EMDR treatment in patients with personality disorders. Should we fear symptom exacerbation?

Background: Clinicians are often hesitant to use trauma-focused therapy for patients with personality disorders (PDs) because of concerns that the pathology may worsen.Objective: Exploring trajectories of change and individual exacerbations in psychological distress and suicidal thoughts in patients with a PD without comorbid posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during EMDR therapy or waiting time.Method: In a randomized controlled trial, the effectiveness of five sessions of EMDR therapy was compared with a waitlist in 97 outpatients. Acute suicidal patients were not included in this study. Psychological distress and suicidality scores were measured on a weekly basis during the EMDR and waiting list (WL) periods and at 3-month follow-up. Data were analysed in a descriptive manner for individual patients, and hierarchical cluster analysis was used to identify patterns of change among clusters of patients. Mann–Whitney U and chi-squared tests were used to explore differences in specific patient characteristics between the found clusters of patients.Results: Patients generally improved, and no clusters of patients deteriorated during the EMDR therapy. Session-to-session exacerbations occurred in both the EMDR (psychological distress: 10.0%; suicidal thoughts: 28.0%) and WL group (psychological distress: 28.0%; suicidal thoughts: 43.5%). Two percent of patients in the EMDR group and 8.7% of patients in the WL condition showed an increase in psychological distress, whereas 2.0% of patients in the EMDR group and 10.9% of patients in the WL condition showed an increase in suicidal thoughts posttreatment compared to baseline.Conclusions: These results show that although individual exacerbations in psychological distress and suicidal thoughts occur, these were less likely to occur in response to EMDR therapy compared with no therapy. Continuation of therapy following exacerbation led to a decrease in psychological distress and suicidal thoughts in most patients

Secondary forest buffers the effects of fragmentation on aerial insectivorous bat species following 30 years of passive forest restoration

Passive forest restoration can buffer the effects of habitat loss on biodiversity. We acoustically surveyed aerial insectivorous bats in a whole‐ecosystem fragmentation experiment in the Brazilian Amazon over a 2‐year period, across 33 sites, comprising continuous old‐growth forest, remnant fragments, and regenerating secondary forest matrix. We analyzed the activity of 10 species/sonotypes to investigate occupancy across habitat types and responses to fragment size and interior‐edge‐matrix (IEM) disturbance gradients. Employing a multiscale approach, we investigated guild (edge foragers, forest specialists, flexible forest foragers, and open space specialists) and species‐level responses to vegetation structure and forest cover, edge, and patch density across six spatial scales (0.5–3 km). We found species‐specific habitat occupancy patterns and nuanced responses to fragment size and the IEM disturbance gradient. For example, Furipterus horrens had lower activity in secondary forest sites and the interior and edge of the smallest fragments (1 and 10 ha) compared to continuous forest, and only two species (Pteronotus spp.) showed no habitat preference and no significant responses across the IEM and fragment size gradients. Only the Molossus sonotype responded negatively to vegetation structure. We uncovered no negative influence of forest cover or edge density at guild or species‐level. Our results indicate that reforestation can buffer the negative effects of fragmentation and although these effects can still be detected in some species, generally aerial insectivorous bats appear to be in recovery after 30 years of passive forest restoration. Our findings reinforce the need to protect regenerating forests while conserving vast expanses of old‐growth forest

Flipping Failure: A case study on building resilience and confidence through 'Failureship Strategies' in theory and practice at the University of Salford.

This paper presents the Flipping Failure project, which aims to challenge the negative perception of failure and promote its benefits for building resilience, insight, and action. The project involved students and staff who participated in failure-focused events that explored different aspects of failure in various contexts. We discuss the theory and practice of flipping failure to present it more positively and provide a practical toolkit with resources to help others adopt failure as a transferable skill-set. In sharing the outcomes and insights of the project, and its further development at The Festival of Learning and Teaching, we suggest ways to enhance and extend this work in the future

Clinicians' perspectives of activity monitoring applications and facilitators for lower-limb prosthetic service provision

Introduction Clinicians involved in lower-limb prosthetic provision and care do not have an objective method for measuring patients' real-world prosthesis usage. This results in a poor understanding of the full picture of the patient's everyday life impacting the reporting of outcome following prosthetic prescriptions. There is need to understand what information from wearable prosthetic monitors would be relevant to clinicians and how that information should be displayed to enable healthcare professionals to make informed decisions. Moreover, clinicians' perspectives regarding potential use and application of information from monitoring technologies is important in the development and implementation of this technology to improve evidence-based systems for informed clinical decisions for lower-limb prosthesis users. This study aims to explore clinicians' experiences and perceptions of information obtained from free-living wearable prosthetic monitors used in clinical practice. Methods Seven clinicians from private practice and academia were recruited to participate in the study. A semi-structured interview was held for each participant, which lasted about 30-45 minutes. Data and transcripts were analysed using inductive thematic analysis method. Results Themes of Objectiveness and Motivation were identified as specific applications of monitoring technologies. Other themes such as Awareness and Integration were identified as the facilitators of monitoring technologies for prosthetic care in clinical settings. Clinicians identified frameworks in which these monitoring technologies could Powered by Editorial Manager® and ProduXion Manager® from Aries Systems Corporatio

