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When midazolam meets hyperactivity: tailoring dental sedation for patients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
No full textWhat Makes University-Enterprise Collaborations Successful? An integrative Review
Get PDFPurpose: This review was conducted as part of a broader research project, "Strengthening University-Enterprise Collaboration for Resilient Communities in Asia". The aim of the project was to map the collaborative architecture of partner universities with the public and private sectors to enhance social and economic development.
Methodology: An integrative method was adopted to systematically identify eligible literature and synthesise relevant findings regarding processes, dynamics, and factors involved in the formation, maintenance and governance of successful university enterprise collaboration (UEC).
Findings: Ninety articles met the inclusion criteria and encompassed several processes, dynamics, and factors related to the development, maintenance and governance of successful UECs including, definitions, frameworks, types, formation, timelines, barriers, and enablers. Measurements of UEC success and good practices were also identified.
Implications: The findings enhance the understanding of what makes a successful UEC. This review is the first phase in the development of a heuristic UEC framework that facilitates collaborative success for social and economic development.
Originality: The review utilises a novel approach to synthesise a vast body of UEC literature encompassing a diverse range of processes, dynamics, and factors that contribute to the development, maintenance and governance of successful UECs
Ultra-Large Large-Scale Structures from Intervening Mg II Absorbers; Possible Implications for Cosmology
No full textThe two ultra-large large-scale structure (uLSS) discoveries of the Giant Arc (GA) and the Big Ring (BR) are presented in this thesis. The GA (∼ 1 Gpc) and BR (Rh ∼ 370 Mpc), and add to an accumulating set of large-scale structure (LSS) discoveries that potentially challenge the Cosmological Principle (CP), on which the standard model of cosmology (ΛCDM) is founded. In cosmological terms, the GA and BR are very close; they are separated by only ∼ 12◦ on the sky and are both in the same redshift slice at z ∼ 0.8.
The observational properties of the GA and BR are presented, and they are assessed statistically using methods based on: (i) Single-Linkage Hierarchical Clustering; (ii) the Convex Hull of Member Spheres — GA: 4.53σ, and BR: (3.65±1.13)σ; (iii) the Minimal Spanning Tree — BR: (4.10±0.45)σ; (iv) the Cuzick-Edwards test — GA: 3.00σ, and BR: 2.0σ; (v) power spectrum analysis — GA: 4.8σ; (vi) and the FilFinder algorithm. Each of these methods has distinctive attributes and powers, and it is advised to consider the evidence from the ensemble. The approaches to mitigating any post-hoc aspects of analysing significance after discovery is discussed. The CHMS-overdensity and the MST-overdensity of the GA is δρ/ρ ≃ 0.9 ± 0.6 and δρ/ρ ≃ 1.3 ± 0.3, respectively. The alpha-hull overdensity of the BR(-all) is δρ/ρ ≃ 0.75.
The discoveries were made using the novel method of mapping intervening Mg II absorbers in the spectra of background quasars. This method allows for the detection of low-luminosity, distant matter which might otherwise go unseen with standard methods. The quasar spectra are obtained from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) and the Mg II catalogues are provided by independent authors.
