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Environmental factors associated with talent identification of women’s youth national team soccer players in the United States
No full textFemale soccer has seen an exponential growth in popularity leading to significant investment in talent identification and development processes. Soccer federations can only identify, develop, and select from a pool of players that are born within the country, thus environmental factors play an important role in the process. Despite the United States (US) being one of the most successful female soccer nations, little is known about environmental factors and their influence upon players’ talent pathways. This study sought to examine the key environmental factors associated with the identification and development of players for the Women’s Youth National Team (WYNT). Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 23 experienced scouts (11.6 ± 8.8 yrs) that ranged from 32.0 to 61.8 minutes in length (46.1 ± 8.3 mins) to explore their perceptions of the female soccer landscape in the US and how different environmental factors can impact talent identification and development. Four higher order themes emerged: (1) no established playing style; (2) finding players for WYNT; (3) players access to talent opportunities; and (4) limited involvement of the Soccer Federation in youth development. This study is the first to examine these issues in female soccer and US contexts, and further examination of the association between environmental variables and talent identification and development are required to ensure evidence-based decision making that is both female- and country-specific
Metal-free thiadiazole–triazine porous polymer modified planar electrodes for electrochemical Hg(II) detection in water
No full textThe detection and monitoring of mercury ions (Hg2+) in water have become increasingly critical due to their extreme toxicity, bioaccumulation potential, and regulatory significance under international frameworks such as the Minamata Convention. Persistent mercury contamination continues to affect water systems in both developed and developing nations, including India and the United Kingdom. As a step towards detecting mercury (Hg2+) in water samples, we have developed miniaturized point-of–analysis electrochemical sensor based on a new metal-free, thiadiazole (TDA) and triazine (Trz) linked porous organic polymer (TDA-Trz-POP). Unlike conventional sensors that rely on metal-based recognition elements, our heteroatom-rich POP enables highly selective Hg²⁺ capture via synergistic sulphur and nitrogen coordination. The resulting sensors exhibit a lower limit-of-detection (LoD) as 1.5 nM (≈ 0.4 ppb, below the WHO Limit of 6 ppb) and a Linear range of 5–100 nM (1.4 to 27 ppb). The selective and sensitive detection of Hg2+ attributed to the nitrogen- and sulphur-rich surface functionalities of the TDA-Trz-POP-modified electrode, with the underlying binding mechanism is discussed in detail. Using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV), we demonstrate real-sample applicability in water, offering a robust, low-cost, and scalable solution for on-site mercury detection in groundwater. The present work is among the first demonstrations of a metal-free porous organic polymer (POP) integrated into SPEs for point-of-analysis mercury sensing with huge potential for public health in developing nations
Ambivalent Activism: Re-contextualising mental health politics
No full textThis chapter outlines our motivations, justifications, and methods for promoting ambivalent mental health activism. We explore ambivalent activism as a potential antidote to the ‘politics of certainty’ which appears to underpin the acutely polarised debates characterising contemporary mental health politics, particularly when it comes to highly contentious issues, such as psychiatric diagnosis and medication. These polarised debates often de-contextualise mental health politics by disregarding situational nuances and oversimplifying complexities. We attempt to show how embracing ambivalence as a productive resource helps ensure that activism re-contextualises mental health politics and does justice to the complex, diverse and contested nature of mental health challenges and debates. Drawing on our discussion of the ethical, emotional and political benefits of ambivalence, as well as critical reflection on its pitfalls and on the emotional labour it involves, we sketch how we have been trying to offer a ‘third space’ for ambivalent mental health politics through our involvement in Asylum magazine. Asylum encourages the publication of concurrent, and even contradictory, positions in an attempt to transcend false dichotomies and oppositional dualisms, and subsequently subvert either/or ways of understanding mental health issues. A key message in this chapter concerns our belief that rather than ambivalent activism being an oxymoron, it could help make mental health activism more democratic and rooted in the needs of people with lived experience of madness and distress
Evaluating UK Academics’ Perspectives of Ethics Education within Computer Science Degree Programmes: a Preliminary Insight
Get PDFEmerging systems using artificial intelligence (AI) including the complexities of deep learning leading to decision-making outcomes pose challenge, risk alongside opportunities to revolutionize business sectors and thus, human life. Building AI that impact on critical decision-making must be entwined with ethical questioning from the initial conception of design. As academics educating future technologists, we must lead on embedding the importance of ethical thinking for equitable designed systems. Currently, it is unclear across UK Higher Education how widely ethics is taught across programmes of study within computer science disciplines, their importance within the curriculum plus the confidence of academics for its delivery. This paper carries out a survey analysis to identify gaps, measures of engagement, expertise and knowledgebase of topics through both quantitative and qualitative questioning. The survey was distributed to 15 member universities of the Council for Professors and Heads of Computing (CPHC) randomly selected across the UK for which 32 academics engaged in the study. Results show ethics was noted as being important although one-third reported it was not widely embedded across the curriculum. Just less than half of participants schedule the teaching of ethics regularly either across one or several modules. Interestingly, 91% of respondents stated that they have not received any instruction or training and that 62% felt that they require more training on the subject matter. This paper is inspired by wider research from European studies however, this study provides a specific novel focus on a broad range of UK universities, providing comparative analysis and unique findings from the UK perspective. The significance of these findings suggest academics perspectives vary with specific training needs. This demonstrates that this early-stage research requires further exploration of the wider computer science curriculum, sharing of good practice and collaborative working