Exploring The Experience of Romantic Relationships and Sexuality Education in Neurodivergent and Neurotypical Young People: Perspectives from Young People, Educational Professionals, and Caregivers

The literature indicates that sexuality education provided in schools/colleges in the United Kingdom (UK) may not be appropriate for people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). There appears to be a lack of understanding of the subject regarding young people with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and a dual diagnosis (ASD co-occurring with ADHD). Research also suggests that compared to neurotypical (NT) peers, young people with ASD tend to receive less support on sexuality from their parents, who often feel that they lack the appropriate skills to help their children with some sex-related issues. Some young people with ASD and ADHD lack an understanding of the social nuances of dating and intimacy, which is crucial for navigating romantic relationships. This project aimed to address five research questions: 1) What are participants’ (young people, educational professionals, and caregivers) perspectives of young people’s (neurodivergent [ND] [with ASD, ADHD, and ASD co-occurring with ADHD] and NT) experiences of school-based sexuality education?; 2) What are participants’ (young people, educational professionals, and caregivers) suggestions for improving sexuality education to make it more beneficial for young people (ND and NT)?; 3) What are caregivers’ and educators’ suggestions about receiving support to feel more equipped at teaching sexuality education to young people (ND and NT)?; 4) What are young people’s and caregivers’ experiences of parent-child (ND and NT) sexuality-related discussions?; 5) What are participants’ (young people, educational professionals, and caregivers) perspectives of young people’s (ND and NT) romantic relationship experiences?Study 1, based on a systematic literature review, investigated sexuality education and romantic relationships in ND young people from the perspectives of young people, educational professionals, and caregivers, and it demonstrated that many ND young people, despite their desire for romantic relationships, encountered greater challenges to navigate them than their NT peers. They also showed lower levels of understanding of sexuality than their NT peers. A pilot study examined sexuality education and romantic relationships in young people (ND and NT) from the perspectives of young people, educational professionals, and caregivers, based on a questionnaire (including open-ended questions) approach to the topic and it aimed to help develop the subsequent empirical studies (2 and 3). Study 2 examined sexuality education and romantic relationships in young people (ND and NT) from the perspectives of young people, educational professionals, and caregivers, based on a short-form version questionnaire developed from the pilot study. Study 2 demonstrated that young people (ND and NT) experienced problems navigating romantic relationships; however, the sexuality education they received in schools/colleges, and from their caregivers was inadequate to provide them with appropriate knowledge about this matter. This study also reported non-significant differences amongst the groups of young people in terms of their sexuality education and romantic relationship experiences. Study 3 explored sexuality education and romantic relationships in young people (ND and NT) from the perspectives of young people, educational professionals, and caregivers, based on a semi-structured interview approach to the topic. Findings again revealed that many young people (ND and NT) received basic sexuality education and encountered challenges navigating romantic relationships. Educators and caregivers highlighted the necessity of receiving adequate sexuality education training to enhance their self-efficacy in teaching this subject to their students/children.Some of the key clinical implications and recommendations from the studies’ findings highlighted that sexuality education in schools/colleges is inadequate and somewhat irrelevant for young people as it focuses mostly on the biological side of sexuality and excludes other vital topics (e.g., LGBTQ+ sexuality). Ensuring the missing subjects are included in teaching was recommended by all groups of participants. Educators reported a lack of adequate sexuality education training and thus called for support in this matter. Caregivers were found to have very limited sexuality-related communication with their children due to inadequate skills to appropriately conduct such discussions. Consequently, they called for support in this matter. This project also demonstrated a lack of parent-school collaboration related to sexuality education; however, such collaboration was deemed essential. Involving professionals (e.g., mental health nurses) in helping to shape sexuality education for young people was also recommended as beneficial

Online Cause Related Marketing: The Impact of Brand Experience on consumer’s brand credibility perceptions, and the Moderating Influence of Consumer Cause Involvement in the UK retail sector.

