26199 research outputs found
Sort by
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on characteristics, extent and trends in child maltreatment in 34 Euro-CAN COST Action countries: a scoping review protocol
Get PDFIntroduction While the factors commonly associated with an increased risk of child maltreatment (CM) were found to be increased during COVID-19, reports of actual maltreatment showed varying trends. Similarly, evidence regarding the impact of COVID-19 on CM within the European Cooperation on Science and Technology and Network Collaborative (COST) Action countries remains inconsistent. This scoping review aims to explore the extent and nature of evidence pertaining to CM within the countries affiliated with the Child Abuse and Neglect in Europe Action Network (Euro-CAN), funded by the COST.
Methods and analysis Key electronic databases were searched to identify eligible papers, reports and other material published between January 2020 and April 2023: PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Social Policy and Practice, Scopus and Web of Science. To cover the breadth of evidence, a systematic and broad search strategy was applied using a combination of keywords and controlled vocabulary for four concepts: children, maltreatment, COVID-19 and Euro-CAN countries, without restrictions on study design or language. Grey literature was searched in OpenGrey and Google Scholar. Two reviewers will independently screen full-text publications for eligibility and undertake data extraction, using a customised grid. The screening criteria and data charting will be piloted by the research team.
The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) extension for scoping reviews will be followed to present the results. Results will be summarised in a tabular form and narratively.
Ethics and dissemination This review will identify and summarise publicly available data, without requiring ethical approval. The findings will be disseminated to the Euro-CAN Network and reported to the COST Association. They will also be published in a peer-reviewed journal. This protocol is registered on Open Science Framework
Behavior Change Approaches in Digital Technology–Based Physical Rehabilitation Interventions Following Stroke: Scoping Review
Get PDFBackground: Digital health technologies (DHTs) are increasingly used in physical stroke rehabilitation to support individuals to successfully engage with the frequent, intensive, and lengthy activities required to optimise recovery. Despite this, little is known about behaviour change within these interventions.
Objective: This scoping review aimed to identify if, and how behaviour change approaches (i.e., theories, models and frameworks, and techniques to influence behaviour) are incorporated within physical stroke rehabilitation interventions that include a DHT.
Methods: Databases (Embase, Medline, PyscINFO, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and AMED) were searched using keywords relating to behaviour change, DHT, physical rehabilitation and stroke. Results were independently screened by 2 reviewers. Sources were included if they reported a completed primary research study in which a behaviour change approach could be identified within a physical stroke rehabilitation intervention that included a DHT. Data including the study design, DHT utilised, and behaviour change approaches were charted. Specific behaviour change techniques were coded to the behaviour change technique taxonomy version 1 (BCTTv1).
Results: From a total of 1973 identified sources, 103 studies (5%) were included for data charting. The most common reason for exclusion at full text screening, was the absence of an explicit approach to behaviour change (165/245, 67%). Almost half of the included studies (45/103, 44%) were described as pilot or feasibility studies. Virtual reality (VR) was the most frequently identified DHT type (58/103, 56%) and almost two-thirds of studies focused on upper limb rehabilitation (65/103, 63%). Only a limited number of studies (18/103, 17%) included a theory, model, or framework for behaviour change. The most frequently used BCTTv1 clusters were feedback and monitoring (88/103, 85%), reward and threat (56, 54%), goals and planning (33, 32%), and shaping knowledge (33, 32%). Relationships between feedback and monitoring, and reward and threat were identified using a relationship map with prominent use of both these clusters in interventions which included VR.
Conclusions: Despite an assumption that DHTs can promote engagement in rehabilitation, this scoping review demonstrates that very few studies of physical stroke rehabilitation which include a DHT, overtly utilised any form of behaviour change approach. From those studies that did consider behaviour change, most did not report robust underpinning theory. Future development and research need to explicitly articulate how including DHTs within an intervention may support the behaviour change required for optimal engagement in physical rehabilitation following stroke, as well as establish their effectiveness. This understanding is likely to support the realisation of the transformative potential of DHTs in stroke rehabilitation
First insights into post-pandemic distress in a high secure hospital: Correlates among staff and patients
Get PDFThis preliminary study is designed to gauge the enduring psychological impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on both patients and staff in a high secure settings.
The study involved 31 patients and 34 staff from a high secure setting, who completed assessments to discern the link between COVID-19-related distress and various factors. These evaluations focused on coping strategies, resilience, emotional reactivity, ward atmosphere, and work-related aspects.
Results indicated that 31.2% of staff met the clinical cut-off for potential PTSD due to COVID-19-related distress. Emotional reactivity, staff shortages, secondary traumatic stress, and coping strategies were positively correlated with distress, while resilience showed a negative association, suggesting a mitigating role. Notably, distress among patients was comparatively lower, with only 3.2% experiencing significant levels.
