Opportunities and costs for shared ground loops

Shared ground loops (SGLs) combine shared ground heat exchangers with distributed heat pumps across multiple properties and may offer a route to decarbonise heating where individual heat pumps or heat networks are not feasible. SGLs can be installed in homes and buildings with limited outside space for a heat pump or insufficient demand density to support a heat network. To make the most of potential opportunities, greater awareness of factors shaping UK deployment is needed. Through a mixed-methods approach combining rapid evidence assessment, case studies and policy mapping, this study finds SGLs mostly limited to deployment by social landlords and in new build settings, with wider use impacted by high capital costs, policy gaps around mid-scale solutions, market concentration around a single supplier, and the need for business models applicable to mixed-tenure settings. SGLs are particularly suitable for dwellings in higher density areas outside of government-designated Heat Network Zones, where it is expected that large heat networks will deliver the lowest-cost route to decarbonising heat. We suggest policy and practice recommendations intended to create conditions for wider deployment. At a national policymaker level, SGL suitability for mid-scale, medium-density settings and support for a flexible energy system should be more clearly recognised, especially in areas outside Heat Network Zones. At the individual company level, deployment would be supported through development of utility-style business models and installation approaches by infrastructure developers which can offer SGLs to households of a range of tenure types

How AI-induced existential threats affect consumer skepticism toward corporate marketing communications in the hospitality and tourism industry

While artificial intelligence (AI) technology offers a variety of potential advantages, the general public has voiced serious concerns that the development of AI could pose threats to human existence. This work explores how AI-induced existential threats shape consumers’ cognitive beliefs about corporate marketing communications in the hospitality and tourism industry (e.g., hotel corporate social responsibility activities and travel package advertisements). Through one survey and four experiments, this research uncovers an important unforeseen dark side of AI. That is, AI-induced existential threats lead to consumer skepticism toward corporate marketing communications. In addition, we find that consumers’ zero-sum mindset is the psychological mechanism explaining the negative AI effect. Moreover, this paper identifies regulatory focus as a critical boundary condition. Specifically, the unintended effect of AI-induced existential threats only occurs among promotion-focused individuals but disappears among prevention-focused individuals

What do teachers do?

Applying for and obtaining your first post is an important undertaking. Knowing the stages involved in the application and interview process will allow you to consider careful where and when you apply. This chapter provides clear guidance to support you in applying for your first post as well as what happens when you are offered a post. It encourages you to think about what type of post you want to apply for and provides insight into what is expected from applications from employers. It considers the interview process as a whole looking not only what take place during an interview, but also what might be expected of you once you have accepted your new role

Bridging Research and Practice in the Psychology of Doping in Sport: Reflections and Future Directions

Doping in sport remains a persistent global challenge, eroding sporting integrity, athlete welfare, and public trust. Over the past 25 years, psychological research on doping has progressed from individual-level explanations to embracing more nuanced, systemic perspectives. This narrative review synthesises key developments in the field, addressing definitional ambiguities, dominant theoretical frameworks, and emerging trends in anti-doping research. Social cognitive theories have been particularly influential, with meta-analytic evidence highlighting psychosocial predictors such as attitudes, perceived norms, and supplement use. However, the field remains constrained by a reliance on proxy measures of behaviour and a narrow conceptualisation of doping, typically defined as the use of prohibited substances. This review calls for a broader understanding of the behavioural violations that constitute doping, alongside a shift toward systemic thinking and transdisciplinary collaboration. It emphasises the need to engage with the lived experiences of athletes and support personnel, and to design behaviourally targeted, context-sensitive interventions. Meaningful progress depends not only intervention content but also on their alignment with the lived realities of those involved in sport. Future research priorities include co-created, theory-informed interventions, longitudinal designs, and globally inclusive agendas that reflect diverse voices and sporting cultures. Sustained investment and stronger alignment between research, policy, and practice are essential to protect sport integrity and safeguard athlete and support personnel welfare

International security of payment legislation in common law jurisdictions: Climbing different sides of the pyramid.

