Reframing Resolution - Managing Conflict and Resolving Individual Employment Disputes in the Contemporary Workplace

The resolution of individual workplace conflict has assumed an increasingly important place in policy debates over contemporary work and employment. This is in part due to the decline in collective industrial action and the parallel rise in the volume of employment tribunal applications. It reflects a growing concern over the implications of individual employment disputes for those involved but has perhaps been driven by concerns over the cost of litigation and the perceived burden that this places on employers. Against this backdrop, an ESRC-funded seminar series, entitled ‘Reframing Resolution – Managing Conflict and Resolving Individual Employment Disputes in the Contemporary Workplace’, was held between October 2012 and September 2013. This comprised six seminars held at: University of Strathclyde; University of Central Lancashire; Swansea University; Queen’s University Belfast; IRRU, University of Warwick and University of Westminster. The series brought leading academic researchers, practitioners and policy-makers together to explore new empirical and conceptual developments, examine innovative practice and provide insights into key questions of public policy

An exploration of intersectoral partnerships for people with multiple and complex needs: a realist informed qualitative study

The well-being of people with complex and multiple needs is impacted upon by the interplay of life experiences, social determinants, contextual factors, and health conditions. People with multiple and complex needs are considered to include but not be limited to People with severe and enduring mental health problems People who are in contact with the criminal justice system People with substance misuse problems People whose life opportunities are limited due to income People who have experienced significant trauma Despite policy imperatives, there remains a lack of systematic knowledge and practice relating to what works, for which people, and under which set of circumstances. Evaluating the evidence base for interventions for people with complex and multiple needs is complicated by several factors. Historically (and currently), interventions tend to be focused on a diagnosis, behaviours, or for a particular age range. Too often, professional services look at behaviour and conditions without exploring the wider set of relationships and opportunities and life disruptions that people might have experienced or are experiencing. Within the Lothian area, a number of intersectoral partnerships (ISPs) have been developed, focused on improving health, well-being, and opportunities for people with multiple and complex needs. The partnerships are intersectoral in that they include statutory, private, and voluntary partners working together to provide innovative interventions and services for people with multiple and complex needs. Lothian’s ISPs provide support to individuals, in response to specific needs, and may be defined by geographical locations or in respect to service requirements. However, common features of good practice are obscured by differing models for provision, apparently dissimilar client groups, and a diversity of providers and contributors. Key success features and elements of effective practice require investigation and synthesis. The current research used qualitative and realist methods to propose a “programme theory” of effective intersectoral partnership based on ISPs within Lothian. Qualitative data were gathered from 18 key informants from 6 Lothian-based ISPs. A clearer, more rigorous, and systematic understanding of ISPs for people with complex and multiple needs has been developed, with recommendations for how programmes might be developed in other areas or otherwise expanded. The Incite model is the summary descriptor of the refined programme theory. The model contains the programme theory of context, mechanisms, and outcomes which should be considered in the development of an intersectoral partnership. How the Incite model may be operationalised is discussed in the thesis, as well as implications for policy, practice and research

The development of an intervention for diabetes prevention among people with impaired glucose regulation:feasibility and acceptability of an intervention component

Background As part of the design process of a low-cost minimal-contact diabetes prevention intervention, we issued a blood glucose meter to people with impaired glucose regulation (who are at high risk of type 2 diabetes). We conducted a feasibility study to assess the acceptability of this intervention component and whether and how recipients engaged with it. Methods A blood glucose meter was given to 19 people identified through primary care, who were asked to use the meter in an exploratory way during a 4-week trial period, to try to understand the effect of different foods on the body. They were advised that they could test as often or as little as they liked and were also asked to keep a food/exercise diary for at least 1 week. They were interviewed about their experiences afterwards. Results There was a high level of engagement with testing, with the total number of tests recorded ranging from 11 to 114 (median 74) among 18 participants. Fifteen participants tested almost every day during the 4-week period. The cognitive engagement was more limited. All participants commented on their own results, and most were able to relate high or low results to foods eaten and exercise taken, usually in response to prompting. However, there was limited thought or understanding beyond this in terms of longer-term patterns of diet and exercise, and testing was routine rather than experimental. Some participants were confused by conflicting or unexpected results. A few minor problems were reported by participants, such as soreness, inconvenience, and difficulty in getting blood, but never enough to discontinue testing. Several participants stated that the meter was a useful aid as a reminder that they were at high risk of diabetes and served as a prompt that needed to make and/or maintain behaviour changes. Conclusions The study suggests that blood glucose monitoring is acceptable to people with impaired glucose regulation and that they would engage with it as part of an intervention to improve their diet. The study has also uncovered potential mechanisms of action for behaviour change

