A rare case of dicephalic parapagus conjoined twins diagnosed in the third trimester

Dicephalic parapagus conjoined twins, a rarely occurring form of conjoined twinning has poor prognosis and remains a significant cause of perinatal deaths. Since majority of cases of conjoined twins are not compatible with life, early and reliable detection with diagnostic medical imaging remains crucial for adequate patient counselling, medical and surgical management. We present a case of dicephalic parapagus twin gestation with associated congenital anomalies detected for the first time with ultrasound in the third trimester in a 29-year-old pregnant woman. An initial first trimester ultrasound at 14 weeks gestational age was unremarkable. Ultrasound fetal anatomical survey in the third trimester remains reliable for the detection of rare fetal anomalies such as dicephalic parapagus twins that might have been missed in earlier scans. Continuous efforts should therefore be made for the inclusion of detailed anatomical survey in the early third trimester; particularly in women with unremarkable earlier ultrasound scans and in those reporting late for obstetric care

Informal Practice as a Driver of Change: The UN Security Council and Darfur

In recent years the UN Security Council has come under increasing criticism, particularly in light of its failure to address the most pressing threats to international peace and security. As tensions between major powers have grown the relative paralysis of the Council has led to growing calls for significant change and reform. Yet much of the discourse surrounding the Council’s current status has predominantly focused on the overall legitimacy of the institution itself in regard to its rules and functions. In notable contrast to this literature, Jess Gifkins in her book Inside the UN Security Council takes us deeper into the inner workings of the Council, to address how decisions get made and the techniques utilised by member states to build legitimacy for their actions

Implementation and evaluation of a supervised exercise programme for people with claudication in York, England

Background Supervised exercise therapy (SET) has been shown to improve claudication symptoms in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD), and it is recommended as a first-line treatment in national and international guidelines. Despite this, supervised exercise programmes have not been widely implemented in many countries. This quality improvement project aimed to implement and evaluate an exercise service for people with claudication in York, England. Methods The York Claudication Exercise Service was launched in October 2023. Eligible patients were referred from vascular clinics at York Hospital. The service provided each participant with two, 1-hour exercise sessions per week over a 12-week programme. Standardised assessments were performed before and after the programme. Routinely assessed outcomes (e.g., recruitment, attendance, satisfaction, and treadmill walking distances) were used to evaluate the service over the first 12 months. Descriptive statistics were used to explore feasibility, acceptability, fidelity, and preliminary effects. A cost-comparison analysis was also conducted before and after the exercise service was implemented. Results By May 2024, 65 eligible patients had been referred, with 29 patients (44.6 %) commencing the exercise sessions. The exercise programme was delivered as intended and the median number of sessions attended was 19 (out of 24). At service exit, 13 (59.1 %) out of 22 participants reported an improvement in their claudication symptoms and were discharged to primary care. The mean (95 % CI) increase in pain-free walking distance was 110 m (39 to 182). All but one participant rated the service as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’. Economic modelling estimated that the programme would result in an annual cost-saving of £223.21 per person, or £366.40 per person using estimated costs for a future delivery model. Conclusions The service was successfully implemented within the existing care pathway. The evaluation indicated a high level of patient satisfaction, improvement in claudication symptoms and prevention of unnecessary referrals for vascular imaging and revascularisation. Agreements have been obtained to continue the service for at least 2 more years. During this period, sustainability funding will be sought, and the service will be adapted to improve access and uptake

A social worker-led evaluation of the professional capabilities framework

Introduced in 2012, England’s Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) provided for the first time a service wide mechanism for assessing and developing professional practices against nine domains across education and career span. While innovative for its time, in the intervening decade, the PCF has neither been evaluated or revised. This paper details findings from a British Association of Social Workers (BASW) commissioned social worker-led evaluation of the framework. The evaluation examines how social workers use the PCF within their everyday roles, whether the nine domains can be improved, changed, or removed in any way and, whether the PCF is fit for purpose. The study utilized a mixed-methods research design consisting of an expert panel curated, online, eighteen-point, open-ended survey (n = 278) followed by individual semi-structured interviews (n = 16). The survey sample was representative of the workforce (ethnicity, age). Findings show near 80 per cent of respondents consider the PCF fit for purpose with recommended improvements including: clearer centring of social justice; integration of super domains; an improved career framework; emphasis on reflection; and clearer professional leadership definition. We conclude by calling on BASW to implement these recommendations, and reflect on the potential importance of the PCF to nations outside of the England

