Inclusive B -meson flavour-tagging algorithm at LHCb

A new algorithm is developed to identify the flavour of neutral B mesons at production in pp collisions by utilising all tracks from the hadronisation process. The algorithm is calibrated separately for B0 and Bs0 mesons using B0 → J/ψK+π− and Bs0→Ds−π+ decays from pp collision data collected by the LHCb experiment at a centre-of-mass energy of 13 TeV. This new algorithm improves the tagging power by 35% for B0 mesons and 20% for Bs0 mesons when compared to the combined performance of the existing LHCb flavour-tagging algorithms

Association of vision impairment and hearing impairment with encounters in the criminal justice system among children and young people: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundMore than 250,000 children MethodsWe searched PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane, legal and social science data bases to identify studies that describe vision impairment/eye disease and hearing impairment/ear disease among incarcerated youth from inception to 1 June 2025. We included studies of any design assessing criminal justice system contacts among young people with such impairments. Study selection, data extraction and evaluation of bias and quality were done by two reviewers. We performed narrative summaries of prevalence due to high heterogeneity and provided a meta-analysis for odds of vision/hearing impairment among incarcerated youth compared to controls. This study is registered with PROSPERO, CRD42022319876.FindingsWe identified 94 eligible full-texts for screening among 10070 assessed. Twenty-three studies (median year of publication 1989) including 34,993 participants (mean age 15.8 years, range 10.2-20.9) were included in analyses. The reported prevalence of vision impairment among incarcerated youth ranged from 1.35% to 66.0% (16 studies), hearing impairment from 1.36% to 50.4% (11 studies). In meta-analysis of four studies providing control samples, odds of hearing impairment were increased among incarcerated youth compared to controls (Odds Ratio [OR] 4.20, 95% CI 1.79-9.86; p < 0.001, I2 = 48.4%). Six studies on vision impairment reported a pooled OR of 1.60 (95% CI 0.95-2·70; p = 0.08, I2 = 69.9%); leave-one-out meta-analysis found removal of a single outlying study left a highly significant OR (OR 1.90, 95% CI 1.65-2.19; p < 0.001).InterpretationThe prevalence of vision and hearing impairment are higher among incarcerated youth than the general population, although highly variable. These results highlight the need for screening and treatment of vision and hearing conditions at reception into prisons and follow up on release.FundingCo-first author Mapa Prabhath Piyasena was funded by the Wellcome Trust United Kingdom (Grant No: 222490/Z/21/Z) from year May/2022 to April/2024. Co-author Thomas Hampton is supported by the Wellcome Trust United Kingdom (Grant No: 203919/Z/16/Z). Co-author Dr Rolvix Patterson is supported by the NIH NIDCD training grant R25DC020172, NIH Fogarty International Center Grant D43TW009340, and the Duke Hubert Yeargan Center for Global Health

Blame games, problem denial, and relational distance

Problem denial is the blame-avoider’s strategy of choice. If alleged harms can be rebutted or reframed, the blame game is forestalled before it begins. In current theory, problem denial is thought to be limited by plausibility and reputation. If denials stretch credulity, or if the denier has a trackrecord of denial, the strategy will be short-lived. Conversely, this article investigates whether problem denial is enabled by seniority within the machinery of government. By observing how different tiers of UK central government respond to 235 inquiries by the Public Accounts Committee, it shows that the core executive does indeed rebut more criticism than ordinary line ministries, whereas ministries and administrative agencies show no difference. Qualitative analysis of committee transcripts indicates that this is explained by lower relational distance between committee and finance ministry, which is regarded as an ally in promoting value-for-money and so granted more license to deny

A randomised controlled trial of a low-carbohydrate digitally-supported weight loss programme for type 2 diabetes

