A survey on privacy and security in distributed cloud computing: exploring federated learning and beyond

The increasing need to process large, high-dimensional datasets and the substantial computational power required have made the use of distributed cloud servers essential. These servers provide cost-effective solutions that make storage and computing accessible to ordinary users. However, they might face significant vulnerabilities, including data leakage, metadata spoofing, insecure programming interfaces, malicious insiders, and denial of service. To gain public trust in distributed computing, addressing concerns related to privacy and security while ensuring high performance and efficiency is crucial. Multiparty computation, differential privacy, trusted execution environments, and federated learning are the four major approaches developed to address these issues. This survey paper reviews and compares these four approaches based on a structured framework, by highlighting recent top-tier research papers published in prestigious journals and conferences. Particular attention is given to progress in federated learning, which trains a model across multiple devices without sharing the actual data, keeping data private and secure. The survey also highlights federated learning techniques, including secure federated learning, by detecting malicious updates and privacy-preserving federated learning via data encryption, data perturbation, and anonymization, as new paradigms for building responsible computing systems. Finally, the survey discusses future research directions for connecting academic innovations with real-world industrial applications

Adaptation challenges within UK Higher Education sector: insights into academic excellence through diverse student backgrounds

In today's globalized world, the movement of students across borders for higher education has become increasingly common, enriching the cultural diversity and economic vitality of host institutions (Morrison, 2024; Lisa et al., 2024). However, the UK's diverse international student body—comprising individuals from countries such as China, India, Pakistan, Nigeria, and Malaysia, and ethnic groups like South Asian, East Asian, and Middle Eastern—faces significant challenges related to cultural adjustment and social integration (Alma et al., 2024; UKCISA, 2023). These challenges include language barriers, differing academic expectations, and difficulties in forming social connections, which can hinder students' overall success (Azilah et al., 2018; Khawaja & Howard, 2021). Acculturation theory, first proposed by Berry (2005), offers a valuable framework for understanding the adaptation challenges faced by international students. However, existing research highlights gaps in our understanding of these challenges. Most studies focus primarily on initial culture shock and early adaptation, neglecting the long-term evolution of students’ acculturation (Abdulrahman, 2015; Chiamaka, 2022). This study aims to explore the challenges faced by international students in UK higher education through the lens of acculturation theory. Specifically, it will investigate how this theory explains the adaptation processes of students from diverse backgrounds, analysing challenges related to cultural adjustment, social integration, and academic performance. Moreover, the proposed study is crucial for advancing theoretical understanding, informing practice, and shaping policy in international higher education. By applying acculturation theory, the research aims to provide valuable insights into the adaptation processes and challenges faced by international students in the UK

Rethinking peer support: an intersectional approach to mental health for Black, Indigenous and People of Color

Open Peer Commentary - Mental Health Conditions Between Neurodiversity and the Medical Model. No Abstract available

"A university should be a place open to the exchange of ideas, not one of censorship": balancing equity, diversity, and inclusion and free speech in academia

Introduction: This study examines how political ideologies influence university students' perceptions of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) discussions at a Post-92 university in the United Kingdom. EDI topics in higher education have become increasingly contentious and reflect broader societal polarization (Henderson et al., 2017). The research explores how students' political beliefs intersect with their attitudes toward institutional EDI initiatives. Methods: Using qualitative methods, the study collected data from 224 students through open-ended survey responses. Thematic Analysis was used to identify key themes, while Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) (Fairclough, 2010) was used to explore the role of language in ideologies within students’ responses. Discussion of Findings: The study identifies a wide divide in perceptions along political lines. Students with left-leaning ideologies generally perceive the university's EDI efforts positively. They emphasize the importance of open dialogue in fostering understanding, personal growth, and cultural exchange (Osbourne et al., 2022). Conversely, students with non-left-wing ideologies view these initiatives as politically motivated and biased. They express discomfort, alienation, and frustration, citing concerns over the university's alignment with ideologically charged movements. The perceived association of EDI efforts with political agendas, particularly movements such as Black Lives Matter, exacerbates these divides (Collett, 2023). Implications for policy and practice: This study highlights the importance of balancing EDI initiatives to avoid alienating students whose views may not be in accord with the dominant perspectives on EDI. A one-size-fits-all approach risks deepening polarization and limiting meaningful critical discourse on EDI, as it can inadvertently silence dissenting voices and create an environment where genuine engagement is replaced by performative agreement (Dotson, 2017)

