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Decision Making using Similarity to a Reference Distribution
No full textIn discriminant analysis and some methods of multicriteria decision analysis (MCDA) we often wish to assign a ‘candidate’ to one of two or more groups, e.g. ‘satisfactory’ or ‘unsatisfactory’. This requires specifying the characteristics of both groups. However, often we are only able or willing to specify the characteristics of one group, the reference or ‘ideal’ group. We propose a method for proceeding in this case, using the overlap index. This is shown to be the probability that a random variable could have come from a reference distribution. This article motivates and introduces the index, describes its estimation and computation, and illustrates its use with examples from discriminant analysis and MCDA. Two of these examples, one of choosing soccer players and another of appraising surgeons, involve managerial decisions. The novelty here is the introduction of ‘1-group discriminant analysis’ based on the overlap index, the application to MCDA, and the methodology for the computation of the overlap index
Sexual Health, Pleasure, Justice, and Well‐Being in People With Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Diseases: A Scoping Review Protocol
Get PDFIntroduction: Sexual health, pleasure, justice (equity in sexual rights and experiences), and well‐being are crucial determinants of health and life quality, yet often overlooked in the rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMD) field. However, this topic has received more attention recently, and there is a need to map the current literature to inform the direction of future studies. Hence, this protocol outlines a scoping review to systematically map existing evidence on sexual health in people with RMD, exploring key themes and identifying evidence gaps across multiple dimensions, including sexual well‐being, justice and pleasure. Method and Analysis: This scoping review will follow the methodological guidance of the Joanna Briggs Institute and be reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews. The search strategy will involve PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central, CINAHL, PsychInfo, LGBTQIA+ Source, Web of Science, and the grey literature. Identified articles will be reviewed based on the eligibility criteria. The results will be narratively synthesised and aligned with the framework proposed by Mitchel et al. (2021), identifying four pillars of comprehensive public health for sexuality: ‘Sexual Health’, ‘Sexual Pleasure’, ‘Sexual Justice’, and ‘Sexual Well‐Being’. Dissemination: The scoping review will synthesise the scientific literature published on sexual health, pleasure, justice and well‐being in people with RMD. This review will provide an understanding of how sexual health is addressed in the literature to inform future research and clinical practices. The findings will be disseminated as research publications, including peer‐reviewed article(s), conference abstract(s)/presentation(s), and plain language summaries
‘Masked Morality, a new theory variant to explain the changes in British gambling policy 2005-2023'
Get PDFThis thesis considers British gambling policy since the passing of the Gambling Act 2005 until the publication of the Gambling White Paper on the 27th April 2023. It argues that overall, this policy has been a success but that vocal policy actors have successfully convinced the regulator and government that this has not been the case and that significant restrictions to gambling regulations in the supposed aim of preventing gambling harm. It further argues that the current methodology of analysing public policy about gambling, using either morality politics or advocacy coalition framework analysis, is not sufficient to consider British gambling politics as it fails to capture the range of ultimately commercial as well as ideological motivations of the policy actors lobbying for restrictions and proposes its own theory-variant, Masked Morality.The thesis is structured around case studies that look at why gambling policy has changed over the time period. Moral panics and poor policy are found in the stopping of proposals for resort casinos, a well-funded effort by an industry competitor combined with a Minister who was no fan of gambling saw the effective abolition of fixed -odds betting terminals and the emergence of activist academics campaigning on the pretence of Public Health have caused the prohibitionist environment we find ourselves in now that the author believes will undoubtedly lead to an explosion in Black Market gambling
Hidden voices and deep meaning: An ethnography to reveal and render explicit health care assistants, porters and domestics experience and role in the social organisation of end of life care
No full textEncounters with patients who are approaching end of life or dying can affect all staff. Yet health care support staff are rarely mentioned or included in service evaluation or research studies, with their roles often not easily visible, largely happening ‘behind the scenes’ or ‘backstage’. This ethnographic research study aims to reveal and render explicit health care assistants, porters and domestics experience and role in the social organisation of end of life care. Exploring their knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs - including any specific difficulties or barriers encountered to ensure support, training and educational offers relating to end of life care are considered and inclusive. This ethnographic study conducted at the height of the global COVID-19 pandemic uses a naturalistic approach - the primary data gathering method being participant observation, shadowing and following their everyday routines, with semi-structured interviews conducted across the staff groups. Insights from observational fieldwork and interviews, explored using tropes to ‘tell tales of the field’ preserved the integrity of the participants stories, which revealed many forms of invisible labour. Aspects such as tacit knowledge - that which is understood or implied without being stated, sensory elements, embodiment - sensory awareness at end of life, interaction order - unspoken language and meaning, transition points – that occurred ‘front’ and ‘back’ stage, architecture - their use of space and rituals or rhythms through custom and practice which had either not been noticed, fully recognised, or taken for granted. Using ethnography relating to end of life care in context, recognises their valuable experience and roles and should encompass inclusive support, training, and education
Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health evidence submission to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Committee
Get PDFAbolition of the common law defence of reasonable punishment of children in England: evidence to UK Parliament (Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill Committee)