We evaluated the effectiveness of a low-carbohydrate digitally-supported weight loss programme for glycaemic control for people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) compared with usual primary care in a 12 month RCT. We individually randomised 115 people with T2D and BMI ≥27kg/m2 recruited from 19 general practices in England, to receive either a 12-week low-carbohydrate programme with digital support, or usual care. There was no between-group difference in HbA1c change from baseline to 3 or 12 months (primary outcome; estimated mean difference (95% CI) -0.7mmol/mol (-5.0 to 3.6), and -1.5 (-5.7 to 2.8), p=0.80). Greater mean weight loss in the intervention group at 3 months (2.6kg (0.6 to 4.6)), was not sustained by 12 months (-0.4kg (-2.3 to 1.6)). While this digitallydelivered intervention was acceptable to patients, there was no evidence of a meaningful impact of the intervention on glycaemia or other cardiovascular risk factors beyond that achieved with usual care. This trial was prospectively registered at clinicaltrials.gov, NCT04916314, in June 2021.

Eating disorder cognitions: a comparison between Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) and Anorexia Nervosa

Background: This study aims to investigate whether individuals with Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) experience unhelpful cognitions that overlap with Anorexia Nervosa (AN). It also examines whether these cognitions play a role in driving problematic eating behaviours that are typically associated with AN because they are designed to prevent weight gain. Methods: There were 184 participants (68 individuals with AN, 61 individuals with ARFID, and 55 people with no eating disorder) who were screened using Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM-5) criteria. Participants were an adult community sample who completed an anonymous online survey. Questionnaires measured core beliefs, assumptions and automatic thoughts that are associated with AN, and an assessment of concerns about weight and shape was completed. An observational design was used to compare how responses varied according to diagnosis. Results: Individuals with ARFID were found to have significantly higher levels of disordered core beliefs, assumptions, automatic thoughts, and weight/shape concerns than people with no eating disorder. They showed lower levels of these cognitions relative to individuals with AN. Disordered assumptions and automatic thoughts explained a large proportion of variance in behaviours intended to prevent weight gain in this group. Conclusions: The findings have implications for the diagnosis and treatment of ARFID. They challenge diagnostic conceptualisations of ARFID as entirely separable from other eating disorders and any associated weight/shape concerns. They also highlight the need for clinicians to assess and treat unhelpful cognitions that may be maintaining disordered patterns of eating. Future research directions are discussed

Measurement of the phase between strong and electromagnetic amplitudes in the decay J/ψ → ϕη

The first direct measurement of the relative phase between the strong and electromagnetic amplitudes for a J/ψ decaying into a vector-pseudoscalar final state is performed using 26 energy points of e+e− annihilation data between 3.00 GeV and 3.12 GeV. The data sets were collected by the BESIII detector with a total integrated luminosity of 452 pb−1. By investigating the interference pattern in the cross section lineshape of e+e−→ ϕη, the relative phase between the strong and electromagnetic amplitudes of J/ψ decay is determined to be within [133°, 228°] at 68% confidence level

A scoping review of nature-based programmes in schools for mental health and wellbeing in young people

Background: Adolescent mental health difficulties are rising in the UK, yet school-based provision is limited. Nature-based Programmes (NbPs) are increasingly promoted as alternative or supplementary interventions for Mental Health and Wellbeing (MHWB), but evidence in secondary schools is under-explored. Aim: In this scoping review, we map existing NbPs in secondary school contexts; identify reported outcomes for mental health, wellbeing, and learning; and assess evidence quality for NbPs in secondary-school provision. Methods: We followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines (protocol: https://osf.io/qczas), searching five databases and the grey literature. Eligible studies reported school-based NbPs for students aged 10–18. The review process included screening, data extraction, and appraisal (using MMAT), and was co-produced with policymakers, educators, and young people. Results: From 17,723 records, 22 studies were included. NbPs encompassed school gardening, outdoor education, conservation, forest pedagogy, recreation in nature, and passive nature engagements. Most NbPs were delivered weekly on school grounds or in local greenspaces. Reported MHWB outcomes included reduced anxiety and stress, improved selfesteem and resilience, enhanced prosocial behaviour and school connectedness, and enhanced nature connectedness. Evidence for academic outcomes was mixed, with modest gains in science engagement and arithmetic but little evidence of broader academic performance benefits. Overall study quality was moderate, with small samples, limited use of control groups, and heterogeneity in outcome metrics. Conclusion: NbPs show promise for supporting adolescent MHWB in secondary schools, with school and nature connectedness emerging as potential mediators. However, evidence for cognitive and academic gains remains limited. In future, robust, UK-based Randomized Control Trials (RCTs) with standardised outcome measures are needed to assess efficacy of NbPs

