Presenting Counterpoints to the Dominant Terrestrial Narrative of European Prehistory

The first in the multi-author series Maritime Encounters, outputs of the major six-year (2022–2028) international research initiative, funded by Sweden’s central bank. Our programme is based on a maritime perspective, a counterpoint to prevailing land-based vantages on Europe’s prehistory. In the Maritime Encounters project a highly international cross-disciplinary team has embarked on a diverse range of research goals to provide a more detailed and nuanced story of how prehistoric societies realised major and minor sea crossings, organised long-distance exchange, and adapted to ways of life by the sea in prehistory. Recent advances with ancient DNA have brought migration back into archaeological explanation, but little attention has been paid to maritime aspects of these movements or the maritime legacies inherited from indigenous cultures. The formation of the populations, cultures and languages of Europe are now seen largely as consequences of three great prehistoric migrations: hunter-gatherers repopulating the post-glacial landscape, followed by farmers spreading from Anatolia, and then Indo-European-speaking pastoralists from the steppe. There is a significant gap in this current model that we sense most acutely in Scandinavia and the British Isles. Unanswered questions include: How these groups reached the islands and peninsulas of Atlantic Europe? What types of boats were used? How many people and animals could they carry? To what extent did indigenous coastal peoples contribute traditions and knowledge of boats, boat building, seaways, navigation, and subsistence in coastal environments. How was the long-distance trade in metals organised during the European Bronze Age? And what was the impact of this seacrossing network on the cultures, languages, and populations of the producers and consumers of bronze

The Mediating Effect of Trust on Factors Influencing the Intention to use FinTech Applications Among Urban Working Professionals in Malaysia

The integration of financial technology (“FinTech”) applications has transformed the financial services landscape, significantly influencing consumer behaviour and business models worldwide. Despite robust digital economy growth in Malaysia, FinTech adoption among urban working professionals remains slower than in developed nations, hindered by concerns over data security and privacy. This study investigates the factors influencing FinTech adoption in this context, focusing on the mediating role of trust. Grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model (“TAM”) and extended to include trust as a mediator, the research examines the effects of convenience, perceived usefulness, social influence, and promotions on adoption intention. Trust is conceptualised as users’ confidence in the security, reliability, and data protection of FinTech applications. A self-administered survey of 313 urban working professionals was conducted using a structured questionnaire and analysed with multiple regression and structural equation modelling. The results reveal that convenience and social influence directly and positively affect FinTech adoption, while the impacts of usefulness and promotions become significant only when mediated by trust. Trust thus emerges as a pivotal factor, bridging the gap between perceived benefits and concerns over security and operational reliability. Demographic analysis further indicates that younger and male users are generally more receptive to FinTech services. The study recommends that FinTech providers prioritise building trust through enhanced security measures, transparent privacy policies, and responsive customer service. Policymakers are encouraged to strengthen data protection frameworks and invest in digital literacy initiatives to foster a secure and inclusive FinTech ecosystem. Limitations include the focus on urban working professionals in Malaysia. Future research should explore FinTech adoption across diverse populations and examine additional mediators such as financial literacy and cultural factors. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of FinTech adoption in Malaysia and reinforces the central role of trust in advancing financial inclusion and digital transformation

Birth-story and the Unbearable age

Currently there is a wealth of information about birth stories by mothers charting the experience of birth, but a marked lack of research of the birth-story’s influence on the recipient. A birth-story has potency when told by a significant adult, intensifying our identification with it and can often be a forerunner of latent psychology within the family. Such a story for instance, can highlight themes rooted in the parent’s unconscious as well as contribute to the recipient’s lived experience. A heuristic exploration affords an opportunity for an in-depth personal study of the phenomenon. This detailed and explicit work explores how a birth-story, told by my mother during adolescence, contributed to my perception of self and to my relationship with my father with far reaching consequences. The main conclusion of this research considers the role a birth-story takes in forming identity, the power and mythic resonance of its telling on an adolescent mind and, its potential as an aid to explore and illuminate its influences on presenting issues in the therapy hour. Therefore, recommendations for practice suggests that the birth-story can provide a map from which to navigate impressions and questions to relevant areas of therapeutic exploration

