New Methodological Directions for Involving Children in Past Life Memories Research

Past life memories in children have been studied extensively through standard qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Research to date has produced valuable data to support how we understand children’s past life memories. Children are the primary source for data collection in past life research, as the producers/facilitators of memories. Despite this, children tend to be researched on rather than with, through adult-centric approaches. In this article, we include a case study example of spontaneous past life and in-utero memories of a 6-year old child. The case study example is taken from a parent study, ‘Investigating Extra Sensory Experiences of Children from Various Cultural Backgrounds’. Through the article, we demonstrate how using creative research methods and sensory ethnography can generate important knowledge from children about their own past life memories. We include results from the parent study that show past life memory data from children, parents and professionals. We propose involving children as active agents in past life memory research and argue for new directions in the field of PLM through creative and child-friendly research

Development and Impact of Virtual Reality-Based Training for the Radial Forearm Free Flap: A Multicentre Prospective Feasibility Study

Introduction Surgical education faces growing challenges due to reduced theatre access, variable supervision and limited procedural exposure, particularly for complex reconstructive operations such as the radial forearm free flap (RFFF). Virtual reality (VR) offers an opportunity to deliver immersive, standardised surgical training unconstrained by geography or theatre availability. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a VR-based teaching intervention in improving procedural confidence and anatomical understanding of the RFFF. Methods A prospective multicentre feasibility study was conducted across 10 UK medical schools and one NHS trust. Participants completed a 60-minute workshop including a 360° VR simulation of the RFFF procedure and a VR anatomical exploration session. Pre- and post-workshop surveys assessed procedural confidence, anatomical understanding and user experience using validated Likert-scale tools. Results 141 participants completed both pre- and post-workshop assessments. The majority were undergraduate medical students (90.8%), of whom 93.8% had never previously observed an RFFF. Procedural confidence improved significantly from a median of 2 (IQR 2) to 4 (IQR 1) post-workshop (p < 0.001), with greater improvements in those without prior exposure. Anatomical confidence also increased from 3 (IQR 1) to 4 (IQR 2) (p < 0.001), particularly among pre-clinical medical students. Participants rated the module highly for educational value, immersion and clarity of anatomical and procedural content. Conclusion The VRiMS RFFF teaching module significantly improves learner confidence and anatomical understanding, particularly among early-stage trainees. These findings support the use of VR-based platforms as effective and scalable adjuncts to existing surgical education

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on characteristics, extent, and trends in child maltreatment in 34 Euro-CAN COST Action Countries: a scoping review of the literature

Background The COVID-19 pandemic intensified known risk factors for child maltreatment (CM). Yet, globally inconsistent trends were reported. Little is known about CM trends across Europe, given varying surveillance systems. Objective This scoping review systematically examined evidence on CM trends during the pandemic in 34 European countries in the COST Action Euro-CAN network. Participants and Setting. CM (physical, sexual, psychological abuse, neglect, and online harms) across various settings (population, healthcare, social care including NGOs, child protection services, judicial/police). Methods We searched PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, OPENGREY, and Google Scholar (January 2020–November 2024). Eligible studies included primary research and systematic or narrative reviews. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted data. Findings were synthesized narratively by CM type, sector, country, and study design, and reported following the PRISMA-ScR. Results Of 4658 records screened, 87 records were included (72 primary research, 15 reviews). Most studies used quantitative methods (n = 64, 89 %) and reported healthcare and population-based data. Physical abuse was the most frequently reported type (n = 42, 58 %). Results were mixed, showing increase, decrease, or no change in CM. The most consistent signal was an increase in physical abuse identified in French hospital datasets. Qualitative studies highlighted concerns about children's safety during school closures and changes in referral patterns. Conclusion This is the first comprehensive review of CM trends in Europe during the pandemic, covering the longest timeframe. Fragmented evidence reflects heterogeneous definitions, reliance on institutional data and underrepresentation of vulnerable groups. Findings stress for harmonised definitions and resilient surveillance systems

Operando IR of Catalytic Reactions Under Microwaves at 5.8 GHz

A new spectroscopic cell was designed for operando IR observation of heterogeneous catalysis under microwave irradiation. Oxidation of CO on Pt-H-BEA zeolite was performed under conventional and microwave heating at the same space velocity to assess the efficiency of microwave heating, which was confirmed by an infrared in-situ temperature scale. A temperature of 230-240°C was obtained after 2min microwave irradiation. Infrared monitoring evidences a moderate sintering of the platinum particles after microwave irradiation, probably due to hotspots on the metal. Infrared observation indicates a strong perturbation of electron density in the Pt particles by microwave during catalysis

