OhmNet: Advanced neural network-based viscosity prediction of sauces for efficient Ohmic heating processing.

Industrial food processes such as Ohmic Heating (OH) are gaining popularity due to their lower carbon emissions and improved energy efficiency. The effectiveness of OH largely depends on the electrical conductivity, physical properties, and rheological characteristics of the food product, with dynamic viscosity directly influencing the fluid flow, residence time, and heating rate in a Continuous Flow Ohmic Heating (CFOH) system. Therefore, accurate prediction of viscosity during CFOH processing is crucial for optimising heating efficiency and maintaining the desired output temperature, ultimately reducing energy consumption and operational costs. To address this challenge, this study introduces OhmNet - an advanced Neural Network (NN)-based predictive model designed to accurately estimate the dynamic viscosity of tikka sauce during OH, offering a robust solution for viscosity prediction in CFOH applications. The predictive model has been developed using real-time data obtained from heating experiments, where viscosity measurements were recorded using a rheometer at varying target temperatures. To achieve the optimal configuration of OhmNet, three different approaches were explored: separate network development for each target temperature, a transfer learning-based neural network, and a one-hot encoding-based unified neural network model. These approaches were systematically evaluated through a grid search for hyperparameter tuning to identify the most accurate and robust dynamic viscosity predictive model during Continuous Flow Ohmic Heating. The resulting OhmNet model demonstrates high performance and reliability, achieving a Mean Squared Error (MSE) of 0.002, a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.025, and a coefficient of determination (R2) equal to 0.99. This optimal configuration of OhmNet offers a powerful tool for enhancing process efficiency and control in industrial food processing applications. In the future, the model can be seamlessly integrated with advanced process controllers for precise temperature control and power consumption optimisation, driving sustainable and energy-efficient food processing applications

The ecological dynamics of cognizant action in sport

The widespread inferential understanding of human action attributes to the brain the power of modelling actions and predicting immediate changes in environmental circumstances. However, an ecological rationale proposes that sport performance is founded on coupled perception and action, avoiding the need for the brain, as a mediator, to be lagging behind immediate corporeal contact with the sport environment. Here, a theory of cognizant action is presented where behaviour is understood in terms of self-organized action, shaped by a performer's complex skills, directed towards perceived affordances. Cognizant action is defined as the conservation of intentionality by coupled perception and action. Being oriented towards action possibilities (affordances), cognizant action self-organizes in every performance environment, and at the same time it is constrained by performers' skills. Accordingly, the study of cognizant action demands representative experimental designs and analysis of eco-physical variables to understand sport performance. Current debates include the role of knowledge, the symmetry between performer and environment, and team cognition. Future research might be directed to test tensegrity as well as ‘strong’ anticipation in individual and team sport tasks

Haunted Spaces and Unsettling Predicaments: An Interrogation of (Capitalist) Sport via the Work of Mark Fisher

In utilising the work of Mark Fisher, this article critically interrogates contemporary manifestations of capitalist sport. Specifically, it examines how the notion of capitalist realism, as well as the related concepts of hauntology and the weird and the eerie, might serve to resist anthropocentricism and challenge political impotence in the face of multiple existential crises. Emphasising Fisher’s focus on temporality and temporal aberration, the article explores how certain aspects of sports culture, such as the media coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic, mountain bike trail building, GPS tracking and landscape photography—experiences that are both fascinating and terrifying in equal measure—might unsettle us in ways that provoke a reconfiguration of existing sociopolitical frames of reference. In doing so, the paper urges scholars and practitioners of sport to accept that things are never what they seem (or feel), and to embrace the ghosts of our, as-yet, unrealised (sporting) futures

Best practice for patient-centred radiotherapy in clinical trials and beyond – a national multidisciplinary consensus

