Urban Developments in Late Antique and Medieval Rome

A narrative of decline punctuated by periods of renewal has long structured perceptions of Rome's late antique and medieval history. In their probing contributions to this volume, a multi-disciplinary group of scholars provides alternative approaches to understanding the period. Addressing developments in governance, ceremony, literature, art, music, clerical education and the city's very sense of its own identity, the essays examine how a variety of actors, from poets to popes, addressed the intermittent crises and shifting dynamics of these centuries with creative solutions that bolstered the city's resilience. Without denying that the past (both pre-Christian and Christian) always remained a powerful touchstone, the studies in this volume offer rich new insights into the myriad ways that Rome and Romans, between the fifth and the eleventh centuries, creatively assimilated the past in order to shape the future.

Transdisciplinarity in extended reality (XR) research design: Technological transformation and social good (co-creation session at XR + Creativity Symposium, University of Newcastle, 2020)

This article collates and synthesizes the discussion results of a collaborative research exercise, known as a ‘co-creation session’, formed of a multi-disciplinary group of extended reality (XR) researchers and practitioners. The session sought to develop and theorize the concept of ‘transformative technologies for good’ in creative, applied and clinical contexts. Notions of ‘cutting-edge’ practice were visited from a critical standpoint; participants established that innovation, when measured in terms of social good, challenges technological and economic paradigms of progress. Conversation between participants centred on four key areas: skills and knowledge for effective XR research, appropriate methods and sites for diffusion of XR research, the future of the field, and the possible contributions of XR and associated research to problems arising from COVID-19. The session offered further insights into research design related to composition of participant groups in terms of disciplinary knowledge, activity design, and remote digital interfaces.

Best practice guidelines in managing the craniofacial aspects of skeletal dysplasia

Background Recognition and appropriate management of the craniofacial manifestations of patients with skeletal dysplasia are challenging, due to the rarity of these conditions, and dearth of literature to support evidence-based clinical decision making. Methods Using the Delphi method, an international, multi-disciplinary group of individuals, with significant experience in the care of patients with skeletal dysplasia, convened to develop multi-disciplinary, best practice guidelines in the management of craniofacial aspects of these patients. Results After a comprehensive literature review, 23 initial statements were generated and critically discussed, with subsequent development of a list of 22 best practice guidelines after a second round voting. Conclusions The guidelines are presented and discussed to provide context and assistance for clinicians in their decision making in this important and challenging component of care for patients with skeletal dysplasia, in order standardize care and improve outcomes.

Best practice guidelines in managing the craniofacial aspects of skeletal dysplasia

Background: Recognition and appropriate management of the craniofacial manifestations of patients with skeletal dysplasia are challenging, due to the rarity of these conditions, and dearth of literature to support evidence-based clinical decision making.Methods: Using the Delphi method, an international, multi-disciplinary group of individuals, with significant experience in the care of patients with skeletal dysplasia, convened to develop multi-disciplinary, best practice guidelines in the management of craniofacial aspects of these patients.Results: After a comprehensive literature review, 23 initial statements were generated and critically discussed, with subsequent development of a list of 22 best practice guidelines after a second round voting.Conclusions: The guidelines are presented and discussed to provide context and assistance for clinicians in their decision making in this important and challenging component of care for patients with skeletal dysplasia, in order standardize care and improve outcomes.

Best Practice Guidelines in Managing the Craniofacial Aspects of Skeletal Dysplasia

Background Recognition and appropriate management of the craniofacial manifestations of patients with skeletal dysplasia are challenging, due to the rarity of these conditions, and dearth of literature to support evidence-based clinical decision making. Methods Using the Delphi method, an international, multi-disciplinary group of individuals, with significant experience in the care of patients with skeletal dysplasia, convened to develop multi-disciplinary, best practice guidelines in the management of craniofacial aspects of these patients. Results After a comprehensive literature review, 23 initial statements were generated and critically discussed, with subsequent development of a list of 22 best practice guidelines after a second round voting. Conclusions The guidelines are presented and discussed to provide context and assistance for clinicians in their decision making in this important and challenging component of care for patients with skeletal dysplasia, in order standardize care and improve outcomes.

Synchrotron radiation biomedical imaging and radiotherapy: from the UK to the Antipodes

Although the general public might think of ‘X-rays’ as they are applied to imaging (radiography) and for the treatment of disease (radiotherapy), the use of synchrotron radiation (SR) X-ray beams in these areas of science was a minor activity 50 years ago. The largest gains in science from SR were seen to be in those areas where signals were weakest in laboratory instruments, such as X-ray diffraction and spectroscopy. As the qualities of SR X-rays were explored and more areas of science adopted SR-based methods, this situation changed. About 30 years ago, the clinical advantages of using SR X-ray beams for radiography, radiotherapy and clinical diagnostics started to be investigated. In the UK, a multi-disciplinary group, consisting of clinicians, medical physicists and other scientists working mainly with the Synchrotron Radiation Source (SRS) in Cheshire, started to investigate techniques for diagnosis and potentially a cure for certain cancers. This preliminary work influenced the design of new facilities being constructed around the world, in particular the Imaging and Medical Beam Line on the Australian Synchrotron in Melbourne. Two authors moved from the UK to Australia to participate in this exciting venture. The following is a personal view of some of the highlights of the early-year SRS work, following through to the current activities on the new facility in Australia. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Fifty years of synchrotron science: achievements and opportunities’.

Walking the path of desire: evaluating a blended learning approach to developing study skills in a multi-disciplinary group

This case study describes the methods used to evaluate a series of study skills workshops and online learning materials created for a cohort of foundation degree arts and humanities students. The workshops and online content were created in response to feedback from the previous cohort which revealed that students had struggled to relate the workshops to their assignment, which was a portfolio of critical reflections. In order to better understand the disconnect experienced by the students between the module content and the course assessment, it was decided to track the paths of desire taken by the cohort in their learning, and assess whether online content could improve learning outcomes or whether workshops and print sources are more valuable for skills development. Quantitative data, such as attendance, VLE use and book loans, along with qualitative data from the students’ critical reflections were gathered to track student engagement with material, creating a narrative of the learning journeys of the cohort. Findings revealed that online content has a valuable role in supporting success for some students but that attendance at workshops has a strong correlation with portfolio grade and skills development.