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Xenotransplantation Clinical Trials: Should Patients with Diminished Capacity be Permitted to Enroll?
Full text linkBefore xenotransplantation clinical trials begin, it is essential to establish clear and equitable participant selection criteria. Selection criteria have been suggested in the literature, as well as in a proposed kidney xenotransplantation phase 1 clinical trial.1-4 In each, inclusion criteria is predicated on patients possessing clinical decision-making capacity. Ensuring informed consent for xenotransplantation clinical trials with patients who have decision-making capacity is recognized as complex for the following reasons: the possibility of therapeutic misconception, potential for xenozoonosis, and the potentially burdensome requirement for lifelong biosurveillance.5, 6 Informed consent for enrollment in a xenotransplantation trial with adult persons who have diminished capacity would involve additional complexities. By diminished capacity, we mean to describe someone who—for various medical reasons—does not have the ability to provide informed consent. To our knowledge, no xenotransplantation investigator, nor the proposed kidney xenotransplantation phase I clinical trial in the United States, currently proposes including persons with diminished capacity. Nonetheless, the topic has been broached, and we believe it requires additional independent scrutiny
Sulfasalazine
Full text linkIn this column, Sharon Rees aims to refresh knowledge and interest in some of the commonly used drugs in a series of posts on X. This month she is talking about #sulfasalazin
The under-criminalisation of the Hunting Act 2004 and the intersection of criminal selectivity, policing and classism
Full text linkThis article fills important gaps in criminology by analysing the police response to foxhunting in one English county. Despite the Hunting Act 2004 legislating against hunting with dogs, the article demonstrates how foxhunting proceeds with a ‘business as usual’ discourse. Using Vegh Weis’ (2017) under- and over-criminalisation and historical development of the criminal justice sector (CJS), the article uses foxhunting as an example of the siting of classism in ‘original criminal selectivity’ that continues to explain police practices today. The use of foxhunting is particularly pertinent given the overlap in privileged relationships not only positioned to mechanisms of criminalisation but also to the historical development of foxhunting. The article demonstrates how the under-criminalisation of foxhunting is enabling the perpetuation of violence and harms by hunts and their supporters, the latter drawing more frequently on organised violence. This violence is aimed primarily at hunt saboteurs, whose role is also examined in this article through community activism applied to an abolitionist perspective. The article concludes that the police are there to maintain hegemonic practices positioned to economic power, a relationship that is understood by the intersection of original criminal selectivity, the law and classism
Nascent Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy, Perceptions about Entrepreneurship and Observational Learning: Exploring the Link
Full text linkThe emerging relevance of Student Entrepreneurship (SE) as a growing phenomenon for research has developed from the international, national, and regional necessity for economic development and the demand placed on universities to contribute to creating an awareness of SE in students. This has led to research into the Entrepreneurial Activities (EA) of student entrepreneurs while actively engaging in academic studies at the undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) level at universities.
To further the advancement of SE, this research therefore sought to investigate the entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) of student entrepreneurs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels of study, their perception of entrepreneurial opportunities and capabilities while they carry out their entrepreneurial activities at the nascent (early-stage) level of entrepreneurship. The unique focus of this research on the nascent level of SE is driven by the correlation between the stage in life that the student entrepreneur is consciously engaging in academic study as part of career actions on their career journey and the stage of developing their entrepreneurial consciousness and entrepreneurial career while engaged in entrepreneurial activities.
Therefore, to advance SE contextually through the lens of the entrepreneurial activities of the Nascent Student Entrepreneur (NSE), this research sought to identify the degree of impact that ESE, Perceived Opportunities (PO), and Perceived Capabilities (PC) have on UG and PG students in the UK while engaged in EA simultaneously. The research then sought to explore the presence of their Observed Learning while engaging in EA, though they may not be aware that such learning was taking place.
To achieve the above, this research reviewed relevant literature (leading to developed hypothesis) and gained insight into existing understanding of SE, nascent student entrepreneurs, their perception to entrepreneurship (opportunities and capabilities) and observational learning (OL), which has formed the basis of this research and thus sought to advance current research in this field.
