Adapting psychological interventions for people with severe and profound intellectual disabilities: a behavioural activation exemplar

Background: People with severe to profound intellectual disabilities experience similar or higher levels of depression than those with more mild intellectual disabilities. Yet, there is an absence of evidence about how to adapt existing psychological therapies for this population. Method: A behavioural activation intervention (BeatIt) for people with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities was adapted for people with severe to profound intellectual disabilities and depression. Key considerations include: (i) beginning with a more in-depth assessment process; (ii) including the person in session activities and developing a relationship with them; (iii) formulation and the use of film to document the link between activity and mood; and (iv) addressing barriers to change at an individual and inter-personal level and considering how the carer could support the person's engagement in activity. Results: Successfully adapting BeatIt represents a first step towards gathering evidence about the effectiveness of behavioural activation for people with severe to profound intellectual disabilities

Post-holiday memory work: Everyday encounters with fridge magnets

While souvenirs have generated considerable interest within tourism research, less attention has been paid to their post-holiday ‘afterlife’. Utilising perspectives from memory research and more-than-representational theory, this paper focuses on interactions with a ubiquitous souvenir: the fridge magnet. Drawing on semi-structured interviews we illustrate how, because of their embeddedness within everyday domestic rhythms, magnets are active agents in the stimulation of post-holiday memory work. We show how magnets work to generate and protect memories, triggering a diversity of (usually positive) emotional and affective responses. They can also be associated with ambivalent memories; with their role sometimes being more about forgetting. Although being seemingly banal objects, fridge magnets have a complex capacity to affect everyday life long after a holiday ends

Impact of Exercise Training Response on Quality of Life and Cardiovascular Risk Factor Profiles in People with Coronary Artery Disease: Insights from the HIIT or MISS UK trial

Objective: To compare the characteristics of “responders” and “non-responders” to 8-weeks of exercise training to determine differences in key cardiovascular disease outcomes in people with coronary artery disease (CAD). Design: Secondary analysis of data from the HIIT or MISS UK trial. Setting: Six outpatient National Health Service cardiac rehabilitation centers in the UK. In people with CAD attending cardiac rehabilitation, the HIIT or MISS UK trial reported that short-term, low-volume, high intensity interval training (HIIT) was more effective than moderate intensity steady state (MISS) exercise training for improving peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak). Participants: 382 participants with CAD (mean age: 58.8 ± 9.6 years; mean BMI: 29.0 ± 4.3 kg∙m−2). Main Outcome Measures: We identified “responders” and “non-responders” based on a meaningful change in peak oxygen uptake, using two established methods. Key clinical, quality of life, and cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET)-derived outcomes were compared between groups. Results: Responders were more likely to be younger (P<0.05), and demonstrate greater improvement in CPET-related outcomes e.g. oxygen uptake efficiency slope (OUES), ventilatory efficiency (VE/VCO2 slope), and peak power output (all comparisons, P<0.001). Responders were more likely to observe improvements in quality of life (EQ-5D-5L; mean Δ 13.6 v mean Δ 9.4; P=0.045), and HDL-cholesterol (mean Δ 0.09 mmol.L−1 v mean Δ 0.04 mmol.L−1; P=0.004), compared to non-responders. Conclusions: In people with CAD attending cardiac rehabilitation, “responders” to exercise training were more likely to be younger, and demonstrate greater improvements in health-related QoL and HDL-cholesterol

Men’s experiences of a personalised, appearance-based, facial-morphing, safer drinking intervention

Risky alcohol consumption behaviours remain commonplace, representing a major threat to health and safety, and are especially evidenced by young university students. Consequently, new interventions targeting this high-risk group are required. The current study investigated young male university students’ experiences of a personalised, appearance-based, facial morphing, safer drinking intervention. Twenty-five male student participants were recruited, aged 18–34 years. Inductive thematic analysis of data gathered whilst participants were immersed in the intervention, and thereby exposed to alcohol-aged images of their own faces, produced four primary themes: alcohol as a threat to appearance and health, motivations to protect appearance, motivational aspects of the intervention, and proposed improvements and applications. The results of the current study suggested that participants expressed intentions towards healthier consumption/maintenance of already non-risky intake, supporting the potential of the facial-morphing appearance-based approach to address risky alcohol consumption, even in high-risk groups

