Sex differences in neuromuscular ageing: the role of sex hormones

Males and females experience different trajectories of neuromuscular function across the lifespan, with females demonstrating accelerated deconditioning in later life. We hypothesize that the menopause is a critical period in the female lifespan, during which the dramatic reduction in sex hormone concentrations negatively impacts synaptic input to the motoneuron pool, as well as motor unit discharge properties

Measuring the impact of student knowledge exchange for sustainability: a systematic literature review and framework

Knowledge Exchange is a rapidly emerging phenomenon in the higher education sector. Nevertheless, it remains a niche area with limited studies examining the impact of knowledge exchange for sustainability on students. This research adopted a systematic literature review approach to review sustainability-oriented project-based learning and student knowledge exchange with a view to developing a framework to measure the impact of student knowledge exchange for sustainability. The literature review was based on 38 journal papers selected out of 3578 search results with an application of the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) flow chart methodology. A qualitative content analysis was used to identify and explore the main concepts and variables to evaluate the content of the articles selected by SLR. The results showed three main categories to be systematically measured to understand their impact: (i) capacity building, (ii) affective domain, and (iii) career readiness. Capacity building requires measuring students' sustainability knowledge, competence, and skill levels. The affective domain evaluates changes in students' perceptions, attitudes, and behaviours identified as affective learning outcomes for sustainability. Career readiness assesses a student's level of preparation for the workplace. These variables/constructs informed the development of a framework to measure the impact of student KE for sustainability in a systematic and comprehensive way. The proposed framework is the study's main contribution, supporting measuring the impact of student knowledge exchange for sustainability. It provides a way to address impact holistically and define what specific variables/constructors should be measured to quantify students' impact

Under the Bridge evaluation

Nottingham C.A.N & Bluetonic have teamed up again to offer Under the Bridge phase two. Building on the success of the first project, run between May and August 2022, this second phase has been funded by The National Lottery Peoples Projects in Partnership with ITV, UTV and the Sunday Mail for a total of 52 weeks. Under the Bridge is a project for men of all ages to explore the positive mental health impacts of spending time in blue spaces. Alongside water-based sports activities and music-making opportunities, the project brought males together as a way of promoting social confidence, peer support networks and creativity

Fear of missing out and problematic social media use: a serial mediation model of social comparison and self-esteem

Background and aim: Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) is consistently associated with problematic social media use (PSMU). Moreover, previous studies have shown a significant association between FoMO, self-esteem, and social comparison. However, there is a lack of studies that have investigated the relationship between, FoMO, social comparison, self-esteem, and PSMU in an integrated model. The present study hypothesized that FoMO may influence PSMU through the serial mediating role of social comparison and self-esteem. Method: A cross-sectional survey study was conducted comprising 256 Italian university students (74.4% female), aged 18 to 38 years (M = 23.05 years; SD = 3.58). The participants completed an online survey assessing the variables of the study. Results: Controlling for age and gender, the results showed positive associations between FoMO, social comparison, and PSMU, and a negative association between FoMO and self-esteem. Self-esteem was also negatively associated with PSMU. It was also found that social comparison and self-esteem sequentially mediated the association between FoMO and PSMU. Conclusions: The present study contributes to understanding the mechanisms that underline the complex effects of FoMO on PSMU

A proposed brand architecture model for UK fashion brands

Corporate brand identity is becoming a strategic issue in the UK fashion industry, as it is complex and constantly under pressure to differentiate. Fashion brands are expanding through a range of channels and rapidly changing takeovers, and it is unclear whether internal stakeholders are aware of the possible consequences of these approaches. In particular, there appears to be no literature on how retail and wholesale brands develop and manage their corporate brand identities during these changes and whether they draw on any meaningful connections with their customers. To understand how brand architecture might support the development of brand strategies in the UK fashion industry, perceptions of corporate brand identities were explored in retail and wholesale brands. Fifteen qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with elite informants. The findings reveal that retail brand identities can become disconnected from their sub-brands therefore, brand identity may be invisible to consumers, while wholesale brands maintain a strong visible brand identity dependent on the brand’s values, historical legacy, innovation and positioning. A brand architecture model is developed that more accurately reflects the complex dimensions of UK fashion brands, particularly when channels expand and takeovers take place. These perspectives have not been reported in the literature