Can We Approach the Subject of Child Sexual Abuse Ethically in Academia? Towards a Queer Ethics of CSA Analysis

This article is dedicated to the question of ethics. It addresses the ethical issues that arise when making the painful subject of CSA the central focus of an academic inquiry. The first section considers the failures of certain subsections of twentieth-century American and Western European critical theory in approaching the study of CSA with ethical integrity. The disciplines of queer theory, feminist theory and sex-radical literature are focused on in particular in order to question and contextualize why academic endorsement of CSA acts has occurred. The article both considers and questions the rigid concepts of sexual normativity that both demonizes queer sex and leaves queer children vulnerable to abuse. In the second section, the pressure for personal confession of trauma when writing and researching on this issue is considered, and the fixed character of the survivor is examined

Comparing the Causal Effects of Observational Versus Active Roles in High-Fidelity Simulation: A Quantitative Study

Among many of the innovative changes in nursing education, high-fidelity simulation is expanding roles and providing students with new perspectives. The purpose of this quantitative, causal-comparative, posttest only, nonexperimental, between-groups research design study was to determine whether students in active supervisor (observer) roles had an effect on associate degree nursing (ADN) students’ self-perceived knowledge, skills, and attitudes in comparison to students in active participant roles. A convenience sample of second-semester nursing students and third-semester nursing students enrolled in an ADN program in the 2023 academic year was utilized for this study. Participants completed a demographic survey and the Self-Evaluation Scale for Simulation Laboratory Practices (SES-SLP) following their participation in a high-fidelity simulation scenario. The observational experiential learning theory served as the theoretical underpinning for the study as it supports the use of observational perspectives and outlines how vicarious experiential learning results in significant and meaningful education. An independent samples t-test determined the mean difference in a composite score of knowledge, skills, and attitudes between active supervisors (observers) and active participants. Although the results of the analysis were not statistically significant, the results suggest that active participants and active supervisors (observers) have similar self-competence scores following simulation learning experiences

Effects of multiple stressors on the stability of functional traits: examining individual variability in the green shore crab, Carcinus maenas, exposed to plastic odour and ocean acidification

The development of anthropogenic activities during recent centuries has led to an increase in environmental pollutants such as greenhouse gases causing atmospheric changes, resulting in elevated atmospheric heat retention, triggering global and ocean warming. The excess atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) dissolved into the Earth’s oceans, reacts with water molecules in seawater, resulting in the ocean becoming more acidic and pH decreasing. This process, termed ocean acidification, threatens marine organisms alongside a multitude of other anthropogenic stressors, one of which being plastic pollution. Plastics enter the ocean at a rate of 8 to 10 million tonnes per year. The lethal and sub-lethal impacts of plastic on organisms have been described including ingestion and entanglement, through to wider population effects such as bioaccumulation of toxic compounds and info-disruption.While global climate change and plastic pollution are acknowledged threats to marine life, the prospective interactions between changing environmental parameters and plastics remains unclear. There remain significant gaps in our knowledge as to how these two stressors interact and on their combined effects on ecosystems. Crustaceans serve a crucial part in the aquatic food chains and are fundamental within their ecosystems. In order to assess their future in an altered environment and assist management decisions, reliable knowledge and dependable data are critical. This research builds on previous knowledge, identifying the effects of low pH on olfactory abilities on Carcinus maenas (Linnaeus, 1758), and explores the effects of plastic odour in tandem with ocean acidification. This thesis evaluates the effect of three levels of pH (8.2, 7.6, 7.2) on chemical communication and fitness in the green shore crab C. maenas when also exposed to plastic odour cues. Individuality factors were also investigated, relating to body size and weight, sex, injury, and colour of the crabs.The effects of synthetic and natural chemical cues were investigated at different test pH treatments for C. maenas for a range of behavioural responses including time taken for initial response (antennular flicking), time taken to reach the location of an odour cue, the cue that was contacted and behaviours elicited at the cue location. The results of this study show that C. maenas experienced significant olfactory disruption in response to both feeding, and reproductive cues when in a reduced pH environment. Overall initial reaction times in crabs tested in low pH treatments (7.6 and 7.2) were significantly slower than the initial reaction times for crabs tested at pH 8.2. When individuals were tested with the plastic derived odour cues, there was an overall reduced response to cues with slower initial reaction time displayed. Additionally, when polyethylene (PE) plastic odour was present and tested in low pH treatments, reaction times to food and pheromone cues were significantly slower than treatments with plastic odour tested at normal pH 8.2. The data also demonstrated that C. maenas exhibited significant variation in response to cues. With initial reaction times showing significant variation between crabs of different size and colour. Additionally, it was found that individual variation relating to factors size, sex and weight had a significant impact on the choice of odour cue. These results may potentially consider long-term adaptation via selection for less sensitive individuals as a plausible outcome.The observed response to chemical cues under different pH treatments suggests that pH is likely to impact the behavioural response to C. maenas. However, it is unclear as to whether this response is exacerbated by the presence of plastic odour and the relationship between these two stressors and how they interact is still unclear. The effect of pH on decision-making in C. maenas is a recognised concern and further study is essential to investigate the impacts of such multiple stressors. There is potential for plastic odour to become a more potent attractant under low pH conditions as a result of altered chemical signalling, which could have detrimental impacts on this species longevity.This thesis examines the behavioural changes of crustacean species C. maenas during exposure to acidified seawater, plastic odour, and the combination effects of exposure to these stressors simultaneously. Following an introductory chapter- Chapter 1-Chapter 2 describes the methodology used for the present study, results, discussion, and conclusions

