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Co-production of a sarcopenia and frailty screening and intervention programme for older people from a culturally diverse population
Full text linkPurpose: Physical activity has been shown to enhance health, particularly for older people who typically have lower levels of physical activity. Many factors influence physical activity level, including culture and socioeconomic status, which in turn increases the risk of developing age-related conditions such as frailty and sarcopenia. The Bedford, Luton, and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Service (BLMK ICS) has developed a screening and intervention programme called the Healthy Ageing Programme (HAP) which identifies people at risk of frailty and sarcopenia. The programme has been developed as a pilot in Luton, which is a town in the BLMK area that has a culturally diverse population. Project Description: The project is co-produced with a diverse group of stakeholders, including older community members from many different cultures, leaders within these communities, members of local authorities, as well as professionals in health and social care. People at risk of developing frailty and sarcopenia are identified through both electronic health record screening, for people who routinely access primary care, while community-based screening is used to ensure people that do not routinely access health and social care services are included. The interventions were also co-developed, with activities chosen based on the preferences of participants and scientific literature. The range of activities cover a wide spectrum, including walking sports such as football and cricket, golf, chair-based activities, as well as fitness classes and gym membership. A mixed methods evaluation includes pre- and post- assessment of physical function and quality of life, while pre- and post-intervention interview enable attitudes and experiences to be explored. The project will be scaled up to other areas within the BLMK Region, contingent upon results of this pilot study. Final result of the study will be disseminated via academic publications, while discussions have started with neighbouring areas of the United Kingdom looking to adopt a similar approach.<br/
PyBayesDM: Hybrid Framework for Bayesian Adaptive Management under Deep Uncertainty
No full textDecision-making under deep uncertainty presents a persistent challenge for adaptive management in complex systems. Standard Bayesian Decision Theory performs well for prescriptive optimization under confident beliefs but is less robust when uncertainty is profound. Philosophical frameworks, which emphasize resilience and learning, typically lack a formal integration with Bayesian rigor. This paper develops a Hybrid Bayesian Adaptive Management Framework that unifies these prescriptive and philosophical paradigms within a single Bayesian formulation. The framework formally unifies both decision rules as parametric instances of a Bayesian adaptive management problem. It employs an entropy-driven dynamic weighting mechanism to continuously adjust the balance between efficiency and resilience based on posterior uncertainty, and introduces a suite of performance metrics designed to evaluate multi-dimensional outcomes beyond conventional measures. Experiments conducted on simulations inspired by climate-vulnerable agriculture in Vietnam show that the hybrid approach achieves statistically significant improvements (p < 0.05) in resilience and risk-adjusted performance under high uncertainty. The prescriptive framework excels in short-term reward but degrades under increased noise, while the philosophical framework maintains robustness, sometimes at a cost to efficiency. The hybrid strategy delivers balanced performance across uncertainty levels, confirming the utility of entropy-based arbitration. All experiments are reproducible using the developed Python implementations. This work offers a principled approach to adaptive decision-making under deep uncertainty, with implications for climate adaptation, resource management, and policy desig
Exploring mentorship experiences among early career general dental practitioners in NHS dentistry
Full text linkIntroduction This study focuses on exploring mentoring experiences of early career general dental practitioners who deliver care within the NHS (National Health Service).Aim The aim of this study was to investigate experiences of mentorship interactions and the perceived value placed on mentoring within the profession.Methods Empirical qualitative data were collected using semi-structured interviews of seven dentists who qualified within the past ten years, with an average of 45 minutes for each interview. The data were analysed using thematic analysis.Results Four overarching themes were identified: the individual, the mentor, the process, and the environment.Conclusion Participants valued mentoring and its influence on their professional life. They highlighted the importance of having a committed mentor, a supportive mentoring environment and a mentoring approach that is tailored to their individual needs. The findings of this small qualitative study raised questions around how the profession value mentoring and some of the challenges in quantifying such value
Embedding live projects at postgraduate programme level with the University of Bedfordshire Business School