A History of Modern Britain in 12 Crises

This book provides an accessible and engaging introduction to British political history, by exploring 12 key crises from the early 20th century to the modern day. Taking each crisis in turn, chapters investigate the following crucial questions: •What’s at stake in the crisis? •Who was able to frame and shape the debates and narratives around the crisis? •How was the crisis eventually resolved? Developing a nuanced account of crisis, the book shows how narrations of events as crises can be used to promote particular political changes. Taken together the crises will familiarise readers with key themes in British politics and the events that have shaped the current shape of politics within the UK

Generative AI and Job Vulnerability: A Global Review

The rapid acceleration in the development of AI-in particular, generative AI-is changing the nature of work globally, with great significant for job creation, transformation, and displacement. Drawing on major studies, employer forecasts, and AI-driven evaluations, this review paper synthesizes evidence to investigate sectoral vulnerabilities to automation across different economic contexts. In doing so, it identifies professions and sectors that have emerged as particularly vulnerable to disruption by AI, with a specific focus on developments relating to generative AI since 2023. Clerical, administrative, financial, and customer service jobs are currently identified as those globally at the highest risk, while knowledge-based and creative jobs that have been considered hitherto safe are increasingly vulnerable. Conversely, occupations that are physically and emotionally demanding and unpredictable, such as health care, skilled trades, and hospitality, remain comparatively resilient. This review also explores regional variation in risks from automation, approaches to the methodological assessment of risk, and the strategic responses from employers across industries. Conclusively, this study emphasizes a set of policy recommendations targeting concerted upskilling, AI governance, and inclusive transition strategies in efforts to prevent labor markets from becoming more unequal. This systematic literature review used information obtained from peer-reviewed journals, policy reports, and organizational datasets published between 2013 and 2025. Altogether, 52 studies were thematically analyzed and comparatively mapped across sectors in line with predetermined inclusion criteria targeted at AI-driven automation and workforce vulnerability across sectors

Sustainable Green Marketing Strategies for a Circular Economy in Africa: An Introduction

Green marketing has emerged as a pathway for fostering sustainable development. However, mixed views are prevalent in developing economies on the role of green marketing as a pathway to deliver transformative and structural changes required to stimulate sustained economic growth. This chapter introduces the evolving discourse on green marketing by highlighting the realities and imperatives necessary to implement sustainable green marketing strategies in developing economies. It calls for a multi-disciplinary approach that integrates the micro and macro perspectives to provide insights into the realities and imperatives that facilitate or inhibit the realisation of the sustainable green marketing agenda in Africa. The contestations associated with the governance and practice of green marketing are introduced. The role of environmental values, norms, beliefs, supply chains and the digital economy in promoting green marketing is acknowledged

Workload negotiations for early and mid-career researchers in an Athena Swan gold-awarded department

n the UK academia, the Athena Swan (AS) Charter, established in 2005 is considered a significant innovation to improve women’s representation in senior positions. While several studies claim a measurable improvement in structural and cultural issues faced by women in AS-accredited universities, studies question the legitimacy of these claims considering persistent gender issues in academia. Using a grounded theory approach, the current study addressed this gap by investigating the impact of AS accreditation on the lived experience of early- and mid-career academics in UK Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subject areas. The findings show the performativity dimension for women who work in these spaces where women are required to undertake additional workload, which disrupts their more rewarding research activities. The added workload for women includes blood work associated with managing emotions, pain, and menstrual bodies in the science lab, as well as mothering responsibilities associated with cleaning and maintaining the lab spaces, and caring and nurturing work associated with pastoral care duties. This study argues that this added workload can have negative implications for women’s careers, which is not reflected in AS workload models

Emotional Skills Groups: A qualitative study exploring client experiences of online emotional skills group interventions in an NHS Talking Therapies service

Background: Many people treated in Talking Therapies services have highly complex needs which are not always met by the treatment offered. Emotional skills groups based on adaptations of dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT) have been offered to meet complex needs, but little is known about clients' experiences of these. Aims: This research aimed to gain insight into clients' experiences of online emotional skills groups in NHS Talking Therapies. Methods: Twelve participants who attended online emotional skills groups were recruited from a Talking Therapies service. Semistructured interviews focused on participants' experiences were conducted and analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA). Results: The central organising concept, ‘My journey from disconnection towards connection’ splits into three main themes: (1) finding life hard; (2) maybe this group will make a difference; and (3) re‐evaluating the importance of connection. These themes are broken down into subthemes allowing for a more in‐depth analysis. Originality/Value: There is little known about clients' experiences of online emotional skills groups in adult NHS Talking Therapies services. This research demonstrates the benefit and value of these groups, something that therapists and managers should consider when it comes to improving treatment outcomes and commissioning. Conclusion: Findings suggest that online emotional skills groups benefit people who experience a high level of distress but find it difficult to engage with standard Talking Therapies treatments. There is a need for a policy change so that online emotional skills groups can be offered as a widely available treatment for complex emotional needs in primary care