‘We need to give it more attention’. Educators’, students’, and social work apprentices’ experiences of teaching and learning child-centred recordkeeping

Maintaining records about children and families who are the subject of social work intervention is a routinized aspect of everyday practice and has been recognized as vital in protecting children from harm and promoting their wellbeing. There is evidence that the fast-paced nature of statutory social work, as well as bureau cratic demands and difficulties with writing, can inhibit workers’ capacity to keep child-centered records, with inadequate record keeping having serious implications for protecting children from harm in the present and meeting their potential memory and identity needs in the future. This paper presents evidence from social work educators, as well as undergraduate, postgraduate, and apprentice social work students about their experiences of teaching and learning skills for child-centered case recording while at university and on placement. We highlight the interaction of university and practice learning, identifying key barriers to the complex task of maintaining child-centered records and outlining evidence from learners that there is a case for the prioritization of teaching skills for writing for practice within the university environment. We conclude by making recommendations as to how skills for child-centered recordkeeping could be more effectively taught, assessed, and embedded in pre-qualifying social work education

Banned for doping: Using composite vignettes to portray rugby players’ experiences of anti-doping rule violations

Objective: Understanding the lived experiences of athletes who have been sanctioned for violating anti-doping rules presents the opportunity to listen and learn. Yet, the academic field seldom draws on the voices of those affected when considering doping in sport. Our aim was to illuminate important aspects of sanctioned athletes’ experiences and highlight opportunities for prevention and rehabilitation. Design: A semi-structured interview research design was used, and data informed the development of composite vignettes, a form of creative non-fiction. Method: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with two elite rugby players sanctioned for violating the anti-doping rules within rugby league (n=1) and rugby union (n=1). Three composite vignettes were created illuminating player experiences before, during and after the violations. Findings: The vignettes highlight in participants’ own words the multiple impacts of sport demands and drug use: (1) Leading up to the violation: ‘You’re just treading water, you’re surviving’ (2) ‘There’s just this massive amount of social pressure in rugby, not just on the game, but on who you’re supposed to be’ (3) ‘It was like being hit by a train’. The ADRV aftermath. Conclusions: The role of social identity in the transitions experienced by a rugby player following a critical incident (e.g., serious injury) was a key influencing factor for doping. Alongside addressing the demands of the sport, the need for early intervention and evidence-based support for players experiencing critical incidents (e.g., injury) and transitions was evident to prevent doping violations

The Benefits of Assistive Technology for the Elderly and Disabled People: A Baseline Study

Purpose Housing adaptation enables the elderly and disabled people to live healthy, productive, independent, and dignified lives by making it easier to carry out everyday tasks in a safer environment. Assistive technology enables them to perform tasks that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to achieve independence. Therefore, the new guidance for local authorities in England on Disabled Facilities Grants (DFG) recommends assistive and smart technology as part of a DFG award package to maximise the benefits of home adaptations. Through a baseline study, this paper examines the disabled and elderly peoples’ level of digital engagement, the challenges and the impact of smart devices on their daily living and well-being. Design/methodology/approach A baseline study approach was used through the co-production of knowledge. The study relies on a questionnaire survey and the Most Significant Change (MSC) research technique through structured interviews. A percentage of the total approach is used in analysing the quantitative data by comparing the pre- and post-baseline results. Findings The major challenges the clients face are Wi-Fi connectivity, system compatibility issues, and skills in navigating different applications and operating systems. The pilot study demonstrates that assistive technology supports independent and healthy living and promotes a secure and safe environment. It also promotes social inclusion and improves the elderly and disabled people’s comfort and engagement. However, the results show that the overall impact is minimal; therefore, a longitudinal study is needed to understand the impacts over a long period. Practical implications The findings will help policymakers to understand the impacts of assistive technology on improving the elderly and disabled people’s quality of life. Originality/value A comparable baseline study was carried out to serve as a reference point for other similar future studies. The paper also highlights the challenges faced by the elderly and disabled people, their digital skill level and the impact of smart devices on their daily living and well-being

