Testing metallicity indicators at z~1.4 with the gravitationally lensed galaxy CASSOWARY 20

We present X-shooter observations of CASSOWARY 20 (CSWA 20), a star-forming (SFR ~6 Msol/yr) galaxy at z=1.433, magnified by a factor of 11.5 by the gravitational lensing produced by a massive foreground galaxy at z=0.741. We analysed the integrated physical properties of the HII regions of CSWA 20 using temperature- and density-sensitive emission lines. We find the abundance of oxygen to be ~1/7 of solar, while carbon is ~50 times less abundant than in the Sun. The unusually low C/O ratio may be an indication of a particularly rapid timescale of chemical enrichment. The wide wavelength coverage of X-shooter gives us access to five different methods for determining the metallicity of CSWA 20, three based on emission lines from HII regions and two on absorption features formed in the atmospheres of massive stars. All five estimates are in agreement, within the factor of ~2 uncertainty of each method. The interstellar medium of CSWA 20 only partially covers the star-forming region as viewed from our direction; in particular, absorption lines from neutrals and first ions are exceptionally weak. We find evidence for large-scale outflows of the interstellar medium (ISM) with speeds of up 750 km/s, similar to the values measured in other high-z galaxies sustaining much higher rates of star formation.Comment: 18 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in MNRA

In vitro permeation and biological activity of punicalagin and zinc (II) across skin and mucous membranes prone to Herpes simplex virus infection

Coadministration of pomegranate rind extract (PRE) and zinc (II) ions has recently been reported as a potential new topical treatment for Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections. In the current work we examined the in vitro topical delivery of punicalagin (major phytochemical of PRE) and zinc from hydrogels across epithelial membranes that can become infected with HSV. Porcine epidermal, buccal and vaginal mucous membranes were excised and mounted in Franz diffusion cells and dosed with a simple hydrogel containing PRE and zinc sulphate (ZnSO4). The permeation of punicalagin and zinc were determined by HPLC and ICPMS respectively; punicalagin was also determined in the basal layers by reverse tape stripping. Receptor phases from the epidermal membrane experiment were also used to challenge HSV-1 in Vero host cells, and ex vivo porcine skin was used to probe COX-2 modulation. Punicalagin and zinc permeated each of the three test membranes, with significantly greater amounts of both delivered across the epidermal membrane. The amounts of punicalagin permeating the buccal and vaginal membranes were similar, although the amount of zinc permeating the vaginal membrane was comparatively very large – it is known that zinc interacts with vaginal mucosa. The punicalagin recovered by reverse tape stripping of the epidermal, buccal and vaginal membranes gave 0.47 ± 0.016, 0.45 ± 0.052 and 0.51 ± 0.048 nM cm− 2 respectively, and were statistically the same (p < 0.05). A 2.5 log reduction was achieved against HSV-1 using diffusion cell receptor phase, and COX-2 expression was reduced by 64% in ex vivo skin after 6 h. Overall, a hydrogel containing 1.25 mg mL− 1 PRE and 0.25 M ZnSO4 was able to topically deliver both the major bioactive compound within PRE and Zn (II) across all membranes and into the site specific region of Herpes simplex vesicular clusters, while maintaining potentiated virucidal and anti-inflammatory properties. This novel therapeutic system therefore has potential for the topical treatment of HSV infections

Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy

Parent's Experience of a New Approach to Family Safeguarding in Oxfordshire Children Social Care Services

The Family Safeguarding Practice (FSP) framework represents a major shift in the approach to family safeguarding and services, with a much greater emphasis on empowering and supporting the family to be able to care for their child safely and independently. The aim of the study was to understand the impact of the new model to family's experience with children social services and what parts of the model were helpful or challenging. We recruited parents (n = 20) whose children are subject to statutory plans in Oxfordshire County Children Social Services. We used semi-structured interviews to understand their experiences and views of services following the introduction of the new model (which was implemented in 2021). The data were analysed using thematic analysis. Parents reported positive experiences with social services when communication was clear and concise, and they felt involved and listened to, which motivated them to make changes and address long-standing difficulties. Parents were especially positive about the involvement of adult-facing practitioners (AFPs), in many cases, describing them as life transforming. The findings highlight the importance of working with the whole family and not just the child. Parents appreciated the key elements of the FSP programme: continuity of care, AFPs, open communication and better coordination of services. Parents' experiences however were very variable and suggest that some elements of the FSP model such as motivational interviewing and having one social worker throughout were not consistently implemented.</p