Battlefield knowledge and barracks reality: learning practices within the Netherlands Army

Drawing on extensive original empirical research, this article examines the adoption of NATO's lessons-learned process within the Netherlands Army. It finds that existing accounts of military learning inadequately explain how practices shape formal learning processes and organisational learning in a military context. The case study reveals important, but hitherto neglected, routinised practitioner behaviours which enable and hinder the adoption, engagement with, and effectiveness of formal lessons-learned processes. These practices span three key dimensions: formal and informal relational dynamics, interweaving of diverse temporal orientations and structuring of the material, historical, social, and symbolic context

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: treatment outcomes, quality of life and implications for practice

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most common spinal disorder among children and adolescents, with most cases being diagnosed around puberty. While the majority of people with AIS do not undergo treatment, a small but significant number are treated, depending on the extent of their spinal curvature. Treatment typically involves bracing, which requires substantial adherence, and/or surgery, which is invasive and permanent. Furthermore, decisions about treatment often need to be made at a critical stage of the person’s development. This article examines the evidence on AIS and its treatment, synthesising the current literature and drawing from the authors’ empirical work to explore the clinical outcomes of bracing and surgery, as well as the longer-term effects on people’s quality of life. Drawing from this evidence, the authors provide guidance for nurses and healthcare professionals who care for people with AIS

Coproducing a culturally sensitive storytelling video intervention to improve psychosocial well-being: a multimethods participatory study with Nepalese migrant workers

Objective: This study aimed to coproduce a culturally adaptive storytelling video intervention to support the psychosocial well-being of Nepalese migrant workers. Design: A multimethods participatory study was conducted involving three different but interconnected phases: (1) formative research involving a systematic review, pilot survey and stakeholder consultations; (2) exploration and analysis of Nepalese literature relevant to contemporary migration; and (3) coproduction of a storytelling video intervention, using participatory workshops. Participants and settings: Convenience sample of outgoing and returnee migrant workers from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, their families and other relevant stakeholders in Dhading District of Bagmati Province, Nepal. Results: The systematic review of 33 included studies identified five key health issues: mental health; occupational hazards; sexual health; healthcare access; and infectious diseases. In the survey (n=60), workers reported various health problems including fever/common cold (42%); mental health problems (25%); and verbal abuse (35%). Twenty interviewees identified issues related to physical health (eg, pneumonia, kidney disease) as well as mental health (eg, anxiety, depression). Nepalese literary resources primarily portrayed themes of: separation; hopelessness and helplessness; and poor workplace environments. Drawing on these findings and iterative workshops with stakeholders, a culturally sensitive storytelling video intervention was coproduced to support the psychosocial well-being of Nepalese migrant workers in GCC countries. The intervention used an animated video format with audio narration and subtitles, presenting a story centred around the struggles of an archetypal male migrant worker and their use of coping strategies for dealing with adversities. Conclusions: This is a feasibility study conducted in a single district of Nepal; as such, the findings should be generalised cautiously. Despite these limitations, the project is testament to the value of participatory methods in the development of culturally sensitive public health interventions for marginalised groups, and points to the utility of coproduced storytelling formats in migrant health contexts. Future research is needed to evaluate feasibility and acceptability of the intervention as well as the outcomes and experiences of migrant workers who engaged with the video

On-demand energy provisioning scheme in large-scale WRSNs: survey, opportunities, and challenges