Ecology of Nepenthes on Mount Talang, West Sumatra, Indonesia

Gunung (Mount) Talang is an active volcano in West Sumatra that has a number of Nepenthes species, including the endemic N. talangensis, but their ecology has been little been studied. This study found five species of Nepenthes growing in the protected forest area of Gunung Talang, namely N. bongso, N. inermis, N. pectinata, N. spathulata and N. talangensis. The population of N. talangensis is very small (23 individuals) and it grows sympatrically with N. bongso and N. inermis forming natural hybrids. Lithocarpus conocarpus, Camellia lanceolata, Syzygium acuminatissimum, Adinandra dumosa and Dehaasia sp. are the five most dominant tree species found in the Nepenthes habitat, while L. conocarpus and Podocarpus neriifolius had strong positive associations with N. talangensis. Growth rates of the five Nepenthes species were not significantly different, neither were foliar nitrogen (mean = 1.14%) or phosphorus concentrations (mean = 0.11%). We suggest that N. talangensis should be considered as Critically Endangered and outline some possible conservation actions

Through each other's eyes: initial results and protocol for the co-design of an observational measure of adolescent-parent interaction using first-person perspective

Background: Current observational methods to understand adolescent-parent interaction are limited in terms of ecological and content validity. We outline initial results and a protocol for future work from a programme of work to: (1) establish a new method for data capture of adolescent-parent interaction at home using wearable cameras and; (2) develop a new relevant and comprehensive observational micro-coding scheme. In Part 1, we report our completed preliminary work, comprised of an initial scoping review, and public engagement work. In Part 2, we present a protocol for the development of the new measure. Methods: Part 1—We searched Pubmed for existing observational measures of adolescent-parent interaction for the scoping review. We also undertook public engagement work utilising a mobile research van, taken to multiple locations around Bristol, UK to engage with a variety of populations through interactive methods. Part 2—Our protocol describes plans for: (1) A systematic review of the psychometric properties of observational measures of adolescent-parent interaction; (2) Focussed public engagement workshops; (3) Harmonisation of information from existing coding schemes and literature with information from public engagement with adolescents and parents; (4) A pilot study to assess the acceptability and feasibility of the method; (5) Development of a coding scheme in consultation with expert and lay panels, and through real-life application to recorded videos from a pilot sample. Results: Scoping review: we identified 21 adolescent-parent observational schemes, of which eight used micro-coding and 13 used globalcoding schemes. The majority of micro-coding schemes were not developed specifically for adolescents. Most studies used conflict or problem-solving tasks, which may not adequately capture positive adolescent-parent interactions. The mobile van event received views from 234 young people and/or parents. Families were positive about taking part in research using headcams. “Trust” and “understanding” were most frequently reported as important adolescent-parent relationship constructs. Conclusions: This work represents the first attempt to truly co-design a method to assess parenting in adolescence. We hope to develop an observational measure using novel technological methods that can be used across a range of research and therapeutic settings

Polyphenols in obesity and weight management: are they worth further research? An umbrella review

Polyphenols are widely known for their putative antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects and their potential protective role in several diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. They have also attracted significant interest as ‘anti-obesity’ agents, although with mechanisms of action that have been exclusively demonstrated in animal and in vitro studies. This umbrella review aims to evaluate current evidence surrounding the role of polyphenols in obesity and weight management and to establish the usefulness of these agents in combatting obesity. A search of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials was carried out. Nine systematic reviews (of which eight included a meta-analysis) were included. Evidence of polyphenols' effects on reducing bodyweight is mixed, and where the effects are significant, they are numerically small and unlikely to be of help in reducing bodyweight or preventing weight gain. Future research should focus on establishing the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of polyphenols through well-designed randomised controlled trials. Such research could be more valuable and cost-effective since it has shown potential to improve human health