Adopting mixed methodology, this research went further to administer online questionnaires, with 298 undergraduate and postgraduate students in UK universities eligible for analysis, with focus on those engaging in EA as the underlying factor for defining the student entrepreneurs required for this research while carrying out academic studies. This is a departure from previous research on university students engaged in entrepreneurial education, to ensure that data from student entrepreneurs are captured from student entrepreneurs engaged in EA as against the stereotype of gathering data from those engaged in entrepreneurial education. Additionally, this was complemented by forty-three semi-structured interviews, interviewing undergraduate and postgraduate student entrepreneurs engaged in entrepreneurial activities while studying at UK universities.
Upon analysing the quantitative research data using regression analysis and the qualitative data using thematic analysis, it was discovered that, ESE, PO, PC had varying degrees of impact on the NSE, with varying moderating impact from their levels of education, years of EA, and gender. Another finding from this research was that nascent student entrepreneurs exhibited more entrepreneurial behaviours like seeking collaboration, joining networks & communities, looking for constructive feedback and referrals, as well as seeking to add value to their customers as they add value to themselves. These entrepreneurial behaviours are just a few discovered in the research (see Appendix IV for more).
This research also found out that the degree of ESE, PO, and PC impact on the nascent male or female student entrepreneur, whether as an undergraduate or postgraduate varied depending on the years of entrepreneurial activity exhibited by the nascent student entrepreneur. This implies that years of entrepreneurial activities was having more moderating impact on the NSE when compared to the moderating impact of the level of education and gender. This research also discovered that perceived capabilities impacted differently on the nascent postgraduate and undergraduate student’s entrepreneurial self-efficacy depending on the moderating impact of the years of entrepreneurial activities involved. This was the outcome both in the female and male categories.
Complementing findings from the quantitative analysis, the qualitative analysis discovered that the student entrepreneur was exhibiting attention, retention, reproduction, and motivation unknown to them, through observed learning, leading to the finding that knowledge relevant to their activities has been acquired. Accordingly, the conclusion points to the fact that if conscious attention is paid to SE and NSE within contexts of EA, ESE, PO, PC, and OL it will be of more benefit to the NSE and their EA going forward
Exploring The Influence of The UK Construction Industry Players in Embracing Modern Methods of Construction
Full text linkThe ninth goal of the sustainable development goal (SDG) is to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation while the eleventh goal is to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Despite these, there is still a wide gap between various governmental advances and the availability of homes and commercial property around the world, in Europe and most especially, in the United Kingdom. Hence, there has been a significant push for the Construction industry to embrace the use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) to alleviate the housing problems. However, notwithstanding the many benefits of MMC, there are still barriers to full implementation in the construction industry. This research therefore explores the understanding and the ability of the professionals in the UK construction industry to influence the adoption of this innovative construction method. This study is carried out through a combination of a literature review and a questionnaire survey of the top professionals in the UK construction industry. The result establishes that the construction professional’s understanding is appropriate in advising clients on the use and potential benefits of MMC. The findings then motivate a further investigation into other likely impediments hindering a full take-off of MMC in the UK
Flipped Learning Model a Platform to Enhance Student Participation, Retention, and Employability.
Full text linkThis study aims to provide insight into how the flipped model of teaching and learning can enhance student participation, retention, and employability. The flipped classroom model is a pedagogical approach in which students are introduced to new content before class and use class time for discussion, problem-solving, and other activities. This study presents and examines the different types of flipped models and how they are applied in teaching and learning through a literature review. The paper also uses LSBU as a case study to understand the level of usage of the flipped model for teaching among lecturers in BEA. The literature review provides an in-depth understanding of the different approaches of flipped model application in teaching and learning generally. The study discusses the pedagogical context and some examples from class sessions in BEA. Preliminary findings show that the flipped classroom model positively impacts students' assessment, feedback, skills, and satisfaction and potentially impacts employability. The study proposes a process map encapsulating a model of the flipped model of teaching and learning that would enhance and increase student participation, retention, and employability
Mission impossible? Identity based incompatibilities amongst academic job roles relate to wellbeing and turnover.