Health services under pressure: a scoping review and development of a taxonomy of adaptive strategies

Objective The objective of this review was to develop a taxonomy of pressures experienced by health services and an accompanying taxonomy of strategies for adapting in response to these pressures. The taxonomies were developed from a review of observational studies directly assessing care delivered in a variety of clinical environments. Design In the first phase, a scoping review of the relevant literature was conducted. In the second phase, pressures and strategies were systematically coded from the included papers, and categorised. Data sources Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycInfo and Scopus) and reference lists from recent reviews of the resilient healthcare literature. Eligibility criteria Studies were included from the resilient healthcare literature, which used descriptive methodologies to directly assess a clinical environment. The studies were required to contain strategies for managing under pressure. Results 5402 potential articles were identified with 17 papers meeting the inclusion criteria. The principal source of pressure described in the studies was the demand for care exceeding capacity (ie, the resources available), which in turn led to difficult working conditions and problems with system functioning. Strategies for responding to pressures were categorised into anticipatory and on-the-day adaptations. Anticipatory strategies included strategies for increasing resources, controlling demand and plans for managing the workload (efficiency strategies, forward planning, monitoring and co-ordination strategies and staff support initiatives). On-the-day adaptations were categorised into: flexing the use of existing resources, prioritising demand and adapting ways of working (leadership, teamwork and communication strategies). Conclusions The review has culminated in an empirically based taxonomy of pressures and an accompanying taxonomy of strategies for adapting in response to these pressures. The taxonomies could help clinicians and managers to optimise how they respond to pressures and may be used as the basis for training programmes and future research evaluating the impact of different strategies

Health services under pressure: a scoping review and development of a taxonomy of adaptive strategies

Objective The objective of this review was to develop a taxonomy of pressures experienced by health services and an accompanying taxonomy of strategies for adapting in response to these pressures. The taxonomies were developed from a review of observational studies directly assessing care delivered in a variety of clinical environments. Design In the first phase, a scoping review of the relevant literature was conducted. In the second phase, pressures and strategies were systematically coded from the included papers, and categorised. Data sources Electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycInfo and Scopus) and reference lists from recent reviews of the resilient healthcare literature. Eligibility criteria Studies were included from the resilient healthcare literature, which used descriptive methodologies to directly assess a clinical environment. The studies were required to contain strategies for managing under pressure. Results 5402 potential articles were identified with 17 papers meeting the inclusion criteria. The principal source of pressure described in the studies was the demand for care exceeding capacity (ie, the resources available), which in turn led to difficult working conditions and problems with system functioning. Strategies for responding to pressures were categorised into anticipatory and on-the-day adaptations. Anticipatory strategies included strategies for increasing resources, controlling demand and plans for managing the workload (efficiency strategies, forward planning, monitoring and co-ordination strategies and staff support initiatives). On-the-day adaptations were categorised into: flexing the use of existing resources, prioritising demand and adapting ways of working (leadership, teamwork and communication strategies). Conclusions The review has culminated in an empirically based taxonomy of pressures and an accompanying taxonomy of strategies for adapting in response to these pressures. The taxonomies could help clinicians and managers to optimise how they respond to pressures and may be used as the basis for training programmes and future research evaluating the impact of different strategies

Synthetic factors affecting the stability of methylammonium lead halide perovskite nanocrystals.

Lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) have emerged as promising candidates for use in optoelectronic devices. Significant focus has been directed towards optimising synthetic conditions to obtain PNCs with tunable emission properties. However, the reproducible production of stable PNC dispersions is also crucial for fabrication and scale-up of these devices using liquid deposition methods. Here, the stability of methylammonium lead halide (MAPbX3 where X = Br, I) PNCs produced via the ligand-assisted reprecipitation process is explored. We have focussed on understanding how different combinations of specific synthetic factors - dilution, halide source and ratio as well as capping-ligand concentration - affect the stability of the resultant PNC dispersion. Photoluminescence spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering studies revealed that subtle changes in the reaction conditions lead to significant changes in the particle morphology and associated optical properties, often with catastrophic consequences on stability. This study highlights the importance of designing PNC dispersions in order to make more efficient and reliable optoelectronic devices.This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (grant agreement No. 818762 - SPECTRACON)

Strategies for adapting under pressure: an interview study in community mental health services

Background: Mental health services are operating under significant and sustained pressures. Healthcare professionals and managers are continually making adjustments, often improvised and inconsistent across teams. This study aimed to identify and describe the everyday pressures experienced in community mental health settings and the adaptive strategies used by senior leadership and management staff to respond. The longer-term goal is to inform more coordinated, practical approaches to managing services under pressure. Methods: We conducted qualitative semi-structured interviews with 22 senior leadership and management staff from community mental health services within a single NHS Trust in England. Interviews explored the everyday pressures encountered and the strategies adopted in response. Data were analysed thematically using a template analysis approach, guided by our previously developed framework—a taxonomy of pressures and adaptive strategies from earlier studies in surgery and intensive care. Results: The main source of pressure was a shortage of staff with the necessary skills and experience to manage increasing patient numbers and complexity. Strategies were categorised as anticipatory (implemented in advance of expected pressures) and on-the-day responses. Most were anticipatory, reflecting limited capacity for real-time adaptation. Common strategies involved controlling patient demand and prioritising urgent cases, flexing staff allocation, and enhancing staff support, supervision, and coordination. Flexible use of external services, such as primary care and voluntary sector resources, was also reported. Conclusions: Senior mental health staff employ a broad range of adaptive strategies during periods of pressure to manage patient risk, sustain patient flow, and support staff wellbeing. Compared with acute hospital settings such as surgery and intensive care, anticipatory strategies were more prevalent in mental health services, where day-to-day flexibility is constrained by staffing and service structures. There is significant potential to train clinical leaders and teams in the effective use of adaptive strategies and to improve cross-service coordination. The framework used in this study offers a shared language and a practical menu of options to help mental health services prioritise rising patient demand and safeguard staff wellbeing

Strategies for adapting under pressure:an interview study in community mental health services

Background: Mental health services are operating under significant and sustained pressures. Healthcare professionals and managers are continually making adjustments, often improvised and inconsistent across teams. This study aimed to identify and describe the everyday pressures experienced in community mental health settings and the adaptive strategies used by senior leadership and management staff to respond. The longer-term goal is to inform more coordinated, practical approaches to managing services under pressure.Methods: We conducted qualitative semi-structured interviews with 22 senior leadership and management staff from community mental health services within a single NHS Trust in England. Interviews explored the everyday pressures encountered and the strategies adopted in response. Data were analysed thematically using a template analysis approach, guided by our previously developed framework—a taxonomy of pressures and adaptive strategies from earlier studies in surgery and intensive care.Results: The main source of pressure was a shortage of staff with the necessary skills and experience to manage increasing patient numbers and complexity. Strategies were categorised as anticipatory (implemented in advance of expected pressures) and on-the-day responses. Most were anticipatory, reflecting limited capacity for real-time adaptation. Common strategies involved controlling patient demand and prioritising urgent cases, flexing staff allocation, and enhancing staff support, supervision, and coordination. Flexible use of external services, such as primary care and voluntary sector resources, was also reported.Conclusions: Senior mental health staff employ a broad range of adaptive strategies during periods of pressure to manage patient risk, sustain patient flow, and support staff wellbeing. Compared with acute hospital settings such as surgery and intensive care, anticipatory strategies were more prevalent in mental health services, where day-to-day flexibility is constrained by staffing and service structures. There is significant potential to train clinical leaders and teams in the effective use of adaptive strategies and to improve cross-service coordination. The framework used in this study offers a shared language and a practical menu of options to help mental health services prioritise rising patient demand and safeguard staff wellbeing