Since 1996, security of payment legislation (SoPL) for the construction industry has been introduced in a number of common law jurisdictions. It aims to limit unfair payment practices and provides rapid dispute resolution through adjudication. This article examines SoPL from a regulatory perspective in the context of the particular policy rationales for SoPL in different jurisdictions. Namely, increasing economic efficiency and/or protecting the contracting and subcontracting businesses most impacted by payment delays and disputes. It finds that the original models of SoPL took a smart or decentered approach to regulation reliant on ex-post enforcement actions by market participants. The steps contractors and subcontractors can take to secure payment are identified but it is further noted that, while SoPL has largely succeeded in its aims, experience in practice has led some jurisdictions to take a more muscular approach including introducing more formal models of regulation backed by penalties and sanctions. The article concludes by noting that the appropriate regulatory model depends on the primary policy objectives in individual jurisdictions. It is also noted that those jurisdictions which sanction particular behaviors are targeting mala prohibita breaches of requirements created specifically by the SoPL. The question is posed whether all SoPL models and rationales should proscribe and sanction those who knowingly and unlawfully seek to avoid or delay payments. This seems to be the commercial mala in se to which all SoPL is addressed even if articulated policy rationales differ. Thus, although SoPL has brought undoubted benefits, particularly to those who undertake construction work, some stakeholders may wish to lobby for further protections

Creating opportunities to communicate and connect in a global pandemic: Exploring the experiences of people with aphasia of an online conversation partner scheme

Background Conversation partner schemes for people with aphasia (PWA) can promote communication and quality of life as well as support skill development for students. Initial evidence indicates online conversation partner formats are acceptable as an alternative to in‐person delivery. Aims To evaluate the experiences of PWA of an online conversation partner scheme during the global pandemic. Methods & Procedures This qualitative study captured the experiences of eight PWA through semi‐structured interviews. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data and to create themes and subthemes, reflecting the experiences of the participants through the interpretation of the researchers. Outcomes & Results Two main themes were generated, each with subthemes. The first theme was Communicating and connecting online: ‘It was brilliant’ with subthemes: ‘It help me and I help them’: Mutual benefits, ‘Straight away I managed to speak’: Supported conversations, ‘We got to know each other’: Connecting, and ‘Nine out of ten, easy’: Convenient and easy. The second theme was Being me online: lacks ‘Je ne sais quoi’ with subthemes: ‘I like to shake hands’: Missing a human connection, ‘Show me, me self, myself, my broad Yorkshire coming out’: Restricted self‐expression, and ‘Wetherspoons, Wetherspoons’: Loss of the physical environment. Conclusions & Implications This study supports the existing evidence that online conversation partner schemes for PWA are successful. It contributes original ideas relating to the acceptability of technology, interaction and self‐expression online for PWA, and considers the benefits of combining both online and face‐to‐face communication and connection opportunities. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS What is already known on the subject University conversation partner schemes have been shown to improve the communication skills and confidence of PWA and students. A small body of research has shown that online conversation partner schemes are feasible and can be a positive experience for some, but not all, PWA. What this paper adds to the existing knowledge Participants found that an online conversation partner scheme during the COVID‐19 pandemic gave them the opportunity to communicate and connect with students, and led to mutual benefits including enjoyment, improved communication skills, confidence and a sense of purpose. They were able to connect through supported conversations and found it convenient and easy to meet online. Despite these benefits, the participants felt that there was something missing in terms of the human connection, self‐expression and the physical environment. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? This study suggests that online conversation partner schemes provide an opportunity for those who are restricted in their ability to meet face to face or would prefer the ease and comfort of staying in their own home. However, some people may face more barriers in meeting online due to limited experience, skills or support with technology, and may find it more difficult to communicate, build a connection and express themselves. Either using a combined approach of online and face‐to‐face interactions or providing a choice for PWA will ensure that they are still able to access the psychosocial benefits of participating in a conversation partner scheme

