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“Frailty and depression:a comprehensive perspective on their role in adverse health outcomes”
No full textIntroduction: Frailty and the depression are two distinct, yet interrelated conditions commonly observed in the elderly population, whose prevalences rise alongside the ageing process. Although both conditions have been shown to be risk factors for adverse outcomes, they have been treated separately, omitting their interrelationship. Aims: To evaluate the associations between frailty-depression categories, and adverse events through a prospective, population-based cohort design using data from 1,412 individuals in the Toledo Study of Healthy Ageing. Methods: The depressive symptoms was evaluated using the Geriatric Depression Scale questionnaire, and frailty was assessed through both the Frailty Phenotype and the 5 item Frailty Trait Scale (FTS5). The associations of frailty and the depressive symptoms, both as independent factors and in combination, with adverse events were assessed using a Cox proportional hazards regression model for mortality analysis and logistic regression for incident and worsening disability. Additionally, analyses stratified by sex were performed. Results: We found that when both conditions were treated as independent, each was associated with adverse events. However, when the resulting categories were analyzed, having depressive symptoms increased the risk of adverse events only in the presence of frailty, specifically in prefrail and frail categories of the Frailty Phenotype and in the frail category of the FTS5. Conclusions: This study suggests a possible synergistic effect between the studied factors when frailty is affected. Similar synergistic effects may also exist with other clinical conditions, so that obtaining a more accurate risk of adverse outcomes would be better achieved by using such resulting categories.</p
Splitting frequency behavior of wireless power transfer for eddy current testing applications
Get PDFThis paper presents a novel approach for Non-destructive Testing and Evaluation (NDT&E) of cracks in metallic structures using Eddy Current Testing (ECT) integrated with the resonance Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) concept. The proposed method enhances ECT for efficient power transfer between transmitter-receiver (Tx-Rx) coils and employs Gaussian Random Projection (GRP) for feature reduction, enabling real-time data processing. Experimental results on two aluminium material samples demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach in localising and characterising slots, with an R2-value/RMSE of 99.86%/0.06 mm for width and 99.38%/0.25 mm for depth slot parameters. The findings highlight the potential of this method for improving NDT&E of metallic structures
Advanced MMC-based hydrostatic bearings for enhanced linear motion in ultraprecision and micromachining applications
Get PDFThis study investigates the impact of material selection on the performance of linear slideways in ultraprecision machines used for freeform surface machining. The primary objective is to address challenges related to load-bearing capacity and limited bandwidth in slow tool servo (STS) techniques. Multi-body dynamic (MBD) simulations are conducted to evaluate the performance of two materials, alloy steel and metal matrix composite (MMC), within the linear slideway system. Key performance parameters, including acceleration, velocity, and displacement, are analyzed to compare the two materials. The findings reveal that MMC outperforms alloy steel in acceleration, velocity, and displacement, demonstrating faster response times and greater linear displacement, which enhances the capabilities of STS-based ultraprecision machining. This study highlights the potential of utilizing lightweight materials, such as MMC, to optimize the performance and efficiency of linear slideways in precision engineering applications
What knowledge and skills do early career social workers need to practice effectively with children and families?
Get PDFThere is an extensive literature base about the knowledge and skills required by social workers to work effectively with children and their families. However, making sense of how best to translate this into direct practice can be challenging, particularly when newly qualified. The paper is based on a wider rapid evidence assessment (REA) of the post-qualifying knowledge and skills required by early career social workers (ECSWs) to practice effectively with children and their families. The REA involved searching for relevant English language literature (2012–2023) in ASSIA, Social Care Online, SocINDEX and PsycInfo and specialist journals. However, it was soon apparent that the literature was not segmented by career stage and wider searches relating to knowledge and skills needed to be undertaken. In total, 51 papers were included for review. Studies identified were largely qualitative, exploring the knowledge and skills required through observations of direct practice and self-report studies from the perspectives of social workers and children and families themselves. Where knowledge and skills were identified, relationship building and good authority skills were associated with some improved outcomes for family members. The review presents findings through practice-near descriptions of what works to build early career expertise with children and their families
Working with Students as Partners to amplify the student voice and develop graduate competencies: the Student Experience Leader initiative
Get PDFOur university launched a Student Experience Leader (SEL) initiative in 2022. This initiative aims to amplify the student voice and facilitate participating students to develop graduate competencies. The initiative provides the opportunity for students to work in partnership with faculty or professional service teams to co-develop and deliver student voice-focused projects. SELs also act as representatives for their schools, enabling collaboration with the Students’ Union and other student representatives. The SEL initiative was evaluated over two academic years using mixed methods, including a student questionnaire, focus group, staff interviews, and end-of-year reports. Our evaluation found that both students and faculty recognized the value of the SEL initiative in amplifying student voice and developing graduate competencies, with participants showing strongest gains in organization and communication skills, while identifying information management and research competencies as areas of improvement. This case study also considers the enablers and inhibitors that influenced the initiative's success
Assessment competence in world language education
No full textOne area of research that has come into prominence in the last decade or so concerns language assessment literacy (LAL), which typically refers to the study of the competencies needed by various people in relation to language testing and assessment. We first review the central role and importance of LAL, or language assessment competence, for world language (WL) teachers, focusing on the key knowledge and skills needed to effectively integrate assessment and instruction in the classroom. We then explore how the concept of LAL has been conceptualized and defined theoretically in the language assessment field and discuss important empirical research that has been undertaken. We consider the distinct perspectives of researchers and teachers and how they can bring their perspectives together to collaborate on assessment competency projects to the benefit of both groups. Finally, we share some resources developed to assist teachers in developing their competence and invite readers to conduct a reflective exercise to determine their language assessment competence needs for their own specific context
A research proposal to conduct a systematic review of smoking cessation measures amenable to Emergency Department Adult patients.
