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DNA Constructed Knowledge, Adultery & Parental Responsibility: A Critical Assessment of the Fiqhī Principle of Qā֫ida al-Firāsh and the UK Legal System
No full textThis chapter critically explores the following issues:
The Legal Maxim: exploring the textual basis, historical context and conditions for
implementation of qā֫ida al-firāsh (the rule that the child belongs to the wedlock bed).
2. UK Legal System: comparing the legal maxim of qā֫ida al-firāsh with English Law with respect to illegitimate children and
presenting the utilisation of DNA technology in the current UK legal system as a case
study in which scientific advancement has clearly embedded itself within modern
secular family law.
3. DNA Paternity Testing: looking at current scientific research around paternity testing.
4. Tensions between Science, Religion and Secular Law</p
Short- and long-term outcomes following COVID-19 or Influenza hospitalization in adults: results of the AUTCOV study
No full textIntroduction
Large-scale registry-based studies on patients hospitalized with COVID-19 as compared to Influenza are scant, yet they are needed to re-evaluate the pandemic and the characteristics of patients at risk of severe outcomes.
Methods
In this registry-based study from Austria, we examined short- and long-term outcomes after hospital admission due to COVID-19 or Influenza, also focusing on outcomes conditional on hospital survival. Data were provided on adults hospitalized with COVID-19 in the years 2020 and 2021 or with Influenza in 2016–2021, as well as on matched controls from the Austrian population. Analyses were performed separately for the four age groups (19–40, 41–64, 65–74, and ≥75 years).
Results
Hospitalized COVID-19 and Influenza patients had a larger medication load as compared to the general population. Across all investigated age groups, polypharmacy was more frequent in the Influenza group. The risk for all-cause death in the entire follow-up period and death during hospital stay was higher in the COVID-19 group as compared to the Influenza group for all age groups ≥41 years. Furthermore, the duration of hospitalization was longer in patients with COVID-19. Notably, readmission rates were higher in Influenza patients, and mortality of hospital survivors was increased in younger Influenza patients aged 41-64 compared to COVID.
Conclusion
In the first 2 years of the pandemic, COVID-19 had devastating effects on a non-immunized population, mainly in older patients and in patients with pre-existing serious comorbidities, but the health consequences of Influenza should not be underestimated.</p
Communicating contested science in a polarized world: scientists’ views on science communication
No full textThis qualitative study investigates scientists’ views on and experiences of collaborating with journalists and engaging in science communication (SciCom) about contested science issues, such as climate change, vaccines, and genetically modified organisms. 27 interviews were conducted, and thematic analysis of the data revealed five themes. These themes highlight the perceived benefits and challenges (concerns) of engaging in SciCom and working with journalists, as well as perspectives on SciCom training, motivations, and the public (audiences). SciCom plays a significant role in fighting misinformation. However, understanding scientists’ experiences and views is needed before more effective SciCom interventions can be formulated and SciCom engagement can be increased.</p
Psychometric properties of the Breast Size Rating Scale (BSRS) among young women in Poland
No full textBreast size dissatisfaction is an important facet of women’s body image, with downstream outcomes including poorer psychological well-being and lower breast cancer knowledge. As such, there is a crucial need for appropriate measurement tools that allow for the assessment, monitoring, and comparison of breast size dissatisfaction across diverse communities. One such instrument is the Breast Size Rating Scale (BSRS), which is used to assess perceptual breast size dissatisfaction, but its psychometric properties have not been assessed in Polish women. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the BSRS in a sample of women from Poland. We asked 167 young women from Poland (age M = 20.4 ± 1.5 years) to complete the BSRS, as well as self-report measures selected to assess nomological validity. Bust size and body mass index (BMI) were objectively measured. A subsample of 100 randomly selected participants also completed the BSRS again after 15 days. Greater breast size dissatisfaction was significantly associated with lower body appreciation, greater body dissatisfaction, and lower breast awareness. In-traclass correlation coefficients indicated that the BSRS had adequate test‒retest reliability. In our sample, 29.9% of women reported no breast size dissatisfaction, 53.3% desired a larger breast size, and 16.8% desired a smaller breast size. Our findings demonstrate that BSRS-derived scores are psychometrically robust and that breast size dissatisfaction may be common among Polish young women. The validation of the BSRS in this context not only enhances its applicability in future research but also contributes to a broader un-derstanding of body image.</p
