Reversality of optical interactions in noncentrosymmetric media

The interaction of an electromagnetic wave with a noncentrosymmetric crystal is not necessarily time reversible, and the departure from reversality may be seen in nonlocal (wave-vector linear) phenomena. However, relativistic symmetry with respect to simultaneous time and space inversion is always preserved in optics

Specular nonlinear anisotropic polarization effect along fourfold crystal symmetry axes

We present what is to our knowledge the first experimental observation of the specular nonlinear anisotropic polarization effect of a pump-induced polarization-plane rotation for normal-incidence reflection from the (001) surface of a cubic crystal. In GaAs, azimuth rotation of the order of 9 × 10-6 rad is seen for a pump intensity of 75 MW/cm2 at 750 nm, from which the anisotropic component of the cubic nonlinearity |Re(χxxxx - 2χxxyy - χxyyx)| = 5 × 10-9 esu is found.<br/

Dance for Health: The perceptions of healthcare professionals of the impact of music and movement sessions for older people in an acute hospital setting

Aim and objectives: To explore staff perceptions of the impact of weekly music and movement sessions involving older patients and staff on the wards where ‘Dance for Health’ sessions take place. Background: Dance for Health is a programme of weekly group dance sessions, which take place on wards in an acute hospital setting. Recent research demonstrates the value of creative arts activities in clinical settings across the globe. However, there is little research exploring the impact of dance programmes for frail older people in acute hospital settings, or healthcare professionals’ perceptions of the impact of these sessions on patients, staff and the ward environment. Method: A qualitative descriptive approach was used. Twenty-one semi-structured interviews were conducted with staff who had supported patients participating in Dance for Health and the ward managers where the sessions took place. Data analysis was undertaken using a thematic analysis approach. Findings: The sessions challenged staff assumptions about older patients’ musical preferences and the level of physical activity patients were able to undertake. Staff felt that the shared experience and interactions within the group enhanced staff-patient relationships. Staff taking part in the sessions reported feeling pleasure seeing their patients enjoying themselves and valued being a part of delivering the sessions. Conclusion: The Dance for Health programme in an acute hospital setting has the potential to promote person-centred care through encouraging self-expression and individuality. It is a meaningful and enjoyable activity, which encourages physical activity and social interaction and enriches the aesthetic experience of the hospital environment. Implications for Practice: This is the first study reporting on the use of dance sessions for older people in an acute hospital setting. Dance for Health had a positive impact on staff attending the sessions and enhanced staff-patient relationships. Staff support is key for effective delivery

Sustainable Outdoor Education: Organisations Connecting Children and Young People with Nature through the Arts

There is an increasing concern regarding the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people; as a result, schools are increasingly expected to provide support, but they have few resources to do so. As such, there is a need for establishing mechanisms for supporting the health and wellbeing of children and young people that are relatively easy and cost-effective and that can be embedded within the school day to ensure sustainability. The overarching aim of our Branching Out project was to understand how successful elements from one such programme that supports children’s mental health through the art-in-nature-based practice can be expanded from school-based approaches that reach small numbers of children to include whole communities. This paper reports on one strand that examined the practice of organisations offering arts and/or nature-based activities outdoors in schools, either as part of the curriculum or as an extra-curricular activity. Survey questions served as an a priori thematic framework around the characteristics of arts-in-nature activities delivered; the perceived impacts of activities; working with volunteers, teachers, and schools; and barriers to expansion and sustainability. Despite extensive searching, identifying, and recruiting relevant arts organisations was difficult; however, respondents strongly supported the notion that the arts-in-nature practice has a positive impact on children and young people’s connection to nature, supports their mental health and wellbeing, and engages them with their local environment. Yet, challenges were identified in engaging teachers and schools and funding such projects, suggesting a need for a multi-professional approach to creating more sustainable and impactful practice for children, young people, and communities

Wetting and particle adsorption in nanoflows

Molecular dynamics simulations are used to study the behavior of closely-fitting spherical and ellipsoidal particles moving through a fluid-filled cylinder at nanometer scales. The particle, the cylinder wall and the fluid solvent are all treated as atomic systems, and special attention is given to the effects of varying the wetting properties of the fluid. Although the modification of the solid-fluid interaction leads to significant changes in the microstructure of the fluid, its transport properties are found to be the same as in bulk. Independently of the shape and relative size of the particle, we find two distinct regimes as a function of the degree of wetting, with a sharp transition between them. In the case of a highly-wetting suspending fluid, the particle moves through the cylinder with an average axial velocity in agreement with that obtained from the solution of the continuum Stokes equations. In contrast, in the case of less-wetting fluids, only the early-time motion of the particle is consistent with continuum dynamics. At later times, the particle is eventually adsorbed onto the wall and subsequently executes an intermittent stick-slip motion.We show that van der Walls forces are the dominant contribution to the particle adsorption phenomenon and that depletion forces are weak enough to allow, in the highly-wetting situation, an initially adsorbed particle to spontaneously desorb

Dance for Health: the impact of creative dance sessions on older people in an acute hospital setting

Background: This service evaluation examined the impact of Dance for Health, a programme of weekly group dance sessions for older patients, which took place on wards in an acute hospital setting. Methods: Qualitative and quantitative observations using the ArtsObs scale were undertaken of 64 dance sessions over a 12-week period involving seven different hospital wards encompassing 313 patient attendances. Results: Statistically significant improvements were observed in the mood of the majority of patients taking part. People engaged mentally and physically with the activity were distracted from their medical condition and from what was happening on the ward. Patients appeared relaxed and were willing to express themselves creatively. Conclusion: The Dance for Health programme had a positive impact on group participants, promoting movement and physical activity for older patients. It is a meaningful and enjoyable activity, which encourages social interaction and provides respite from the medical environment

Building Connections - loneliness & isolation, cultural engagement & older people. Evaluation Report 2019-2021

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