35 research outputs found
Atomically Trading with Roger: Gambling on the Success of a Hardfork
No full textWe present atomic trade protocols for Bitcoin and Ethereum
that can bind two parties to swap coins in the event that two blockchains
emerge from a single “pre-fork” blockchain. This work is motivated by
a bet between two members of the Bitcoin community, Loaded and
Roger Ver, to trade 60,000 bitcoins in the event that Bitcoin Unlimited’s
planned hardfork occurs and the blockchain splits into two distinct
forks. Additionally we study several ways to provide replay protection
in the event of hardfork alongside a novel mechanism called migration
inputs. We provide a detailed survey and history of previous softforks
and hardforks in Ethereum and Bitcoin
The Creation of an E-Tutorial to Support Learning Embryology
No full textEmbryology is a complex subject that many students struggle to understand. With the
advances of digital technologies, we sought to create a fully interactive e- learning resource
to facilitate learning in this complex field. Therefore, the aim of this project was to create a
digital resource which was created by a student, for students.
We based this e-tutorial on the embryology curriculum from the Level 3 Honours BSc degree
at the University of Glasgow. We ensured all aims and objectives were incorporated into the
tutorial. By using Articulate 360, we created an e-tutorial which enabled the user to explore
weeks 1 – 4 of development. Novel images and cartoons were created by the author and
incorporated into the tutorial. This meant that there were no copyright issues from using
materials from other sources. Images were designed and created using Paint Tool Sai.
A simple interactive format was created with text related to each week of development.
This linked to the intended learning outcomes, but ensured a unique presentation of
resources to enhance learning. There was a fully interactive quiz at the end of each of the
weeks, including hints and tips, with links back to the relevant part of the tutorial.
This e-tutorial has now been adopted into the local curriculum and has been requested by
several Scottish universities and the north of England to embed into their curricula. This
study has shown how a co-creation of educational resources can result in the production of
a novel and interactive learning resource
Waiting is the hardest part: patient, caregiver, and clinician perspectives on shaping prehabilitation support strategies in liver transplantation
No full textObjective Exploring the unmet needs of patients awaiting liver transplantation remains largely unexplored and with no established multicomponent support mechanisms currently available, identifying these needs could provide better, tailored support. This study explores the experiences of patients, caregivers and clinicians, highlighting unmet needs and using these to inform support strategies during the pre-transplant period.Methods A qualitative study using focus groups. Participants: patients, caregivers and clinicians with experience of awaiting liver transplantation and/or receiving a transplantation. Focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed on Microsoft Teams and verified by the lead author. The data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.Results A total of 52 participants were involved in the study: 23 patients, 10 caregivers and 19 clinicians, across 11 focus groups. Reflexive thematic analysis identified six overarching themes and 16 subthemes that impacted patients awaiting liver transplantation. Six themes included: (1) Sequelae of awaiting liver transplantation, (2) Current management strategies awaiting liver transplantation, (3) Perceived benefits of prehabilitation, (4) Essential considerations for targeted support, (5) Strategies to optimise engagement and (6) Opportunities and challenges of remote delivery.Conclusion This study highlights critical unmet needs among patients awaiting liver transplantation, emphasising the necessity for flexible, individualised and remotely delivered interventions that go beyond exercise support to include nutrition, psychological and peer support, financial and social resources and comprehensive education. Clinician endorsement and regular check-ins delivering behaviour change support may improve engagement, though variability in disease progression will continue to pose challenges.<br/
Psychosocial evaluation of an alcohol related brain injury residential rehabilitation unit in Northern Ireland. Final report.