Cause relate marketing (CRM) is one of the several forms of corporate socialresponsibility (CSR) initiatives in which brands link the sale of products, and servicesto the support for a cause or charity (NGO). Online CRM is a strategic and tacticalmarketing tool for brands as digital marketing services are much more effective inhelping brands reach their target audience. In today's increasingly competitive anddynamic marketplace, and despite the acknowledgement and theoretical support bymarketing academics and practitioners that consumers look for brands that providethem with unique and memorable brand experiences, the concept of brandexperience is scare in the CRM domain. This study aims to address this gap in theliterature and empirically research the impact of CRM brand experience onconsumer brand credibility perceptions in the UK online retail context.To achieve the aim of this study, a mixed method approach was employed, use of aweb-based self-administered questionnaire with 400 UK participants to collect data,and personal interviews to enhance the validity of the research findings.This study examines the quantitative data using SPSS version 28, and structuralequation modelling (SEM) techniques SmartPLS-SEM3. It employed thematicanalysis to analyse the qualitative data.The findings confirm that sensory experience, affective experience, intellectualexperience, and behavioural experience form the dimensions of CRM brandexperience. The findings also confirm that CRM campaigns have a positive influenceon brand experience, and brand experience have a positive influence on brandimage. However, the role of CRM brand experience on consumer brand credibilityperceptions is realised via brand image.The key contribution of this study is the conceptual framework that explains therelationship of the antecedents and consequences of CRM brand experience. Theresults of this study will help CRM managers identify the experiential needs of theirtarget audience as well as the type of marketing strategy needed to boostconsumer’s engagement in a CRM campaign. Finally, the study adds new light toexisting understanding on brand experience, and CRM managers are advised tofocus their efforts on delivering particular brand experience dimensions moresuccessfully. In conclusion, this study’s limitations and suggestions for furtherresearch are presented

Modeling and Analysis of MHD Free Convective Thermo-Solutal Transport in Casson Fluid Flow with Radiative Heat Flux

This research paper presents a novel mathematical model aimed at exploring practical applications in oscillating MHD generators and near-wall flows using Casson fluid. The purpose of this study is to develop a mathematical model that specifically addresses MHD free convective thermo-solutal transport within Casson fluid flow over a rotating vertical wall into a permeable medium. This research also considers factors like the Soret effect, radiative heat flux, first-order chemical reactions, and heat source/sink effects. To tackle this complex scenario, we apply the Laplace transform technique (LTT) to handle the transformed partial differential equations and their accompanying boundary conditions. The study investigated both ramped and isothermal wall temperature conditions and evaluated the influence of various parameters, including the Soret number, Hall current parameter, ramped wall temperature, and magnetic body force parameter. The computational analysis is carried out using MATLAB software. The research involves a comprehensive parametric analysis that thoroughly examines the impact of key emerging parameters on generalized velocity, temperature, and species concentration. The results reveal that magnetic, Casson, and rotating parameters all have a diminishing impact on the velocity profiles. The radiation parameter has a positive impact on temperature distribution, while an opposite trend is observed for the Prandtl number. Furthermore, an increase in the Soret number and chemical reaction parameter leads to a decrease in species concentration and solutal boundary layer thickness. The validation process includes comparisons with previous studies. Additionally, this study presents distributions of skin friction, Nusselt number, and Sherwood number. Notably, our findings 1 reveal that a ramped wall temperature results in lower velocity magnitudes compared to the isothermal wall case

States of danger and deceit: The European political thriller in the 1970s

States of danger and deceit places key films (Z (1969), The Mattei Affair (1972), State of Siege (1972), The Lost Honour of Katharina Blum (1975), Illustrious Corpses (1976)) and filmmakers (Costa-Gavras, Elio Petri, Francesco Rosi, Volker Schlöndorff) from across Europe into their historical, political and social contexts before considering the ways they have impacted upon politically engaged filmmakers since.Presented in a dossier format, made up of shorter engaging pieces, this volume offers a series of contextualisations and detailed explorations of significant examples of the political thriller from across Europe

Galerkin fem simulation of natural convection in an annular porous medium-based solar collector system

Motivated by simulating emerging hybrid designs in annular solar direct absorber collectors, a theoretical and numerical study of natural convection in an annular hybrid porous medium solar collector is presented. An aspect ratio of 2 is considered where the annular geometry is twice the depth relative to the diameter. The non-dimensional conservation equations for Newtonian absorber fluid are solved in an axisymmetric coordinate system (R, Z) using the COMSOL finite element platform, which uses a Galerkin formulation. An optimized mesh is designed following a mesh independence test. Extensive visualization of the streamline, isotherm, and pressure contours is included over a range of Rayleigh (10 3 ≤ Ra ≤ 10 6) and Darcy number (0.0001 ≤ Da ≤ 0.1), e.g., (inverse permeability). Additionally, Nusselt number distributions at the inner cylindrical wall of the annulus are presented. Furthermore, cut-through semi-annular contour plots are displayed. Validation with previous studies for the geometrically mapped case of axisymmetric flow is also included. A strong decrement in the Nusselt number is induced by decreasing the Darcy number due to the lower permeability, which depletes thermal conduction in the porous medium and inhibits heat flux to the boundary. Heat transfer to the boundary is optimized at a high Darcy number (large permeability). With raising of Rayleigh number, i.e., significant thermal buoyancy, the Nusselt number is strongly enhanced, whereas isotherm magnitudes are suppressed. Complex transitions, e.g., dual vortex cell synthesis in isotherms, streamline and pressure distributions, are computed with variation in Darcy and Rayleigh numbers. The simulations establish a good foundation for future extensions to consider radiative heat transfer and other working fluids, including nanofluids and non-Newtonian fluids