The Liminality of Fraud: Reimagining Fraud Theory to Inform Financial Crime Prevention
Get PDFUtilizing knowledge from academics, practitioners and subject matter experts with lived experience of fraud, this paper offers four significant contributions to fraud theory. Firstly, we argue that fraudsters seek out liminal spaces. Secondly, the paper identifies that fraudsters do not always seek immediate financial gain. Thirdly, we argue that within liminal space, individuals are transformed into fraud victims or potentially ‘co-offenders’ used to target businesses. By understanding the importance of liminality for the success of fraudulent interactions, we propose that both on and offline spaces that are vulnerable to facilitating fraud can be identified. Finally, we make the argument that aspects of situational crime prevention can be utilized within liminal spaces at key points to prevent fraud
Perinatal outcomes after selective third‐trimester ultrasound screening for small‐for‐gestational age: prospective cohort study nested within DESiGN randomized controlled trial
Get PDFObjective: In screening for small‐for‐gestational age (SGA) using third‐trimester antenatal ultrasound, there are concerns about the low detection rates and potential for harm caused by both false‐negative and false‐positive screening results. Using a selective third‐trimester ultrasound screening program, this study aimed to investigate the incidence of adverse perinatal outcomes among cases with (i) false‐negative compared with true‐positive SGA diagnosis and (ii) false‐positive compared with true‐negative SGA diagnosis. Methods: This prospective cohort study was nested within the UK‐based DESiGN trial, a prospective multicenter cohort study of singleton pregnancies without antenatally detected fetal anomalies, born at > 24 + 0 to < 43 + 0 weeks' gestation. We included women recruited to the baseline period, or control arm, of the trial who were not exposed to the Growth Assessment Protocol (GAP) intervention and whose birth outcomes were known. Stillbirth and major neonatal morbidity were the two primary outcomes. Minor neonatal morbidity was considered a secondary outcome. Suspected SGA was defined as an estimated fetal weight (EFW) < 10th percentile, based on the Hadlock formula and fetal growth charts. Similarly, SGA at birth was defined as birth weight (BW) < 10th percentile, based on UK population references. Maternal and pregnancy characteristics and perinatal outcomes were reported according to whether SGA was suspected antenatally or not. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were used to quantify the differences in adverse perinatal outcomes between the screening results (false negative vs true positive and false positive vs true negative). Results: In total, 165 321 pregnancies were included in the analysis. Fetuses with a false‐negative SGA screening result, compared to those with a true‐positive result, were at a significantly higher risk of stillbirth (adjusted OR (aOR), 1.18 (95% CI, 1.07–1.31)), but at lower risk of major (aOR, 0.87 (95% CI, 0.83–0.91)) and minor (aOR, 0.56, (95% CI, 0.54–0.59)) neonatal morbidity. Compared with a true‐negative screening result, a false‐positive result was associated with a lower BW percentile (median, 18.1 (interquartile range (IQR), 13.3–26.9)) vs 49.9 (IQR, 30.3–71.7)). A false‐positive result was also associated with a significantly increased risk of stillbirth (aOR, 2.24 (95% CI, 1.88–2.68)) and minor neonatal morbidity (aOR, 1.60 (95% CI, 1.51–1.71)), but not major neonatal morbidity (aOR, 1.04 (95% CI, 0.98–1.09)). Conclusions: In selective third‐trimester ultrasound screening for SGA, both false‐negative and false‐positive results were associated with a significantly higher risk of stillbirth, when compared with true‐positive and true‐negative results, respectively. Improved SGA detection is needed to address false‐negative results. It should be acknowledged that cases with a false‐positive SGA screening result also constitute a high‐risk population of small fetuses that warrant surveillance and timely birth. © 2024 The Author(s). Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Grenfell Tower Fire: Toxic Effluents and Assessment of Firefighters’ Health Impacts
Get PDFObjective This study assesses the health symptoms and longer- term health outcomes of firefighters who attended the Grenfell Tower fire. Methods All available data sources were analysed, including databases published by the Public Inquiry, the Firefighter Cancer and Disease Registry, incident logs and sickness reports up to 3 years post-fire. Results Over three times as many firefighters who reported exposure to smoke during the fire, also reported digestive and respiratory diseases following the fire, compared to those not reporting exposure to smoke. Other, more complex relationships are reported between smoke exposure, immediate health symptoms and longer-term health outcomes. Conclusions The incident’s urgency led professional firefighters to operate without respiratory protection equipment resulting in debilitating health effects
Early outcomes of the novel Myval THV series compared to SAPIEN THV series and Evolut THV series in individuals with severe aortic stenosis
Get PDFBackground: There are limited head-to-head randomised trials comparing the performance of different transcatheter heart valves (THVs).