No full textOn Secure E-Voting over Blockchain
No full text\ua9 2021 Copyright held by the owner/author(s). This article discusses secure methods to conduct e-voting over a blockchain in three different settings: decentralized voting, centralized remote voting, and centralized polling station voting. These settings cover almost all voting scenarios that occur in practice. A proof-of-concept implementation for decentralized voting over Ethereum\u27s blockchain is presented. This work demonstrates the suitable use of a blockchain not just as a public bulletin board but, more importantly, as a trustworthy computing platform that enforces the correct execution of the voting protocol in a publicly verifiable manner. We also discuss scaling up a blockchain-based voting application for national elections. We show that for national-scale elections the major verifiability problems can be addressed without having to depend on any blockchain. However, a blockchain remains a viable option to realize a public bulletin board, which has the advantage of being a "preventive"measure to stop retrospective changes on previously published records as opposed to a "detective"measure like the use of mirror websites. CCS Concepts: • Security and privacy
Psychosocial Evaluation of an Alcohol Related Brain Injury Residential Rehabilitation Unit in Northern Ireland:Final Report
No full textBackground: Initiatives are required to identify and provide rehabilitation for individuals with Alcohol Related Brain Injury (ARBI). However, there is very little evidence as regards the outcomes and lived experiences of the patients who often have a myriad of corollary problems including alcohol dependency, homelessness, family dysfunction, poor health, and contact with the criminal justice system. Leonard Cheshire has developed a specialist residential rehabilitation facility for people in Northern Ireland with Alcohol Related Brain Injury. This service is the first of its kind on the island of Ireland and is one element in the network of services required to support people with ARBI. Objectives and main outcomes: This mixed methods study explored the effectiveness of an ARBI rehabilitation treatment modality available for patients in Northern Ireland on an inpatient basis. In particular, the study sought to ascertain whether the ARBI treatment service improved outcomes for patients(psychological, functional, social and relational) and to determine what is required to sustain and/or improve implementation of the service. The quantitative element focused on measuring the impact of the intervention on psychological well-being, functional ability, familial and social relationships/ community participation/ cognitive ability and maintaining abstinence. Design: A mixed method design was employed, with individuals with ARBI who were recruited through Leonard Cheshire ARBI service using purposive sampling over a 16-month period. A range of psychometric measures were used to assess psychological well-being, functional ability, familial and social relationships/community participation/cognitive ability and maintaining abstinence at base line and at five junctures throughout the project time frame. Qualitative data was collected over 4 timepoints: baseline (n=20), 6 months (n=15), 12 months (n=6) and at discharge (n=8). Remote interviews were conducted with family members (n=10) in order to capture their lived experience and views. Staff interviews (n=6) captured views on the implementation of the model as well as their perceptions of strengths, weakness and benefits of the service and external influences that might impact on its implementation and effectiveness.Findings: Quantitative findings for service users showed significant positive differences across T1 and other junctures for physical and cognitive functioning, anxiety, occupational performance and satisfaction, quality of life and societal participation, there were no significant differences between all time points at baseline and at the three-month juncture for psychological well-being and depression. Qualitative findings for residents across 4 timepoints from baseline to time of discharge indicated an overall improvement in all outcomes. Staff from within the unit felt that the ARBI multidisciplinary holistic approach had a positive impact on residents’ outcomes and was also cost effective in that these individuals were no longer frequenting A&E departments and the judicial system and instead were now able to live stable lives without relentless chaos whilst residing in the unit.Conclusions: Overall, the ARBI holistic intervention significantly improved psychological wellbeing, social relationships/community participation, functioning abilities and abstinence from alcohol, particularly when residents were residing in the unit. Whilst the residential unit provided structure and a protective environment, residents required ongoing support post discharge for their addictive behaviours. An outreach intervention for these individuals is currently being piloted. <br/
PTH-098 Can baveno-VI criteria for varices screening safely reduce endoscopy workload in a regional liver unit?
No full textExploring the experiences of residents and their families in an alcohol-related brain injury residential rehabilitation unit in Northern Ireland: a qualitative study.
No full textOBJECTIVE Limited research exists on comprehensive interventions for individuals with Alcohol Related Brain Injury (ARBI). Exploring the impact of a rehabilitation service on individuals with ARBI and their relatives/caregivers, this study aimed to gain insights into their experiences and assess how the service influenced cognitive functioning, psychological well-being, social relationships, community engagement, and the desire for abstinence.