R.J. Morris: An Appreciation – Introduction to Special Section

The essays that follow aim to capture aspects of the unique style of R.J. Morris, aspects which taken together represent the formidable legacy that he leaves to the global world of urban history

Clinimetrics: The vertical single leg hop test

Description: The vertical single leg hop test (VSLHT) is a functional performance outcome measuring maximum single leg jump height (cm).1 The VSLHT is intended to assess sport-related movements and musculoskeletal loading demands.1,2 To perform this test, an individual stands on one leg, executes a rapid countermovement to a self-selected depth, jumps as high as possible, and then lands on the same leg.2, 3, 4 Height can be measured using instrumentation (eg, contact timing mat)2, 3, 4 or the chalk on wall method. The VSLHT can be completed on both legs in 10 to 15 minutes, including a dynamic warm-up and practice trials (three to five). Typically, multiple maximum effort attempts (minimum of three) are performed with 20 to 30 seconds of rest between attempts

Making sense of metal in the United Kingdom and the future of metal music studies: A case study of Wytch Hazel and Arð

Heavy metal in the United Kingdom, as in many countries around the world, is thriving and has become a respectable form of popular culture, and its fans and musicians are seen everywhere. The same position of respectability has been gained by academics and the once-mocked subject field of metal music studies. In this article, I try to map metal in the United Kingdom today through a case study of Wytch Hazel and Arð, two bands located in the north of England. I will argue that metal in the United Kingdom is still a space for resistance to the commodification of the mainstream and the construction of imaginary, imagined communities. I will then argue that the future of metal music studies depends on whether metal itself continues to thrive as a place of polyvalent identities, as well as whether academics can negotiate their own epistemological and ontological uncertainties in the marketplace of higher education

Coal to swole: A survey of anabolic steroid use and muscularity concerns in coalfield areas of Wales

BACKGROUND: Growing male anabolic steroid use is often framed as symptomatic of a post-industrial masculinity crisis, but little quantitative evidence exists for this account. We examine whether steroid use is associated with geographic exposure to industrial decline, namely historical coal mining, and whether any association is mediated by masculine norms. METHODS: We fielded a quota-sampled survey of 18-49 year-old men in Wales (N = 1425). Data were geo-linked to the extent of historic coal mining locally to respondents. Generalised linear mixed models were fitted to test our hypotheses. RESULTS: Steroid use (odds ratio = 1.99, 1.10-3.60), but not body image (B = 1.06, -2.02-4.13), was positively associated with mining extent. However, this was not mediated by conformity to masculine norms. DISCUSSION: While use of steroids is more common in former mining areas, this is not due to more prevalent body image issues nor mediated by masculine norms. Thus, accounts of a post-industrial 'thwarted masculinity' do not fit the data. Steroid use in post-industrial areas is an issue for public health and these communities may benefit from targeted interventions to reduce risk of harms

Creating opportunities to communicate and connect in a global pandemic: Exploring the experiences of people with aphasia of an online conversation partner scheme

