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Naringenin-encapsulated nano-cochleate hydrogel for topical delivery: cellular anti-inflammatory activity and dermatokinetic profiling
No full textNaringenin (NR) is a plant-based flavonoid with poor aqueous solubility, which is indicated for the treatment of psoriasis due to its strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the non-steroidal NR-loaded nanocochleate hydrogel (NR-NC-G) for its skin permeation, safety, and efficacy in the treatment of psoriasis. First, nanoliposomes (NR-LIPO) were prepared and further chelated using calcium chloride to transform them into nanocochleates (NR-NCs). NR-NCs exhibited rolled sheet-like nanosized particles with a hydrodynamic diameter of approximately 160–170 nm, an encapsulation efficiency of 81–82%, and good colloidal stability, as indicated by a ζ-potential of −27 mV. To achieve a local reservoir-like action, nanocochleates were loaded into a hydrogel comprising of combination of Carbopol 934P and sodium alginate. NR-NC-G was characterised for its physical and rheological characteristics, and it exhibited uniform drug loading, long-term stability, and the ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), as validated by various antioxidant assays. Furthermore, NR-NC-G reduced cellular ROS levels, nitrate accumulation, and mitochondrial healing ability in a lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 inflammation model, thereby proving its enhanced antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The ex vivo skin permeation and dermatokinetic studies showed that NR-NC-G exhibited high permeation across the excised skin of BALB/C mice. The dermatokinetic studies showed that topical application of NR-NC-G provided 3.43 and 3.34-fold greater Cmax and AUC0−t in the epidermal layer, respectively, compared to the bulk NR solution. Overall, this novel nanoformulation enhances ROS scavenging capacity, improves cellular uptake, enhances skin permeation and retention, and suggests potential applications for treating psoriasis
Blended Intelligence: A Framework for How Professionally Diverse Multi-disciplinary Teams Solve Problems in Elite Sport
No full textMulti-Disciplinary Teams (MDT’s) have become an important requirement of high-performance sport. Practitioners from diverse professional backgrounds work in silo and
concert to deliver performance support services in the pursuit of enhanced individual athlete health, well-being and optimised performance outcomes. Whilst the MDT approach and performance support is well established there is a relatively limited body of research advocating for how these teams operate in practice and what they attend to. Anecdotally, practitioners and MDTs are expected to collaboratively solve performance problems and yet, to date, despite the terms common use and widespread reference across the literature, what this looks like in practice, why (and if) it is required and how teams go about this, is underdeveloped from a research perspective.
This thesis sets out to critically examine and better articulate the role of MDTs in high-performance sport focusing on their problem-solving and decision-making processes. The
research aim is to explore how individual practitioners, MDTs, and high-performance leaders conceptualise and execute problem-solving within high-performance environments. The output of this thesis is a contemporary problem-solving framework that can be adopted or deployed by practitioners, teams, leaders and organisations to rationalise approaches to problem-solving, creating conditions to better access and leverage the expertise of the MDT and direct it appropriately to the requirements within the context. This consequently answers how high-performance MDT’s solve problems in high-performance sport.
A pragmatic research design (Giacobbi et al., 2005) including both Likert scale surveys visualised through dual axis heat maps and a constructivist, qualitative methodology was
employed using reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2019). The research adopted an inductive, data-driven approach, emphasising the active role of the researcher in knowledge production. Data were collected through surveys, focus groups and semi-structured interviews with high-performance sport practitioners and leaders. Heat maps were created to show patterns in practitioner responses whilst thematic analysis was used to identify patterns and emergent themes related to MDT collaboration and problem-solving.
Findings suggest that a continuum of problem-solving approaches was identified, ranging from routine, intuitive decision-making to deliberate, innovative problem-solving. Despite the increasing emphasis on cognitive flexibility, many practitioners default to discipline-specific, pre-established solutions rather than interdisciplinary collaboration and novel problem-solving.
