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Generative artificial intelligence skills in schools (GenAISiS project).
Get PDFPartnering with secondary school students, the team will explore the responsible use of GenAI in their co-creation of open educational resources, articulating student voice and enacting student experience via fictitious characters and cartoons. The project outcomes will also recognise and empower school librarians as key agents in fostering the responsible use of GenAI. A co-produced open educational toolkit with resources on GenAI academic integrity, information literacy and critical thinking skills in schools, will be widely disseminated via open workshops. GenAISiS offers a transformative pedagogical approach, raising public awareness, promoting equity and amplifying the student voice
Inequalities of provision of nationally funded clinical academic training awards for healthcare professionals: quantitative comparisons across the four nations of the UK.
Get PDFThere is a common perception that investment in clinical academic training awards for healthcare professions (not medicine and dentistry) in England outweighs that in the devolved nations (Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) of the United Kingdom. We aimed to evaluate this perception by gathering data on the number of such awards made and the level of associated expenditure by each of the nations during 2017-2022. Freedom of Information requests were sent to government agencies that provide nationally funded clinical academic training awards in each UK nation. Data on the number of awards provided, the whole time equivalent salaries and durations applicable, and the expenditures entailed in the period 2017-2022 were broken down into six levels of training; from internship through to post-doctoral. Standardised per capita comparisons were made between nations. Large differences were found between nations. Only England provided awards in all categories. Wales made the most awards per capita. Scotland invested less than a sixth of that spent by England per capita and under half of that spent by Wales or Northern Ireland. Strategic approaches focusing on opportunities across the whole career pathway, particularly in the devolved nations, are recommended to achieve cross-national parity
Empowering people with Parkinson’s: reframing self-management in Parkinson’s: a critical reflection of current practice.
Get PDFParkinson's is among the fastest-growing neurological disorders, characterised by motor and non-motor symptoms that affect daily function and quality of life. With no cure, sustainable management strategies are essential. Self-management is a key component, enabling people with Parkinson's to actively manage symptoms, treatment, and lifestyle, reflecting the wider long-term conditions (LTCs) approach to improving outcomes and well-being of people affected by these conditions. However, more than half of people living with Parkinson's (PwP) report difficulties in engaging with self-management, often due to limited knowledge, confidence, or access to tailored interventions. This paper explores the theoretical underpinnings, key drivers, and current evidence base for self-management in Parkinson's. It examines the relevance and limitations of applying LTC models to a progressive and highly individualized condition such as Parkinson's. Despite global guideline recommendations, self-management support remains a significant unmet need. While self-management has the potential to improve adherence, symptom control, and activity levels, uncertainties remain about what constitutes effective, meaningful support. There is a need for a nuanced, person-centered approach embedded within integrated care systems. To date, self-management has not demonstrated sustained benefits for PwP, in part due to limitations in how current models are conceptualized and delivered. This paper highlights the challenges of existing approaches and proposes a new framework that enables and empowers PwP and their support networks to live well with Parkinson's. Rooted in partnership, enablement, and co-production, the proposed model promotes the development of personalized toolkits of strategies that help individuals navigate and mitigate the challenges of life with Parkinson's. This reframing has important implications for future research, clinical practice, and policy
Exploring independent learning (IL) and its relationship to mindset, motivated strategies for learning and academic performance.
Get PDFThis study addresses gaps in the existing literature on students' understanding of Independent Learning (IL), whilst exploring the link between levels of IL, growth mindset, motivated strategies for learning and academic performance. Three hundred and eighty-six university students recruited via opportunistic sampling completed an online survey to measure: understanding and level of IL, Motivated Strategies for Learning (MSL) (Duncan and McKeachie, 2005) and growth mindset (Dweck, 2000). Interaction with the university Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) and academic grades were also measured. A correlational design was implemented, and a Spearman Rho was calculated to explore the relationship between level of IL, MSL and growth mindset. A between-subjects design using independent measures t-test was employed to determine the significance of any difference in level of IL and VLE engagement according to academic grade. Whilst most students considered themselves an independent learner and understood what IL was, the majority erroneously believed it meant learning alone or without help. Level of IL, however, was positively associated with motivational beliefs (self-efficacy and mindset), cognitive strategies (rehearsal, elaboration, organisation and critical thinking), and metacognitive strategies (time management and self-regulation). Further, those with grades A-C scored significantly higher than those with grades D and below on cognitive strategies (elaboration and organisation). Those attaining higher grades also interacted with the VLE significantly more frequently and regularly than those attaining lower grades. This study adds to the existing literature by highlighting the positive relationship between level of IL, MSL, mindset and academic achievement. It also addresses the under-explored potential for VLE engagement in predicting grades amongst on-campus courses. Given that cognitive strategies and VLE engagement differentiate the high and low achievers, interventions to develop such skills may enhance academic achievement
Evaluation of prescribing adherence to guideline-directed medical therapy in patients with chronic heart failure: a retrospective study at the National Heart Centre in Oman.