The efficacy of new non-invasive brain stimulation in patients with chronic tinnitus without specific treatable origin: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
No full textBackground/Objectives: Despite the high prevalence (around 4.1–37.2%) and highly debilitating adverse impact, there has been inconclusive evidence regarding the efficacy of treatment for tinnitus management, especially for those patients with tinnitus who do not have a specific or treatable origin. The aim of this updated network meta-analysis (NMA) was to estimate the efficacy and safety of the different non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) interventions in tinnitus management in patients with chronic tinnitus without a specific or treatable origin. Methods: This NMA included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of NIBS interventions in patients with chronic tinnitus. The current NMA was conducted using the frequentist model. The primary outcome was a change in tinnitus severity after the NIBS intervention. Results: We identified 45 eligible RCTs with a total of 2042 participants. The results of the current NMA showed that both excitatory and inhibitory NIBS interventions exerted significant effects on tinnitus severity, quality of life, or response rate. While several protocols showed a signal, the top-ranked intervention was preliminary and derived from a single, small study. All the NIBS interventions had fair acceptability compared to the controls. Conclusions: This NMA highlighted that both excitatory and inhibitory NIBS interventions exerted significant effects on tinnitus severity, quality of life, and/or response rate. Future well-designed RCTs with electroencephalogram applications are needed for replication over the proclamation of efficacy.</p
Pre-arrival confidence and perceived importance in first-year UK sport students: a multi-institutional examination of gender, institution and programme differences
No full textThis multi-institutional study examined pre-arrival confidence and perceived importance among first-year sport students across three post-92 universities and one public research university exploring programme of study, gender, and institutional differences, while also evaluating the psychometric properties of the pre-arrival survey. Of 1033 eligible students, 604 (58%) completed the survey across 25 sport-related programmes grouped into six categories: physiotherapy and rehabilitation, sport and exercise science, sports exercise and nutrition, sports coaching, sports management, and sport foundation year. Psychometric validation of the pre-arrival survey demonstrates its reliability and validity, providing the sector with a robust, standardised tool for assessing incoming students’ preparedness. Significant programme differences include physiotherapy and rehabilitation students reporting higher learning confidence, learning importance, and community confidence compared to other programmes. Female students demonstrated significantly higher learning importance and health and well-being importance than male students, though no gender differences in confidence were observed. Institutional variation was minimal, with one institution showing higher learning importance. Socioeconomic indicators did not significantly influence pre-arrival responses. The findings highlight the need for differentiated pre-arrival support targeting programme-specific confidence gaps and gender-related differences in perceived importance. The validated PAS provides a reliable tool for early identification of students requiring enhanced transitional support, potentially addressing persistent retention and progression challenges in UK sport programmes.</p
Mutual associations between self-efficacy and components of physical fitness in Spanish adolescents: the EHDLA study
No full textImportance: Physical fitness and self-efficacy are recognized as determinants of adolescent health. However, their potential bidirectional associations remain unclear. Understanding this relationship may support the development of integrated physical and psychological health interventions in adolescence.Objective: To examine the bidirectional association between physical fitness and self-efficacy in Spanish adolescents.Methods: This cross-sectional study used secondary data from the Eating Habits and Daily Living Activities (EHDLA) study, which included 618 adolescents (43.5% boys; aged 12–17 years) from the Region of Murcia, Spain. Physical fitness, including flexibility, speed-agility, cardiorespiratory fitness, and muscular fitness, was assessed using the Assessing Levels of Physical Activity and Fitness battery. Self-efficacy was measured using the Spanish version of the General Self-efficacy Scale. Associations were analyzed using Spearman's correlation coefficients and robust generalized linear models adjusted for relevant covariates.Results: Significant but weak bidirectional associations were observed between self-efficacy and several components of physical fitness, particularly cardiorespiratory fitness, lower-body muscular fitness, and speed-agility (all P Interpretation: These findings suggest a bidirectional association between self-efficacy and physical fitness in adolescents, especially for cardiorespiratory fitness, lower-body muscular fitness, and speed-agility. Interventions targeting either physical or psychological factors may generate reciprocal benefits, highlighting the importance of integrated strategies for promoting adolescent health.</p
