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Doing conferences differently: a decentralised multi-hub approach for ecological and social sustainability
Get PDFConferences are invaluable for career progression, offering unique opportunities for networking, collaboration, and learning. However, there are challenges associated with the traditional in-person conference format. For example, there is a significant ecological impact from attendees’ travel behaviour, and there are social inequities in conference attendance, with historically marginalised groups commonly facing barriers to participation. Innovative practices that enable academic conferences to be ‘done differently’ are crucial for addressing these ecological and social sustainability challenges. However, while some such practices have emerged in recent years, largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, little research has been done on their effectiveness. Our study addresses this gap using a mixed methods approach to analyse a real-world decentralised multi-hub conference held in 2023, comparing it to traditional in-person conference and fully online conference scenarios. The decentralised multi-hub format consists of local in-person hubs in different locations around the world, each with a unique local programme developed around a shared core global programme; there is no single centralised point of control. We calculated the CO2 emissions from transport for each scenario and found the decentralised multi-hub conference had significantly lower emissions than a traditional in-person conference, but higher emissions than a fully online conference. We also interviewed 14 local hub organisers and attendees to gain their perspectives about the ecological and social sustainability benefits of the decentralised multi-hub format. We found that the more accessible and inclusive format attracted a more diverse range of attendees, meaning that the benefits attributed to conference attendance were able to be shared more equitably. These findings demonstrate the ecological and social sustainability benefits of doing conferences differently, and can be used as further evidence in the argument to help transition conferences to a more desirable state in terms of ecological and social sustainability
Social welfare function and the hidden costs of sanctions
No full textThis study examines the unintended effects of sanctions on energy-producing countries and their impacts on both sanctioning and third-party states. Through formal modelling, we develop a microeconomic network framework with energy producers operating downstream and manufacturers upstream. Within this structure, we distinguish between compliant and neutral third-party countries—those that continue trading with sanctioned nations and, in doing so, weaken the sanctions’ effectiveness. We derive a closed-form solution that demonstrates social welfare losses are proportional to the number of neutral states. Notably, we show small increases in per-unit production costs from disrupted supply chains reduce consumer surplus more than the removal of a single firm. At the firm level, we find that sanctions raise input costs more than they reduce market competition, suggesting that losing access to key suppliers harms sanctioning countries more than facing fewer rivals. This reveals a critical unintended consequence: neutral countries exploiting arbitrage opportunities can impose greater welfare losses on senders than on targets. Our analysis quantifies these externalities and shows that supply-side distortions outweigh any competitive gains. By presenting a network-based microeconomic framework, the paper complements macroeconomic perspectives and deepens understanding of how neutrality and fragmented markets undermine sanction effectivenes
Regulation of diagnostic radiography education and clinical practice: A comparative document analysis of Sub-Saharan Africa and international guidelines
Get PDFObjectives: This integrative document analysis examines statutory and regulatory scopes of practice and educational requirements that inform diagnostic radiographer registration in Sub-Saharan Africa, concisely comparing global standards. A methodical literature synthesis employed a modified Donabedian model and identified key themes concerning regulatory structures and processes influencing radiography education and practice. Key findings: Seventy-six documents from Africa (n = 51, 67.1 %), Australia (n = 9, 11.8 %), North America (n = 8, 10.5 %) and Europe (n = 8, 10.5 %) were examined. Considerable global regulatory variability exists in the scope of practice regarding autonomy levels and practice areas for diagnostic radiographers. The depth and complexity of local training influence these variations. Some regulatory bodies (Namibia, South Africa, the UK and Canada) require pre-registration diagnostic radiographers to be proficient in projection radiography, CT and MRI, with stricter ultrasound and nuclear medicine restrictions. In contrast, other frameworks (Zambia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Australia) allow a broader scope of practice. In the USA, regulations require single-modality training with additional educational requirements for multi-modality registration. The study further identified emerging attributes related to entry-level diagnostic radiographer competency profiles in regulatory documents. Conclusion: The identified variabilities highlight the need for reformation and standardisation in the international scope of practice policies. This reform should integrate emerging and threshold skills in competency profiles. These changes are crucial for adapting radiography education and practice to meet evolving healthcare demands. Additionally, this will enhance workforce mobility and improve the quality of patient care. Implications for practice: Regulatory bodies should champion current scope of practice reforms with key stakeholders to enhance global radiography workforce mobility and explore new regulatory models supporting graduates' transition into the workplace
A Systematic Review of Talent Identification Practices Within Table Tennis
