Introduction : leadership behaviours for effective policing.

Policing requires leadership from those working within it from the day they start to the day they leave. Police officers and staff at all levels are managing, supporting, challenging and role modelling every day, often in situations where the stakes are at their highest

Finding identity through gait

Human gait identification is the recognition of a person from a series of walking images. In contrast to fingerprint or iris-based identification methods, gait identification offers the significant benefit of remote execution. Gait detection is emerging as one of the most promising biometric identification techniques. Traditional methods to identify the identity of gait are Background subtraction, Gait Energy Image, Gait Entropy, etc., human gait identification is a potential new tool for identifying individuals beyond traditional methods. The objectives of this study were to develop an automated gait detection system and examine the unique aspects of gait. This study encompassed the following: gait predictions and estimation based on HRNet 17 joint positions (locating body joints of humans in an image/video), better predictions with higher confidence scores by eliminating poor predictions, and the 14 joint coordinates and 17 joint points are fed into Graph Convolutional Network by eliminating low confidence pose to classify labels. Semi-supervised learning on graph-structured data can be accomplished via Graph Convolutional Networks. Graph Convolutional Networks is a very effective version of convolutional neural networks, which function directly on graphs. The experimental results show that the Graphical Convolutional Network identifies gait subjects with higher accuracy of normal walking and carrying a backpack with 98% and 96% respectively. This work will be extended in the future by fusing face and gait to identify various gait subjects and the gait in forensic identifications

From pressure to potential: how SMES leverage blockchain for sustainability under institutional, paradoxical, and resource constraints

Blockchain technology (BCT) has garnered significant attention as a catalyst for advancing sustainability in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). However, extant research has often relied on single-theory perspectives or has emphasized either technological potential or compliance imperatives, thereby overlooking the complex and context-dependent nature of BCT adoption. This study develops an integrative conceptual framework that synthesizes institutional theory, paradox theory, and the resource-based (RBV)view to elucidate the dynamics underpinning BCT adoption for sustainability in SMEs. The framework posits that adoption is not solely driven by external institutional pressures such as regulatory, normative, and mimetic forces but is fundamentally facilitated by the internal paradoxical tensions SMEs face and their distinctive organizational resources and capabilities. By highlighting the coexistence of opportunity and risk including enhanced transparency, traceability, technical complexity, and environmental impacts this study reveals that SME blockchain adoption is best understood as a dynamic, non-linear, and context-sensitive process. The framework advances the literature by demonstrating how the ability to navigate institutional and paradoxical pressures is contingent upon firm-level learning orientation, adaptive capacity, and resource endowments

Effects of high-fat diet and nutraceutical resveratrol on maximal force, power and fatigue resistance of skeletal muscle

Benefits of utilizing models of disease in order to facilitate and improve the drug discovery and development process is becoming increasingly recognized. Certain drug classes (ie Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and HMG-Co inhibitors) have been shown to induce skeletal muscle dysfunction as a side effect. Assessment of drug effects on skeletal muscle performance early in drug development process is important in understanding unplanned drug effects; healthy/disease models assessing skeletal muscle function, which replicate In vivo function, are limited. The objective of the present study was to compare the contractile properties of isolated soleus (slow-twitch) and extensor digitorum longus (EDL; fast-twitch) muscle in control and high-fat diet (HFD) conditions, in addition to effects of nutraceutical resveratrol. Four-week-old female mice (CD1; N = 40 starting sample; N = 38 final sample) were randomly assigned to control (SLD) or HFD, with (SLD RES, HFD RES) or without resveratrol (4 g.kg−1 diet) for 12-weeks. Soleus and EDL (N = 8–10) were isolated and absolute and normalized force and power output (PO) were measured, and measures of fatigue were determined. For soleus, absolute force was significantly greater in HFD RES Vs. HFD only (P = 0.030), and PO normalized to body mass was diminished in HFD treated groups (P  0.584). For EDL, absolute and normalized force did not differ between groups (P > 0.091). The HFD induced reduction in absolute and normalized EDL PO, and cumulative work production (P  0.101). Our data suggests that high fat diet conditions cause a decline in soleus and EDL skeletal muscle function. Despite the nutraceutical resveratrol having little effect on the contractile properties in SLD groups it did attenuate the decline in fast-twitch HFD skeletal muscle function. This data indicates that nutraceutical resveratrol may be effective in reducing the impact of HFD on skeletal muscle function. Furthermore, this data highlights that drug induced changes in skeletal muscle function should be explored in both healthy and disease models across multiple muscle phenotypes and modes of contractility, as drug induced changes are not uniform across populations, muscles or contractile modes

