Management of Addison's disease in dogs

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Examining body trust and body listening in sexual and gender minorities.

Introduction: Minority stress theory posits that sexual and gender minority individuals (SGM) may be at higher risk for poor mental health outcomes due to unique social experiences of stigma and discrimination. Interoception (i.e., awareness of one’s body and bodily sensations; Mehling et al., 2012) is a factor that has been linked to mental health broadly, however, SGM individuals may experience interoceptive awareness differently than cisgender and heterosexual individuals given experiences of stigma. In this paper, we aim to examine how two specific facets of interoceptive awareness (body listening and body trusting) relate to differences in mental health outcomes among SGM individuals and their cisgender/heterosexual (CH) counterparts. Methods: Undergraduate students (Total N = 952; CH n = 755; SGM n = 197) completed self-report measures of interoceptive awareness and mental health outcomes (i.e., eating disorder symptoms, depression, and anxiety). Results: MANOVA analyses with post-hoc univariate ANOVAs showed that relative to CH participants, SGM participants were significantly lower in not distracting (p \u3c .05), self-regulation (p \u3c .01), and body trusting (p \u3c .001). Body trusting (ps \u3c 001), but not body listening (ps \u3e .14) were associated with all mental health outcomes. SGM status moderated the relationship between body trust and depression/worry, but not ED symptoms. Additional MANOVA models showed differences in interoceptive awareness among sexual orientation and gender identity subgroups (ps \u3e .001). Discussion: These findings are an important step in understanding how SGM individuals may have a distinctly unique experience of interoceptive awareness compared to CH individuals, however, further research is necessary to determine the mechanisms through which these differences may operate. Further understanding of this experience is essential to provide informed and inclusive care to those who identify as SGM

The re-emergence of sodium ion batteries : testing, processing, and manufacturability

With the re-emergence of sodium ion batteries (NIBs), we discuss the reasons for the recent interests in this technology and discuss the synergies between lithium ion battery (LIB) and NIB technologies and the potential for NIB as a “drop-in” technology for LIB manufacturing. The electrochemical testing of sodium materials in sodium metal anode arrangements is reviewed. The performance, stability, and polarization of the sodium in these test cells lead to alternative testing in three-electrode and alternative anode cell configurations. NIB manufacturability is also discussed, together with the impact that the material stability has upon the electrodes and coating. Finally, full-cell NIB technologies are reviewed, and literature proof-of-concept cells give an idea of some of the key differences in the testing protocols of these batteries. For more commercially relevant formats, safety, passive voltage control through cell balancing and cell formation aspects are discussed

‘In-Progress Reporting: Development of China’s Creative Economy Through Participatory Design Research in Post-Industrial Regeneration’

This paper reports on work-in-progress as part of a project funded in October 2018 by the U.K. Arts and Humanities Research Council and Newton Fund. It details the project’s early activities following the establishment of a multi-disciplinary research network of British and Chinese academics pursuing research through engaging with cultural organisations, commercial stakeholders and other constituent groups in Europe and China. The investigation focuses on generating alternative strategies for sustainable urban renewal of China's post-industrial areas. In the search for new drivers of growth, China is moving from a model of expansion, to one of revitalising its urban areas. This is as a result of the Chinese government’s recognition of the increasing importance of the creative industries in China in stimulating the country’s future economic growth. Since October 2018 the UK-China research team have worked on preliminary research activities that will become the foundation for the later stages of the project. The research has focused on the three Chinese cities of Shenyang, Dalian, and Wushan. each of these areas offers particular histories, social demographics, economic characteristics, and cultural identities that afford different opportunities for regeneration though a diversity of creative economy activities. Post-industrial sites within each area have been identified for potential re-generation and provide a focus for the investigations in each location. Although the project is still in its early stages, this paper defines the context for the project and documents the initial findings

The operation of Article 4 of Rome II Regulation in English and Irish courts

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of Private International Law on 16/12/2019, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/17441048.2019.1684917.This article makes a critical assessment of the operation of Article 4 of Rome II in English and Irish courts measuring the extent to which judges of England and Wales (hereafter England) and Ireland are interpreting Article 4 of Rome II in accordance with what the EU legislator intended

Health needs of older populations affected by humanitarian crises in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The combination of global demographic changes and a growing number of humanitarian crises in middle-income countries that have a higher life expectancy has led to an increase in the number of older populations affected by humanitarian crises. The aim of this review was to systematically examine evidence on the health needs of older populations in humanitarian crises, including both armed conflicts and natural disasters, in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS: A systematic review methodology was used. The search strategy used terms related to older populations and humanitarian crises in LMICs. Five bibliographic databases were used, along with relevant grey literature sources. Descriptive analysis was used, and a quality assessment conducted using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and CASP instruments. RESULTS: A total of 36 studies were eligible for review. The majority of the studies were cross-sectional, three were cohort studies, and four used qualitative methodologies. The main health outcomes were mental health, physical health, functioning, and nutrition. Vulnerability factors included older age, female gender, being widowed, increased exposure to traumatic events, prior mental health problems, low income and education, and rural residency. Ten studies addressed the responsiveness of health systems and access to such services. The quality of the included studies was generally low. CONCLUSIONS: There is an urgent need to strengthen the evidence base on the health needs of older populations in humanitarian crises