Wireless rechargeable sensor networks (WRSNs) have emerged as a critical infrastructure for monitoring and collecting data in large-scale and dynamic environments. The energy autonomy of sensor nodes is crucial for the sustained operation of WRSNs. This paper presents a comprehensive survey on the state-of-the-art approaches and technologies in on-demand energy provisioning in large-scale WRSNs. We explore various energy harvesting techniques, storage solutions, and energy management strategies tailored to the unique challenges posed by the dynamic and resource-constrained nature of WRSNs. This survey categorizes existing literature based on energy harvesting sources, including solar, kinetic, and ambient energy, and discusses advancements in energy storage technologies such as supercapacitors and rechargeable batteries. Furthermore, we investigate energy management techniques that adaptively balance energy consumption and harvesting, optimizing the overall network performance. In addition to providing a thorough overview of existing solutions, this paper identifies opportunities and challenges in the field of on-demand energy provisioning for large-scale WRSNs. By synthesizing current research efforts, this survey aims to provide insight to researchers and policymakers in understanding the landscape of on-demand energy provisioning in large-scale WRSNs. The insights gained from this study pave the way for future innovations and contribute to the development of sustainable and self-sufficient wireless sensor networks, critical for the advancement of applications such as environmental monitoring, precision agriculture, and smart cities

Implementation of annual health assessments for adults with intellectual disabilities: an integrative review

People with intellectual disabilities (ID) face health inequalities, often arising from undiagnosed health conditions. An annual health assessment (or health check) administered by a primary care provider can be a systematic method of identifying these health conditions, and initiating treatment and management, leading to better health outcomes. While these health checks are recommended in many countries, including the United Kingdom (UK), they have not been administered to all adults with ID, In light of this, the barriers and facilitators to systematic implementation have not been systematically studied. The aim of this Integrative review was to identify the barriers and facilitators to the systematic implementation of health checks, using the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). This model has been used in implementation research and is useful in determining the levels of healthcare interaction that are involved in the delivery of this intervention. We identified 35 peer-reviewed primary research articles that met inclusion criteria. The barriers and facilitators to health check implementation were extracted, and coded according to the individual involved, whether it was a barrier or facilitator, and the domains and constructs of the CFIR model. We concluded that most factors related to the physician’s role, additionally many factors related to the intervention itself. Some of these facilitators included the perceived efficacy of the health check intervention, and the belief that it provides more comprehensive care. Some of the barriers include additional time that is necessary to implement the intervention, and a lack of resources Future interventions could train physicians and target some structural health system barriers to implementing health checks, and further research with physicians, patients, and carers is needed. This research may confirm the barriers and facilitators to health check implementation, and explore methods to promote health checks

Thermal exposure across age groups: social, spatial, and temporal inequalities in Nanjing, China

As climate change and urban expansion intensify, unequal thermal exposure among different age groups has emerged as a significant health concern. Existing studies on age groups’ thermal exposures have notable gaps: (1) the lack of comparison between summer and winter seasons; and (2) insufficient understanding of how metropolitan location (e.g., inner-city, suburban) and built environment characteristics (e.g., land cover, morphology) influence thermal exposure. To bridge these gaps, this study analyzes Land Surface Temperature (LST) exposure of children (0–14 years), adults (15–59 years), and senior citizens (60+ years) across Nanjing’s neighborhoods during the summer and winter of 2020. The study shows that variations in metropolitan locations correspond to demographic differences and built environment characteristics such as impervious surfaces, vegetation, and building heights, leading to social, spatial and temporal LST inequalities among age groups. For instance, innercity areas exhibited higher thermal exposure risk in both summer and winter, particularly affecting senior citizens. In contrast, adults experienced relatively moderate LST exposure, likely due to their suburban residence. Random forest model results indicate that built environment characteristics significantly and seasonally influence LST. In summer, higher proportions of impervious surfaces and lower levels of vegetation contribute to elevated LST in inner-city areas. Conversely, in winter, greater impervious surface areas, taller buildings, and greater distance from industrial zones correlate with lower temperatures in these regions. This study ultimately highlights the need for policy interventions to mitigate thermal exposure inequities among different age groups