Engineering the vaccinia virus L1 protein for increased neutralizing antibody response after DNA immunization

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The licensed smallpox vaccine, comprised of infectious vaccinia virus, has associated adverse effects, particularly for immunocompromised individuals. Therefore, safer DNA and protein vaccines are being investigated. The L1 protein, a component of the mature virion membrane that is conserved in all sequenced poxviruses, is required for vaccinia virus entry into host cells and is a target for neutralizing antibody. When expressed by vaccinia virus, the unglycosylated, myristoylated L1 protein attaches to the viral membrane via a C-terminal transmembrane anchor without traversing the secretory pathway. The purpose of the present study was to investigate modifications of the gene expressing the L1 protein that would increase immunogenicity in mice when delivered by a gene gun.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The L1 gene was codon modified for optimal expression in mammalian cells and potential N-glycosylation sites removed. Addition of a signal sequence to the N-terminus of L1 increased cell surface expression as shown by confocal microscopy and flow cytometry of transfected cells. Removal of the transmembrane domain led to secretion of L1 into the medium. Induction of binding and neutralizing antibodies in mice was enhanced by gene gun delivery of L1 containing the signal sequence with or without the transmembrane domain. Each L1 construct partially protected mice against weight loss caused by intranasal administration of vaccinia virus.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Modifications of the vaccinia virus L1 gene including codon optimization and addition of a signal sequence with or without deletion of the transmembrane domain can enhance the neutralizing antibody response of a DNA vaccine.</p

Mixing regime simulation and cellulose particle tracing in a stacked frame photocatalytic reactor.

To sustainably meet the global energy demand, unconventional methods to produce renewable energy must emerge. Biofuels from cellulose (via fermentable sugar production) mediated via photocatalysis provides an alternative to conventional fossil fuels. In order to effectively drive photocatalytic processes an effective reactor design is required, the design of which is influenced by a number of key factors such as the catalyst to reactant ratio and residence time, catalyst illumination time, light penetration and distribution for the system, mass transfer limitations (mixing) and product recovery. In this study we use COMSOL Multiphysics® to simulate and assess one of the mentioned parameters – mixing regime of cellulose particles in a Stacked Frame Photocatalysis Reactor (SFPR). In the reactor design, we compare two mixers: a ‘plus’ shaped magnetic stirrer bar and an 8 blade Rushton impeller. The simulations reveal that the Rushton impeller offers a radial mixing pattern with a higher fluid velocity of 1.2m/s when compared to the stirrer bar that offers a fluid velocity of 0.9m/s. Cellulose particle tracing simulations confirm that the particle dispersion is superior in the case of the Rushton impeller as the vorticity generated during the mixing push the particles to the reactor's walls. Since the particles are forced towards the walls, there is a probability of more particles being illuminated than in the case of no or improper mixing

We Walk:a person-centred, dyadic behaviour change intervention to promote physical activity through outdoor walking after stroke. An intervention development study

From BMJ via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2021-10-21, accepted 2022-05-16, ppub 2022-06, epub 2022-06-14Publication status: PublishedFunder: Chief Scientist Office; FundRef: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000589; Grant(s): HIPS-17-03Objectives: To develop We Walk, a theoretically informed, 12-week person-centred dyadic behaviour change intervention to increase physical activity (PA) in community-dwelling people with stroke (PWS) through outdoor walking. Design: Three-phase intervention development study. Phase 1: we reviewed literature on barriers and facilitators to PA after stroke and mapped them to the Behaviour Change Wheel and Theoretical Domains Framework to define intervention components. The Health Action Process Approach determined intervention structure underpinned by person-centred principles. Phase 2: stakeholder focus groups involving PWS, their companions and health professionals reviewed the draft intervention, and experts in behaviour change were consulted. Phase 3: informed by phases 1 and 2, the intervention and form of delivery were refined, with final review through patient and public involvement. Setting: Three Scottish community rehabilitation stroke services. Participants: Twenty-three ambulatory community-dwelling PWS and their companions, thirty-seven health and exercise professionals, seven behaviour change experts. Results: Phase 1 determined key intervention components: information about benefits of walking; developing motivation and confidence to walk; facilitating dyadic goal setting and making plans together; monitoring walking, overcoming challenges; and maintaining walking behaviour. Phase 2 review by stakeholder focus groups and behaviour change experts endorsed intervention components and structure, emphasising dyadic relational aspects as central to potential success. In phase 3, intervention content and handbooks for PWS and buddies were finalised. Healthcare professionals proposed third-sector delivery as most appropriate for intervention delivery. A detailed delivery manual was developed. Participants preferred facilitated face-to-face and telephone delivery. Conclusions: Our multilens intervention development approach ensured this novel intervention was evidence-informed, person-centred, theoretically coherent provided appropriate social support, and addressed issues of concern to PWS. This study established intervention components and structure and identified operational issues critical to future success. Future research will pilot and refine We Walk and evaluate acceptability, feasibility, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness. Trial registration number: ISRCTN34488928

Cellulose II as bioethanol feedstock and its advantages over native cellulose.