Validation of forensic cleaning processes undertaken within Sexual Assault Referral Centres

This paper describes the retrospective validation of long-established cleaning processes used within Sexual Assault Referral Centres (SARCs), for which there are variations between facilities in the detail of the cleaning approach that is applied, including whether bleach/hypochlorite cleaning reagents are permitted depending on local health and safety requirements. Six cleaning reagents commonly used within UK SARCs and Forensic Science Providers were assessed in this validation study: Chemgene HLD4H, Virkon, Microsol, Selgiene, Virusolve were tested along with Presept which was the only reagent containing bleach. Additional comparison testing was also conducted on Chemgene Medlab. These were evaluated for their DNA decontamination capability by cleaning dried-on body fluid stains deposited on typical examination room surfaces and then assessing the level of DNA remaining (percentage yield). Impact of changing different cleaning parameters were assessed against an environmental indicator guide that provides insight into SARC facility cleanliness. Differences in effectiveness of decontamination varied according to body fluid type with DNA in blood being most readily removed followed by saliva, and semen was the hardest to decontaminate. Likewise, different surfaces varied in their resilience to decontamination with Formica being the easiest to clean and vinyl the hardest. Bleach-based reagent Presept gave the best decontamination test results overall, whilst non-bleach cleaners Virkon and Selgiene were also very effective. However, as a general rule, provided double spray/wipe cycles are performed using manufacturers’ recommended concentrations and a 30 second contact time, the cleaning effectiveness of all reagents were assessed to be generally acceptable in most circumstances. The exception to this rule was cleaning dried semen on vinyl, which was the most challenging body fluid / surface combination to decontaminate. It is recommended that extra care is taken in cleaning vinyl surfaces such as the examination couch and consider additional measures if necessary

Potential protective role of soluble fiber in mitigating tinnitus symptoms: A Case-Control Study

Background Tinnitus, the perception of sound without any external source, affects millions of people worldwide and tends to increase with age. Evidence suggested that dietary fiber may play a critical role in mitigating the risk of tinnitus. This study aims to investigate the potential association between dietary fiber intake and the risk of tinnitus. Methods This cross-sectional study included a total of 300 Iranian women, with 150 stable tinnitus and 150 controls. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated questionnaire and analyzed using Nutritionist IV software. The association of dietary fiber intake and tinnitus was evaluated employing logistic regression analysis. Results Patients with tinnitus had significantly lower levels of daily soluble fiber intake compared to controls (P<0.05). The analysis demonstrated a negative association between tinnitus and the daily soluble fiber intake, with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 0.71 (95% CI: 0.51–0.97, P= 0.03). This association remained significant after further adjustment for calorie intake (OR: 0.71, 95% CI: 0.52–0.98, P= 0.04). No significant association was observed between tinnitus and the intake of total, crude, or insoluble fiber. Conclusion Our findings indicated that a diet rich in soluble fiber, such as fruits and grains, may help mitigate tinnitus symptoms. Further, longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore the potential mechanisms by which dietary fiber impacts tinnitus risk

Enhanced norfloxacin oxidation with an Fe(VI)/peroxydisulfate-quinone process: iron species-driven multi-oxidation, quinone-based regulation, and density functional theory analysis

The individual Fe(VI) as FeO4 2- or peroxydisulfate (PDS) oxidation process faces challenges of limited oxidation efficiency, excessive dosage consumption, and a narrow pH range. Fe is an important component in both Fe(VI) oxidation and PDS activation. We propose linking Fe in the combined Fe(VI)/PDS process to address the challenges of their individual processes. The contribution of Fe species to reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in the Fe(VI)/PDS process and the regulatory effects of quinones on Fe species in the Fe(VI)/PDS-benzoquinone (BQ) process were investigated. The reactive oxidation species generated by the Fe(VI)/PDS process included high-valency iron species such as Fe(VI), Fe(V), and Fe(IV); hydroxy radicals (∙OH), singlet oxygen (1O2), and SO4˙ˉ contributed differently at varying pH levels. PDS accelerated the conversion of Fe(VI) to Fe(V) and Fe(IV), which are more reactive, and facilitated their regeneration from Fe(III) and Fe(II). The Fe(II) concentration in the Fe(VI)/PDS process increased by 35.0 % after BQ addition, which enhanced PDS activation and shifted the dominant oxidizer from high-valency iron to ROS. In the Fe(VI)/PDS-BQ process, norfloxacin underwent oxidative degradation via piperazinyl ring degradation, defluorination, and quinolone group degradation, as evidenced by degradation byproducts and further supported by density functional theory calculations. The Fe(VI)/PDS-BQ process significantly reduced the toxicity of norfloxacin. A novel Fe(VI)/PDS-BQ process was developed with the potential to eliminate antibiotics from water and to identify the Fe-involved oxidation mechanism regulated by BQ addition and pH

