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Putting the Onus on the Offenders: Implementing Project Cautioning And Relationship Abuse Awareness Raising Workshops for Alleged First-Time Offenders of Domestic Violence and Abuse
Get PDFDomestic violence and abuse (DVA) is a global public health challenge. Project Cautioning And Relationship Abuse (CARA) is an out-of-court resolution used across police forces in England and Wales for lower risk, alleged first-time DVA offenders. This article reports on qualitative interviews and focus groups with professionals (police, commissioners, and CARA facilitators and managers, N = 31) about their experiences of delivering CARA following its national rollout. Reflexive thematic analysis indicated strong multiprofessional support for CARA across geographical areas. Professionals recommended changes to enhance current delivery, relating to differential assessment of risk; adaptations to training/implementation; and exploring perceptions of CARA by voluntary sector organizations
Characteristics of supermarket-based interventions in high-income countries, aimed at improving the dietary quality and environmental sustainability of diets of people living with obesity and/or overweight and food insecurity: A Scoping Review
Get PDFFood insecurity (FI), is defined as unreliable access to healthy and nutritious food, and is a major health concern in higher-income countries, primarily due to its association with an increased risk of obesity. Adherence to healthy eating recommendations promotes both a healthier and more environmentally sustainable diet. Supermarket-based interventions may influence population-level food purchasing behaviour, an antecedent to consumption, however, it is unclear whether there are specific characteristics that supermarket-based interventions should employ to resonate with vulnerable groups. This scoping review aimed to explore the characteristics of supermarket-based interventions that sought to support healthier and/or more environmentally sustainable food purchasing for people living with obesity and overweight (PLWO/Ow) and/or FI. A systematic literature search identified 35 studies, representing 43 interventions, eligible for inclusion. Most interventions focused on supporting the purchase of healthy food items, with three aimed at increasing the purchase of plant-based foods. No study applied a validated measure of FI. Area-level demographic data were used to identify FI related characteristics (i.e., area of low income, low socio-economic status) and in some cases, those living with obesity. Interventions utilised the behaviour change levers of price (n=8), promotion (n=2), placement (n=7), nudges (n=4) and education (n=2), or a combination of these (n=20). High heterogeneity in the way behavioural change levers were operationalised and combined, alongside the use of proxy measures to identify FI and PLWO/Ow, presents a challenge for determining intervention characteristics which best support changes in purchasing patterns in favour of heathy, sustainable food items in this population
Factors Influencing the Adoption of IFRS in the MENA Region: A Neo Institutional Approach
Get PDFThis study examines the factors shaping the choices of countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in adopting International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), using a neo-institutional isomorphism framework. Analysing data from 19 countries spanning two decades (1996–2015) and comprising 380 country-year observations, this research reveals that internal coercive and mimetic institutional pressures are key influencers behind IFRS adoption in the region. Specifically, governance quality improvement and openness to international trade emerge as crucial determinants. This highlights the predominant role of social and political contexts over economic motivations in driving IFRS adoption in the MENA region. Furthermore, the findings indicate that foreign aid and internal accounting have minimal impact on IFRS adoption in the region
The diagnostic accuracy of EyeGuide Focus testing for concussion in elite male Rugby players
Get PDFIntroduction: Smooth pursuit eye movements may be affected by head impacts. The EyeGuide Focus system is a simple, portable, test of visual tracking. This study investigated the diagnostic accuracy of EyeGuide measurements for detection of concussion during elite Rugby matches. Methods: A prospective diagnostic case–control study was performed in the elite 2021/2022 United Rugby Championship competition. The study population comprised consecutive players identified with match-related head impact events during the World Rugby Head Injury Assessment process, randomly chosen uninjured players, and players with match-related musculoskeletal injuries. The index test was blinded EyeGuide assessment performed by independent assessors. The reference standard was concussion diagnosed by the team doctor. Distributions of EyeGuide scores were compared between concussed and non-concussed players and receiver operator characteristic curves constructed. Results: EyeGuide testing was performed in 262 cases, comprising 55 concussed players and 207 non concussed players (33 head impact events, 97 uninjured controls, and 79 musculoskeletal injury controls). The distributions of EyeGuide score were similar between concussed and non-concussed cases (medians 20,120 Vs 21,522, p = 0.3; difference −1,402, 95% CI −5,332–3,865). The c-index for the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.46 (95% CI 0.36–0.55). Conclusions: EyeGuide Focus scores did not appear to discriminate between concussed and non-concussed players in a cohort of elite Rugby players
An Audit of Sport Nutrition Services Within Male and Female International Rugby Union: Implications for Research and Practice
Get PDFTo critically evaluate sport nutrition services available to male and female international rugby unions. Fifteen participants, representing 16 international rugby unions, including nine female and seven male teams (one participant worked with both a female and male union), responded to an online survey. Twelve of the unions recruited were ranked in the top 10 globally by World Rugby. Twelve unions employed accredited nutrition practitioners with significant experience (> 5 years: n = 5; > 10 years: n = 4) and advanced qualifications (master's degrees: n = 8; doctorates: n = 2). Three unions did not employ a qualified nutrition practitioner (female: n = 2; male: n = 1). Full-time employment was more common among nutrition practitioners serving male (n = 4/5) versus female (n = 3/6) unions. Practitioners served male unions for more hours per week (42 ± 28) than female unions (24 ± 20). Practitioners were involved in sport science meetings (n = 14/15), anti-doping education, menu design, strategy development (n = 13/15), body composition assessments, individual consultations (n = 12/15), focusing on fuelling, recovery and injury rehabilitation (n = 14/15). Participants were “moderately confident” (n = 8/15) in using behaviour change techniques. Most participants agreed on the lack of female-specific nutrition guidance (n = 14/15), relying on guidance for male players due to limited evidence (n = 7/9). This study provides the first critical reflection of sport nutrition service delivery within international rugby. The findings highlight gender disparities for female players, with reduced applied support and a lack of female-specific guidelines. Recommendations include enhancing practitioner training in behaviour change, hiring qualified nutritionists, deemphasising body composition assessment, and conducting more research to improve nutrition services, especially for women
