Ballistic response of composite helmets engineered with cellular metamaterials

This study investigates the integration of cellular metamaterials into combat helmet systems under ballistic loading, with a focus on realistic helmet geometries and both direct and oblique impact conditions. As global conflict zones increasingly demand lightweight and high-performance protective gear for enhanced mobility and survivability, auxetic structures, particularly the double arrowhead (DAH) topology, demonstrated substantial improvements in head protection, reducing injury metrics such as peak linear acceleration and head injury criterion (HIC) by over 50% compared to non-auxetic designs. Cellular helmet pad systems, explored here for the first time, achieved comparable or superior impact mitigation while halving system weight. Detailed damage evolution analysis revealed that DAH structures exhibited more gradual and confined failure compared to re-entrant designs, further supporting their superior performance. These results offer valuable insights into the mechanics of impact resistance and set a new benchmark for the design of lightweight, high-performance protective equipment

Oral health interventions and their effectiveness for dependent older adults: a systematic review of outcomes and outcome measures used in clinical research

ObjectivesTo identify oral health outcomes and outcome measures reported in studies examining oral health interventions among dependent older adults, as an initial step in the development of a core outcome set (COS).DataIntervention studies aimed at improving oral health of dependent older adults aged ≥60 years, residing in care homes, or at home, were included. The quality of included studies was evaluated using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool (RoB 2) and Risk of Bias In non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I).SourcesMedline and Embase via Ovid, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Web of Science, up to August 2025Study selection and resultsEighty-four studies were included. Interventions were primarily classified into four categories: caregiver training and education (n = 21), oral healthcare interventions (n = 25), health professionals’ interventions (n = 31) and other interventions (n = 7). The reported outcomes and outcome measures varied considerably across studies and can be broadly grouped into six domains: oral hygiene, dentition status, periodontal status, oral mucosal status, overall oral health, and other outcomes. The most reported outcome was oral hygiene, with the Plaque Index being the most frequently used measure, followed by the Gingival Index. Other commonly reported outcome measures include Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth/Surfaces (DMFT/S), salivary levels of bacterial pathogens, and the Oral Health Assessment Tool (OHAT).ConclusionsThe outcomes and outcome measures reported across studies evaluating oral health interventions in dependent older adults were highly heterogenous. There is limited high-quality evidence in this area, highlighting the need for further research with robust study designs. The development and adoption of a COS would be valuable towards improving evidence-based dentistry and quality of care for this population.Clinical SignificanceFindings highlight the need for a COS to guide future research and ensure that outcomes are standardised and relevant to all stakeholders, and enable robust conclusions to inform clinical practice.<br/

Vulnerability of blue carbon stocks to disturbance in sediments with low burial efficiency

Continental shelf sediments – particularly soft, muddy habitats - serve as significant reservoirs of organic carbon over glacial-interglacial timescales and are subject to disturbance, notably from mobile bottom fishing gear. The quantity and quality of accumulated organic carbon varies across shelf environments, with muds storing more organic carbon than other substrate types. For effective marine management, it has been recommended that the reactivity, or ‘quality’, of organic matter should be considered when assessing the vulnerability of sedimentary carbon to disturbance. If management interventions are to be made to protect vulnerable organic carbon reservoirs on the seafloor, then it is also important to consider the burial efficiency of carbon. In areas of rapid sediment accumulation, carbon will be moved from surface to geological reservoirs more quickly, thus facilitating carbon sequestration. In this study, we assess the quantity, quality, and accumulation rate of organic carbon in the muddy depocenter of the Fladen Ground, northern North Sea - an area of low active sediment accumulation, with both historic and ongoing bottom trawling. All sediment cores analysed in this study display upwards coarsening of surface sediments, consistent with sediment disturbance and winnowing. Southern Fladen Ground sediments are especially well sorted, depleted in total organic carbon, and enriched in calcium carbonate - patterns that align with intensified trawling. Our results show very low modern organic carbon accumulation rates (∼0.7 g C m−2 yr−1), low organic matter reactivity (18.5 % labile), and that modern trawl events can potentially disturb sediments and carbon accumulated over the last ∼2300 years. These results indicate that sediment and organic carbon accumulation rates are an important consideration when assessing the vulnerability of sedimentary carbon.</p

Culture and Climate Connections - Great Hall Queen's University Belfast Tue 11 Nov 2025. Event Report

This report provides a description of an information exchange event organised by Graeme Stevenson, Director, Research Strategy at Arts Council of Northern Ireland (ACNI). The event brought together approximately 50 participants including artist practitioners, arts organisations, government departments, voluntary/community organisations, and ACNI staff. It aimed to:• Strengthen dialogue between government and the arts sector on climate change.• Provide a platform for the arts sector to share actions, needs, and challenges.• Develop a route map for ACNI and partners to establish a stronger climate policy direction.The report is written by Ben Twist, with contributions from his co-facilitator Ali F|itzGibbon, and provides some reflections on the discussions and the outputs of the workshop but is not in itself an action plan: it is expected that ACNI will digest the information provided here, and staff members’ own experience and learning, to inform the next steps.<br/

Digital approaches to pain assessment across older adults: a scoping review

Background: Effectively managing pain in adults remains challenging, particularly in individuals with cognitive impairment or communication difficulties. Digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled facial recognition and mobile applications, are emerging as innovative tools to improve the objectivity and consistency of pain evaluation. This scoping review aimed to map the current evidence on digital pain-assessment tools used with adult and older populations, focusing on validity, reliability, usability, and contributions to person-centred care. Methods: The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and Arksey and O’Malley framework and was reported in accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Systematic searches were conducted in PubMed, CINAHL Complete, Medline (ALL), and PsycINFO for English-language studies published from 2010 onwards. Eligible studies included adults (≥18 years) using digital tools for pain assessment. Data extraction and synthesis were performed using Covidence, and findings were analyzed thematically.Results: Of 1160 records screened, ten studies met inclusion criteria. Most research was quantitative and conducted in high-income clinical settings. Five tools were identified: ePAT/PainChek®, Painimation, PainCAS, Pain Clinical Assessment System, and Active Appearance Model. Four key themes emerged: (1) Validity and Reliability of Digital Pain Assessment Tools; (2) Comprehensive Pain Evaluation Across Contexts (Rest vs. Movement); (3) Usability and Integration into Clinical Practice; (4) Enabling Person-Centred Pain Management and Future Directions. Conclusions: Emerging evidence suggests that facial-recognition-based digital pain-assessment tools may demonstrate acceptable psychometric performance and usability within dementia care settings in high-income countries. However, evidence relating to broader adult populations, diverse care contexts, and low-resource settings remains limited, highlighting important gaps for future research