6664 research outputs found
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Food banks in schools and nurseries: The education sector's responses to the cost-of-living crisis
Full text linkDrawing on case studies of 12 primary schools and early years settings across England, this book explores how food banks operate for families facing financial insecurity operate and how they affect children’s participation and wellbeing. It explores the major policy decisions that needs to be made to support families
Localised Therapies Using 3D-Printed Collagen-Based Micro-Implant for Ocular Indications.
Full text linkCurrent limitations in treating retinal diseases like age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR) are due to the short ocular residence time of biologics and the difficulty of precise drug delivery. In turn, frequent injections are required, hindering patient compliance, and increasing healthcare costs. This study explores the development of a collagen-based implant using 3D bioprinting platform to address these challenges. The implant offers dual functionalities: i) sustained and localized drug delivery using in situ polymerization collagen (IPC) to act as reservoirs for prolonged release of biologics to the target tissue and ii) scaffold stability through the incorporation of methacrylated hyaluronic acid (HAMA) to enhance the mechanical properties of the IPC implant, making it suitable for 3D printing of targeted drug delivery systems. This data demonstrates that IPC-HAMA implants exhibit slow drug release and scaffold stability for over 80 days. Additionally, 3D bioprinting enables precise targeting and volumetric control within the simulated vitreous humor, overcoming challenges associated with traditional injection methods. This innovative approach has the potential to revolutionize drug delivery and localized tissue therapy for retinal diseases
A Comparative Analysis of Leaders' Perception of Provision and Support for Students With Disabilities in Higher Education
Full text linkThe role of leaders in higher education extends beyond achieving set targets or merely formulating and implementing policies; it also involves empowering teams to support students with disabilities. This chapter investigates leaders' perceptions of how support and provisions are made for students with disabilities. In doing so, the research examined how leaders conceptualise disability and how this and their perceptions reflect on their role in managing their teams for disability. Qualitative methodology was adopted, and semi-structured interviews were conducted to compare the views on disability and support structures of the two HEIs. The findings revealed that while HEIs had a solid understanding of what disability entails, their leaders lacked a consistent perspective on the scope of the issue within their institutions. Lecturers confirmed a lack of leadership support in preparing them to work with students with disabilities. Support for students is handled by teams outside the leaders’ direct control, which helps explain the perceived lack of lecturer support
Association of frailty with physical activity behaviour and well-being in older employees: moderated mediation by functional difficulty
Full text linkBackground Many studies have highlighted the association between frailty, physical activity behaviour (PAB),
and well-being, but no study has investigated a potential moderated mediating role of functional difculty in this
relationship. This association may not be the same between diferent income levels. This study, therefore, assessed
the above moderated mediation between low- and higher-income sample
Methods This research employed a cross-sectional design in accordance with established research-reporting guid
lines. The study population comprised two distinct Ghanaian samples, with N=942 individuals in the low-income
group and N=600 individuals in the higher income group. Data analysis was carried out using Hayes’s Process model
through structural equation modelling, with additional sensitivity analyses performed through hierarchical linear
regression.
Results Frailty had a direct negative efect and an indirect negative efect (through functional difculty) on well
being in both samples. A partial mediation of functional difculty was found in the relationship between frailty
and well-being in both samples. We also found evidence of a moderated mediation by functional difculty
in both samples; however, this efect was stronger in the higher-income sample
Conclusion Older employees with frailty are less likely to report lower functional difculty and well-being at higher
PAB. Our results suggest a need for workplace programmes aimed at encouraging PAB. It also reinforces the impor‑
tance of individuals performing and maintaining PAB
Examining the role of staff and team communication in reducing seclusion, restraint and forced tranquilisation in acute inpatient mental health settings: protocol for the Communication and Restraint Reduction (CaRR) study.