The PIT: SToPP Trial—A Feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial of Home-Based Physiotherapy for People with Parkinson's Disease Using Video-Based Measures to Preserve Assessor Blinding

Purpose. To trial four-week's physiotherapy targeting chair transfers for people with Parkinson's disease (PwPD) and explore the feasibility of reliance on remote outcome measurement to preserve blinding. Scope. We recruited 47 PwPD and randomised 24 to a focused home physiotherapy programme (exercise, movement strategies, and cueing) and 23 to a control group. We evaluated transfers (plus mobility, balance, posture, and quality of life) before and after treatment and at followup (weeks 0, 4, 8, and 12) from video produced by, and questionnaires distributed by, treating physiotherapists. Participants fed back via end-of-study questionnaires. Thirty-five participants (74%) completed the trial. Excluding dropouts, 20% of questionnaire data and 9% of video data were missing or unusable; we had to evaluate balance in situ. We noted trends to improvement in transfers, mobility, and balance in the physiotherapy group not noted in the control group. Participant feedback was largely positive and assessor blinding was maintained in every case. Conclusions. Intense, focused physiotherapy at home appears acceptable and likely to bring positive change in those who can participate. Remote outcome measurement was successful; questionnaire followup and further training in video production would reduce missing data. We advocate a fully powered trial, designed to minimise dropouts and preserve assessor blinding, to evaluate this intervention

Use of mutants to dissect the role of ethylene signalling in organ senescence and the regulation of yield in Arabidopsis thaliana

The role of ethylene in regulating organ senescence in Arabidopsis has been investigated by studying the development of mutants that have an attenu- ated capacity to perceive the gas. The onset of leaf senescence and floral organ abscission was delayed in the ethylene-insensitive mutant etr1. The photosynthetic life span of rosette leaves was similarly extended in the gain- of-function mutant ers2, and this mutant also exhibited a delay in the timing of pod dehiscence primarily as a con- sequence of an extension in the final stages of senescence. A detailed analysis of yield revealed that whilst thousand grain weight was increased, by as much as 20 %, in etr1, ein4, and the loss-of-function mutant etr2, only the latter showed a significant increase in total weight of seeds produced per plant. The other studied mutants exhibited a reduction in total seed yield of almost 40 %. These observations are discussed in the context of the possible role of ethylene in regulating organ senescence and their significance in the breeding of crop plants with enhanced phenotypic characteristics

Active Learning in Higher Education as a Restorative Practice:A lecturer’s reflections

The critique of the 'sage on the stage' approach to university teaching is particularly relevant for applied fields such as business management where a 'guide on the side' approach can instead encourage more active participation from students. A module on People Management for second year degree students was modified to involve a greater proportion of student-centred, active learning activities relative to lectures and supported by the participatory mechanisms offered by Restorative Practice. This paper offers a reflection on how developing higher education (HE) pedagogy towards reducing reliance on lecturer defined content shifts both students and lecturers out of their comfort zone. The process of students moving towards greater responsibility seems to require points of abandonment in which a hiatus occurs between student expectation of tutor support and the realisation that self-responsibility is required. In the current context of greater measurement of student satisfaction in HE, this poses a challenge for individual academics as well as universities. Disruptive and transformational learning experiences require relational support if they are to be successful and academic staff deserve appropriate development opportunities to become more aware and familiar with the new discomfort of the HE classroom

Weight changes and gamma radiation emissions during the three-week isolation period following administration of radioactive iodine (I131) in cats with hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism is the most common endocrine disorder seen in cats and is frequently associated with weight loss. Following treatment weight gain should be seen and therefore weight assessment should form part of the monitoring protocol for cats with this condition. Although several treatment options are available for hyperthyroidism in cats, radioactive iodine (I131) is the gold standard treatment for this condition. I131 is offered by several institutions within the United Kingdom (UK); however, this treatment is associated with variable hospitalization periods due to the radiation hazards that these cats pose to their owners following treatment. Hospitalization length and costs associated with this treatment have both been found to have a negative impact on the frequency that I131 is offered and utilized by general practitioners and owners respectively. The aims of the studies presented in this thesis were to assess the weight changes of hyperthyroid cats seen during the three-week isolation period following I131 administration and assess if an electronic personal dosimeter (EPD) could be used to document the levels of gamma (γ) radiation emitted from treated cats during the same time period. For the study assessing the weight changes in treated cats, weight changes were shown to be useful as an indicator of the reversal of biochemical hyperthyroidism; however, factors including the gender and age of the cat were not found to affect the weight changes that occurred. For the γ radiation emission study, it was also assessed whether the current 21-day hospitalization period at the Small Animal Hospital (SAH) could be shortened. It was shown that an EPD can be used to measure the γ radiation emitted from treated cats and that a reduction of the current isolation period to 14 days is possible in cats treated with ≤ 200 megabecquerels (MBq) of I131. Both of these studies have added to our knowledge and understanding of I131 treatment in cats and have demonstrated the merits of using weight changes in the assessment of treatment of hyperthyroidism and the utility of EPDs for measuring γ radiation emissions in treated cats