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Navigating ‘the bumpy road’ from research to practice: improving the impact of research on spatial reasoning practice with young children
No full textDevelopment of smart decision support system for detecting cotton leaf diseases caused by Erysiphe betae and Spodoptera frugiperda
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Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids are associated with brain connectivity and mood in young adults with subthreshold depression: a preliminary study
Get PDFThe long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) have beneficial effects in depression, and these effects may be mediated via changes in functional brain connectivity. However, little is known about these effects in those with subthreshold depression. 15 Participants aged 18-29 years with Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) scores ≥ 4 and Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment-7 (GAD-7) scores ≥ 5, underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Whole-brain, seed-based connectivity analyses were performed using bilateral orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) and amygdala seeds. Omega-3 and -6 PUFA status was assessed from dried bloodspot analysis of %DHA, %EPA, Omega-3 Index (calculated as the sum of DHA plus EPA expressed as a percentage of the total measured fatty acids and a correction applied as dried blood spot samples were used instead of erythrocytes) and ratio of the omega-6 PUFA arachidonic acid (ARA) to EPA (ARA/EPA). PHQ-8 scores indicated subthreshold depression (mean = 10.0; SD = 4.2) and were negatively associated with DHA levels and Omega-3 Index. Significant negative associations were also identified between connectivity of the OFC with the angular gyrus and DHA and Omega-3 Index, while weaker connectivity of these regions was associated with lower PHQ-8 and GAD-7 scores. DHA and Omega-3 Index values were significantly associated with greater connectivity of the amygdala with the posterior cingulate cortex, which was also associated with lower PHQ-8 scores. Higher omega-3 PUFA status in young adults with moderate, but mean subthreshold depression was associated with lower depression rating scores and altered functional connectivity of brain regions shown to play a role in the neurobiology of depression. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.
Clients' Preferences for Their Therapists' Relational Styles in Psychotherapy: A Consensual Qualitative Research Study
No full textAutomated Detection and Severity Prediction of Wheat Rust Using Cost‐Effective Xception Architecture
Get PDFWheat crop production is under constant threat from leaf and stripe rust, an airborne fungal disease caused by the pathogen Puccinia triticina. Early detection and efficient crop phenotyping are crucial for managing and controlling the spread of this disease in susceptible wheat varieties. Current detection methods are predominantly manual and labour‐intensive. Traditional strategies such as cultivating resistant varieties, applying fungicides and practicing good agricultural techniques often fall short in effectively identifying and responding to wheat rust outbreaks. To address these challenges, we propose an innovative computer vision‐based disease severity prediction pipeline. Our approach utilizes a deep learning‐based classifier to differentiate between healthy and rust‐infected wheat leaves. Upon identifying an infected leaf, we apply Grabcut‐based segmentation to isolate the foreground mask. This mask is then processed in the CIELAB color space to distinguish leaf rust stripes and spores. The disease severity ratio is calculated to measure the extent of infection on each test leaf. This paper introduces a ground‐breaking disease severity prediction method, offering a low‐cost, accessible and automated solution for wheat rust disease screening in field conditions using digital colour images. Our approach represents a significant advancement in crop disease management, promising timely interventions and better control measures for wheat rust
Mixed discipline 'Simulation Integrating Mental and Physical health Learning' (SMIPL): A qualitative study of student experience and learning
No full textIndividuals with comorbid physical and mental health conditions face significant threats to their well-being while placing a substantial burden on healthcare systems through increased service costs. Nursing professionals encounter multiple challenges in delivering effective care to this population. These challenges include a lack of integrated care models, communication barriers among providers, the complexity of addressing dual health needs, insufficient training in comorbidity management, resource and time constraints, and pervasive stigma toward mental illness. These factors leave many nurses, in particular, report feeling ill-prepared to provide integrated care for individuals with such complex conditions. Comorbid physical and mental health problems pose significant risks to individuals and incur additional costs to healthcare services. Addressing these barriers calls for enhanced training programs, stronger collaboration among healthcare professionals, and the adoption of integrated care approaches. Simulation-based approaches have emerged as a potential solution to address some of these challenges, offering a way to enhance healthcare providers' knowledge and confidence in managing comorbidities. To 1) explore the experiences of students learning together in a mixed specialty high-fidelity simulation developed to increase knowledge and confidence in providing care for people with comorbidities and 2) understand what aspects of the simulation facilitated and hindered their engagement and learning. This study employed an illuminative evaluation, a qualitative research approach designed to provide a deeper understanding of how learning occurs in specific educational contexts. An exploratory qualitative study was conducted using focus groups to gather data. Eighteen undergraduate students from mental health and adult nursing programs participated in a novel, integrated simulation-based learning experience designed to simulate real-world healthcare challenges. Participants were purposively sampled to ensure diverse perspectives. The focus groups were semi-structured, with sessions lasting approximately 60 min, and discussions were analysed using thematic analysis. Nursing students from both disciplines reported an increase in knowledge, confidence and assessment skills. Peer learning through observation and discussion, alongside the interdisciplinary working that was encouraged during the simulation session, was highly valued. Students spoke about the key features of the simulation, such as group size and authenticity, that had supported and hindered their engagement. Collaborative learning between nursing specialisms about comorbid health conditions effectively aligns student experience and teaching methods with their learning outcomes. Educators might consider the potential of this approach for a range of complex, multi-factor health conditions. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.
Interrogating power relations
No full textThis chapter critically examines the power dynamics that shape how children develop, construct, negotiate and reconstruct their identities in early childhood settings via the Froebelian and Freirean lenses. By uncovering the multi-layered relations woven together by tacit power between professionals, parents and children, we can better understand the agency and struggles experienced by children, parents and professionals as they strive to achieve a balance to develop shared understanding and enable positive experiences. The case study offers a scenario for professionals to reflect on the power dynamics involved in their work with children and families, interrogate the impact of unbalanced power relations, and further consider ways to challenge hierarchies legitimised by adult/professional-oriented needs. This enables us to empower children and their families as active participants with rights to voices and decision making
The impact of environmental enrichment on energy metabolism in ovariectomized mice
No full textAfter menopause, a decline in ovarian function leads to various physical and psychological changes, potentially resulting in a range of pathological conditions, including abnormalities in energy metabolism. In recent years, environmental enrichment, which is characterized by positive and comfortable eustress, has been shown to improve various physiological and pathological conditions. This study investigated the effects of environmental factors on energy metabolism in a menopause model using an ovariectomized (OVX) mouse model. Wild-type female mice (8-week-old) were subjected to OVX or a sham operation and maintained under standard condition (SC), enriched environment (EE), or isolated (IS) condition for 4 weeks. OVX led to weight gain and disruption of circadian rhythms, along with changes in various metabolic parameters influenced by differences in housing environments; i.e., EE improved metabolic parameters, but IS deteriorated them. Physical activity and social interaction were factors that determined these differences. Menopause is usually a significant transitional period in a woman’s life, and changes in the social environment during this period can contribute to a diverse range of physical and psychological symptoms. Consequently, when implementing interventions to alleviate menopause-related pathological conditions, not only physical symptoms but also the social context should be carefully considered