Psychotherapeutic intervention by telephone

Psychotherapy conducted over the telephone has received increasing amounts of empirical attention given practical advantages that side-step treatment barriers encountered in traditional office-based care. The utility and efficacy of telephone therapy appears generalizable across diverse clinical populations seeking care in community-based hospital settings. Treatment barriers common to older adults suggest that telephone therapy may be an efficient and effective mental health resource for this population. This paper describes empirical studies of telehealth interventions and case examples with psychotherapy conducted via telephone on the Spinal Cord Injury Unit of the Palo Alto Veterans’ Administration. Telephone therapy as appears to be a viable intervention with the aging population

The benefits of community-based participatory arts activities for people living with dementia: a thematic scoping review

Background The drive towards living well with dementia has resulted in a growing recognition of the value of community-based participatory arts activities. This review aimed to explore their overall impact and holistic benefits for people with early to moderate stages of dementia. Methods Using a scoping review methodology and thematic analysis, this review explored relevant literature published between 2008 and 2019. Results 26 published papers were identified, comprising visual arts, literary arts, comedy, music and dance. The key themes included person-centred, in-the-moment approaches; participation and communication; attention and cognition; social cohesion and relationships; and the role of space, place and objects. Conclusions There is strong evidence in support of using participatory arts for dementia, regardless of art form. In-the-moment and person-centred approaches were deemed impactful. Further research is needed to explore the importance of setting, material culture and the methodological or theoretical perspectives in participatory arts and dementia research

137,138,139^{137,138,139}La(nn, γ\gamma) cross sections constrained with statistical decay properties of 138,139,140^{138,139,140}La nuclei

The nuclear level densities and $\gamma$-ray strength functions of $^{138,139,140}$La were measured using the $^{139}$La($^{3}$He, $\alpha$), $^{139}$La($^{3}$He, $^{3}$He$^\prime$) and $^{139}$La(d, p) reactions. The particle-$\gamma$ coincidences were recorded with the silicon particle telescope (SiRi) and NaI(Tl) (CACTUS) arrays. In the context of these experimental results, the low-energy enhancement in the A$\sim$140 region is discussed. The $^{137,138,139}$La($n, \gamma)$ cross sections were calculated at $s$- and $p$-process temperatures using the experimentally measured nuclear level densities and $\gamma$-ray strength functions. Good agreement is found between $^{139}$La($n, \gamma)$ calculated cross sections and previous measurements

Earlier cancer diagnosis in primary care: a feasibility economic analysis of ThinkCancer!