No full textAbstract
Introduction Over 100 000 service users are admitted to acute mental health wards annually, many involuntarily. Wards are under incredible pressure due to high bed occupancy rates and staff shortages. In a recent survey, over 80% of mental health nurses reported experiencing aggression and violence within their role. National and international policy dictates that mental health ward staff manage incidents of aggression and violence using communication, known as de-escalation. However, de-escalation practice is variable, and there is little empirical evidence to underpin training. As such, there is still a reliance on more restrictive practices, including seclusion and physical restraint.
Aim The aim of this study is to identify the communication and organisational factors that characterise effective management of service users’ behaviour and distress in acute adult inpatient mental health wards, reducing the reliance on more restrictive practices (eg, seclusion and restraint).
Methods and analysis This observational study will be conducted on mental health wards in England. It will be comprised of three work packages (WPs).
A microanalysis of communication during de-escalation incidents from Body Worn Camera footage on wards (n=64), to identify staff communication practices that lead to effective management of service users’ distress.
Ethnographic observations of ward routine practice, alongside interviews and questionnaires with staff and service users, to examine how challenging behaviour is anticipated, planned for and responded to on wards, and staff experiences and perceptions of this process.
Triangulation of the findings from WPs 1 and 2 to examine the relationship between approaches to aggression management and staff communication, exploring the similarities and differences within and between wards.
Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval for sites in England has been granted by the Wales Research Ethics Committee 3, REF 22/WA/0066. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals, scientific conferences and service user and clinical networks
The impact of gender on the representation of characters aged over 50 in British films between 2021-22.
No full textThis video essay and accompanying research statement extends and adds to a broader study funded by The Centre for Ageing Better; Screening Older Age: The Representation of Older Adults in British Cinema between 2010 and 2022. The video essay draws a particular thread out of this larger project, focusing on the intersection of age and gender in a selection of British films from 2021-22. In examining this specific facet of the ways in which age is represented in cinema, the video essay not only adds further qualitative analysis to the broader study, but also uses the moving image form to establish connections between films and draw out nuances specific to film form. Using editing techniques of remix to create new montages and juxtapositions, as well as split screens and the superimpositions created by slow fades, the video essay examines the ways in which characters, narrative elements, themes, and stylistic choices converge in the portrayals of older characters in these films. In visualising the arguments, the aim is to draw the viewer into active critical engagement with the representations, with the on-screen titles and the research statement guiding these explorations
Digital skills infusion in curriculum development: investigating instructors’ perspectives
No full textAbstract
The current study explores college instructors’ perspectives on digital skills integration in early childhood education curricula at higher education institutions. A mixed‐methods approach is adopted with a pre‐existing questionnaire composed of 14 items and semi‐structured interviews. Data were collected from nine universities across the Middle East, targeting 464 college instructors. The findings indicate a disposition among college instructors toward acquiring and refining digital competencies related to pedagogical practices and learning modalities, underscoring the significance of integrating digital elements into curriculum content. College instructors expressed the least favorable views regarding the limited inclusion of digital tools and resources in the curricula. Two themes emerged from the qualitative data: positive perspectives, and negative perspectives to integrate digital skills into the curriculum. The study emphasizes the need for incorporating digital components into curriculum design to better equip educators and learners in early childhood education within higher education settings
Riassunto
Questo studio esplora le prospettive dei docenti universitari sull’integrazione delle competenze digitali nei curricula di educazione della prima infanzia presso le istituzioni di istruzione superiore. È stato adottato un approccio metodologico misto, utilizzando un questionario preesistente composto da 14 domande e interviste semi‐strutturate. I dati sono stati raccolti in nove università del Medio Oriente, coinvolgendo 464 docenti universitari. I risultati indicano una propensione da parte dei docenti ad acquisire e perfezionare competenze digitali legate alle pratiche pedagogiche e alle modalità di apprendimento, evidenziando l’importanza di integrare elementi digitali nei contenuti curriculari. I docenti hanno espresso opinioni meno favorevoli riguardo alla scarsa presenza di strumenti e risorse digitali nei curricula. Dai dati qualitativi sono emerse due tematiche principali: prospettive positive e prospettive negative sull’integrazione delle competenze digitali nel curriculum. Lo studio sottolinea l’urgente necessità di incorporare componenti digitali nella progettazione curricolare per preparare meglio educatori e studenti nel campo dell’educazione della prima infanzia all’interno del contesto universitario
