Towards a New Taxonomy of Pattern-Making in the Visuo-Spatial Domain in Early Childhood Based on Zygonic Theory and the Sounds of Intent Framework of Musical Development

Pattern identification is an important part of children's development in understanding both music and mathematics. However, a review of the literature indicates that no formal taxonomy of pattern-making in the visual domain exists, which potentially limits practitioners’ capacity to support children in improving their mathematical understanding. This paper seeks to redress this situation with a theoretical examination of whether visuo-spatial pattern-making in early childhood develops on the same trajectory as pattern-making in the auditory domain. The cognition of musical structure (which is based on repeating patterns) in childhood has been defined in zygonic theory and the subsequent Sounds of Intent framework. Prior observational studies of children with both neurotypical and non-typical development (i.e., Ockelford et al., 2011 ; Voyajolu, 2021 ) have confirmed this thinking. Drawing on the principles set out in zygonic theory and using the structure laid out in the Sounds of Intent framework, the researchers propose how to map the development of pattern understanding from the auditory domain onto the visuo-spatial domain. An algorithm is used to demonstrate the structural processing load for different pattern types, which allows the putative developmental stages of pattern-processing capacity to be plotted sequentially. As a future step, exploratory research with children is suggested to test these assumptions and further develop our understanding of the perception of patterns within and between the domains. It is anticipated that this work would support practitioners working with children to offer alternative strategies to support the development of pattern-making in mathematics

Managing well-being and workload with beginning languages teachers

This chapter considers well-being and workload of beginning languages teachers and the important role that mentors play in nurturing teachers in the early stages of their careers. It draws on research evidence, policy documents and practical experience, with a particular focus on languages, to support mentors in their work. The well-being of beginning languages teachers must be a priority – at a human level, we want beginning teachers to thrive in the profession, and there are also links between the well-being of teachers and student success

International female rugby union players’ perceptions of how the menstrual cycle affects players on and off the field.

There is limited research on female rugby players, particularly concerning how the menstrual cycle affects performance. This study explored international female rugby players perceptions and experiences of how the menstrual cycle impacts both on and off-field performance. Twelve international female rugby players (aged 26 ± 3.5 years) representing eight nations participated in one-to-one semi-structured interviews. Reflexive thematic analysis identified three themes: (1) cycle-sensitive behaviour modifications, (2) the mental burden of the menstrual cycle, and (3) audience apprehension. Athletes reported adjusting training routines to manage menstrual symptoms, with abdominal and breast pain often prompting avoidance of contact drills. Tight-fitting kit exacerbated discomfort during bloating, and concerns about leakage, odour, and visibility of menstrual products disrupted performance focus. The findings highlight the need for greater awareness and support around menstrual health in elite rugby. Future researchers should prioritise developing strategies to minimise the menstrual cycle's impact both on and off-field performance

Measuring Physical Function Capacity in Persons With Haemophilia: A Systematic Review of Performance‐Based Methods

Introduction: Currently, physical health assessments in persons with haemophilia focus on bleed‐related events and after‐effects. The aim of the systematic review was to review and apply standardised criteria to evaluate reliability, responsiveness and construct validity of performance‐based instruments evaluating physical capability in persons with haemophilia. Methods: Medline, CINAHL, Embase, EMCARE, and Cochrane (inception‐March 2024) were searched using COSMIN filters for 7 performance‐based tests in haemophilia, supplemented by manual searches. Reliability, responsiveness and construct validity of the six‐minute walk test (6MWT), timed up and go test (TUG), timed up and down stairs (TUDS), 30‐second sit‐to‐stand (30‐STS), single leg stance (SLS), tandem stance (TS) and single hop for distance (SH) were evaluated. Results: The search yielded 88 abstracts; 25 studies remained after full‐text screening, covering 5 of 7 performance‐based instruments: 6MWT, TUG, TUDS, SLS, and 30‐STS. No performance‐based test was evaluated for all properties across all ages. Only TUG in adults and older adults and 6MWT in children and adolescents has been tested for all properties. No test received a high grading. Low and very low grades were given mostly for indeterminate results, small or single studies and lack of a similar construct of comparator. The 6MWT in all age groups was the only performance‐based test graded moderate, and this was for responsiveness. Conclusion: With increasing use of performance‐based methods of physical function capacity, evaluating measurement properties is a priority. Until evidence is generated, we can only advocate the 6MWT to monitor responsiveness in adult persons with haemophilia affected with marked arthropathy