Beyond the ‘dilemma of difference’: An analysis of stories from experienced teachers, about their inclusive practice
Get PDFEfforts to strengthen inclusive practice in education have been found to be underpinned by encounters with dilemmas. In particular, much has been written about the ‘dilemma of difference’, which is the perceived tension between wanting to provide for individual needs in education and wanting to avoid stigmatising individuals by treating them differently to others, in order to do this. This article outlines a research study that worked with 42 ‘dilemma stories’, from 19 experienced teachers. The majority of these stories (35) were crafted as part of a methodological approach which involved story‐sharing dialogues with these teachers, transcription, and the (re)drafting of written narratives. Both phenomenography and hermeneutic phenomenology was applied to the analysis of the stories. This required an acceptance of the apparent ontological dissonance between the hermeneutic phenomenological preoccupation with the ‘pre‐reflective’ and phenomenography's emphasis on conceptions. Through the analysis, a typology of ‘four dilemmas of inclusive practice’ was arrived at. This typology suggests that experienced teachers often look beyond the ‘dilemma of difference’ and find themselves in more nuanced predicaments, which are arguably less visible to policymakers and advisors
ChatGPT in the Classroom: Evaluating its Role in Fostering Critical Evaluation Skills
Get PDFThe increasing prevalence of artificial intelligence in educational domains raises both opportunities and challenges in the context of academic integrity and pedagogical efficacy. This study outlines an innovative project that investigates the use of ChatGPT as a tool for enhancing the critical evaluation skills of master’s students in biomedical science. Using a dual approach combining AI-generated essay writing with subsequent student-led critical evaluation, this project sought to foster deeper critical evaluation skills in learners. By having participants critically assess AI-generated essays, supported critical evaluation based on peer-reviewed literature, the project aimed to deepen their evaluative skills. Outputs from the tasks were compared against academic benchmarks considering factors such as marks, writing, and overall quality. Participant perceptions were collected through a combination of a focus group session and an evaluation questionnaire. The key finding of this project was that while ChatGPT demonstrated proficiency in structural coherence and grammatical accuracy, it did not augment academic performance– participant marks for the AI-generated essays aligned closely with their overall module marks, showing no overall improvement. However, this study did see an increase in marks for participants’ critical evaluations. This suggests that ChatGPT was more effective as an assessment tool when used for critical evaluation tasks, aligning with pedagogical emphasis on nurturing critical evaluation skills. User interaction with AI emerged as a significant variable that influenced the tool’s efficacy, highlighting the need for a nuanced approach to its integration into educational settings. The study concludes that while ChatGPT offers promising avenues for both drafting and assessment, and demonstrated a high level of factual accuracy, it is not a substitute for human-led academic enquiry, and students preferred writing their own essays
Smart Grid Security Framework for Data Transmissions with Adaptive Practices Using Machine Learning Algorithm
Get PDFThis research presents an analysis of smart grid units to enhance connected units’ security during data transmissions. The major advantage of the proposed method is that the system model encompasses multiple aspects such as network flow monitoring, data expansion, control association, throughput, and losses. In addition, all the above-mentioned aspects are carried out with neural networks and adaptive optimizations to enhance the operation of smart grid networks. Moreover, the quantitative analysis of the optimization algorithm is discussed concerning two case studies, thereby achieving early convergence at reduced complexities. The suggested method ensures that each communication unit has its own distinct channels, maximizing the possibility of accurate measurements. This results in the provision of only the original data values, hence enhancing security. Both power and line values are individually observed to establish control in smart grid-connected channels, even in the presence of adaptive settings. A comparison analysis is conducted to showcase the results, using simulation studies involving four scenarios and two case studies. The proposed method exhibits reduced complexity, resulting in a throughput gain of over 90%
Interoceptive ageing and the impact on psychophysiological processes: A systematic review
Get PDFInteroception, the perception and response to internal bodily states, significantly influences physical and mental wellbeing. While ageing is associated with interoceptive decline, research has primarily examined selective dimensions of interoception. Understanding these changes is vital as the global population ages, addressing age-related health issues and sustaining psychological wellbeing. This systematic review synthesised findings from 22 studies on age-related interoceptive changes and their impact on psychophysiological processes. Results showed age-related declines (48.4 %), no age differences (32.3 %), an age-related increase (16.13 %), and an inverted U-shaped curvilinear relationship (3.23 %) in interoceptive sensitivity across age groups and interoceptive dimensions. Three patterns emerged regarding psychophysiological processes in older adults: altered mind-body connections with age were associated with reduced high-arousal and increased positive emotional experiences, cognitive protective effects, and improved body representation that correlated with better interoceptive sensitivity. These patterns indicate the complex relationships between interoceptive ageing and psychophysiological processes, showing both, aspects of decline and compensatory mechanisms. We propose future research avenues to elucidate the functional significance of different interoceptive dimensions across the lifespan for optimised psychological wellbeing and health behaviours in older adults
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