Full text linkAcademic staff experience high levels of work-related stress and poor mental health. As a result, many institutions face high staff turnover. These outcomes may be driven by the complexity and, at times, apparently oppositional objectives academics need to meet around research and teaching. These factors may present both practical and social identity-based incompatibilities. The current study tested the role of these incompatibilities upon mental well-being and turnover. A sample of 141 UK resident academics completed scales measuring levels of social identification with being an academic, an educator and a researcher, identity based and practical incompatibility, mental health, experience of the workplace and turnover intention. No direct links were found between practical incompatibility and outcomes. However, higher identity incompatibility was related to poorer mental health. Identity incompatibility was also related to turnover intention, mediated by both mental health and workplace experience. Contrary to predictions, these effects were not moderated by identity difference or identity strength. The current findings present evidence that role-based incompatibilities have both practical and identity-based foundations and highlight important caveats to the benefits of multiple identities on well-being observed in other domains. The findings also suggest practical steps through which complex occupational roles can be best structured to improve mental health and reduce turnover
An evaluation of air quality impact prediction performance undertaken as part of environmental impact assessment (EIA) in India
Full text linkEffective implementation of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is recognised as a global issue, in particular the impact prediction stage, which is the ‘core’ of EIA. Consisting of four stages: impact identification, impact assessment, significance evaluation, and mitigation measures on the possible environmental repercussions of project developmental activities, the efficacy of impact prediction can define the quality of the EIA process, which will better align environmental decision-making to sustainable development. The weakness of impact prediction in EIA demands more study to enhance practice. Although this is widely explored in the context of developed countries such as the UK, it is particularly concerning in India. A specialised review package built from several sources is utilised to assess the efficacy of air quality impact prediction, based on Lee & Colley (1991). 20 EIA reports of Category A (mega-scale projects causing significant environmental impacts) are reviewed. This study's evaluation indicates that significance evaluation and mitigation actions are the weakest phases and a major concern while assessing air quality studies conducted as a part of EIA. Recommendations to improve the process include prioritising the cumulative impact assessment within the regulatory framework, enhancing capacity building, embedding public participation and instilling accountability among stakeholders, which can be adopted globally. Additional recommendations specifically for India are revising the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), restructuring the EIA review mechanism by EAC and improving mitigation measures by adopting GIS and remote sensing technologies
A guide to lupus
Full text linkIn this article, Amy Noakes looks at lupus – an autoimmune condition that affects around 50 000 people in the UK and is more common in women of childbearing ag
A Consensus Mechanism to Improve Prediction of Cortical Bone Properties using Ultrafast Ultrasound Acquisition
Full text linkHuman bone microarchitecture is complex and density-based bone assessment modalities cannot fully capture bone strength or health. Ultrasound can be used to assess bone microstructure, but it is hindered by the dense and acoustically diverse nature of cortical bone. This study proposes a methodology for predicting cortical bone thickness and porosity through a novel approach utilizing convolutional neural networks (CNNs), processing multi-frequency radiofrequency (RF) data obtained from ultrafast ultrasound, and implementing a consensus mechanism to enhance reliability. Received ultrasound RF signals are processed using a CNN with a mutual consensus mechanism, which is used to discard received RF data when measurement variation is over a certain threshold. The feasibility of the proposed method is demonstrated through realistic simulations and an ex vivo animal bone study using an ultrafast ultrasound scanner. The preliminary findings of this study demonstrate an enhancement in overall accuracy, with an increase from 92% to 95.6% for thickness and an increase from 73.4% to 88.4% for porosity classification, without and with consensus respectively. The implemented mutual consensus mechanism increases the accuracy of the thickness and porosity estimations both in silico and ex vivo. Ultrafast ultrasound scanners can capture thousands of RF signals within seconds, which results in availability of large datasets for implementation of artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms. Here, we propose a new approach for ultrafast ultrasound data processing that values data quality over quantity by discarding noisy measurements using a consensus mechanism to improve the final estimation reliability