Get PDFGuideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) improves survival and quality of life in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, real-world adherence to these guidelines remains suboptimal. This study aimed to evaluate prescribing adherence to GDMT in HFrEF patients using a global guideline adherence scoring tool. This retrospective study included adult patients with HFrEF (left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 40%) attending the Heart Failure Clinic at the National Heart Centre in Oman between January and June 2022. GDMT adherence was assessed based on 2021 European Society of Cardiology guidelines. Adherence levels were categorized as good (all indicated GDMT at ≥ 50% of target dose), moderate (more than half at ≥ 50%), or poor (less than half or < 50%). Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were used to identify associations. Of the 259 patients included (mean age 57 ± 13.6 years, 70% male), 71% had good adherence, 22% moderate, and 7% poor. Target dose attainment varied by drug class: 78% for beta-blockers, 63% for ACEI/ARB/ARNI, 96% for MRAs, and 100% for ivabradine. Suboptimal GDMT (< 50% target dose) was significantly associated with hypertension (P = 0.004), dilated cardiomyopathy (P = 0.015), chronic kidney disease (P = 0.001), and older age (P = 0.004). Prescribing adherence to GDMT in Oman is consistent with international data. Suboptimal titration was significantly linked to older age and comorbidities, suggesting that perceived frailty and clinical complexity may influence physician prescribing patterns. Efforts to improve individualized, patient-centered GDMT titration are warranted
Obesity and its association with micronutrient deficiency among Mexican children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Get PDFObesity and micronutrient deficiencies in the pediatric population of Mexico pose significant public health challenges. However, the relationship between these two conditions is still being studied. The aim of this study was to systematically review evidence on the association between overweight and obesity and micronutrient deficiencies among Mexican children and adolescents. A systematic search was conducted in thirteen databases and one search engine. Sixteen studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in this review. A total of 20 043 participants were included across the included studies, and the results were highly varied, as not all micronutrients showed a significant deficit in the presence of obesity. Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamin E deficiencies were noted among participants with obesity; however, these did not significantly differ from those of individuals with normal weight. Current evidence suggests that Mexican children who have overweight or obesity are more likely to have zinc, iron, and vitamins D and B6 deficiency. A random-effects meta-analysis of 4 studies showed that children who have overweight or obesity were significantly more likely to have a deficit of vitamin D (odds ratio [OR], 1.84; 95% CI, 1.46–2.32), which was stronger for school-aged children (OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.56–2.55). Current evidence suggests that Mexican children and adolescents who have overweight or obesity are more likely to experience vitamin D deficiency, and some evidence suggests that they are also prone to zinc, iron, and vitamin B6 deficiencies. For this reason, health-promotion and -prevention efforts must be comprehensive and address micronutrient deficiencies, common risk factors, and broader social determinants linked to noncommunicable diseases. This study was registered on PROSPERO - CRD42019154132
TOPSIS Model (TOPMod) tool assessment and validation for the sustainable redevelopment of abandoned public office buildings.
Get PDFPublic building abandonment has a detrimental impact on the advancement of a nation such as Nigeria. Rebuilding such infrastructure sustainably poses several challenges, as identified in the literature. A flexible and dynamic approach is required by decision makers that draws on a range of attributes, alternatives and criteria. This study aims to assess a sustainable, accessible and flexible tool that decision makers can use in place of engaging with complex mathematical calculations and formulas. To test the validity of the tool, two sets of participants (first Demonstration/pilot study – 7 participants and second Demonstration/Expert Validation − 11 participants) were identified for the testing and the validation of the tool. A quantitative data collection approach, making use of a survey and a case study, was considered the most appropriate approach for this study following the demonstration of the model to the participants. From the four alternatives: Refurbishment, Conversion, Demolition and Outright selling, supported with embedded mathematical formulas and calculations, the validated tool presented refurbishment as the most flexible and optimal solution. This study argues that the integration of this tool into the redevelopment process enhances the recognition of a range of solutions for abandoned public buildings in Nigeria. In addition, it concludes that incorporating suitable model configurations into an appropriate tool can foster appropriate decision-making procedures
Cascaded sCO2 Brayton–transcritical ORC–adsorption cooling cycle for gas-turbine waste-heat trigeneration: thermodynamic and exergy optimization.