No full textThis case provides an overview of the experiences and outcomes of an assessment strategy to embed authentic assessments (AAs), adopted by the Graduate School of Business (GBS) at the University of Bedfordshire Business School. Multiple factors converged to warrant that AAs be embedded in the curriculum. Specifically, they support student learning and outcomes. The university had strategic commitments to enhance students’ experience, success and progression to relevant employment and to benefit business organisations. There were also challenges facing the sector vis generative AI. The rationale for adopting 'live projects' was underpinned by Kaider’s typology, which offers a meaningful test to determine whether an assessment is of high, medium or low authenticity, defining that these were medium in intensity and provided students with a relatively gentle introduction into the challenges of authentic assessments. Following qualitative data from students, collected from focus group, key benefits are identified. Namely, the close engagement with the regional business ecosystem leads to a high-impact engagement primarily with small and medium enterprises. Also, the development of academics who are aware of industry requirements and can manage industry-informed assessments and thus provide a meaningful and career enhancing live experience to students. Interestingly, live assessments implemented thoughtfully have reduced academic integrity issues. Finally, unexpected benefits included opportunities for placements, additional paid consultancy and opportunities for engaging with local councils and the wider business community in Bedfordshire county
Quantum-resistant security for blockchain-enabled 6G networks:a comprehensive review
Full text linkThe exponential advancement of quantum computing poses an unprecedented threat to blockchain technology and emerging Sixth Generation (6G) networks, necessitating an urgent transition to post-quantum cryptographic solutions. This comprehensive review proposed post-quantum Cryptography (PQC) integration within Blockchain Enabled 6G (BE6G) architectures, highlighting vulnerabilities by Shor's and Grover's algorithms according to existing cryptographic standards, including Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA), Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA), and Elliptic-Curve Cryptography (ECC). The paper addresses quantum computing fundamentals and blockchain security implications, exploring quantum-resistant cryptographic schemes including lattice-based, hash-based, code-based, and multivariate approaches. Through systematic examination of post-quantum threats, this review shows vulnerabilities affecting nearly 25% of existing cryptocurrency assets, presenting how quantum computers can break public-key systems in polynomial time. The study proposes solutions for implementing quantum-resistant blockchain architectures throughout 6G components, including Radio Access Network (RAN), edge computing, and core transport networks, while meeting ultra-low latency and scalability requirements. Key findings elaborate that hybrid cryptographic approaches combining classical and quantum-resistant algorithms provide promising directions. Lattice-based algorithms, particularly CRYSTALS-kyber and CRYSTALS-dilithium, are identified as primary deployment candidates. The review concludes that successful Quantum-Resistant Security deployment for BE6G Networks requires unprecedented coordination among telecommunication operators, blockchain developers, equipment manufacturers, and regulatory bodies. The 'harvest now, decrypt later' threat model creates sudden implementation, valuable for long-term digital infrastructure security.</p
Haloacetamides disinfection by-products, a potential risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
No full textNon-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic disorder characterized by abnormal lipid deposition, with oxidative stress being a risk factor in its onset and progression. Haloacetamides (HAcAms), as unregulated disinfection by-products in drinking water, may alter the incidence and severity of NAFLD through the production of oxidative stress. We explored whether HAcAms at 1, 10, and 100-fold concentrations in Shanghai drinking water perturbed lipid metabolism in normal human liver LO-2 cells. CRISPR/Cas9 was used to construct a LO-2 line with stable NRF2 knock-down (NRF2-KD) to investigate the mechanism underlying abnormal lipid accumulation and hepatocyte damage caused by mixed exposure to HAcAms. At 100-fold real-world concentration, HAcAms caused lipid deposition and increased triglyceride accumulation in LO-2 cells, consistent with altered de novo lipogenesis. Differences in responses to HAcAms in normal and NRF2-KD LO-2 cells indicated that HAcAms caused hepatocyte lipid deposition and triglyceride accumulation by activation of the NRF2/PPARγ pathway and aggravated liver cell toxicity by inducing ferroptosis. These results indicate that HAcAms are important risk factors for NAFLD. Further observations and verifications of the effect of HAcAms on NAFLD in the population are warranted in the future
Governing white apathy in university sport
Full text linkRationale/purpose: This study analyses how universities strategically and operationally consider racialised experiences of staff and students employed to deliver sport and physical activity. Methodology: Twenty-seven staff were interviewed across five university research sites. Participants included Directors of Sport, Heads of Academic Schools, and, where available, Pro-Vice Chancellors. Coaches, team managers, and other sport leaders from racial and ethnic minority backgrounds were recruited via social networks, social media, and direct emails. Findings: Using Critical Race Theory, two themes concerning “Governing white apathy” were developed from the data analysis: “Delegated Responsibility” and “On the Periphery.” Practical implications: Dedicated policies and practices positioning equity and inclusion as central operational priorities were absent. Systematic monitoring and procedures to seek social justice for adverse experiences were lacking. Staff and student voices were largely dependent on the approachability of captains and senior sport leads. Microaggressions and racial discrimination were normalised experiences for coaches, and seeking social justice required robust evidence, which is rarely available in cases of racism. Research contribution: This study provides the first insight into the reproduction of Whiteness within the provision of sport and physical activity in UK universities.</p
