The chick embryo model as an educational tool to explore the effect of alcohol on cardiovascular development

n development the interrelationship between physiology and anatomy is challenging as learners must appreciate how physiological processes and anatomical structures change over time. In addition, the dynamic relationships between structure and function are often concealed largely due to the inaccessibility of the embryo in higher-order organisms. This makes it difficult for students to appreciate normal intricate balances or interpret physiological consequences of developmental disruptions to normal embryological development. In this paper, the applicability of the chick embryo model for use in practical classes is explored as students can observe developmental processes firsthand within a controlled in ovo environment. Practical approaches involved in developing the chick embryo model are described and then expanded to demonstrate how the model can be utilized to showcase the cardiovascular system development as an example. The model is further adapted to explore the effect of teratogenic disruptors such as ethanol on normal cardiovascular processes and highlights how prenatal alcohol exposure results in cardiovascular anomalies associated with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), such as septal defects and altered cardiac physiology. In class, students can directly observe chick development from 0-to-8 days post-fertilisation. Measurable outcomes, such as comparisons in septal thickness, are calculated, while questions and answers to stimulate student discussion around functional changes and the impact of maternal consumption of alcohol are provided as resource material. The method outlined uses relatively inexpensive materials and requires little space, making it a cost-effective educational tool to support student learning of embryology

Crafting in waiting: social entrepreneurship and refugee labour at the frontier

Refugee social entrepreneurship has increasingly been framed as a solution to the labour integration of forcibly displaced populations, yet its implications reveal a complex intersection of economic opportunity and limited rights. In the Turkish context, where the refugee protection regime frequently bypasses formal rights, this article explores the potential of social enterprises such as Knit4Hope to foster livelihood. By positioning Knit4Hope within both neoliberal and decolonial frameworks, the study examines how refugee-led entrepreneurship navigates and redefines the “frontiers” of market-driven integration and rights limitations. This ethnographic analysis critiques the reliance on entrepreneurial self-sufficiency as a solution to restricted rights and protection, while foregrounding labour of solidarity and reimagined agency of Syrian women in urban Turkey. The article’s decolonial lens reconsiders integration not as a pathway to resilience but as a site of enduring negotiation of belonging and survival within an unequal global economy.<br/

Beyond the BBFC: Local and regional film censorship in Britain

This book length study explores the complex practices of local and regional film censorship within the UK in different historical periods. The processes of film censorship vary widely across different areas and regions, according to different periods, the composition of particular councils and the influence of external events. This work will build on work carried out in recent years which identifies the limited reach of the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) and the ways in which local authorities and councils worked to impose their own methods of film censorship through particular interpretations of the Cinematograph Acts of 1909 and 1959. It will explore contentious local cases and look at the different ways in which local authorities in different areas are operating to control local film culture

Evaluating the impact of unrestricted genAI usage on experiential-based learning

This work examines the usage and experience of students using generative AI (genAI) in a engineering entrepreneurship experiential-based learning course. It utilizes a project-based learning approach, where students are in teams of five. The course takes place over a full academic year, i.e., the fall and spring semesters. One of the aims of the course is to be as realistic as possible within an academic setting, with the students trying to create a new technology-based business, in the hopes that they will continue their ventures after the course concludes. Therefore, the teams were allowed to and encouraged to use any genAI they wish throughout the course to assist them. Outside of academia, it would be expected that a start-up founder would use genAI to speed up many aspects of starting their business. Therefore, we want to examine how the students use genAI without there being any constraints. As part of the summative assessment for the course each student peer assesses the members of their team. Included within that they also ``peer assess" genAI as though it were another team member, which is a critical reflection of their genAI usage. This work addresses how students use genAI, in experiential-based learning courses when they are allowed to use it any way possible to assist them. The study uses a quantitative and qualitative approach with student data from their ``peer assessment'' (i.e., critical reflection) of their genAI usage from the academic year 2023/24. Within the peer assessment of the genAI team member the students answer Likert-scale statements to be rated on a five-point semantic differential scale. The results indicate a varied adoption and value of genAI across different project phases. While some students appreciated genAI for speeding up specific tasks, its contribution to creative processes like ideation was less impactful

Queering software engineering education: integrative approaches and student experiences

This systematic literature review examines the state of LGBTQIA+ inclusion in software engineering education. The review synthesizes findings from various studies to highlight the experiences and perceptions of LGBTQIA+ students and educators, as well as the impact of inclusive pedagogical practices. Results indicate a predominantly heteronormative and exclusionary climate negatively affecting LGBTQIA+ students' sense of belonging and retention. Innovative pedagogical approaches, such as integrating LGBTQIA+-inclusive problem sets and readings on diversity, show promise in fostering more inclusive environments. The review underscores the need for systemic changes, including increased visibility of LGBTQIA+ issues, diversity training, and supportive networks, to create a more inclusive and equitable educational landscape. Future research should focus on expanding these efforts and exploring the perspectives of LGBTQIA+ educators to fully understand and address the challenges they face within software engineering higher education