METHOD This was a qualitative, semi structured interview study as part of a larger mixed methods study of residents and their family members. Data was collected over 4 timepoints with = 20 residents: baseline ( = 20 interviews), 6 months ( = 15 interviews), 12 months ( = 6 interviews) and at discharge ( = 8 interviews). The interviews took place at a specialist residential rehabilitation facility for people with ARBI. Remote interviews were conducted with family members ( = 10). A thematic analysis of transcripts using NVivo software was undertaken.
RESULTS Qualitative findings for residents with ARBI across 4 timepoints from baseline to time of discharge indicated an improvement in all outcomes. Overall, residents reported that the ARBI holistic intervention improved psychological wellbeing, social relationships/community participation, functioning abilities, and abstinence from alcohol, particularly when residents were residing in the unit. Family members and carers presented more trepidation regarding the long-term impacts.
CONCLUSION Whilst the residential unit provided structure and a protective environment, residents required ongoing support post discharge for their addictive behaviours. An outreach intervention for these individuals is currently being piloted
Exploring the experiences of residents and their families in an alcohol-related brain injury residential rehabilitation unit in Northern Ireland: a qualitative study
No full textObjective: Limited research exists on comprehensive interventions for individuals with Alcohol Related Brain Injury (ARBI). Exploring the impact of a rehabilitation service on individuals with ARBI and their relatives/caregivers, this study aimed to gain insights into their experiences and assess how the service influenced cognitive functioning, psychological well-being, social relationships, community engagement, and the desire for abstinence.Method: This was a qualitative, semi structured interview study as part of a larger mixed methods study of residents and their family members. Data was collected over 4 timepoints with n = 20 residents: baseline (n = 20 interviews), 6 months (n = 15 interviews), 12 months (n = 6 interviews) and at discharge (n = 8 interviews). The interviews took place at a specialist residential rehabilitation facility for people with ARBI. Remote interviews were conducted with family members (n = 10). A thematic analysis of transcripts using NVivo software was undertaken.Results: Qualitative findings for residents with ARBI across 4 timepoints from baseline to time of discharge indicated an improvement in all outcomes. Overall, residents reported that the ARBI holistic intervention improved psychological wellbeing, social relationships/community participation, functioning abilities, and abstinence from alcohol, particularly when residents were residing in the unit. Family members and carers presented more trepidation regarding the long-term impacts.Conclusion: Whilst the residential unit provided structure and a protective environment, residents required ongoing support post discharge for their addictive behaviours. An outreach intervention for these individuals is currently being piloted.<br/
Animations to communicate public health prevention messages: a realist review protocol
No full text\ua9 Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ. INTRODUCTION: With digital and social media advances, animated health communications (health animations) are highly prevalent globally, yet the evidence base underpinning them remains unclear and limited. While individual studies have attempted to explore the effectiveness, acceptability and usability of specific features of health animations, there is substantial heterogeneity in study design, comparators and the animation design and content. Consequently, there is a need to synthesise evidence of health animations using an approach that recognises this contextual complexity, which may affect their impact. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This project aims to understand why, how, for whom, to what extent and in which contexts health animations are expected to promote preventive health behaviours. We will conduct a realist review following Pawson\u27s five iterative stages to (1) define the review scope and locate existing theories; (2) search for evidence; (3) select and appraise evidence; (4) extract data and (5) synthesise data and refine theory. Engagement with stakeholders involved in developing, testing, implementing or commissioning health communications, including animations, will allow the initial programme theory to be tested and refined. The findings will be reported in accordance with Realist and Meta-narrative Evidence Syntheses: Evolving Standards. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval for the public stakeholder work was provided by the Northumbria University Research Ethics Committee. We will disseminate the findings widely through outputs tailored to target specific professional, public and patient audiences. Dissemination will occur through stakeholder engagement as part of the research, a peer-reviewed publication and conference presentations. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42023447127