A ‘major breakthrough’, yet potentially ‘entirely ineffective’? Experts’ opinions about the ‘total ban’ on unhealthy food marketing online in the UK’s Health and Care Act (2022)

The UK’s Health and Care Act (2022; paused until 2025) includes a globally novel ban on paid-for online advertising of food and beverage products high in saturated fat, salt and sugar (HFSS), to address growing concerns about the scale of digital marketing and its impact in particular on children’s food and beverage preferences, purchases and consumption. This study aimed to understand the potential impact of the novel ban (as proposed in 2020) on specified forms of online HFSS advertising, through the lens of interdisciplinary expertise. We conducted semi-structured interviews via videoconference with eight purposively selected UK and global digital marketing, food and privacy experts. We identified deductive and inductive themes addressing the policy’s scope, design, implementation, monitoring and enforcement through iterative, consensual thematic analyses. Experts felt this novel ‘breakthrough’ policy has potential to substantially impact global marketing by establishing the principle of no HFSS advertising online to consumers of all ages, but they also identified substantive limitations that could potentially render it ‘entirely ineffective’, for example, the exclusion of common forms of digital marketing, especially brand marketing and marketing integrated within entertainment content; virtual/augmented reality, and ‘advertainment’ as particularly likely spaces for rapid growth of digital food marketing; and technical digital media issues that raise significant barriers to effective monitoring and compliance. Experts recommended well-defined regulations with strong enforcement mechanisms. These findings contribute insights for effective design and implementation of global initiatives to limit online HFSS food marketing, including the need for government regulations in place of voluntary industry restrictions

Coal to swole: A survey of anabolic steroid use and muscularity concerns in coalfield areas of Wales

BACKGROUND: Growing male anabolic steroid use is often framed as symptomatic of a post-industrial masculinity crisis, but little quantitative evidence exists for this account. We examine whether steroid use is associated with geographic exposure to industrial decline, namely historical coal mining, and whether any association is mediated by masculine norms. METHODS: We fielded a quota-sampled survey of 18-49 year-old men in Wales (N = 1425). Data were geo-linked to the extent of historic coal mining locally to respondents. Generalised linear mixed models were fitted to test our hypotheses. RESULTS: Steroid use (odds ratio = 1.99, 1.10-3.60), but not body image (B = 1.06, -2.02-4.13), was positively associated with mining extent. However, this was not mediated by conformity to masculine norms. DISCUSSION: While use of steroids is more common in former mining areas, this is not due to more prevalent body image issues nor mediated by masculine norms. Thus, accounts of a post-industrial 'thwarted masculinity' do not fit the data. Steroid use in post-industrial areas is an issue for public health and these communities may benefit from targeted interventions to reduce risk of harms

Investigating the Construction Professionals’ Perspective on the New Building Safety Act in the UK: A Sentiment Analysis of Media Data

Existing research on constructional professional attitudes towards fire safety and evacuation has predominantly employed traditional methodologies. While these methods have provided valuable insights, they are limited in their ability to capture the full spectrum of the stakeholders. Moreover, a significant gap exists in the literature regarding the broader population’s concerns about how the industry experts perceives and responds to building safety regulations, particularly in the context of new legislation like the Building Safety Act (BSA) 2022. To address these gaps, this study adopts a novel approach by analysing social media data, specifically YouTube, to capture a wider range of public sentiments towards the BSA 2022. A total of 3577 data points reflecting the general public’s views were gathered, processed, and examined using sentiment analysis, k-means clustering and Latent Dirichlet Allocation text mining techniques for topic modelling. Findings reveal nine clusters each for the positive and negative sentiments. The overall findings reveal that the public expressed positive sentiments (20 %), negative sentiments (4 %), and neutral sentiments (76 %) towards BSA 2022. The study posits recommendations from the public’s sentiments for policy makers to leverage