The authors postulate that increased staff burdens during the pandemic may have led to long-term distress, while their efforts to maintain minimal service disruption potentially shielded patients from psychological impacts, possibly lead to staff 'problem-focused coping burnout'. This highlights the need for in-depth research on the enduring impacts of pandemics, focusing on mechanisms that intensify or alleviate distress. Future studies should focus on identifying effective coping strategies for crisis situations, such as staff shortages, and strategies for post-crisis staff support.
Building on evidence of negative impacts on frontline workers and forensic inpatients during the pandemic, this study delved into the longer-term psychological repercussions that persisted post-pandemic. It sheds light on lasting distress levels and their correlates. These insights are crucial for formulating effective responses and strategies for future pandemics or analogous crises, highlighting the need for sustained support for staff grappling with long-term distress arising from such events
Variations in abdominal muscle activities of obese females during abdominal bracing exercise in different body positions
Get PDFAims
This study evaluated the activities of the Rectus Abdominis (RA) and Transversus Abdominis (TrA) muscles during abdominal bracing exercises (ABE) in different body positions.
Methodology
Electrical activities of both components of the RA and TrA muscles were assessed respectively in 25 obese females via surface electromyography during ABE in four (4) different body positions (crook lying, side lying, standing, and sitting). Each trial lasted for five (5) seconds with an hour rest period between trials.
Results
Electrical activities of each of the right RA (p = 0.008) and TrA (p = 0.001) muscles significantly varied across the four trials. For the left components of the RA (p = 0.243) and TrA (p = 0.332) muscles, no significant differences were observed across trials. The highest muscular activities were recorded during the standing trial while the crook lying position resulted in the least muscular activities.
Conclusion
For the best results, abdominal bracing exercises should be performed in a standing position. The efficacy of adopting these body positions for long-term rehabilitation purposes should be investigated in future studies
Recent progress and future directions for expanding gastrointestinal endoscopy in low‐ and middle‐income African nations
Get PDFA systematic study involving patent analysis and theoretical modeling of eco-friendly technologies for electric vehicles and power batteries to ease carbon emission from the transportation industry
No full textUsing natural and recycled materials in the manufacturing of electric vehicles (EVs) and power batteries (PBs) offers several environmental, economic, and technical compelling advantages. Recently, extensive study has been dedicated on the manufacturing of EVs and their power batteries to comprehensively address these advantages. This research analyzes 12,202 scientific patents from 1970 to 2021, evaluating eco-friendly materials for EVs and power batteries. The study identifies current status and gaps in research, mapping collaborations and networks, assessing core technologies, classification of innovative materials, future research directions; hence environmental and economic implications. To assess current development and forecast future technologies, hybrid autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) time series model combined with an advanced machine learning logistic regression algorithm were employed. Patents analyses results unveil noteworthy insights: Dynamic analysis demonstrates a growing interest in eco-friendly EVs and PBs manufacturing from countries such as China (PF2/PF1 = 0.406), U.S.A (PF2/PF1 = 0.468), Germany (PF2/PF1 = 0.465), and Japan (PF2/PF1 = 0.427). Key companies including TOSHIBA, BYD, TOYOTA, and TESLA are leading the way in technology transfer related to the manufacturing of eco-friendly EVs and PBs. Latest technology update reveals that, synthetic “SofTex” leather has 85 % less CO2 emissions than genuine leather during the processing, recycled aluminum production emits 97 % less CO2 than new production. Ford’s aim is to reduce its carbon footprint by utilizing 1.2 billion plastic bottles from landfills waste per year for making vehicle parts, resulting in a noteworthy 50–60 % weight reduction and a 37 % decrease in CO2 emissions in new vehicles compared to traditional counterparts. S-curve analysis further highlights a remarkable surge in patent filings for EVs and PBs since 2011. Notably, the patent CN-101013763-A holds significant influence in driving innovation route and utilization of eco-friendly materials such as bio-paint, bamboo, recycled plastic, and advanced steel in the manufacturing of EVs and PBs. In the predictable future, ongoing research will pinpoint opportunities for advancing technology to lead carbon reduction and sustainability in the EV industry
Regulation of gene expression in the brain by the Alzheimer’s disease-implicated transcription factor REST
No full textAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a global challenge. In 2019, AD ranked as the seventh leading cause of death. The development of therapeutic strategies is an urgent requirement to cure or at least to cease the progression of the disease. The transcription factor REST, also known as NRSF play a key role in neuroprotection in the ageing population. The presence of REST in the brains of patients with AD has been shown to be associated with improved cognitive functions. To examine the implication of REST in AD further, the role of REST in the brain was studied using a genetically modified conditional knockout (cKO) mouse model lacking REST in the postnatal forebrain previously generated by the supervisor of this project. Western blot analysis and RNA sequencing approaches were used to determine the mechanisms regulated by REST. The levels of protein products of immediate early genes c-FOS, ARC, EGR1, and NPAS4; memory gene CREB and its active form phospho-CREB; and histone deacetylase HDAC2 were estimated using western blot technique. The western