Effect of Extreme Temperature on Stroke Incidence and Mortality in General

Background: Stroke is a leading global cause of mortality and disability. Recent studies have emphasized the growing impact of extreme temperatures, both heatwaves and cold spells on stroke incidence and mortality, a concern heightened by climate change. This systematic literature review investigates the relationship between extreme temperatures and stroke outcomes at a global level. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using databases such as PubMed, ProQuest, Google Scholar Studies from 1995 to 2024 were considered. Search terms included "stroke", "extreme temperature", "heatwaves", "cold spells", "incidence", and "mortality". Boolean operators and the PEO framework guided search strategies. Inclusion criteria encompassed peer-reviewed studies focusing on human populations and quantifiable stroke outcomes. Twelve relevant quantitative studies were critically appraised using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Results: Both high and low extreme temperatures significantly increase the risk of ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, particularly in elderly populations and those with cardiovascular comorbidities. Geographic disparities were observed, with heat-related strokes more prevalent in tropical regions and cold-related strokes more frequent in temperate zones. Urban heat island effects and poor heating infrastructure exacerbated risks. Air pollution, poor hydration, and socioeconomic factors were additional contributing elements. Conclusion: There is robust evidence linking extreme temperatures with increased stroke incidence and mortality. As climate variability intensifies, public health systems must prioritize adaptation strategies such as early warning systems, improved housing insulation, urban cooling plans, and targeted support for vulnerable populations. Although the review focused solely on quantitative research due to the lack of eligible qualitative studies, future investigations should integrate lived experiences and social responses through qualitative methods for a holistic understanding

Jung, Dada, and the Discussion and Painting of Dreams

In the early 20th-century the ideas and practices of Carl Jung and of Dadaism started to develop in Zurich and then spread to other countries. Dadaism was a cultural, art and literary movement which later resulted in Surrealism. At first glance Jung and Dada have little in common, with psychoanalysis addressing the development of the individual and Dada using bizarre creativity, often for political purposes. This chapter however addresses similarities between them, in particular that both movements valued art and recognised the importance of unconscious processes. Jung also addressed synchronicities, meaningful acausal connections, and Dada utilised chance in the production of art and literary works. This overlap between Jung and Dada is particularly seen with the Dadaist painter and sculptor Hans Arp and his wife Sophie Taeuber-Arp. The similarities between the two movements are illustrated by two dream-sharing and art events held in Zurich in the Summer of 2023, one at the C.G. Jung Institute, and one at the Cabaret Voltaire, the birthplace of Dadaism. In each event a dream was discussed, and painted live, each performance resonating with the dreamers and audiences, and resulting also in the creation of concrete poetry. The paintings and concrete poems are presented here. The events show the essential role of dreams in the theories and practices of Jungian psychology and Dadaism, including insights derived from the dreams. They also show the relationship of poetry to dream-like thinking, and reveal the inspiring and intriguing synergy and similarities between Jungian and Dadaist worldviews and practices

Frege and prior on tense and sense

Contemporary philosophical debate in the philosophy of time draws on two, fairly distinct, sources: physics and philosophical logic. This paper focuses on the latter, and, in particular, on representatives of the dominant views: ‘tenseless’ (Frege) and ‘tensed’ (Prior). Their rival accounts of the sense of differently tensed talk are compared. It is argued that while they share preconceptions that might be questioned, Prior's appeal to relief that a pain is over may, properly understood, contribute to a philosophical understanding of time in a way that is largely precluded by widespread, and challengeable, ideas about the character of language and logic: ideas that fail properly to acknowledge the sense in which talk is in time

A Critical Review of Staff Engagement with Performance Conversations Within Hywel Dda Health University Health Board. How Does Psychological Safety Relate to Engagement with Performance Conversations?

This study explored the relationship between psychological safety and engagement with performance conversations. This is a key area of intrigue within the field as it is multifaceted with several factors being highlighted as contributors in the literature (Denny et al., 2019; La Donna & Watling, 2018; London et al., 2023; McCutcheon, & Duchemin, 2020; Mertens & Schollaert, 2023). However, existing literature had not fully explored the role of psychological safety. This is vital to Hywel Dda University Health Board (HDdUHB) as it strives to engage staff with effective performance management (Gostling, 2020) which enables safe and efficient patient care (HDdUHB, 2018), training and retention (HEIW, 2023), under significant financial constraints (HDdUHB, 2024b). A mono-method questionnaire strategy was utilised to gain quantitative and qualitative data (Hammond & Wellington, 2021; Saunders, Lewis and Thornhill,2023), which could be explored deductively and inductively through the critical realism lens (Fletcher, 2017). Psychological safety was found to be significantly positively related to engagement with performance conversations. Manager behaviours and emotional intelligence were also related. Eight key themes were identified as barriers and enablers of engagement with performance conversations. Whilst staff from the Workforce Directorate reportedly experience more regular performance conversations than those reported by Sayers et al. (2018), there were inconsistencies with the frequency, perceived purpose and content of performance conversations which resulted in positive and negative emotional associations with performance conversations. Contrasting with Raišienė et al. (2020), no difference was found for engagement with performance conversations across time spent in the physical office or the location of the performance conversation. These findings have several implications including that they provide an enhanced understanding for future researchers on the relationship between psychological safety, emotional intelligence, manager behaviours and engagement with performance conversations. HR professionals can better understand their ability to influence engagement with performance conversations and they offer insight to HDdUHB and managers on how to foster and enable engagement with performance conversations