Currently, the huge sizes and intriguing, circular-type morphologies of the GA and BR are not easily explained within ΛCDM. In addition, there have been hints of a second arc to the north of the GA and BR that appears to be an extension of the GA. If this is indeed the case, the GA might be extending into a Giant Ring (GR) which would then encompass the BR. The implications that these structures might have for cosmology could be important; but what they are telling us is not yet clear. Perhaps these uLSS discoveries may even be hinting at a direction of new physics within the standard model, or alternative theories in cosmology such as cosmic strings, pre-inflationary particles, or Conformal Cyclic Cosmology
Family History and Solar Insolation in Bipolar I Disorder
No full textBackground: Sunlight has profound impacts on physical and mental health, beyond vision, including effects on circadian rhythms, alertness, mood, and sleep. A family history of any mood disorders is strongly associated with psychiatric disorders including bipolar disorder. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between a family history of any mood disorder in patients with bipolar I disorder and solar insolation at varied international onset locations. Methods: Data for this analysis were available from 5842 patients with a diagnosis of bipolar I disorder obtained at 83 collection sites in both hemispheres. This included 4752 patients from 71 collection sites in the northern hemisphere and 1090 patients from 12 collection sites in the southern hemisphere. Patient data variables were obtained from records or interviews. Solar insolation data were obtained from The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Power database for each onset location, and the ratio of the mean monthly minimum/mean monthly maximum solar insolation was calculated. Typically, the ratio is largest near the equator (little yearly change in solar insolation) and smallest near the poles (large yearly change in solar insolation). Results: A significant relationship was found between a family history of any mood disorder, the ratio of the mean monthly minimum/mean monthly maximum solar insolation, and gender. The odds of a family history of mood disorder increased as patient location nears the poles and decreased near the equator. Female gender also increased the odds of having a family history of a mood disorder. Conclusions: This study highlighted the association between family history, solar insolation, and gender in international patients with bipolar I disorder. Given the profound effects of sunlight on human health, the family of patients with bipolar disorder who live in the same location with the same solar insolation, and especially females, may be at increased risk for a mood disorder
INTERVENTIONS TO SUPPORT CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE –WHAT WORKS FOR WHOM, UNDER WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES, AND WHY
No full textFoundations – What Works Centre for Children and Families has commissioned a systematic review of interventions to support children and young people who have experienced child sexual abuse (CSA). This includes interventions for the children and young people themselves, and interventions for parents/carers that help them to support their child
following CSA.
There are four key strands to the study – this protocol covers the umbrella review:
1. An umbrella review (this protocol)
2. A realist review
3. A narrative review
4. Consultations with key stakeholders.
The umbrella review has been designed to provide a consolidated summary of what is currently known in existing systematic reviews about interventions to support children and
young people aged 0–25 years who have experienced CSA. Its primary purpose is to assess the effectiveness of these interventions and to identify the practice elements or components that may change the effectiveness of the intervention. This focus is necessary because the existing evidence is fragmented across multiple systematic reviews. Some reviews look at therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy, while others consider family-based or broader psychosocial interventions. However, these reviews often differ in scope, population focus, outcomes assessed, and methodological quality. This variation makes it difficult for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers to draw reliable conclusions about which interventions are most effective and why.
By using an umbrella review methodology, the study will synthesise findings from across existing reviews, offering a higher-level perspective. This allows for two key contributions.
First, it will provide a clearer answer to the question of which interventions are effective in improving outcomes for children following CSA. Second, it will highlight the intervention
components or practice elements that are consistently associated with more positive results, pointing towards what is likely to make an intervention better or worse.
The value of this approach lies in offering a reliable, single resource that maps the current state of knowledge from existing reviews of interventions. These findings, alongside those of the realist and narrative reviews and stakeholder consultations, will build a more complete and connected understanding of what works, for whom, and why.
The findings of the study will inform a Practice Guide being written by Foundations in 2027, and advisory groups will advise on other appropriate means of dissemination
A multi-centre performance evaluation of a commercially developed liquid biopsy for the earlier detection of brain tumours
No full textBackground
Delayed diagnosis of brain cancer leads to two-thirds of patients receiving a diagnosis only after presenting to the emergency department with more severe symptoms or neurological deficits. A simple, rapid, liquid biopsy implemented in primary care could enable more efficient triage of patients with non-specific symptoms potentially related to brain cancer, prioritising patients for urgent brain imaging, and accelerating diagnosis.
Patients and methods
Presented is the international, multi-centre, observational Early and tiMely detection of BRAin CancEr (EMBRACE) study. Patients were prospectively recruited across seven sites in Europe, from the United Kingdom, Belgium, Sweden and Switzerland. The target population consisted of patients with symptoms potentially associated with brain cancer. Blood serum samples were analysed by the Dxcover® Brain Cancer Liquid Biopsy Platform. Test performance was assessed by comparison of the liquid biopsy result to diagnostic imaging.
Results
Two thousand five hundred and fifty-four patients were enrolled across the seven collection sites; 2324 were deemed eligible and taken forward for test assessment. There were 697 brain tumours in total, of which 395 were malignant, and 1627 non-tumour diagnoses. Overall diagnostic performance for the primary objective was 86% sensitivity for brain cancer detection with 99% negative predictive value (NPV). Sensitivity for all brain tumours combined (malignant and benign) was 77%. Notably, for the most prevalent and most aggressive brain cancer, glioblastoma, 86% of cases were successfully identified. Additionally, 94% of patients with central nervous system lymphoma, and 90% of brain metastases were predicted correctly as having tumours.