AI Implementation for Smart Wearable
No full textEvolution of AI in the medical field is the biggest challenge. Research organisations are committed to continuing the in-depth quest for intelligence because of specific long-term demands and challenges in medicine. Because of developments in areas like the internet of things, cloud computing, and 5G mobile networks, artificial intelligence (AI) technology is being used in healthcare. Additionally, improved public services are made possible by the extensive integration of IoT technology and artificial intelligence, which gradually enhances diagnostic and therapeutic capabilities. The authors join the thoughts behind unambiguous calculations like to portray situation-based applications like distant conclusion and clinical coordination, pediatric escalated care units, cardiovascular concentrated care units, trauma centers, venous thromboembolism, patient consideration, and imaging utilizing the web of things (IoT), the cloud, huge information examination, and AI in medical services
Performance of Ventilation, Filtration, and Upper-Room UVGI in Mitigating PM2.5 and SARS-CoV-2 Levels
No full textThis study aimed to improve indoor air quality (IAQ) in an existing college building in London by addressing two key pollutants: PM2.5 particles (from indoor and outdoor sources) and SARS-CoV-2 as a biological contaminant. Various mitigation strategies were assessed, including hybrid ventilation that combined CIBSE-recommended rates with partial window and door opening. The effectiveness of HEPA-based air purifiers (APs) and upper-room ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) systems with different intensities was also evaluated for reducing viral transmission and the basic reproduction number (R0). To manage PM2.5 in the kitchen, HEPA and in-duct MERV13 filters were integrated into the ventilation system. Results showed that hybrid ventilation outperformed mechanical systems by achieving greater reductions in infection probability (PI) and maintained higher performance as the number of infectors increased, showing only a 2.5-16% drop, compared to 35% with mechanical ventilation. An R0 analysis indicated that UVGI is more suitable in high-risk settings, while APs combined with hybrid ventilation are effective in lower-risk scenarios. The findings also emphasize that combining Supply-Exhaust ventilation with APs or MERV13 filters is crucial for maintaining safe IAQ in kitchens, aligning with the WHO's short- and long-term exposure limits
Circularity-based embodied carbon performance in building design : index development and circular initiatives.
Full text linkThis study introduces the Circularity-based Embodied Carbon (CiBEC) index, a comparative metric designed to assess the effects of circular actions on the embodied carbon (EC) of building projects. Built upon the conventional EC measurement, this index enhances traditional approaches by incorporating inclusive material inflow and outflow allocations, acknowledging variations in usage intensity, and factoring in potential changes to building lifespan strategies. Unlike conventional methods, it also recognises the collective efforts of all stakeholders - including third-party contributors - by fairly redistributing carbon savings across product (A) and beyond the building (D) phases of the life cycle assessment, offering a more holistic and equitable perspective. While demonstrated on a global scale, the index is applied to a real office building project to validate its practicality and demonstrate real-world applicability. Both individual and combined circular scenarios are assessed, revealing how key benefits from circular initiatives - often unaccounted for in conventional methods - are effectively captured through the CiBEC framework. The results indicate that among the eight developed circular scenarios, two - specifically, renovation and the multi-use of building spaces - are identified as EC-intensive. In contrast, the remaining scenarios achieve reductions of up to only 10 % when the conventional approach is used. However, when assessed using the CiBEC method, the “renovation” scenario notably demonstrates a 36 % reduction. Furthermore, the study shows that integrating various circular strategies through the development of seven combined scenarios can lead to substantial EC reductions, decreasing the initial EC from 629 to 191 kgCO2 eq./m2. This significant reduction is not achieved through a simple statistical aggregation but through the complex interactions among the different strategies. Therefore, it seems that while the CiBEC index is most effective during the early design stages, it also allows project stakeholders to refine and monitor EC reduction throughout the project’s lifecycle