Effects of kefir on symptoms, sleep, and gut microbiota in children with ADHD: a randomised controlled trial

Background Evidence indicates the gut microbiome may be altered in ADHD, suggesting that targeting gut bacteria could alleviate symptoms. This study examined the effects of kefir supplementation on ADHD symptoms, sleep, attention, and gut microbiome composition in children diagnosed with ADHD. Methods A six-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in UK children aged 8–13 years with ADHD. Participants were assigned either to a daily kefir or placebo drink group. The primary outcome was ADHD symptom severity measured by the Strengths and Weaknesses of ADHD Symptoms and Normal Behaviour (SWAN) scale. Secondary outcomes included gut microbiota composition (analysed using shotgun metagenomic sequencing), gastrointestinal symptoms, sleep (actigraphy, parent/self-report), attention and impulsivity. Results Fifty-three participants (mean age = 10.2 years, SD = 1.7) completed the study. Kefir had no significant overall effect on parent or teacher-rated ADHD symptom severity. A non-significant interaction was observed between baseline symptom severity and group for teacher-rated SWAN scores, with children in the kefir group who had the highest baseline ADHD symptoms showing lower scores at week six (M = 2.03, SE = 0.33 vs. 2.86, SE = 0.34), p = 0.088. Actigraphy revealed the kefir group spent fewer minutes awake during the down period at week six (M = 70.10, SE = 0.09) than the placebo group (M = 89.72, SE = 0.07), p = 0.04. However, the kefir group self-reported more sleep problems post-intervention (M = 39.81, SE = 0.75 vs. 37.40, SE = 0.65), p = 0.02. For Go/NoGo RT variance, a non-significant interaction (p = 0.052) between baseline and post intervention scores was found. No other significant group differences were observed. Kefir supplementation did not significantly affect gut microbiota alpha or beta diversity. However, relative abundance of several species including bifidobacterium adolescentis, B. infantis, and B. longum and Alistipes sp021204515 and A. timonensi increased significantly in the kefir group. Conclusions Kefir supplementation may support modest improvements in sleep quality, in children with ADHD. These findings contribute to our understanding of the potential role of nutrition in ADHD management and may inform clinical guidance for practitioners working with neurodivergent individuals. Ethics Ethical approval for the study was granted by St Mary’s University Ethics Committee. Trial registration The trial protocol has been prospectively registered with ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT05155696. Registered on 13 December 2021

Analysis of Throw-ins Strategy on Performance Metrics in Five Men’s European Football Leagues

Limited research has investigated the impact of throw-in strategy on match performance. Hence, this study examined throw-in strategy used by teams across five European competitions and how that strategy affected first contact success, possession retention, and attacking outcomes. Throw-ins from 1,826 matches across five European Leagues (Premier League; Bundesliga; Serie A; La Liga; Ligue) during the 2022/2023 season were analysed. StatsBomb data resulted in 71,220 phases of play originating from a throw-in. Variables such as competition, throw-in distance and direction were assessed on their impact on first contact success, possession metrics and shot creation. On average, 39 throw-ins were taken per match. 42,287 throws originated from the middle zones of the pitch, with throwing the ball backwards (99.5%) or laterally (96.9%) increasing first contact success compared to throwing the ball forwards (71.3%) (p15 seconds). Retaining possession from the throw-ins was highest when going backwards (92.13%) compared to laterally (71.20%) and forwards (49.75%). Results showed an increased chance of shot creation for throw-ins directed backwards or laterally compared to those directed forwards. Findings are discussed in relation to applied performance and coaching implications

