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Large‐Scale Psychometric Assessment and Validation of the Modified COVID‐19 Yorkshire Rehabilitation Scale Patient‐Reported Outcome Measure for Long COVID or Post‐COVID Syndrome
Get PDFThe C19‐YRS was the first condition‐specific for long COVID/post‐COVID syndrome. Although the original C19‐YRS evolved to the modified version (C19‐YRSm) based on psychometric evidence, clinical content relevance, as well as feedback from patients and healthcare professionals, it has not been validated through Rasch analysis. The study aim was to psychometrically assess and validate the C19‐YRSm using newly collected data from a large‐scale, multicenter study (LOCOMOTION). In total, 1278 patients (67% Female; mean age = 48.6, SD 12.7) digitally completed the C19‐YRSm. The psychometric properties of the C19‐YRSm Symptom Severity (SS) and Functional Disability (FD) subscales were assessed using a Rasch Measurement Theory framework, assessing for individual item model fit, targeting, internal consistency reliability, unidimensionality, local dependency (LD), response category functioning and differential item functioning (DIF) by age group, sex and ethnicity. Rasch analysis revealed robust psychometric properties of both subscales, with each demonstrating unidimensionality, appropriate response category structuring, no floor or ceiling effects, and minimal LD and DIF. Both subscales also displayed good targeting and reliability (SS: Person Separation Index (PSI) = 0.81, Cronbach's α = 0.82; FD: PSI = 0.76, Cronbach's α = 0.81). Although some minor anomalies are apparent, the modifications to the original C19‐YRS have strengthened its measurement characteristics and its clinical and conceptual relevance. Trial Registration: NCT05057260, ISRCTN1502230
Natural language processing in impact assessment: a review of applications and concerns
Get PDFThe rolling out of Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications is extensively discussed among the impact assessment (IA) community. It is in this context that our letter focuses on natural language processing (NLP) applications. We introduce six categories of NLP applications and examine common concerns over their accuracy, quality, and transparency. We emphasize that it is the users’ responsibility to ensure quality and transparency when applying AI. We also suggest that it is time to elevate the discussion on the preparation for further AI use in IA
Children’s rights and the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup: navigating legal divergence and sporting convergence
Get PDFOver the past decade, growing demands for transparency, good governance, and human rights have prompted reforms in global football. Accordingly, FIFA revised its bidding process for the 2026 Men’s World Cup, incorporating references to universal human rights standards. However, awarding the tournament to the United States, Canada, and Mexico, countries with divergent commitments to international human rights law expose legal and normative tensions. This article examines the role of the international human rights system within FIFA, focusing on the United States’ failure to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989). This omission creates gaps in the universalism of human rights and children’s rights protections. The article argues that FIFA, operating within a neoliberal and globalized framework, lacks the commitment and will to resolve such inconsistencies. It concludes that FIFA must adopt a coherent, rights-based approach to ensure equal protection for all children across host jurisdictions
Placemaking Programme Final Report and Action Plan - Whitefield
Get PDFThisreport identifies potential placemaking interventionsfor consideration by localstakeholdersin the development and implementation of a place activation
plan for Whitefield high street/town centre. Drawing together evidence provided by localstakeholders and High Streets Task Force experts, the report outlines
a list of potential quick wins for Whitefield, with linksto supporting resources. In addition, the report also considerstrialing new activity to encourage adaption
in anticipation of longer-term change. We are aware some challenges places face requires large scale investment in physical regeneration. However, whereas
many places have regeneration strategies, few have place activation plan, which is more focused on immediate challenges. To be clear, the focus of this report
is the latter. Clearly not everything can be done at once. Rather the intention is to provide groups in Whitefield with ideas a list of options, which they should
then discuss and prioritise, taking forward what they consider to be most viable given local capacity and resourcing. There is an expectation business and
community groups will take responsibility for leading, coordinating and delivering activity, facilitated by local government only when needed. This will require
effective collaboration between local stakeholders
Editorial: Harmful anachronism: World Athletics reinstates gene testing to participate in women's competitions
Get PDFIn advance of the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, World Athletics (WA) announced that passing a genetic test, specifically for the absence of the SRY gene, is a prerequisite for competing in the women’s category in all athletics World Rankings Competitions as of 1 September 2025 (online supplemental table 1). Athletes who do not pass the test will be considered ‘biological males’ and required to prove that they have complete androgen insensitivity syndrome (CAIS) in order to compete. This requirement recycles an intentionally discontinued practice from the last century. After ending the discredited chromosome (Barr body) tests that had been used since the 1960s, the International Olympic Committee briefly used SRY gene tests from 1992 to 19991 before they were also withdrawn because of inaccuracy, lack of evidence of performance advantage, excessive cost including the cost of counselling, and the trauma and stigmatisation experienced by athletes and their families
Patterns and correlates of physical activity among Nigerian community-dwelling older adults
Get PDFBackground and aim
Physical inactivity is a common risk factor for morbidity and mortality, particularly among older adults, and its context-specific values and determinants are necessary for informed health policy and programmatic interventions. This study assessed levels and correlates of Physical Activity (PA) among Nigerian community-dwelling older adults.