While MDTs are expected to collaborate, they often function as loosely connected groups of specialists. Key barriers that were identified to collaboration included ambiguity in roles and expertise, professional territoriality, and the absence of structured approaches to problem-solving and decision-making. Leaders in high-performance sport face systemic, structural, and interpersonal complexities that create ‘wicked problems.’ While cognitive diversity is crucial for effective problem-solving, leaders lack clear frameworks to harness this diversity. The research highlights the necessity for structured problem-solving methodologies, such as design thinking, to enhance MDT effectiveness and proposes a problem-solving framework for individuals, teams and leaders.
The body of work advances theoretical understanding by contributing to the literature on multi and interdisciplinary team dynamics, problem-solving frameworks, and applied cognition in high-performance sport. From an applied perspective, it highlights the importance of ‘T-Skills’ (meta-cognitive, interpersonal, and critical thinking skills) in MDT training and professional development. The findings suggest reframing MDTs as active problem-solving entities rather than passive collections of expertise, emphasising structured collaboration, leadership clarity, and integrated decision-making or problem-solving frameworks. The research underscores the need for high-performance sport organisations to implement structured problem-solving methodologies to maximise MDT effectiveness.
Implications for Practice:
1. Developing structured collaboration frameworks to optimise MDT integration.
2. Enhancing cognitive flexibility training for practitioners to bridge the gap between formal education and applied problem-solving.
3. Implementing leadership strategies that emphasise cognitive diversity and structured problem-solving.
This thesis provides a foundation for future research on the operationalisation of problem-solving within MDTs in high-performance sport, with implications for training, leadership, and organisational effectiveness
Response to COVID-19 Vaccines in Individuals with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocol of Randomised Controlled Trials
No full textSince SARS-CoV-2 detection, the infection had spread globally resulting in insidious outcomes. The pathogenic mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 indicated that the virus does not only ignite respiratory distress, but can also adversely impact varying organs. Evidence shows patients with chronic kidney disease, particularly those on dialysis or who have received kidney transplant have been disproportionately impacted by SARS-CoV-2. This population group experience significant higher rates of infection, severe disease, hospitalization and mortality compared to the general population. However, long-term response and outcomes in relation to SARS-CoV-2 vaccines in people with chronic kidney disease requires further research. This systematic review and meta-analysis protocol, aims to compare the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines in patients with chronic kidney disease. We will include randomized controlled trials that assess and evaluates the safety and efficacy as outcomes of COVID-19 vaccines in chronic kidney disease patients. Medline, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, LILACS, SCOPUS, Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov will be searched from January 2020 to December 2025 for eligible studies. Three reviewers will independently screen, identify and select research studies that meet eligibility criteria, assess methodological quality and extract information. A meta-analysis will be performed, if possible and the grading of recommendations, assessment, development and evaluations summary of findings will be presented
The Tool, the Pet, the Carer & the Warden: A Conceptual Framework of How Older Adults Perceive Socially Assistive Robots
No full textAs the population of older adults in the UK grows, Socially Assistive Robots (SARs) are increasingly important for supporting independence and enhancing quality of life within the home. This study draws on the Computers Are Social Actors (CASA) framework to explore how older adults perceive and interact with anthropomorphized SARs. We present a framework that categorizes these devices into four roles: Carer, Pet, Warden, and Tool. The framework reflects relationship tolerance and autonomy, capturing the varied relational and emotional interactions older users have with SARs. Using qualitative methods, including interviews with 13 older adults in a virtual reality smart home setup, the findings reveal diverse user expectations. Devices like Alexa and a robotic cat align with the Pet role, providing companionship and emotional comfort, while humanoid robots fit the Warden role, offering oversight without attachment. Design implications emphasize customizable anthropomorphic features, enabling devices to adapt to users’ emotional and practical needs, ultimately fostering autonomy and quality of life for aging individuals