A Study of Open Innovation in Small and Medium Enterprises in Hong Kong

The concept of open innovation (OI) has gained significant attention in recent years as a means to accelerate innovation, reduce costs, and enhance competitiveness, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, the adoption and implementation of OI practices among SMEs in Hong Kong remain understudied and underdeveloped. This thesis aims to investigate the OI ecosystem of SMEs in Hong Kong by identifying key players and their roles, analysing SMEs’ participation in OI activities, examining the factors that encourage SMEs to engage in OI, and providing recommendations for establishing a support mesh to facilitate their participation. An explanatory sequential design was employed, combining both quantitative and qualitative methods. The quantitative part of the study comprised survey responses from 144 people working separately in 144 SMEs in Hong Kong, while the qualitative part involved 21 interviews with 19 participants. The findings revealed that Hong Kong SMEs have strong relationships with customers and suppliers, indicating the importance of these partnerships in driving innovation. However, there is room for improvement in relationships with large enterprises, government organisations, industry consultants, and other stakeholders. The relationships between SMEs and OI partners are associated with their motives for participating in OI, particularly in technology acquisition, cost reduction, knowledge transfer, and performance improvement (financial and non-financial). The study found that more SMEs participate in inbound rather than outbound OI, and as a consequence, they are naturally less involved in technology spin-off and technology out-licensing but are more inclined to adopt rather than create new technologies. The study uncovered the roles of previously overlooked OI players, such as financial institutions, agencies, and media, thereby enriching the existing literature on OI ecosystems. Incubators/accelerators provide physical spaces, resources, and networking opportunities to support SMEs in scaling up their operations, while facilitators facilitate collaborations between SMEs, industries, and government departments. Financial institutions provide funding support and guidance to evaluate market prospects, manage risks, and promote and package enterprises. The study also identified media’s crucial role in enhancing visibility and awareness, fostering collaboration and networking, advocating for supportive policies, building a sense of community, and disseminating knowledge. Broadening sales and marketing channels and cost reduction are the primary motivations for Hong Kong SMEs to engage in OI. Additionally, technology acquisition, talent acquisition, and improving corporate performance are also significant drivers. The research revealed that gaps in not participating in OI activities in Hong Kong include difficulties in finding suitable partners, accessing talents, and securing capital. To further enhance the OI atmosphere in Hong Kong, efforts should be made to address these obstacles and develop targeted strategies to enhance OI adoption and collaboration among SMEs in the region. The findings of this study not only deepen our understanding of the OI mechanism in the OI ecosystem but also carry practical implications for policymakers, industry stakeholders, and SMEs themselves to devise targeted strategies for enhancing OI adoption among SMEs in Hong Kong

The Effectiveness of Digital Mental Health Interventions in Reducing Work-Related Burnout Among Office Workers in England: A Systematic Review

Background: Work-related burnout is an increasing problem in contemporary workplaces, especially among office workers who encounter rising workloads, high-performance expectations, and digital overexposure. Digital mental health is useful for treating pressure, despair, and anxiety in the workplace, but undertakings and engagement with these interventions remain a concern. Aim: The aim of this research is to evaluate the effectiveness of digital mental health interventions in minimising work-related pressure and reducing burnout among employees in England. Methods: A total number of 12 cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have been selected from databases like Tandfonline, Sagepub, PubMed, Frontiers, ACM Digital library, Springer, NCBI, Frontiers, and Taylor & Francis. Additionally, search terms like “work-related issues”, “stress”, “burnout”, “mental-health intervention”, “England workers”, “workplace culture”, and “reduction of stress”. Results: The National Health Service (NHS) in England discovered that nearly 46.8% of healthcare workers are feeling unhealthy due to work-related stress, depression, and anxiety. In such a context, interventions like online intervention, Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs), and Psychoeducation Interventions help facilitate enhanced mental health in the work settings via interactions and support from others as components of therapy. Conclusion: Employee mental health and well-being are registered to be improved by personalising digital interventions that enable them to promote workplace distress and increase job satisfaction. The research is significant for leaders in healthcare organisations to comprehend their lacking in executing mental-health interventions among workers and fix these shortcomings