Conclusions
Existing symptom-based referral pathways are ineffective for the detection of brain cancer, and there is an urgent need for new tests to help with clinical decision making. With a NPV of 99%, the Dxcover Liquid Biopsy test could assist in primary care for efficient stratification of patients toward diagnostic imaging
Understanding Calm in the Context of Smart Toys
No full textSmart toys, which integrate sensing, processing, physical movement, sounds, and even internet connectivity, offer a range of new play opportunities. However, compared to traditional toys, current smart toy products can be limiting in the play they support, and they have received criticism for a range of reasons with calm being a potentially valuable design feature for smart toys. This work explores the application of a revised set of calm design principles applied in the context of currently available smart toy products in an expert evaluation inspection study. The specific focus of this paper is on understanding the challenges encountered by the evaluators in the study. This paper contributes four key recommendations valuable to researchers and practitioners conducting similar studies. These relate to the challenge of simulating play experience, the diversity of play context, the interpretation and understanding of principles, and the consideration of design intent vs. play experience. We propose “calm smart toys” as a strong concept that can potentially assist others interested in designing calm smart toys
Introduction to “Trust in Science”
No full textAmid voices to stand up for science to protect its common values in existential times for science, this introductory chapter provides an overview of the 10 chapters comprising this book. Drawing on insights from three European Commission-funded projects—VERITY, POIESIS, and IANUS—an interdisciplinary team of researchers from philosophy, psychology, ethics, data science, political science, along with different stakeholders, has collaborated to shed light on the issue of trust in science. We argue that trust in science has a complex, multifaceted, multiactor, and context-dependent nature that must be approached as such—both for studying and understanding it, and for finding ways to foster it. The chapter provides a roadmap through the book’s examination of theoretical frameworks, measurement challenges, public perceptions, institutional perspectives, and policy implications. Throughout, there is consensus on the need to develop a more nuanced understanding of trust in science and approaches for bringing science closer to society, developing a robust ecosystem of trust where, through public participation, science becomes responsive to societal priorities and citizens’ concerns. When research demonstrates such responsibility and responsiveness, a reciprocal relationship of trust emerges wherein science and society mutually reinforce each other
THE IMPACT OF PATRIOTISM AND RELIGIOSITY ON TAX EVASION: DOES TAX MORALE MEDIATE?
No full textThis study investigates the influence of patriotism and religiosity on tax evasion, with tax morale as a potential mediator. The research is motivated by the need to understand behavioural and ethical factors that drive taxpayers’ compliance beyond deterrence measures. Data were collected from business students via a questionnaire and analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The results indicate that patriotism and religiosity do not directly reduce tax evasion intentions. Instead, both positively affect tax morale, which, in turn, significantly reduces the likelihood of tax evasion. Moreover, tax morale mediates the effect of patriotism on tax evasion but does not mediate the effect of religiosity. These findings provide theoretical insights into the role of ethics in tax compliance and offer practical recommendations for tax authorities to strengthen compliance by fostering tax morale
Exosomes: Pioneering the Future of Vitiligo Therapy
No full textFrom disposal waste with no significant role in biology to a primary channel for long-distance communication between cells. Because of their precise function in microenvironments, exosomes are the future of regenerative therapy. Exosomes have a double-edged effect when it comes to regulating pathogenesis, whether in releasing inhibition or promotion factors, their effects influence the whole direction of the pathway. Exosomes are nanovesicles found in extracellular sites and body fluids. With their role in various pathological and physiological processes, studies have shown promising results, whether in a therapeutic or diagnostic approach. Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease with progressive loss of melanocytes and formation of white patches on the skin epidermis. Due to its challenging nature, continuous studies are conducted to further understand the pathogenesis and newest approach to enhance pigmentation with no recurrence loss of melanin. A total of 27 studies have been collected from PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases between the years 1974 and 2024. The aim of this review is to deepen the understanding of vitiligo pathogenesis with the implication of exosomes from various sources of derivation that can be used in future approaches