BackgroundUK cancer survival rates are much lower compared with other high-income countries. In primary care, there are opportunities for GPs and other healthcare professionals to act more quickly in response to presented symptoms that might represent cancer. ThinkCancer! is a complex behaviour change intervention aimed at primary care practice teams to improve the timely diagnosis of cancer.AimTo explore the costs of delivering the ThinkCancer! intervention to expedite cancer diagnosis in primary care.Design & settingFeasibility economic analysis using a micro-costing approach, which was undertaken in 19 general practices in Wales, UK.MethodFrom an NHS perspective, micro-costing methodology was used to determine whether it was feasible to gather sufficient economic data to cost the ThinkCancer!InterventionOwing to the COVID-19 pandemic, ThinkCancer! was mainly delivered remotely online in a digital format. Budget impact analysis (BIA) and sensitivity analysis were conducted to explore the costs of face-to-face delivery of the ThinkCancer! intervention as intended pre-COVID-19.ResultsThe total costs of delivering the ThinkCancer! intervention across 19 general practices in Wales was £25 030, with an average cost per practice of £1317 (standard deviation [SD]: 578.2). Findings from the BIA indicated a total cost of £34 630 for face-to-face delivery.ConclusionData collection methods were successful in gathering sufficient health economics data to cost the ThinkCancer!InterventionResults of this feasibility study will be used to inform a future definitive economic evaluation alongside a pragmatic randomised controlled trial (RCT)

Reviews and syntheses: Effects of permafrost thaw on Arctic aquatic ecosystems

The Arctic is a water-rich region, with freshwater systems covering about 16 % of the northern permafrost landscape. Permafrost thaw creates new freshwater ecosystems, while at the same time modifying the existing lakes, streams, and rivers that are impacted by thaw. Here, we describe the current state of knowledge regarding how permafrost thaw affects lentic (still) and lotic (moving) systems, exploring the effects of both thermokarst (thawing and collapse of ice-rich permafrost) and deepening of the active layer (the surface soil layer that thaws and refreezes each year). Within thermokarst, we further differentiate between the effects of thermokarst in lowland areas vs. that on hillslopes. For almost all of the processes that we explore, the effects of thaw vary regionally, and between lake and stream systems. Much of this regional variation is caused by differences in ground ice content, topography, soil type, and permafrost coverage. Together, these modifying factors determine (i) the degree to which permafrost thaw manifests as thermokarst, (ii) whether thermokarst leads to slumping or the formation of thermokarst lakes, and (iii) the manner in which constituent delivery to freshwater systems is altered by thaw. Differences in thaw-enabled constituent delivery can be considerable, with these modifying factors determining, for example, the balance between delivery of particulate vs. dissolved constituents, and inorganic vs. organic materials. Changes in the composition of thaw-impacted waters, coupled with changes in lake morphology, can strongly affect the physical and optical properties of thermokarst lakes. The ecology of thaw-impacted lakes and streams is also likely to change; these systems have unique microbiological communities, and show differences in respiration, primary production, and food web structure that are largely driven by differences in sediment, dissolved organic matter, and nutrient delivery. The degree to which thaw enables the delivery of dissolved vs. particulate organic matter, coupled with the composition of that organic matter and the morphology and stratification characteristics of recipient systems will play an important role in determining the balance between the release of organic matter as greenhouse gases (CO2and CH4), its burial in sediments, and its loss downstream. The magnitude of thaw impacts on northern aquatic ecosystems is increasing, as is the prevalence of thaw-impacted lakes and streams. There is therefore an urgent need to quantify how permafrost thaw is affecting aquatic ecosystems across diverse Arctic landscapes, and the implications of this change for further climate warming.Additional co-authors: G. MacMillan, M. Rautio, K. M. Walter Anthony, and K. P. Wicklan

Electrochemically-Switched 2nd Order Non-Linear Optical Response in an Arylimido-Polyoxometalate with High Contrast and Cyclability

Electrochemically switched 2nd order non-linear optical responses have been demonstrated for the first time in polyoxometalates (POMs), with an arylimido-derivative showing a leading combination of high on/off contrast (94%), high visible transparency, and cyclability. Spectro-electrochemical and TD-DFT studies indicate that the switch-off results from weakened charge transfer (CT) character of the electronic transitions in the reduced state. This represents the first study of an imido-POM reduced state, and demonstrates the potential of POM hybrids as electrochemically activated molecular switches