Aims: We aimed to evaluate the non-inferiority of the balloon-expandable Myval THV series compared to the balloon-expandable SAPIEN THV series or the self-expanding Evolut THV series.
Methods: The LANDMARK trial randomised 768 patients in a 1:1 ratio, (Myval THV series [n=384] vs contemporary series with 50% SAPIEN THV series [n=192] and 50% Evolut THV series [n=192]). The non-inferiority of Myval over the SAPIEN or Evolut THV series in terms of the 30-day primary composite safety and effectiveness endpoint as per the third Valve Academic Research Consortium (VARC-3) was tested in an intention-to-treat population with a predefined statistical power of 80% (1-sided alpha of 5%) for a non-inferiority margin of 10.44%.
Results: The Myval THV series achieved non-inferiority for the primary composite endpoint over the SAPIEN THV series (24.7% vs 24.1%, risk difference [95% confidence interval {CI}]: 0.6% [not applicable {NA} to 8.0]; p=0.0033) and the Evolut THV series (24.7% vs 30.0%, risk difference [95% CI]: –5.3% [NA to 2.5]; p<0.0001). The incidences of pacemaker implantation were comparable (Myval THV series: 15.0%, SAPIEN THV series: 17.3%, Evolut THV series: 16.8%). At 30 days, the mean pressure gradient and effective orifice area were significantly better with the Myval THV series compared to the SAPIEN THV series (p<0.0001) and better with the Evolut THV series than with the Myval THV series (p<0.0001). At 30 days, the proportion of moderate to severe prosthetic valve regurgitation was numerically higher with the Evolut THV series compared to the Myval THV series (7.4% vs 3.4%; p=0.06), while not significantly different between the Myval THV series and the SAPIEN THV series (3.4% vs 1.6%; p=0.32).
Conclusions: The Myval THV series is non-inferior to the SAPIEN THV series and the Evolut THV series in terms of the primary composite endpoint at 30 days. Clinical trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04275726; EudraCT number 2020-000,137-40
Navigating ‘Deterioration in Mental State’ – From recognition to response in general hospitals to satisfy ‘National Standards’: A Discussion paper
Get PDFBackground
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care ‘National Standards’ require general hospitals to have systems for clinicians to recognise and respond to patients’ deteriorating mental state. The lack of an evidence-based operational definition and clear guidance challenges this requirement.
Objective
To review governance mechanisms and assessment processes for deteriorating mental state in a metropolitan general hospital and propose an organisational framework.
Methods
A qualitative document analysis using the READ approach systematically reviewed hospital committee reports, health district policies, and training programs to identify and synthesise key assessment points and processes.
Findings
The study mapped assessment points for recognising and responding to deteriorating mental state across patient journey stages. An organisational systems infographic provides a blueprint for meeting National Standards accreditation criteria.
Conclusions
Hospitals should establish comprehensive systems to observe, monitor, assess, and refer individuals with deteriorating mental state, involving multiple governance processes and frameworks
Therapeutic Potential of Seaweeds and their Biofabricated Nanoparticles in Treating Urolithiasis: A Review
Get PDFUrolithiasis affects a significant portion of the global population, causing discomfort and pain. Unfortunately, effective drugs to treat this disorder are currently unavailable due to multiple mechanisms and an incomplete understanding of its causes. Consequently, drugs with multiple targets could be a safer and more effective remedy for treating urolithiasis. Moreover, the current treatment options are expensive and come with a risk of complications and stone recurrence. Therefore, an alternative treatment that can prevent stone recurrence and reduce associated symptoms is necessary. Seaweeds are a rich source of beneficial metabolites, like antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and enzyme-inhibitory properties. Advances in nanotechnology hold great promise for improving the therapeutic potential of these metabolites. However, the use of nanoparticles for treating urolithiasis has yet to be explored well, and only a few reports exist on the use of terrestrial plant-based nanoparticles. This review examines the therapeutic properties of seaweed bioactive compounds and their possible applications in treating urolithiasis. We propose that seaweeds could be an excellent source of essential dietary minerals and other bioactive compounds with multiple targets to treat renal calculus naturally. Additionally, the review highlights the potential of nanomedicine in treating urolithiasis, proposing seaweed-based nanoparticles as a promising treatment option