Get PDFTalent identification (TID) within sport provides extensive development opportunities to enhance the potential for senior success. However, little is known about the effectiveness of TID in table tennis. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review is to examine current research and practice in TID in table tennis, identify commonalities, disparities, and gaps in the literature, and provide directions for future research on TID in table tennis. A search of the electronic databases (EBSCOhost, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and SPORTDiscus) was conducted from September 2023 to March 2025. The search terms utilized represented table tennis, talent, performance, giftedness, and athlete selection. In accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, 31 articles were thoroughly reviewed. The results established three common themes: morphological qualities, performance profiles, and player characteristics. A key finding established maturation bias as a limitation in talent identification within table tennis, highlighting the importance of maturational assessments in future initiatives. Furthermore, given that most studies used a cross-sectional design, future research should consider longitudinal designs to provide a more accurate assessment of talent and development
Food price inflation, product entry and exit and changing tastes across income groups: Evidence from the UK ready meals sector
Get PDFHyponatraemia after hip and knee replacement: Incidence, risk factors, clinical consequences and management in the era of enhanced recovery
Get PDFIntroduction: Total hip replacements and total knee replacements are among the most frequently performed operations worldwide, and the demand for such procedures is ever-growing. It is essential to focus on preventable medical complications that can arise from these procedures, specifically postoperative hyponatraemia. Postoperative hyponatraemia has an incidence of 20–40% in total hip and knee replacement patient cohorts. Even mild postoperative hyponatraemia is clinically relevant, as it is associated with cognitive impairment and gait disturbance and may undermine the aims of enhanced recovery protocols. Severe postoperative hyponatraemia can lead to seizures, coma, intensive care admission, and death. Although uncommon, the high volume of patients treated in busy orthopaedic centres means such cases will inevitably be encountered. This narrative review summarises the current evidence on incidence, risk factors and consequences of postoperative hyponatraemia in total hip and knee replacement populations. Methods: A literature review was performed through the EBSCO and PubMed databases to identify relevant studies. Key search terms included were “hyponatraemia”, “total hip replacement”, and “total knee replacement”. Results: The incidence of postoperative hyponatraemia is largely between 20% and 40%; however, there are some outliers to this. Multiple risk factors have been identified through observational studies, including age, preoperative hyponatraemia, female sex and certain medications, which signal a need for a risk stratification strategy that can assist in preoperative assessment and the early identification of patients at higher risk of developing postoperative hyponatraemia. Evidence is scarce regarding interventional studies for the prevention and management of postoperative hyponatraemia, despite multiple studies highlighting the issue. Conclusion: Future work should focus on testable, quality improvement interventions, such as automatic sodium checks on postoperative day one, weight-based oral fluid protocols, oral salt supplementation, and escalation pathways for high-risk patients. Incorporating these into enhanced recovery frameworks has the potential not only to optimise safe early discharge for the majority but also to prevent rare but significant complications
The practice and role of ignorance in sport coaching: Causes, characteristics and consequences
Get PDFYellow Door Interim Report 2025: An Evaluation of Yellow Door's Early Years Domestic Abuse Programme
Get PDFThis is the 2025 interim report which presents findings from the first year of a 2.5 year project aimed at examining and evaluating an Early Years Domestic Abuse Programme for Yellow Door. The aims of the evaluation are to explore what is working well with the project; identify what needs to be improved; and ensure the project is having a positive impact on the children and adults who undertake the programme.
This research was commissioned by Yellow Door in December 2024, and will run until July 2027. This is the first of two interim reports that will be provided annually. A final evaluation report will be delivered in March 2027. As this is an interim report it will present highlighted findings from the literature and data collection so far; the final report (2027) will include significantly more detailed literature, analysis and
discussion and make specific recommendations
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy assessment and management system over mobile phones
Get PDFAims: The objective of this research is to create mobile phone based neuropathy diagnosis system to reduce the burden on patients
visiting hospitals and to free-up consultation time for clinicians and allowing self-monitoring of neuropathy by patients.
Methods: We present the methodology of calibrating mobile phones with neurothesiometer for assessment of peripheral neuropathy. This
may serve as continuous monitoring of neuropathy with low-cost and easily accessible mobile devices as an alternative to the gold
standard. The process involves quantification and analysing the vibration characteristics of neurothesiometer and transferring this data
through mobile phone apps for secured and graduated assessment of neuropathy.
Results: The data shows good correlation between mobile phone readings and those measured with neurothesiometer for stand-alone
operations of mobile phones for neuropathy assessment. Results indicate that the application is reliable and provides accurate and
repeatable data using mobile phones. These findings confirm our calibration process for a viable solution for peripheral neuropathy
assessment using mobile applications and this also uses additional features of mobile phones to collect patient data and securely
transferring to hospitals.
Conclusions: This paper presented creation of a user-friendly, accessible screening method for diabetic neuropathy including progression
tracking and neuropathy assessment. Currently patients are required to visit hospitals several times for neuropathy assessment. This
research provides an economical, portable, and accurate way of screening diabetic peripheral neuropathy using smartphones. The test
results indicated that the mobile device performs comparably well to the gold-standard neurothesiometer