Aims Patient-centred radiotherapy refers to an approach where patients' needs and preferences are prioritised. Guidelines for this personalised approach are lacking. We present a multidisciplinary national consensus with the aim to provide recommendations for best practice in patient-centred radiotherapy for both clinical trials and routine practice. Materials and methods A multidisciplinary working group was formed, comprising of healthcare professionals and patient advocates with lived experience of radiotherapy. Three interlinking themes were identified around patient-centred radiotherapy: information, decision-making, and outcomes. Scoping reviews were carried out for each theme, considering current challenges and recommendations for best practice. Recommendations were shaped through consultation with 12 patient advocates. Results There is a pressing need to better support patients prior to, during, and following radiotherapy. Radiotherapy-related patient information is often complex and challenging to understand. Information resources should be cocreated with patient advocates and individualised wherever possible, including for patients from under-served groups. Shared decision-making (SDM) processes may enhance treatment satisfaction and reduce decision-regret, but these are not widely implemented. SDM requires prepared patients, trained teams, alongside adequate resources and should be offered as per patients' preferences. Healthcare system data offer complementary information to clinical trials, with the potential to provide additional insight into long-term benefits and risks of radiotherapy within ‘real-world’ conditions. Patient-reported outcome measures may provide greater insight regarding toxicity and impact on quality of life and should be used in synergy with clinician-reported outcomes. Outcome measures should be collected in the long term, and results should be widely disseminated to both the public and professional communities. Equity of access to radiotherapy, clinical trials, and survivorship services is a priority. Conclusion Patients rightly expect more from healthcare professionals, and it is important that the radiotherapy community recognises this and embraces changes which will enhance patient-centred care. Our recommendations aim to guide best practice for patient-centred radiotherapy

Providing inclusive care and empowering people with dementia as a clinical pharmacist: a qualitative study of clinical pharmacist’s experiences

Objectives Dementia is a growing global health concern, significantly impacting primary care settings, where the majority of care for people with dementia is provided. Underserved and vulnerable groups, who often face disparities in access to care are at greater risk of this strain. Clinical pharmacists are well-positioned to provide care but their potential contribution to enhancing person-centred and inclusive care for people with dementia is largely unexplored. The aims are to explore the views and experiences of primary care based clinical pharmacists in providing inclusive care to people with dementia in the community. Method We conducted 13 semi-structured interviews with primary care clinical pharmacists in England in 2023–2024, which were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results Two overarching themes were developed from the interviews: 1) involving patients in decision-making, ensuring person-centered care and 2) the prevalence of health inequalities and the impact on patient care. Conclusion Taking a personalised and person-centred approach clinical pharmacists can engage with patients and carers in decision-making. This can empower people, particularly those from minoritised or disadvantaged groups, to take an active role in their care. This may help with medication adherence but also build trust, potentially leading to better quality and more equitable care. Personalised care should consider cultural beliefs and preferences to reduce misunderstandings or stigma and improve the overall experience for individuals, helping to reduce disparities

Food and Alcohol Disturbance in UK Adults.

Restricting food intake before consuming alcohol due to weight concerns or to increase alcohol’s intoxicating effects (food and alcohol disturbance, FAD) is a recognised problem in young American college students, but there is less evidence about whether middle-aged and older adults are also engaging in FAD behaviours. A cross-sectional survey of FAD and potential alcohol problems using validated measures (Compensatory Eating and Behaviours in Response to Alcohol Consumption, CEBRACS; Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test, AUDIT-C) was administered online and in two universities in the north of England to adults aged ≥ 18 years old who had consumed ≥ one alcoholic beverage within the previous month. Most of the 488 participants were ≥25 years (73%) and not university students (72%). Overall, 69% of participants engaged in at least one FAD behaviour in the previous 3 months. The youngest age group (18–24 years) was significantly less likely than the oldest age group (53+ years) to never engage in FAD behaviours: alcohol effects OR (CI) 0.05 (0.02, 0.13); bulimia 0.08 (0.01, 0.67); and restriction 0.21 (0.08, 0.52). Nevertheless, 47% of the oldest age group engaged in at least one FAD-related behaviour, and student status was not associated with FAD behaviours, except for alcohol effects. FAD behaviours were engaged in by most alcohol consumers in this study, including middle- and older-aged adults, and non-students

Online Abuse in Sport

The following is a summary of academic research carried out under two ongoing research projects, 1. Tackling Online Hate in Football (TOHIF) and 2. FIA United Against Online Abuse (UAOA). Following a description of the methodology, findings, outputs and impact of this work, we outline recommendations specific to stakeholders including athletes, fans, sporting and civil society organisations, media, journalists and researchers on this topic