The lower mass limit for circumbinary disc fragmentation

In recent years, many wide orbit circumbinary giant planets have been discovered; some of these may have formed by gravitational fragmentation of circumbinary discs. The aim of this work is to investigate the lower mass limit for circumbinary disc fragmentation. We use the Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics code SEREN, which employs an approximate method for the radiative transfer, to perform 3 sets of simulations of gravitationally unstable discs. The first set of simulations covers circumstellar discs heated by a single 0.7 M⊙ star (circumstellar model), the second set covers binaries with the same total stellar mass as the circumstellar model, attended by circumbinary discs with the same temperature profile (circumbinary fiducial model), and the third set covers circumbinary discs heated by each individual star (circumbinary realistic model). We vary the binary separation, mass ratio and eccentricity to see their effect on disc fragmentation. For the circumstellar disc model, we find a lower disc-to-star mass ratio for fragmentation of ~ 0.31. For the circumbinary fiducial disc model we find the same disc-to-star mass ratio for fragmentation (but slightly lower for more eccentric, equal-mass binaries; 0.26). On the other hand, realistic circumbinary discs fragment at a lower mass limit (disc-to-star mass ratio of 0.17 - 0.26), depending on the binary properties. We conclude that circumbinary discs fragment at a lower disc mass (by ~45%) than circumstellar discs. Therefore, gas giant planet around binaries may be able to form by gravitational instability easier than around single stars

Sinophone Comics: Histories, Identities, Medialities

While comics published in twentieth-century China have enjoyed extensive coverage, this volume showcases recent works from other locations in Asia and beyond: Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Italy and the US. Thus, its Sinophone framing de-centers the hegemony of China in Chinese studies, and that of Japanese manga in comics studies. Non-mangaesque productions take center stage, and a chapter on comics-related cultural exchange with Japan covers reception of Taiwanese comics. Chapter contributors explore key themes in Sinophone studies: identity-construction and (national or medium-specific) history-writing through positive or negative connections with China as a cultural and political center, contingent on local colonial legacies, nationalist projects and other cultural factors. At the same time, this volume underscores transnational connections, central to comics throughout this medium’s history, and recent global trends shaping media and cultural production: state support and soft power, the neoliberal emphasis on creativity and self-branding, the rise of digital platforms. Taiwan constitutes a productive site for studying such issues, hence its centrality to this project

I feel your pain: individual differences in welfare indicators after castration in horses.

Personality affects both experience and expression of pain and the welfare impact of castration on horses is poorly understood. Therefore, the current study observed 19 horses to determine: the welfare impact of standard castration on horses; whether individuals consistently vary in their behavioural and emotional responses to pain; the influence of personality on behavioural and physiological responses to pain; whether Horse Grimace Scale (HGS) indicates how individuals feel about painful experiences. Eye temperature (IRT), salivary cortisol, HGS and a pain ethogram were measured at intervals before, throughout and during recovery from castration. IRT (p<0.005), Cortisol (p<0.024), HGS (p<0.03) and Maintenance behaviour (p<0.004) significant changed from baseline. Physiological and behavioural responses to castration were varied but not consistent within individuals. Veterinarian influenced responses, presumably reflecting the importance of clinician’s skill. Personality explained differences in cortisol responses with Neuroticism negatively (estimate=-0.275; p=0.035), and Extroversion positively (estimate=0.406; p=0.001) associated with the magnitude of response to castration. HGS was not confounded by personality suggesting that this pain indicator may be resilient to individual differences in pain expression and appears to reflect underlying affective pain states as it was associated with cortisol (r=0.568, p=0.027). Therefore, it is potentially an important tool in recognition of pain at an individual level. Further research should be done utilising a larger sample with greater standardisation of castration method to determine both the effect of baseline welfare on pain resilience and the sensitivity of Grimace Scales as an indicator of suffering during painful experiences