A tropically hot Late Jurassic North American Sundance Sea: Evidence for the Oxfordian Warm Interval

Supplementary material for the paper: A tropically hot Late Jurassic North American Sundance Sea: Evidence for the Oxfordian Warm Interval

Ontological Machines: Subjectivity and Relational Desire in Immersive and Interactive Environments

This practice-based artistic research focuses on two contemporary spaces; namely the pedagogical spaces of healthcare Simulation Based Education (SBE), and the exhibition spaces of installation art. These seemingly unrelated activities share a range of technological and operational similarities that render their combined study under the banner of ‘immersive and interactive environments’ both novel and necessary. The lack of broad engagement with questions of representation, aesthetics, and affect is conspicuous in an educational practice that is reliant on, and implemented through, a network of overtly visual mediums, material technologies, and sensory modalities. In healthcare SBE, clinical skills are acquired, and medical knowledge is reinforced while a biomedical worldview is quietly spatialised through the immersive and interactive environments in which healthcare simulation is performed. With the rapid adoption of SBE in healthcare training both nationally and internationally, the apparent dearth of philosophical inquiry that examines healthcare SBE outside of the performance metrics of technical skills training and competencies of patient safety warrants examination. I use the philosopher Karen Barad’s ‘diffractive methodology’ and Levi Bryant’s theory of ‘ontological machines’ to examine how the immersive techniques and interactive technologies deployed within these seemingly unrelated spaces shape specific forms of meaning, knowing, and being in the world.In response to fieldwork conducted in a simulation training facility of a South-West UK medical school, the practice component of this research is articulated through a series of what I introduce as immersive and interactive installation art Prototypes. These Prototypes explore subjectivity and relationality through wearable technology that captures real-time participant biodata to augment physical spaces with digital layers

Should oral examination be reimagined in the era of AI?

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape education, concerns about the authenticity of student work have escalated, particularly in relation to written assignments influenced by AI-powered tools. This article explores the role of the oral examination as a valuable method for assessing true student understanding and considers its potential for broader use across various educational levels. We propose that oral exams could be effectively integrated into undergraduate courses, providing a means to verify student comprehension in an era of AI-generated content. By adopting oral assessments, educators can enhance academic integrity while fostering essential skills such as critical thinking and effective communication in today’s technology-driven world

Driving renewable energy continuance in Malaysia through reinforcement sensitivity, technology infrastructure and psychological factors

Purpose: Based on the reinforcement sensitivity theory (RST), this study aims to examine the key factors that influence users’ renewable energy (RE) continuance intention. More importantly, the mediating role of excitement and the moderating role of technology infrastructure (TEC) and anxiety in the renewable energy continuance intention (RECI) is explored. Design/methodology/approach: A survey was conducted among RE users in Malaysia and the results of a questionnaire survey of 397 were analysed using partial least square structural equation modelling. Findings: The study’s findings highlight the significant roles of excitement and anxiety in RE intentions, emphasizing the impact of psychological factors and government policy on RE adoption in Malaysia. It also proves the moderating effect of perceptual dimension attributed to TEC. Research limitations/implications: This study significantly advances the understanding of RECI, offering a replicable research framework that can be examined across regions and countries. Scholars can leverage the framework for further exploration, whereas managers should recognize reinforcement sensitivity influences on RECI and the impact of perceived technology infrastructural support. Originality/value: Given that this study is a pioneer attempt to investigate the approach and inhibiting factors relating to RECI through the application of RST, It provides novel insight for future research on RE among researchers and practitioners, thereby contributing to the limited body of knowledge on the psychological dynamics of RECI of an emerging economy

Comparing p62 and LC3 as Autophagy Biomarkers: Insights into Cellular Homeostasis