LeMMINGs VII: 5 GHz, 50 mas e-MERLIN observations of a statistically complete sample of nearby AGN
No full textWe present 5 GHz e-MERLIN radio images at 50 mas resolution of the nuclear regions of the Legacy e-MERLIN Multi-band Imaging of Nearby Galaxies survey (LeMMINGs), the deepest statistically complete radio-band survey of the local Universe (=10^6 K, reside in optically active galaxies such as LINERs and Seyferts. The detection rate for inactive systems (H II and absorption-line galaxies), which may host low-luminosity active galactic nuclei, is 8 percent. Most detections (78 percent) are compact (<10 pc), while the remaining 22 percent show extended jet-like features up to 380 pc. Compared to the 1.5 GHz LeMMINGs data, the 5 GHz observations provide superior resolution and spatial filtering, resolving out large-scale structures and isolating genuine nuclear emission. Our results suggest that low-luminosity active galactic nuclei are the primary manifestation of black hole activity in the local Universe in the form of compact jets and cores, with a preference for early-type hosts. The two LeMMINGs campaigns indicate that up to 30 percent of the local galaxy population hosts a radio-active nucleus, highlighting the necessity of high-resolution, high-sensitivity imaging for uncovering nuclear emission at the lowest luminosities
Perceptual-cognitive skills in talent development environments: a survey of academy football coaches in the United Kingdom
No full textIntroduction
Perceptual-cognitive skills (PCS) are a strong predictor of future expert performance in football. Theoretical and practical knowledge of PCS are important to inform (de)selection and development decisions. Despite their relevance to player development, limited research has explored how coaches working in talent development environments conceptualise and assess PCS in practice. This study aimed to critically examine perceptions of and engagement with PCS identification and assessment among UK academy coaches.
Methods
An online survey collected data from 63 academy coaches regarding their understanding and identification of PCS within the age groups they coach.
Results
Data indicated agreement between coaches PCS definitions and their importance in player development. However, variations in coaches’ familiarity, confidence, and frequency of PCS identification, alongside differing views on the importance of specific PCS point to potential knowledge and practice gaps.
Discussion
Further research is needed to understand and develop interventions that support coaches in enhancing PCS identification and assessment within this overlooked area of player development
Revolutionising anatomy education: the impact of virtual reality workshops on anatomy teaching
No full textAim: Traditional anatomy teaching faces challenges such as limited hands-on opportunities, difficulty visualising complex 3D structures, and variability in teaching quality due to reliance on cadavers, models, and 2D diagrams. Virtual Reality in Medicine and Surgery (VRiMS), a national organisation, seeks to address these issues through immersive VR experiences that complement conventional methods. This study assessed the educational impact of VR in anatomy education and explored its potential advantages.
Method: Two anatomy workshops were delivered in Bristol and Cardiff, focusing on musculoskeletal anatomy of the limbs and ENT anatomy. Each comprised 30 minutes of didactic teaching by a consultant surgeon or anatomy lecturer, followed by 30 minutes of independent exploration using VR headsets. Participants interacted with 3D anatomical models to examine nerves, vessels, and muscle layers. Pre- and post-workshop questionnaires assessed knowledge and confidence using Likert scales and a 10-question best-of-five multiple-choice test. Results: Data from 36 participants showed only 22% had prior experience with VR for anatomy learning. Pre- and post-session scores and confidence were compared using Mann-Whitney U tests. In Session 1, test scores improved from 6.42/10 to 8.08/ 10 (+26.0%, p = 0.004) and confidence from 2.50/5 to 4.50/5 (+80.0%, p < 0.0001). In Session 2, test scores increased from 6.17/10 to 7.00/10 (+13.5%, p = 0.048) and confidence from 2.46/5 to 3.96/5 (+61.0%, p < 0.0001).