Alternative renewable energy must emerge to sustainably meet the energy demands of the present and future. Current alternatives to fossil fuels are electricity from solar, wind and tidal energies and biofuels. Biofuels, especially bioethanol could be produced from lignocellulosic feedstock via pre-treatment and fermentation. The cellulose I content of most lignocellulosic feedstock is significant, yet its highly crystalline amphiphilic structure interlinked with the lignin network makes it difficult to process for bioethanol production. Processing lignocellulosic biomass via a range of physico-chemical, mechanical and biological pre-treatment methods have been well established, however a relatively new area on the use of cellulose II (a polymorph of native cellulose obtained via mercerisation or regeneration) for the production of bioethanol is still in its early stages. Hence, this review discusses in detail the advantages of using cellulose II over cellulose I as feedstock for bioethanol production. Furthermore, current green and sustainable methods for cellulose II production and the advantages and disadvantages of each method are discussed. In addition, examples from literature reporting higher fermentable sugar and bioethanol yields using cellulose II as feedstock are reviewed, thereby highlighting its importance in the field of bioethanol production. The conclusion from this review suggests that, in all the cases studied, fermentable sugar and/or bioethanol production was found to be higher when cellulose II was used as feedstock instead of native cellulose/lignocellulosic biomass. This higher yield could be attributed to the modified structural and lattice arrangement of cellulose II, its porous volume and degree of polymerisation

Incite to practice: Development of a realist-informed program theory to support implementation of intersectoral partnerships

Donald Maciver - ORCID: 0000-0002-6173-429X https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6173-429XPolicy internationally is supportive of intersectoral partnerships (ISPs) for promoting positive outcomes among people with complex social, psychological, and physical needs. This realist-informed study describes the development of a program theory to provide insight into enactment of effective ISPs. Interviews were completed with 18 senior staff with leadership roles in six ISPs, including voluntary, statutory, and commercial organizations, supporting people with complex health and social care needs. An iteratively developed and refined program theory, termed the “Incite” model, was developed, with collaboration with participants and an advisory group, including people with lived experience. Important contextual conditions that emerged included organizational culture, historical perspectives, policy, and social determinants of health. Mechanisms included desire for change, creating safe psychological spaces, establishing shared values, and talking about power. Outcomes included transformed world view, increased psychological safety, clarity of purpose, fluidity of relationships, and power shifting. Three phases of partnership development were also identified within the model. This study has led to a clearer, more rigorous, and systematic understanding, with recommendations for how ISPs might be developed or expanded. How the Incite model may be operationalized is discussed, as well as implications for policy, practice, and research.The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: We acknowledge funding contributions from the Scottish Government’s Third Sector Division and Mental Health Division and Community Covenant Grant.https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244021103831611pubpub

Do children have a right to do nothing? exploring the place of passive leisure in Australian school age care

In 2021, the Australian Government commissioned a review and update of My Time Our Place, its curriculum framework for School-Age Care services for primary-age children. One update trialled was the introduction of passive leisure. Whilst children’s passive use of leisure time is recognised as a right, it is often problematised and associated with negative health outcomes. This article explores a trial of passive leisure provision. It provides hopeful evidence that passive leisure spaces can be interactive, conversational and restful

Photocatalytic conversion of cellulose into C5 oligosaccharides.

Cellulose is made up of linear polymers of glucose monomers that could be a crucial source for valuable chemicals and sustainable liquid fuels. Cellulose is however, very stable and its conversion to a useful fuel or platform chemical products remains a significant challenge (Kimura et al 2015 Sci. Rep. 5 16266; Xia et al 2016 Nat. Commun. 7 11162). Photocatalysis is a versatile technology which has demonstrated potential for solar driven processes such as water splitting or solar fuels production and has also been applied to the degradation of pollutants in air and water and for the production of useful products from biomass. Here, we focus on the products that are produced from cellulose (a glucose (C6) based polymer) photocatalysis that compliment hydrogen production. Probing the initial steps via UV-TiO2 photocatalysis, we remarkably find that an array of oligosaccharides containing only five (C5) carbon units is initially produced. As the process continues, C6 oligo oligosaccharides grow to dominate. The photocatalytic process is generally not viewed as a controllable synthetic process; however, these findings show, on the contrary that photocatalysis at semiconductor surfaces can achieve novel reaction pathways yielding new products