blot analysis revealed a remarkable elevation in levels of c-FOS and a significant decline in ARC levels in the hippocampus and neocortex of Rest cKO genotype when compared with control, along with no significant change in levels of NPAS4 and HDAC2. CREB and phosphorylated CREB levels were reduced in the neocortex; in contrast, CREB levels were elevated along with no change in levels of phosphorylated CREB in the hippocampus of Rest cKO genotype. Furthermore, global transcriptome changes in the hippocampus of Rest cKO compared to control genotype were assessed using RNA-seq, which revealed significant upregulation in Cd74, Apoe, and repression in Oxr1 gene expression in the hippocampus of Rest cKO genotype. Additionally, enrichment analysis using different approaches such as gene ontology enrichment analysis, protein-protein interaction network analysis, and gene set enrichment analysis showed activation of immune response together with impaired myelination and perturbed synaptic processes in Rest cKO genotype in comparison to control. This study signifies the potential role of REST in cellular and molecular processes in the brain. Certainly, Rest cKO genotype exhibited certain molecular changes as seen in AD such as significant elevation in c-FOS levels. A better understanding of the role of REST in the brain can facilitate the discovery of possible novel therapeutic targets relevant to AD
Risk Identification and Mitigation In Agile Software Re-Engineering: A Case Study
Get PDFLegacy software is becoming increasingly common, and many companies nowadays are facing the challenges associated with this phenomenon. In certain circumstances, re-engineering is the only logical way to deal with legacy software. Such projects, by their very nature, are subject to a wide variety of risks. The aim of this study was to begin building the basis of a risk framework that will support future re-engineering projects within Agile (Scrum) environments. An interpretive case study approach has been followed, where the case study was the first phase of a re-engineering process, with the method of analysis being inductive and reflexive Thematic Analysis. The dataset comprises a list of different risks that occurred during the re-engineering process. The risks observed were themed around people, processes, and technology. While technical and procedural risks are discussed in the literature, it was found that the presence of risks in social situations relating to re-engineering has been overlooked. Although these risks do not necessarily have a higher individual impact, they were found to outnumber those encountered in other aspects of the project by a significant factor. Furthermore, the social risks were often either underestimated or not even recognised. It has also been found that Scrum is an appropriate approach to re-engineering projects. Since many of the re-engineering tasks in the case study were unknown at the beginning, the flexibility brought by Scrum was an important factor in the timely and successful mitigation of emerging risks. The first contribution of this study is a comprehensive analysis of identified risks associated with one particular re-engineering project. The potential impact of those risks over a given development phase of the project, along with their actual impact, have been analysed. The second contribution discusses a proposed methodology for managing and mitigating risks in software re-engineering. It is intended that the identified risk categories form the basis of further research into different types of re-engineering projects in order to produce a more generalised framework. It is anticipated that the results presented here will help future project teams to prioritise areas of re-engineering and put adequate risk mitigation into place
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IDENTIFYING DISASTER VICTIMS FROM THE “MASS GRAVE PROJECT”: FORENSIC GENETICS ISSUES
No full textBush fires of central highlands of Sri Lanka: What is the triple bottom line?
Get PDFBushfires, a type of wildfire, are becoming frequent events worldwide making their effective management a priority. The past years it has been observed that bushfires in the central highlands of Sri Lanka occur in higher frequencies and their impact is detrimental to communities. Bushfires in these areas are inevitable due to consequences of climate and weather patterns and flammable vegetation (Pine and Eucalyptus) introduced during re-forestation programs. Increased bushfires hazards are due to natural causes, such as lightings, or people either intentionally or unintentionally for example villagers setting fires to Savannas expecting fresh grass for cattle herds and clearing forests for slash
and burning agriculture. Other reasons include hunters setting fires, usually in forest reserves, or campers and holidays makers ignoring windy season, along with dry weather when setting campfires and lighting cigarettes. The research locations, Haldummulla Divisional Secretariat Division (DS Division) of Badulla district and Imbulpe DS division of Rathnapura district were purposively selected based on the highest recorded bushfire incidents in recent years while these locations serve as important catchment areas and forest reserves. The scourge of bushfires in the central highlands of Sri Lanka is less attended reality causing irreversible damage to the ecosystem. Therefore, this current study aimed to investigate the context of sustainability concerning the triple bottom line (TBL) of social, economic, and environmental performance for utilities. Special emphasis was placed on community vulnerability, preparedness, and adaptation. A mixed methods approach was instrumental in data collection from 5 Grama Niladhari Divisions (GN Divisions) from each district. Participatory approaches including a transect walk, field observations, in-depth interviews with key informants and focus group discussions were used as primary data collection tools. Communities, houses, and farmlands within the high-risk areas are highly vulnerable to bushfire incidents annually. Community level adaptation strategies are limited and resilient building mechanisms, especially early warning systems are not in place