors that foster capital accumulation instead of local development. Drawing on empirical evidence from Egypt, the paper demonstrates that credit to the private sector is heavily dependent on industrial growth and the availability of foreign exchange reserves. Furthermore, persistent fiscal deficits have exacerbated the already concentrated credit market, channelling limited financial resources toward recurrent public expenditures rather than capital investments, thereby weakening the industrial capacity of the economy
Integrating multi-omics & clinical narratives for predictive modeling: genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and medical texts in disease analysis
No full textThis research aims to present advanced predictive models that seamlessly integrate multi-omics data (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, etc.) with clinical notes. The goal is to significantly improve the accuracy of dis-ease diagnosis, enhance prognosis predictions, and enable personalized treatment strategies. The research approach includes a mixed-methods de-sign, combining quantitative and qualitative methods. It involves data pre-processing techniques to standardize multi-omics data, advanced natural language processing (NLP) for extracting structured insights from clinical notes, and the development of interpretable predictive models. The research also focuses on clinical translation through the creation of user-friendly in-terfaces and adheres to strict ethical and regulatory guidelines to ensure re-sponsible data usage. The research contributes both theoretically and prac-tically to the fields of multi-omics integration, NLP in healthcare, and pre-dictive modeling. Theoretical advancements encompass a deeper under-standing of data integration, NLP techniques, and model transparency in healthcare. Practically, this research offers prospects for more accurate dis-ease diagnosis, enhanced prognostication, and personalized treatment strat-egies, thereby improving clinical workflows and ensuring ethical data prac-tices
Image recognition tools for blind and visually impaired users: an emphasis on the design considerations
Full text linkThe existing digital image recognition technologies available for blind individuals are commercially accessible but still at an immature stage, necessitating enhancements in their capabilities. Areas requiring improvement in current image recognition tools for the visually impaired encompass information accuracy, information adequacy, appropriateness of information for blind individuals, functional sufficiency, and ergonomic suitability. This research endeavors to explore technology employing an inclusive approach to overcome limitations inherent in current digital image recognition technologies for the visually impaired. To streamline the research process, the initial phase involves a critical evaluation of deficiencies present in existing image recognition technologies for blind/visually impaired users through primary and secondary investigations. This strategic evaluation aims to identify key deficiencies, guiding assistive technology developers in focusing their efforts. Simultaneously, a survey is conducted to establish a comprehensive checklist of usability features and requirements for the proposed technology, aligning with the ISO 9241-110 standard. The overarching goal of this research is to address the question, "What design considerations should be taken into account in designing image recognition technology for blind and visually impaired people?" The research outcomes are intended to establish a standard for designers of digital products catering to blind/visually impaired users, fostering improved awareness and shaping attitudes toward individuals with visual disabilities in the development of image recognition software
External finance and the growth of rural and urban SMEs in England
No full textSmall and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) make a substantial contribution to regional development and economic prosperity. Access to external finance is an important determinant of business growth, and the growth potential of rural firms may be hindered by limited access to external finance. Using data from the UK Longitudinal Small Business Survey, the paper examines the impact of external finance on SME growth, paying attention to differences between rural and urban enterprises. Results from an extended ordered probit model incorporating year- and firm-effects, indicate that the impact of external finance on growth is stronger for rural businesses than their urban counterparts. This holds for both microbusinesses and SMEs. A lack of perceived direct competitors positively moderates the impact of external finance on business growth, with more rural businesses operating in competition voids. The results are robust after controlling for firms’ characteristics and endogeneity bias
Review of traditional Chinese medicine Puerariae Lobatae Radix
Full text linkPuerariae Lobatae Radix is the dried root of Pueraria lobata (Willd.) Ohwi, which is commonly known as kudzu. It' s a traditional Chinese medicine with long history. According to ancient records, the effects of Puerariae Lobatae Radix include relieving muscle fever, raising the sun to stop diarrhea and activating the meridians and collaterals. In modern pharmacology, Puerariae Lobatae Radix has the effect of treating fever, diabetes and other diseases. Traditionally, Puerariae Lobatae Radix is mostly combined with other medicines and given to patients in the form of soup. Nowadays it can be applied in granules, capsules, oral liquids and other dosage forms. Based on the literature review and summarization, the article reviews the research progress of five aspects of the Chinese medicine Puerariae Lobatae Radix, namely chemical composition, extraction process, content determination, pharmacological effect, and preparation process, and gives an outlook and discusses the further development and research direction of PuerariaeLobatae Radix