Get PDFThe authors of this submission support New Clause (NC) 10 and consequential Amendment11 of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill (“CWSB”) before the UK Parliament (as at21 January 2025) and believe that these amendments should both be made to the CWSB as itprogresses through Parliament.Within the UK, children in England and Northern Ireland are the only people who are notfully protected in law from assault. Scotland and Wales have paved the way towards the UKbecoming a more equal society and better protecting children, leaving England and NorthernIreland behind. Physical punishment of children is less effective as a long-term strategy forimproving behaviours than other approaches. Internationally, 67 states have full prohibitionof physical punishment of children. Twenty-six more states have committed to reformingtheir laws to achieve a complete legal ban. There is overwhelming academic evidence whichclearly demonstrates that physical punishment has adverse effects on children. The adversehealth impacts include poor mental health, and social, behavioural and emotional difficulties.Children who are physically punished are at a heightened risk of serious physical assault.Physical punishment of children should be considered an adverse childhood experience andaddressed in efforts to prevent violence. This submission supports legislative change beingintroduced as a deterrent to prevent cases of physical punishment of children in England.Whilst the authors believe that legislative change is required in both England and NorthernIreland, they understand that the jurisdiction of the Committee is restricted to England onlyand therefore this submission relates to England. The authors will pursue the Northern Irelandmatters separately.In addition to legislative change, additional measures are needed to bring about restorativeapproaches that both protect the child and maintain and support the parent-child relationship.That support should include a judicial discretion for a non-conviction outcome for thoseparents judged suitable having regard to all the circumstances of the case, including the bestinterests of the child in maintaining the family relationship. The recommendations in thissubmission propose a joint approach which simplifies practice in the children’s sector; whichupholds children’s rights in law; and which supports families and communities to makepositive changes to parenting practices
How ‘nudge’ happened: the political economy of nudging in the UK
Get PDFThe UK Behavioural Insights Team transformed nudging and behavioural economics from nascent ideas to key policy tools for the UK Coalition Government. This article argues that political economic circumstances significantly contributed to the success of this ‘nudge’ programme. The Global Financial Crisis (GFC) created a ‘contest of authority’ over dominant policy approaches. By framing the crisis as a crisis of rationality, behavioural perspectives gained political support. The GFC also saw that the UK Government (from 2010) adopt a programme of fiscal austerity. Nudging complemented this programme by suggesting effective policy could be made cheaply. Using various accounts of nudging in the UK from those involved in its development, we demonstrate the role of the country’s political economy in the behavioural turn. We conclude by reflecting on the role of behavioural insights today, given a political–economic landscape much changed since 2010
A systematic review of key principles relating to decolonising interventions in midwifery education.
Get PDFMidwifery education is predominantly influenced by Eurocentric models, contributing to systemic health inequalities for marginalised groups. The health disparities for ethnically diverse maternity service users are well documented. There are various decolonising interventions such as cultural safety education, being implemented to address these disparities by challenging colonial legacies and power imbalances that perpetuate health inequity. What are the key principles of decolonising interventions in midwifery education, that can be applied to midwifery education on a global scale? This study follows a systematic literature review based on the PRISMA guidelines. Data were sourced from six databases, evaluating peer-reviewed articles between February 2014 and February 2024. The PICO framework guided the research. A thematic synthesis approach was used for data analysis. Four major themes emerged: (1) centring Indigenous knowledge, (2) cultural safety, (3) transformative learning, and (4) systemic institutional support. Workshops, yarning circles, and experiential placements were identified as effective mechanisms for promoting cultural safety and addressing discomfort. However, educators often lacked the skills and confidence to implement these changes. Decolonising midwifery education requires ongoing reflexivity, institutional support, and curricula co-design with Indigenous communities. Barriers such as discomfort from participants and inadequate institutional structures must be addressed to ensure long-term impact. Decolonising interventions in midwifery education fosters culturally safe care. However, further research is needed to assess the long-term outcomes on health equity and the impact of such interventions on marginalised communities. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.
3-O-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (β-AKBA) and 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (β-KBA) increase FoxP3 expression in CD4
No full textBoswellic acids (BAs) have multiple beneficial effects against inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. However, their immunomodulatory activities are poorly understood. Herein, we investigated whether individual compounds of BAs including β-BA, β-KBA, and β-AKBA extracted from Boswellia sacra, have any potential effects on the phenotype of human T regulatory cells (Tregs), by analyzing the expression of Treg markers including FoxP3 and Helios transcription factors. Importantly, β-KBA and β-AKBA at 25 μM concentration induced a significant increase in FoxP3 expression in CD4 Tregs. Additionally, treatment of stimulated T cells with β-BA, β-KBA, and β-AKBA increased FoxP3 expression in CD8 T cells, but without any statistical significance. By investigating co-expression levels of FoxP3 and Helios in CD4 T cells, we did not find any significant differences in the levels of CD4 FoxP3 Helios Tregs. Interestingly, significant increases in levels of CD4 FoxP3 Helios Tregs were observed following treatment with β-KBA and β-AKBA. Our findings show that β-KBA and β-AKBA have the potential to increase FoxP3 expression in CD4 Tregs in vitro. Clearly, further in vivo investigations, in addition to the mechanism of action of β-KBA and β-AKBA on FoxP3 expression, are required to gain a deeper understanding of the beneficial effects of these compounds for treating autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2025 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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