Get PDFThis study proposes and optimizes a three-stage waste-heat trigeneration system that cascades a supercritical CO2 Brayton cycle (SCBC), a transcritical organic Rankine cycle (TRC), and an adsorption chiller (ADC) to efficiently recover multi-grade heat from a Titan-250 gas-turbine exhaust. While most waste heat recovery (WHR) studies focus on dual-cycle or power-centric configurations—often neglecting staged recovery across the entire exhaust temperature spectrum, particularly at low temperatures—the proposed SCBC–TRC–ADC cascade enables simultaneous electricity generation, cooling production, and hot-water storage. This configuration achieves complete valorization of high-, medium-, and low-temperature heat levels. Real exhaust data were employed to ensure practical applicability, and component-level thermodynamic and exergy models were validated against published benchmarks. Sequential quadratic programming (SQP) optimization was performed under realistic process constraints, including pinch-point, pressure-drop, and subcooling limits. Among five candidate TRC fluids, R1234ze(E) demonstrated the highest exergy efficiency and environmental compatibility. Under optimized conditions, the integrated system produced 7.14 MW of net electricity—931 kW more than the standalone SCBC—while delivering 216 kW of cooling at 9.08 °C and storing 15,115 L of 73.8 °C hot water every 900 s. The overall plant and exergy efficiencies reached 35.11 % and 63.26 %, representing more than a 70 % improvement in total useful energy utilization relative to a single-cycle baseline. Sensitivity analysis identified recuperator effectiveness and TRC turbine-inlet pressure as dominant performance parameters. The results establish a validated, thermodynamically optimized cascade framework that demonstrates the feasibility and energy-service flexibility of multigeneration from gas-turbine waste heat, providing a benchmark for next-generation industrial decarbonization systems
Themed collection on the climate, nature, and pollution crises: how more sustainable medicines use can make a difference.
No full textThis Themed Collection of the International Journal of Pharmacy Practice invited submission of manuscripts contributing to the goal of more sustainable medicines use. The collection, which has already been launched online and will be continually updated, makes a significant contribution to the sustainability literature by characterizing and quantifying the sustainability challenges associated with medicines and showing the benefits of more sustainable practice. The manuscripts contained within the collection will increase knowledge and awareness of the diverse ways in which medicines contribute to the triple planetary crisis and offer solutions to improve practice and include sustainability in education
Lived experiences of new-onset Long COVID pain and its impact on health-related quality of life: a scoping review of current evidence.
Get PDFLong Covid (LC) is a multisystem condition that can cause persistent symptoms such as breathlessness, fatigue, cognitive problems and pain, with major effects on individuals and healthcare systems. Globally, nearly 400 million people have been affected. New-onset pain is among the most commonly reported symptoms and may develop into chronic pain, contributing to reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and highlighting the need for appropriate care. Given its global prevalence, exploring how people experience new-onset LC pain and how it impacts their lives can help improve pain management and support services. A mixed-methods scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidance and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). The review mapped and synthesised evidence from eligible primary research articles (quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods) published in English between December 2019 and June 2024. Seven studies using cross-sectional, case–control and observational designs (n = 30 to 2507 participants) were included, with data collected from Europe and Asia. While qualitative data on lived experience were limited, 69.5% of LC patients reported new-onset pain, most commonly musculoskeletal (MSK) pain (73.2%). Psychological symptoms such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were also reported (38%). Pain medications were widely used. Findings suggest that new-onset LC pain affects physical, psychological and social well-being. No studies involving children or adolescents were identified, indicating a gap in the evidence on paediatric experiences of new-onset LC pain. This review highlights major gaps in the literature, especially the lack of qualitative research on how people experience new-onset LC pain. Future research should explore these experiences in depth, with involvement from patients and the public, to inform the development of appropriate treatment and support strategies. During the review process, opportunities to involve PPI were not fully explored due to limited awareness of how to support meaningful involvement in a scoping review, alongside time and resource constraints. Such involvement could have helped shape the review question, refine the search terms and interpret the findings in ways that better reflect lived experience. This is acknowledged as both a limitation and a learning point. PPI will be actively embedded in the next phases of the research
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