Background Conversation partner schemes for people with aphasia (PWA) can promote communication and quality of life as well as support skill development for students. Initial evidence indicates online conversation partner formats are acceptable as an alternative to in‐person delivery. Aims To evaluate the experiences of PWA of an online conversation partner scheme during the global pandemic. Methods & Procedures This qualitative study captured the experiences of eight PWA through semi‐structured interviews. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data and to create themes and subthemes, reflecting the experiences of the participants through the interpretation of the researchers. Outcomes & Results Two main themes were generated, each with subthemes. The first theme was Communicating and connecting online: ‘It was brilliant’ with subthemes: ‘It help me and I help them’: Mutual benefits, ‘Straight away I managed to speak’: Supported conversations, ‘We got to know each other’: Connecting, and ‘Nine out of ten, easy’: Convenient and easy. The second theme was Being me online: lacks ‘Je ne sais quoi’ with subthemes: ‘I like to shake hands’: Missing a human connection, ‘Show me, me self, myself, my broad Yorkshire coming out’: Restricted self‐expression, and ‘Wetherspoons, Wetherspoons’: Loss of the physical environment. Conclusions & Implications This study supports the existing evidence that online conversation partner schemes for PWA are successful. It contributes original ideas relating to the acceptability of technology, interaction and self‐expression online for PWA, and considers the benefits of combining both online and face‐to‐face communication and connection opportunities. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS What is already known on the subject University conversation partner schemes have been shown to improve the communication skills and confidence of PWA and students. A small body of research has shown that online conversation partner schemes are feasible and can be a positive experience for some, but not all, PWA. What this paper adds to the existing knowledge Participants found that an online conversation partner scheme during the COVID‐19 pandemic gave them the opportunity to communicate and connect with students, and led to mutual benefits including enjoyment, improved communication skills, confidence and a sense of purpose. They were able to connect through supported conversations and found it convenient and easy to meet online. Despite these benefits, the participants felt that there was something missing in terms of the human connection, self‐expression and the physical environment. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? This study suggests that online conversation partner schemes provide an opportunity for those who are restricted in their ability to meet face to face or would prefer the ease and comfort of staying in their own home. However, some people may face more barriers in meeting online due to limited experience, skills or support with technology, and may find it more difficult to communicate, build a connection and express themselves. Either using a combined approach of online and face‐to‐face interactions or providing a choice for PWA will ensure that they are still able to access the psychosocial benefits of participating in a conversation partner scheme

Cost-effectiveness of swab versus tissue sampling for infected diabetic foot ulcers from the CODIFI2 randomised controlled trial

This multi-centre, Phase III, prospective, unblinded, two-arm parallel group, randomised controlled trial compared clinical (reported elsewhere) and economic outcomes of swab versus tissue sampling over a 52–104 week period. Resource use was logged using case record forms and patient questionnaire at weeks 4, 12, 26, 39, 52 and 104, costed using laboratory and published sources from the UK NHS perspective, at 2021/2022 price-year. EQ-5D-3L questionnaires issued at these time points were used to derive quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). To account for imbalances such as age, a regression-based approach was used to estimate survival, expected costs and QALYs between the sampling arms. Available case analysis (ACA) and multiple imputation methods were applied for self reported missing data, and ACA for researcher-collected data (survival, hospitalisations and antibiotic use). Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was used to assess the uncertainty of economic results. Results We recruited 149 participants (75 swab, 74 tissue) from 21 UK sites, between 07 May 2019 and 28 April 2022 (last follow-up 28 April 2023). Planned sample size was 730 participants, for 90% power to detect 12.5% difference in healing at 52 weeks, but the trial stopped early due to low recruitment. Expected QALYs in the swab-sampling arm were greater than in the tissue-sampling arm at weeks 26, 52 and 104. The cost of tissue sampling was greater than of swabbing when including antibiotics and hospitalisation. Swab sampling participants had higher QALYs and lower costs across weeks 26–52, reducing slightly by week 104. Conclusions Because of higher costs, lower QALYs and lack of evidence of benefit, potentially due to the trial being underpowered, tissue sampling was dominated by wound swabbing in the cost-effectiveness analysis

QCA: Quantum Computational Approach for Internet of Things with 5G Connectivity

In this paper, the need for a quantum computing approach is analyzed for IoT applications using the 5G resource spectrum. Most of the IoT devices are connected for data transmission to end users with remote monitoring units, but there are no sufficient data storage units, and more data cannot be processed at minimized time periods. Hence, in the proposed method, quantum information processing protocols and quantum algorithms are integrated where data transmissions are maximized. Further, the system model is designed in such a way for checking the external influence factors that prevent the IoT device from transmitting data to end users. Therefore, with corresponding signal and noise power, it is essential to process the transmissions, thereby increasing data proportions at end connectivity. Once quantum computations are performed, then it is crucial to normalize IoT data units, thus establishing control over entire connected nodes that create a gateway for achieving maximum throughput. The combined system model is tested under four cases where the comparative outcomes prove that with reduced queue reductions of 12%, it is possible to achieve a maximum throughput of 99%