Weathering the storm of COVID-19 pandemic:a cross-sectional survey of reported changes in first contact physiotherapy services in the UK and Australia
Full text linkLimited evidence exists on early COVID-19 related changes in First Contact Physiotherapy Services (FCPS) for musculoskeletal (MSK) patients within the UK primary care (PC) and Australian emergency departments (ED), knowledge that is crucial for understanding their level of responsiveness and readiness for future crises. This study explores the initial changes in FCPS during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK and Australia. The UK and Australia represent a function of both country and their FCPS context (UK [PC], Australia [ED]). A cross-sectional survey was conducted from January-April 2023. Data were self-reported by physiotherapists in FCPS roles, managing MSK patients in the UK and Australia. Only responses from those who recalled changes in FCPS were included, with 153 participants analysed. Descriptive statistics and two-way ANOVA were used to examine the effects of timing of change, country, and their interaction on readiness and responsiveness to MSK patient needs. Overall, 75.7% of initial changes were perceived to have occurred within three months following the World Health Organisation’s declaration of COVID-19 as a global pandemic. Participants from both countries differed significantly in their perceptions of how COVID-19 affected patient access to FCPS (p < 0.001). Changes in MSK patient presentation to FCPS varied significantly by both the timing of the change and the country (p < 0.001). Similarly, changes in the care delivery platform were significantly associated with the timing of change (p = 0.014) and the country (p < 0.001). While participants’ responses generally indicated inadequate readiness, the overall perceived responsiveness was higher in the UK (using an arbitrary cut-off of ≥50%) compared to Australia. No significant effects of timing or country were found on either readiness or responsiveness. This highlights the need to strengthen FCPS readiness for more responsive future crises. It also suggests the need for contextual considerations when developing readiness strategies.</p
Split averaging:bridging the heterogeneity gap in clients data for federated learning
Full text linkFederated Learning (FL) has gained significant prominence to overcome the issue of data silos in various domains. However, since its introduction FL has been confronted with the presence of Non-Independent and Identically Distributed (Non-IID) data, hindering its broad-scale adoption. In this paper, we present a novel method named Federated Split Averaging (FSA) to tackle the problem of Non-IID data. FSA solves the key challenge that classical FL fails to overcome, specifically accounting for real-world scenarios where data instances from certain classes are completely missing. Unlike conventional FL, where a cloud server blindly averages clients' model parameters, FSA classifies clients into strong and weak groups and aggregates their parameters separately. The spitted parameters are then used to compute dynamic penalty factors, which regularize clients' training and accelerate convergence. {Experimental results on real-world datasets demonstrated that the proposed method can significantly improve model accuracy in handling Non-IID data, achieving up to 7.23% improvement as compared to other state-of-the-art solutions
Factors affecting the implementation of a whole-school relationships and sexual health intervention: staff perspectives from trial-nested qualitative research in English secondary schools
Full text linkWhole-school relationships and sexual health interventions represent promising approaches to promoting healthy sexual development. However, data from a randomised controlled trial of the Positive Choices whole-school intervention demonstrate these may be challenging to implement in English secondary schools. We draw on qualitative data to examine staff perspectives on the implementation of the intervention and the factors affecting delivery. Interviews were conducted with 52 staff in 22 schools. Analysis was guided by May’s General Theory of Implementation, focussing on how processes of sense making, cognitive participation, collective action and reflexive monitoring were shaped by intervention capability, school capacity, and staff potential. Quality training, materials and support, alongside a strong commitment to delivery of statutory relationships and sex education promoted curriculum implementation. However, whole-school components were viewed as more challenging to implement and often beyond the ‘core business’ of schools. Successful implementation of whole-school components was facilitated by a supportive school culture, school leads having the authority to enable collective action and close alignment with school priorities and institutional processes. For whole-school interventions to succeed, sufficient time and resources must be allocated. A pragmatic approach might be to develop whole-school approaches that address health more holistically and build effectively on existing provision.<br/
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