Computed tomography coronary angiography to facilitate clinical decision making and selective invasive angiography in patients with prior bypass grafting presenting with acute coronary syndromes
No full textBackground: Patients with prior coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) account for around 10% of non-ST-elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS), but the optimal diagnostic and management strategy remains uncertain. Invasive coronary angiography (ICA) in this group is technically challenging, carries increased risk and often does not lead to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). CT coronary angiography (CTCA) may help identify which patients benefit from ICA and reduce unnecessary invasive procedures.Methods: In the BYPASS-CTCA (Randomised Controlled Trial to Assess Whether Computed Tomography Cardiac Angiography Can Improve Invasive Coronary Angiography in Bypass Surgery Patients) study, patients with prior CABG undergoing ICA were randomised to CTCA plus ICA or ICA alone. For this analysis, anonymised case vignettes and CTCA reports from 150 patients with NSTE-ACS were independently reviewed by 50 experienced interventional cardiologists (median 17 years post-qualification; 5103 total case reviews). Agreement on management strategy before and after CTCA was assessed using Fleiss’ κ statistic.Results: Based on clinical information alone, respondents chose medical therapy in 13.2% of cases, with poor agreement on management strategy (κ=0.14, 95% CI 0.11 to 0.17). After reviewing CTCA, agreement improved to moderate (κ=0.53, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.58; pConclusions: Management decisions for post-CABG NSTE-ACS vary widely among experienced cardiologists. Incorporating CTCA into the diagnostic pathway substantially improves consensus, reduces unnecessary invasive angiography and enables targeted, lower-risk procedures. These findings support evaluation of a CTCA-guided strategy in a prospective randomised trial.</p
Psychometric properties of a Romanian translation of the compensatory eating and behaviors in response to alcohol consumption scale (CEBRACS)
No full textThe 21-item Compensatory Eating and Behaviors in Response to Alcohol Consumption Scale (CEBRACS) is the most widely used instrument for the assessment of food and alcohol disturbance. In the present study, we examined the psychometric properties of a novel Romanian translation of the CEBRACS in two studies. In Study 1 with 1,022 Romanian university students, exploratory factor analysis and parallel analysis indicated that our data reduced to three latent factors reflecting Alcohol Effects, Bulimia, and Diet and Exercise motives. In Study 2 with 614 Romanian university students, we found that a 3-factor model based on exploratory structural equation modelling (ESEM) had better fit to the data than a model based on confirmatory factor analysis. In both studies, we found evidence of complete measurement invariance across gender identity and a lack of differential item functioning based on participant age and body mass index. The results of Study 2 also supported the convergent and concurrent validity of the Romanian CEBRACS, insofar as the three factors were significantly associated with symptoms of disordered eating, problematic alcohol use, body image, and psychological well-being. These results suggest that a 3-factor, ESEM-based model of the CEBRACS has adequate psychometric properties.</p
Migrant-led community organisations: mobilising ethnic capital to support refugees and asylum seekers in England
No full textRefugees and asylum seekers (RASs) are among the most marginalised, vulnerable, and economically disadvantaged groups worldwide. As a result, many government and non-government organizations, including migrant-led community organizations (MLCOs), support RASs to improve their lives in their host countries. However, there is a lack of research on the role and challenges of MLCOs supporting RASs. Therefore, informed by the concepts of grassroots humanitarianism and ethnic capital, and based on data collected through focus group discussions, this article explores the rationale, activities, and challenges of Eritrean MLCOs in England. The findings indicate that MLCOs help fill some gaps left by government agencies by providing RASs with strong advocacy and support systems to protect their rights and meet their needs. Although volunteers with limited funding run these organizations, they utilise ethnic capital to provide knowledge, raise awareness, and deliver culturally sensitive services to RASs in their own language. This article advances understanding of MLCOs’ work and improves their services to better meet the needs of RASs. It also contributes to knowledge by highlighting MLCOs’ role as sites of learning and education.</p
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