No full textSmoking cessation smoking cessation approaches conducted in emergency departments so far Rationale for the review smoking is still a major mortality cause despite approaches already employed outside Emergency Departments (ED). The ED captures an important unserved hard to reach patients who may be missed in these outside the ED smoking cessation initiatives. Lots of interventions have been applied in several EDs in different countries including the UK but no study has compared these interventions in terms of its impact, cost effectiveness, sustainability and ease of application. This systematic review will provide this comparability and generate evidence based amenable to ED smoking cessation approaches. Review objectives What is the best smoking cessation approach amenable to an Emergency Department in terms of ease of application, cost effectiveness, sustainability and impact
Interprofessional collaboration to support people experiencing self-neglect: a realist review of research studies and safeguarding adult reviews
Get PDFSummary: Self-neglect, where adult individuals—for varying reasons—do not care for aspects of their health, wellbeing or home environment, involves significant risks and potential for harm. The importance of effective interprofessional and inter-agency collaboration in supporting people experiencing self-neglect is widely recognized, yet research and practice reviews attest to continuing challenges in collaborative working. This realist review integrates two sources of evidence, the international research literature and Safeguarding Adult Reviews (SARs) of practice cases in England, to theorize what mechanisms need to operate for effective inter-agency collaboration to support people experiencing self-neglect, and how context affects this. Searches in 2023–24 identified 41 studies and 273 SARs to inform the review, assessed on relevance and rigor. Findings: The review identified four mutually reinforcing elements that underpin collaborative working: (1) Common framework provided by policies, procedures and interfaces; (2) Mutual understanding of each other's roles and the task; (3) Shared vision of the person and situation “in the round”; (4) Management and monitoring ensuring commitment, learning and resources. Each is discussed in light of the distinctive challenges of self-neglect, and a composite example constructed from the review sources is used to illustrate. Applications: This review theorizes the elements needed for successful inter-agency and interprofessional collaboration in supporting people experiencing self-neglect. Its framework supports service leaders and researchers to consider how the mechanisms identified interact with the inter-agency context in which they unfold, and recognize the conditions needed for interventions to be effective.</p
Factors that influence inter-organisational integration: a qualitative exploration of service providers' perspectives from an integrated care initiative.
Get PDFIntegrated care uses inter-professional and inter-organisational collaboration to ensure quality care for those with complex healthcare needs. Whilst inter-organisational collaboration is seen as a facilitator of integration, it has its own complexities and challenges. This study sought to investigate barriers to and facilitators of inter-organisational integration between the partnered organisations of an integrated care initiative in Luton, UK, as perceived by healthcare professionals. Face to face semi – structured interviews were conducted between November 2019 and March 2020 with twenty service providers of an integrated service for physical and mental health. Thematic analysis was used to explore the experiences and perceptions of service providers on the integration of healthy lifestyle and mental health services of “Total Wellbeing Luton”. Five primary themes were identified: (1) Culture, (2) Communication Structures, (3) Strategic alignment, (4) Workforce dynamics, and (5) Expectation and reality of the integration. The majority of the identified themes reflect factors that facilitate or impede the integration between the participating organisations. Excellent relationships between healthcare professionals and staff’s motivation have been identified as facilitators to inter-organisational integration, while high staff turnover, lack of shared IT system and absence of co-location have been identified as barriers. Also, a theme reveals that often there was a discrepancy between the expected and the actual implementation and outcomes of integration. As a part of a larger evaluation programme, this study attempts a comprehensive understanding of the inter-organisational integration in the specific context of Total Wellbeing Luton. The findings and recommendations can support the inter-organisational integration of current and future integrated care initiatives in the UK and elsewhere. The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12913-025-13051-7
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