Autophagy is a fundamental cellular process that maintains homeostasis by the degradation of damaged organelles and proteins. It plays crucial roles in cellular remodelling, development, and disease progression. These roles apply to the study of neurodegenerative diseases which is heavily linked to the toxicity produced by unwarranted accumulation of cellular material. A key player in autophagy is LC3, which translocate to autophagosomal membranes during the process. Detecting fluorescently labelled LC3-II through immunofluorescence provides a valuable method for assessing autophagy levels in samples. In a similar premise p62, also known as sequestosome-1 (SQSTM-1), is an adaptor between LC3 and ubiquitinated substrates, facilitating their incorporation into autophagosomes for degradation. Consequently, p62 levels can reflect autophagic activity and this study explores the viability of the protein as an autophagy biomarker. Using a variety of autophagy inhibitors, autophagic flux could be assessed and a comparison could be made between the response to the inhibition between LC3 and p62. The absence of statistically significant results in any of the test markers, whether it is the inhibitors in immunofluorescence, or the western blotting results does not support the original hypothesis. Consequently, this study concludes that p62 is unsuitable as an autophagy biomarker. Even though p62 has been extensively studied as a biomarker, it remains controversial. Further investigations are required to clarify its role and address any technical challenges whilst for now, LC3 remains the gold standard biomarker. However, understanding p62’s nuances and alternative functions could potentially enhance our understanding of autophagy dynamics

A qualitative analysis of how Just Stop Oil protests are framed in the UK online news media

Previous research has found that when the news media reports on demonstrations, protest groups can be subject to delegitimising coverage. This body of research can be subsumed under Chan & Lee’s “protest paradigm” and is believed to consist of a set of narrative frames that journalists default to in the coverage of protests. Recent research demonstrates how the use of these framing devices may be in decline and advocates for a more integrated approach to protest coverage. However, there is little research that uses analytic frameworks specifically theorised to explore media framing. This study uses Giles and Shaw’s media framing analysis in conjunction with Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis to explore the use of media frames in coverage of Just Stop Oil protests. The data set includes 22 UK online news articles from 6 UK news publishers. The results of this analysis showed that a large portion of the articles employed delegitimising frames in the coverage of Just Stop Oil Protests. However, a portion of articles have also demonstrated legitimising coverage, either exclusively, or in tandem with delegitimising frames

Global manta and devil ray population declines: closing policy and management gaps to reduce fisheries mortality

Significant progress has been made in advancing priority actions to conserve manta and devil rays, yet implementation and enforcement of protective measures often fall short, leaving most mobulid populations at risk of overfishing. Drawing on a literature review, fisheries databases, agency reports, and expert interviews, we assess global trends in mobulid catch and mortality. We examine both targeted and incidental catch, in small (\u3c15 m, ‘SV’) and large (\u3e15 m, ‘LV’) vessel fisheries to identify hotspots with the highest risk of fisheries-related mortality and population decline. We estimate global fisheries catch at 264,520 (184,407–344,987) mobulids per year, with SV fisheries accounting for 87 % of global mortality. The highest-risk hotspots, based on mortality and declines, are located in India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Peru, and Myanmar. Mobulid retention is driven by demand, with higher mortality rates observed in countries exporting gill plates, and to a lesser extent, in those trading meat domestically or internationally. We recommend urgent implementation and enforcement of mobulid listings under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), and national protective measures, including (i) uplisting mobulids to CITES Appendix I, (ii) full legislative protection for all mobulid species in high-risk fishing nations to reduce demand, (iii) avoiding fishing in critical habitats through permanent or temporary targeted area closures, or management, (iv) limiting drift gillnet effort, and (v) involving fishers in management decisions and implementation

Celebrating Children and Young People’s Nursing Conference, 2025 ‘Our Present, Our Future: Keynote presentation: The Fit4CYP project

Northumbria University is delighted to be hosting this national conference in partnership with the Great North Childrens Hospital (Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust), Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (Childrens Nursing Services) and South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (Childrens Nursing Services).Conference aim:This conference will provide one of the largest national and international forums for children and young people’s (CYPs) nurses to collaborate and network on a range of contemporary topics relevant to their practice. A broad range of activities is planned with the aim to connect, inspire, and educate, encouraging thought provoking exchanges. Delegates will be offered the opportunity to share ideas and experiences for the present and future of the profession, meeting the needs of children, young people, and their families

Creating culture: enabling research-active practitioners to thrive

#400WORDS: DELIVERING A RESEARCH SKILLED WORKFORCE SPECIAL EDITIO