Conclusions: VR-based workshops significantly enhanced anatomy knowledge and confidence. These findings highlight VR’s potential as a powerful adjunct to traditional methods and suggest it could transform the delivery of anatomy education
Navigating controversial issues: Greek-Cypriot primary students’ emotional and epistemic responses to conflict
No full textThis qualitative study investigates the emotional and epistemic responses of 16 Greek-Cypriot primary school students to controversial issues related to the Cyprus conflict. Drawing on interviews conducted before and after an intervention designed to mitigate ‘myside bias’ through the teaching of argumentation skills, the study examines how students make sense of the 1974 Turkish invasion and their encounters with Turkish settlers and Turkish-Cypriots. Findings show that while the Turkish invasion evokes intense emotions, students generally express openness toward contact with Turkish settlers and Turkish-Cypriots. Also, while one group of students reinforced emotional distance by maintaining a singular Greek-Cypriot perspective, another displayed greater openness to multiple perspectives, albeit often with ambivalence. The study highlights the challenges and possibilities of teaching controversial issues in divided societies through a lens that pays attention to both emotional dimensions and argumentation skills. The paper discusses the implications for peace education in conflict-affected contexts
Determining the influence of video-based benchmarking (VBB) on examiner variability in objective structured clinical exams (OSCE): The Align study
No full textIntroduction
Reducing examiner variability in Objective Structured Clinical Exams (OSCEs) is a priority within clinical performance assessment. In contrast to typical OSCE examiner training, video-based benchmarking (VBB) involves examiners scoring videos a/from their specific station b/shortly before the OSCE and then reflecting on and discussing scores/justifications agreed by an expert panel. Whilst realist evaluation has described mechanisms and contexts by which VBB may operate, VBB’s overall efficacy is unknown.
Methods
We performed a multi-centre (12 UK medical schools) stratified randomised controlled trial of VBB versus control to determine the influence of VBB on examiners’ score variability and other score characteristics. Secondarily, we compared the average scores allocated by examiners from different schools.
Results
171 medically qualified, trained OSCE examiners participated in the study. VBB showed no significant effect on overall examiner variability. In pre-specified analyses, VBB reduced variability from group mean of initially ‘outlying’ examiners on the borderline performance (VBB mean variability 3.02 out of 27 (IQR1.98-4.98), control 4.70 (3.91–5.70), p < 0.016) and made examiners more likely to correctly fail a minimally failing performance (p < 0.03, OR = 2.133[95% CI 1.081–4.208]). VBB caused a small increase in confidence. There were no significant differences in average scores by school.
Conclusions
VBB may enhance trust in OSCEs through more accurate classification of borderline performances and aligning outlying examiners scoring
Probing jet base emission of M87* with the 2021 Event Horizon Telescope observations
No full textWe investigate the presence and spatial characteristics of the jet base emission in M87* at , enabled by the significantly enhanced ̆v coverage in the 2021 Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) observations. The integration of the 12 Kitt Peak Telescope (USA) and NOEMA (France) stations into the array introduces two critical intermediate-length baselines to SMT (USA) and IRAM 30 (Spain), providing sensitivity to emission structures at spatial scales of ∼ 250 μ as and ∼ 2500 μ as (∼ 0.02 pc and ∼ 0.2 pc ). Without these new baselines, previous EHT observations of the source in 2017 and 2018 lacked the capability to constrain emission on large scales, where a ``missing flux" of order ∼ 1,Jy is expected to reside. To probe these scales, we analyzed closure phases---robust against station-based gain calibration errors---and model the jet base emission using a simple Gaussian component offset from the compact ring emission at spatial separations . Our analysis revealed a Gaussian feature centered at (Δ R.A. ≈ 320 μ as Δ Dec. ≈ 60 μ as ), projected separation of ≈ 5500 AU with an estimated flux density of only ∼ 60 mJy implying that most of the missing flux identified in previous EHT studies had to originate from different, larger scales. Brighter emission at the relevant spatial scales is firmly ruled out, and the data do not favor more complex models. This component aligns with the inferred position of the large-scale jet and is therefore physically consistent with the emission of the jet base. While our findings point to detectable jet base emission at , the limited coverage provided by only two intermediate baselines limits our ability to robustly reconstruct its morphology. Consequently, we treated the recovered Gaussian as an upper limit on the jet base flux density. Future EHT observations with expanded intermediate baseline coverage will be essential to constrain the structure and nature of this component with higher precision