Multifactorial determinants of postpartum care uptake in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Postpartum care (PPC) uptake within six weeks after delivery is essential to prevent maternal morbidity and mortality. Aim: to understand the determinants contributing to PPC uptake in low-and-middle income countries (LMIC). Method: PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane, Web of Science databases were searched on PPC uptake for childbearing women in LMIC. Studies published in English in peer-reviewed journals since 2013 were eligible. A meta-analysis using a random-effect model was undertaken to measure the pooled effect of five key determinants of PPC uptake. Findings: Among 1602 generated records, 24 cross-sectional studies were selected for the review. Nine of them were included in the meta-analysis (n=198 402 women). Overall, 55.4% of women used PPC. The pooled findings of PPC uptake were associated with urban locations (OR=1.88, 95% confidence interval (CI):0.76-1.91), and women’s primary (OR=1.45,95%CI:1.31-1.61) and secondary (OR=1.67,95%CI:1.45-1.92) education levels. Moreover, women from poor (OR=1.38,95%CI:1.23-1.56), middle (OR=1.56,95%CI:1.35-1.80), richer (OR=2.01,95%CI:1.71-2.35) and the richest (OR=3.31,95%CI:2.82-3.88) households were more likely to use PPC. Other facilitators included: PPC awareness, knowledge of postpartum morbidities, antenatal care, skilled birth attendant, health facility-based delivery, caesarean, women’s autonomy in decision-making, wanted pregnancy, primiparity, mass media exposure, women’s partner education and employment. Barriers to PPC uptake included: distance from health facilities, single marital status, unwanted pregnancy, cultural belief. Conclusion: The differences in PPC uptake in LMIC reflect social inequities. These findings can inform equitable maternal health policies and programs in LMICs. Strengthening community outreach and addressing structural barriers by improving PPC quality and access may enhance uptake and reduce preventable complications

Factors influencing education for self-help in a public emergency among older adult migrants: a cross-sectional study in China’s Mainland

Background: The number of older adult migrants in China continues to grow. As a unique population characterized by both “mobility” and “aging,” they face heightened risks during public emergencies. Objective: This study investigated the current acceptance rate among these older adult migrants with respect to education for self-help in a public emergency (ESHPE) and analyzed influencing factors. Study design: A cross-sectional study. Methods: This study’s data were derived from the 2018 National Migrant Population Dynamic Monitoring Survey, conducted by the National Health Commission of China; overall, 5840 migrants were included in this study. SPSS 25.0 and RStudio 4.3.2 were utilized to analyze the selected sample, while Chi-square tests were conducted to perform univariate analysis on the acceptance rate of ESHPE among older adult migrants. A combination of the Random Forest model and binary logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the importance of statistically significant variables. Results: Overall, 1162 older adult migrants received ESHPE, representing an acceptance rate of 19.90 %. The acceptance rate was lower among those aged over 75 (Odds Ratio [OR] : 0.637, 95 % Confidence Interval [CI] : 0.454–0.893); residing in rural villages (OR : 0.757, 95 % CI : 0.616–0.931); with a migration duration of 11–15 years (OR : 0.679, 95 % CI : 0.540–0.853), 16–20 years (OR : 0.725, 95 % CI : 0.547–0.961), or over 20 years (OR : 0.708, 95 % CI : 0.531–0.943); who had migrated for family (OR : 0.646, 95 % CI : 0.544–0.768), social (OR : 0.559, 95 % CI : 0.434–0.718), or other reasons (OR : 0.364, 95 % CI : 0.191–0.691); and who had not lished resident health records (OR : 0.693, 95 % CI : 0.582–0.825) or were unaware of or unclear about such records (OR : 0.494, 95 % CI : 0.388–0.630). Conclusions: The acceptance rate of ESHPE in this cohort remains relatively low. Therefore, targeted intervention measures tailored to their specific needs must be developed, and more focused educational resources for public emergencies must be created. Online interactive platforms should be established to enhance the self-help education content and strategies. Such measures should help improve the acceptance rate of ESHPE among older adult migrants

Privileges, and Permissions: theorising intersectionality and cultures of control in the care of people living with dementia in acute hospital settings

A longstanding body of public enquiries and research identifies people living with dementia experience systemic inequalities within hospital settings, concluding a focus on improving care cultures is required. Drawing on a 3-year multi-sited hospital ethnography, this paper examines everyday cultures of care in NHS acute hospital wards to interrogate how ethnicity, gender, and social class intersects to shape the care of people living with dementia. Drawing on Collins’ concept of intersectionality and the relational nature of power, the analysis reveals that, while cared for by diverse teams of healthcare professionals, a patients’ age, ethnicity, gender, and social class, as interconnected categories, influences the tightening of ward rules for some people living with dementia and the granting of significant privileges for others. Focusing on walking within the ward, with a large number of people living with dementia classified as ‘wandering’, we explore ways in which intersectional identities informed who was granted privileges to leave the bedside and ‘wander’ the ward, and who experienced further control. The paper concludes that institutional racism and attitudes to gender, social class, and ageing, permeate the routine organisation and delivery of care within NHS acute hospital wards to significantly impact people living with dementia, and in turn, increases the consideration of care pathways that emphasise their discharge to institutional settings

Can an animation improve parents’ knowledge and how does it compare to written information? Development and survey evaluation of an animation for parents about prenatal sequencing

Objective: To develop and evaluate an animation for parents about prenatal sequencing. Methods: A total of 428 participants who had been pregnant, or whose partner had been pregnant, in the past 24 months. Parents, patient organisation representatives and clinicians co-designed the animation describing prenatal sequencing (pS). Participants were semi-randomly assigned to receive one of three interventions (leaflet, animation or both) and answered questions assessing their self-perceived and objective knowledge before (T1) and after the intervention (T2). Satisfaction with and ease of understanding of the information was assessed at T2. Results: Survey respondents’ (leaflet (n = 130), animation (n = 153) and both leaflet and animation (n = 145)) self-perceived understanding and knowledge of genetics and objective knowledge of pS increased after all interventions. The leaflet and animation were equally effective in improving objective knowledge of pS [F(2, 421) = 2.48, p = .085.]. The animation was viewed positively. Preferences for information format were mixed. Conclusion: Animated and written information can improve knowledge and understanding of pS. Our animation expands the available information resources for parents offered pS. Further research should evaluate the utility of the animation in a clinical setting