Methods
Adults who were ≥ 65 years old (n = 246) participated in the cross-sectional study. PA was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire for the Elderly (IPAQ-E) and the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE). Correlates of PA were evaluated in terms of functional status, depression, quality of life (QoL), age, and gender.
Results
The mean age of the participants was 72.4 ± 7.14 years. Based on IPAQ-E, rates for low, moderate, and high levels of PA were 21.1%, 51.6%, and 27.2% respectively, with higher MET outputs for walking (1177.8 ± 1195.9) and moderate PA (1128.5 ± 1738.9). Based on PASE, PA levels were 82.1% and 17.9% for low and moderate PA, with the highest scores for light housework (19.4 ± 10.4), caregiving (15.7 ± 17.4), and heavy housework (12.1 ± 12.5) activities. The majority (68.7%) of the respondents had higher QoL and mild depression (54.1%). There was a significant association between IPAQ-E and age (χ2 = 16.799; p = 0.020), QoL (χ2 = 9.817; p = 0.010), and instrumental activity of daily living (χ2 = 17.125; p = 0.002).
Conclusions
Nigerian community-dwelling older adults engaged in low-to-moderate PA. Socio-demographics and QoL, rather than depression, are significantly associated with PA. Tailored physical activity interventions are necessary to improve depression in this population, as addressing QoL and socio-demographic factors seems to be significantly linked only with PA engagement, more than depressive symptoms
Coordinatore dell'Osservatorio della Regione Campania a partire dal numero 6/2017 della rivista Le Regioni Bimestrale di analisi giuridica e istituzionale ISSN: 0391-7576 Periodicità: bimestrale Fascia A
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Echocardiographic Markers of Right Ventricle Diastolic Dysfunction in Neonates and Infants with Congenital Heart Disease
No full textBackground: Assessing right ventricular (RV) diastolic function by echocardiography in pediatric patients remains complex, particularly in congenital heart disease (CHD) characterized by RV pressure overload. The geometric peculiarities of the RV, respiratory influences, and age-dependent maturational changes complicate interpretation of Doppler-derived indices. This study aimed to characterize tricuspid valve (TV) pulsed-wave Doppler E/A inflow patterns in infants with CHD and RV pressure overload, evaluated shortly after surgical or percutaneous intervention. Methods: Echocardiographic analysis included TV E- and A-wave velocities obtained by pulsed-wave Doppler and measurement of E-wave deceleration time (EDT). Beat-to-beat variability was quantified over three consecutive cardiac cycles. Data were compared with a large cohort of age-matched healthy children. Results: Fifty-seven infants with CHD (35 pulmonary stenosis; 22 tetralogy of Fallot), examined 12–48 h post-intervention, were compared with 134 healthy controls. CHD patients showed markedly reduced beat-to-beat variability of both E- and A-wave velocities (p < 0.001 and p = 0.007, respectively). A three-beat E/A inversion pattern—common in neonates but variable in healthy infants—was consistently observed in CHD patients (p < 0.001). A-wave velocities were significantly higher (p < 0.001), whereas E/A ratios (p < 0.001) and EDT values (p = 0.010) were significantly lower compared with controls. Conclusions: Infants with CHD and RV pressure overload exhibit a characteristic Doppler pattern consisting of E/A ratio inversion, reduced beat-to-beat variability, increased A-wave velocity, and shortened E/A ratio and EDT. These findings may serve as practical and reproducible indicators of RV diastolic dysfunction in the early post-intervention period in neonates and infants
A systematic design method for fully submerged hydrofoil wing systems with longitudinal flight control
No full textThe maritime industry is looking for ways to decarbonize rapidly through design strategies, and technologies,
also developing solutions for eco-friendly boating. The hydrofoil technology is one of the most promising due to its high efficiency compared to traditional planing or displacing vessels. The research was focused on the
development of a systematic design method for fully submerged hydrofoil wing system with a longitudinal flight control. Starting from a reference hull model, five alternative wing configurations were designed based on geometric, hydrodynamic, and dynamic criteria. A preliminary hydrodynamic model was developed to determine the dimensions and positions of the wing systems in five different configurations. The equations of the motion were numerically implemented, and a longitudinal double PID flight control for the wing systems was developed. The configurations were designed benefiting from a parametric CAD model and simulated through transient CFD analysis at different speeds. In terms of drag, the lowest values were found for R4 (62 N) and R3 (64 N) during cruise. R1 and R0.75 were the best configurations in terms of following the flight pattern.
Furthermore, at the same speed and displacement condition, the drag estimated for R4 was more than halved, if compared to the original model (130 N)