Editorial

This issue features a range of articles that explore different cultural and environmental forms of sustainability in the face of crises, including climate change and conflict, revealing how craft reconnects and sustains us as humans. Within the theme of Place and cultural identity, Ana Nolasco discusses the significance of Madeira Island embroidery, by drawing upon interviews conducted during a six-year postdoctoral study across the Portuguese-speaking archipelagos. Neetu Singh and Vanshika Gupta’s Craft and Industry Report shines light on the craft of Mata Ni Pachedi, originated by the nomadic Vagahri community of Gujarat. The Remarkable Image, contributed by Prasanna P. and Asokan T., captures a skilled weaver as he contributes to the preservation of handloom crafts in Uraiyur. In ‘Estonian blues’, Julia Valle_Noronha and Piret Puppart explore how the use of natural dyes can positively impact education, society and the environment, through a case study of the ‘Ethno’ course at the Estonian Academy of Arts. Making as a response is prioritised by Tarja Kroger and Sirpa Kokko, who explore the crafting triggered in Finland by the war in Ukraine and the meanings attached to processes and artefacts encompassed within 40 writings. Niina Väänänen and Katja Vilhunen’s analyse surveyed Finnish hobbyists’ views on sustainable crafts, highlighting intangible influences on wellbeing, cultural and environmental responsibility. Valle-Noronha’s review of REPAIR, held at Aalto University, Finland as part of the PLATE2023 conference, reinforces the notion of responsive making within multiple product and service contexts. D Wood reviews the HOME/MAKING conference held at Concordia University in Montréal, Canada in May 2023, while Gemma Potter further explores our relationship with the domestic and familiar through her Portrait of the ceramicist Ingrid Murphy. Michelle Stephens reviews Interwoven: Exploring Materials and Structure (2022) by Maarit Saloainen, and Bogil Lee reviews A Philosophy of Textile: Between Practice and Theory (2020) by Catherine Dormor

Genetic identification of three CITES-listed sharks using a paper-based Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC)

Threatened shark species are caught in large numbers by artisanal and commercial fisheries and traded globally. Monitoring both which shark species are caught and sold in fisheries, and the export of CITES-restricted products, are essential in reducing illegal fishing. Current methods for species identification rely on visual examination by experts or DNA barcoding techniques requiring specialist laboratory facilities and trained personnel. The need for specialist equipment and/or input from experts means many markets are currently not monitored. We have developed a paper-based Lab-on-a-Chip (LOC) to facilitate identification of three threatened and CITES-listed sharks, bigeye thresher (Alopias superciliosus), pelagic thresher (A. pelagicus) and shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) at market source. DNA was successfully extracted from shark meat and fin samples and combined with DNA amplification and visualisation using Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) on the LOC. This resulted in the successful identification of the target species of sharks in under an hour, with a working positive and negative control. The LOC provided a simple “yes” or “no” result via a colour change from pink to yellow when one of the target species was present. The LOC serves as proof-of-concept (PoC) for field-based species identification as it does not require specialist facilities. It can be used by non-scientifically trained personnel, especially in areas where there are suspected high frequencies of mislabelling or for the identification of dried shark fins in seizures

Lexical Coverage in L1 and L2 Viewing Comprehension

This study investigates the relationship between lexical coverage and TV viewing comprehension. Previous studies have indicated that 95%-98% lexical coverage may be needed for reading comprehension (Hu & Nation, 2000). To understand informal listening passages, lower coverage figures (95%-90%) may suffice (van Zeeland & Schmitt, 2013; Noreillie, et al., 2018). However, no study has researched the lexical coverage needed to understand audio-visual texts. We adopted a counter-balanced within-participants design, in which 5%, 10% or 20% of the words in four 2-minute documentaries were replaced with non-words. Native and non-native speakers of English participated in this study. Results showed that: 1) comprehension scores decreased as lexical coverage decreased; 2) comprehension at 100% coverage was significantly higher than 90% and 80% in the two groups; and 3) optimal adequate comprehension is achieved with an optimal lexical coverage of 95%, whereas minimal adequate comprehension is reached with a minimal lexical coverage of 80%