Trust in Economics and Politics

The lack of study of interpersonal trust and the virtues that lead to trust in the disciplines of economics, political economy and politics is surprising. The absence of trust in economic life can lead to huge increases in transactions costs which impoverish society. The lack of the virtues that lead to trust in political life can destroy society and make political institutions exploitative, with catastrophic consequences. There is a strong empirical link between the level of trust in society and levels of wellbeing. The paper argues that markets and competition will often promote virtues that lead to trust, but that this is not guaranteed. If trust in economic life is absent, governments may be able to regulate markets to overcome the problems created, but we should not assume that those in political life do not fall prey to the same temptations as economic operators. We need to rebuild trust by nurturing virtues, and this should start in the family. This is necessary because, ultimately, whilst political institutions can be better or worse when it comes to their efficacy in promoting trust, a change in culture is also necessary

Barriers and facilitators impacting the implementation of digital interventions targeted at mental health and musculoskeletal disorders in the workplace: a scoping review protocol

Background The digital transition in the workplace has increased trends such as permanent connectivity, an increased sedentary lifestyle, and reduced social interaction, leading to additional psychosocial and ergonomic risks for workers. Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and mental health problems are particularly prevalent, posing a significant burden. To address these challenges, organisations can implement digital or blended interventions targeting MSDs and mental health problems. However, there is still limited evidence on combined workplace interventions targeting both MSDs and mental health problems and respective facilitators and barriers for their successful implementation and sustainability. The objective of this scoping review is to identify barriers and facilitators to the implementation of blended and digital interventions targeted at combined mental health and MSDs in the workplace. Methods Bibliographic databases will be searched for studies published since 2014 and reported on the implementation of interventions with a digital component targeted at mental health and MSDs in the workplace. Studies will be included if the intervention was delivered within, or access provided through, the workplace. The title and abstract screen and the full-text screening will be completed independently by two reviewers, with a third reviewer resolving any arising conflicts in the process. Results Descriptive characteristics of the study design, workplace sector, mode of working, intervention details, mode of intervention delivery, outcomes, and barriers and facilitators will be extracted. Results will be reported in accordance with the PRISMA for Scoping Reviews checklist and a narrative synthesis used to summarise characteristics of included studies, as well as barriers and facilitators to the implementation of interventions. Discussion The findings from this review will provide practical recommendations relevant to researchers and practitioners developing or implementing digital interventions in the workplace targeting mental health conditions and MSDs

Critical Pedagogies of Discomfort in Practice and Professional Education

This book explores the scope for discomforting pedagogies within practice and professional education contexts in order to consider the ethical challenges associated with exploring complex and sensitive areas of practice and everyday life. Questions explored include: · How is discomfort handled within professional training? · What spaces remain for critical reflection, dialogue and compassionate challenge within practice and professional education spaces? · What are the ethical implications of critical pedagogic practice in University-based professional education and other training settings? · How does compassion and care intersect with developing critical pedagogical approaches on thorny and sensitive issues? · How do identities and investments play out in education and training spaces, and to what effect? · What are the limits of 'safe' space within professional education contexts? Bringing together scholars, practitioners and students who draw on themes of social justice in their pedagogical practice, the contributors unpack the debates around how to reflect on, challenge and explore critical and sensitive issues in social justice education in professional contexts. Consideration is given to how decisions in relation to notions of safety and discomfort should be made, and who is empowered to make these decisions

The CJEU's Google Android Auto Judgment and the Evolution of Refusal to Supply Doctrine

This case note examines these developments, fo- cusing on the Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM) initial findings and fine against Google, followed by the CJEU's landmark February 2025 judgment that provides critical guidance on re- fusals to supply in digital contexts. The analysis unpacks key elements of both rulings, examining their implications for dominant platforms, app develop- ers, and competition enforcement in the digital sector