A pain research strategy for Europe: A European survey and position paper of the European Pain Federation EFIC

Background: Pain is the leading cause of disability and reduced quality of life worldwide. Despite the increasing burden for patients and healthcare systems, pain research remains underfunded and under focused. Having stakeholders identify and prioritize areas that need urgent attention in the field will help focus funding topics, reduce ‘research waste’, improve the effectiveness of pain research and therapy and promote the uptake of research evidence. In this study, the European Pain Federation (EFIC) developed a Pain Research Strategy for Europe. Methods: The study used multiple methods, including literature searches, multidisciplinary expert debate, a survey and a final consensus meeting. The cross‐sectional survey was conducted among 628 European pain researchers, clinicians, educators and industry professionals to obtain the rating and hierarchy of pain research priorities. The final consensus meeting involved a multidisciplinary expert panel including people with lived experience from 23 countries. The survey results guided discussions where top priorities were agreed. Results: Content analysis identified nine survey themes, of which five emerged as top priorities: (i) understand the pathophysiology of pain; (ii) understand and address comorbidities; (iii) critically assess current therapies; (iv) develop new treatments; and (v) explore the biopsychosocial impacts of pain. Physical, psychological and social approaches were prioritized at the same level as pharmacological treatments. The top priorities were endorsed by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The panel emphasized the importance of also clearly communicating the concepts of prediction, prevention self‐management and personalized pain management in the final strategy. Conclusions: The content of the final top research priorities' list reflects a holistic approach to pain management. The equal importance given to physical, psychological and social aspects alongside pharmacological treatments highlights the importance of a comprehensive biopsychosocial‐orientated research strategy. The expert panel's endorsement of five top priorities, coupled with an emphasis on communicating the concepts of prediction, prevention, self‐management and personalized pain management, provides a clear direction for future basic, translational and clinical research. Significance: EFIC has developed a Pain Research Strategy for Europe that identifies pain research areas deserving the most focus and financial support. Implementation and wide dissemination of this Strategy is vital to increase the conduct of urgent pain projects, pain research funding and the implementation of research findings into practice, to ultimately decrease the personal, societal and financial burden of pain

Delivery of islatravir via high drug‐load, long‐acting microarray patches for the prevention or treatment of human immunodeficiency virus

This research focuses on developing and characterizing islatravir-loaded dissolving microarray patches (MAPs) to provide an effective, minimally invasive treatment option for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) prevention and treatment. The research involves manufacturing these MAPs using a double-casting approach, and conducting in vitro and in vivo evaluations. Results show that the MAPs have excellent needle fidelity, structural integrity, and mechanical strength. in vitro studies demonstrate that the MAPs can penetrate skin up to 580 µm and dissolve within 2 hours. Permeation studies reveal that the delivery efficiency of islatravir across the skin is around 40%. In rodent models, these dissolving MAPs sustain islatravir delivery for up to 3 months. Scaling up the MAPs and increasing drug loading produced detectable levels in minipig. Projections from animal data suggest that these dissolving MAPs can achieve effective islatravir levels for a month after a single application in humans. These findings indicate dissolving MAPs as a minimally invasive approach to sustained release of islatravir.<br/

Broken symmetry and elastic frustration in isostructural spin crossover crystals

Symmetry‐breaking spin‐state transitions in two of three isostructural salts of MnIII spin‐crossover cations, [MnIII(3‐OMe‐5‐NO2‐sal2323)]+, with heavy anions are reported. The ReO4− salt undergoes two‐step spin crossover which is coupled with a re‐entrant symmetry‐breaking structural phase transition between a high temperature phase (S = 2, C2/c), an intermediate ordered phase (S = 1/S = 2, P21/c), and a low temperature phase (S = 1, C2/c). The AsF6− complex undergoes an abrupt transition between a high temperature phase (S = 2, C2/c) and a low temperature ordered phase (S = 1/S = 2, P‐1). The SbF6− complex undergoes a gradual transition between a high temperature phase (S = 2, P‐1) and a low temperature spin‐state ordered phase (S = 1/S = 2, P‐1). Correlation of the volume of the anion and T1/2 in these complexes and three analogous complexes with similar anions, BF4−, ClO4−, PF6−, reveals an increase in T1/2 upon increasing the anion volume. We rationalise that the volume of the anions modulates the elastic interactions between the MnIII sites, with increasing elastic frustration with the larger anions resulting in a two‐stepped transition for [MnIII(3‐OMe‐5‐NO2‐sal2323)]ReO4 and the stabilisation of the mixed (HS:LS) state to low temperature for [MnIII(3‐OMe‐5‐NO2‐sal2323)]AsF6 and [MnIII(3‐OMe‐5‐NO2‐sal2323)]SbF6