Radiochromic film dosimetry for VHEE and UHDR: protocol adaptation and verification at the CLEAR facility

Radiochromic films (RCFs) offer effective two-dimensional dosimetry with a simple, low-cost operating principle, making them suitable for very high-energy electron (VHEE) and ultra-high dose rate (UHDR) applications, where dosimetry standards are lacking. However, achieving high-accuracy measurements with RCFs presents significant challenges, especially in the absence of standardised protocols. To ensure reliable and comparable outcomes, adapted protocols based on a thorough understanding of RCF behaviour are essential. Despite over 6,000 publications addressing RCF protocols, comprehensive guides for high-throughput research machines with small, non-uniform beams are scarce. This paper aims to be a comprehensive guide for non-expert users of RCFs, particularly in VHEE and UHDR research. We identify common errors in RCF preparation, scanning, and processing, proposing strategies to enhance accuracy and efficiency. Using our optimised RCF protocol at the CLEAR facility, we demonstrate a 5% agreement compared to alanine dosimeters irradiated with Gaussian VHEE beams, establishing this protocol as a solid foundation for reliable dosimetry in advanced radiotherapy research

Community health volunteers and contraceptive use among adolescent girls and young women in Kenya: a three-wave analysis

Background: Household visits from community health workers can improve adolescent girls and young women’s (AGYW) healthcare seeking and access to services. This study aimed to evaluate whether engagement with community health volunteers (CHVs) is associated with health facility visits, contraceptive use and the fulfilment of family planning needs among AGYW in Kenya. Methods: We analysed data from three waves of Kenya’s Performance Monitoring for Action cohort, collected between 2019 and 2022. The analysis focused on 3394 AGYW aged 15–24 years who had ever had sex (observations across the three waves=5784). Multivariable mixed-effects unconditional logistic regression was used to evaluate within-individual associations between past-year CHV household visits to talk about family planning and three outcomes: (1) health facility visits; (2) modern contraception use; and (3) unmet need for modern contraception. Findings: The prevalence of modern contraceptive use and unmet need for family planning among AGYW was 47% and 25%, respectively. 11% were visited by a CHV in the last year. Comparing within individuals across study waves, visits by a CHV increased the likelihood of visiting a health facility (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) 1.23, 95% CI 1.14 to 1.31). The combination of a CHV visit and health facility visit showed moderate evidence of increasing the likelihood of modern contraception use (aPR 1.17, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.29), but no evidence of decreasing unmet need for modern contraception (aPR 0.71, 95% CI 0.41 to 1.01). Conclusion: Household visits by CHVs are likely to connect AGYW to health facilities and support increased contraceptive use. However, it remains unclear if these visits ultimately reduce unmet need for modern contraception among AGYW

Roar Data: Redefining a Lion's Roar Using Machine Learning

For territorial advertisement and intra‐pride communication African lions emit a roaring bout, of which one component, is their iconic roar. The full‐throated roar of a lion has recently been shown to be a unique and individually identifiable signature. At the same time, the frequency of large‐scale passive acoustic monitoring surveys has increased. As such, a lion's roar may soon become a useful tool to count individuals and estimate population density, to supplement traditional survey techniques. Currently, selecting full‐throated roars is heavily dependent on expert inference and is therefore subject to human‐induced bias. We propose a data‐driven approach to automatically classify lions' full‐throated roars from the other vocalisations that constitute a roaring bout. By using two‐state Gaussian Hidden‐Markov Models, we also demonstrate that two types of roars exist within a lion's roaring bout—a full‐throated roar and a newly named intermediary roar—and these can be classified at an accuracy of 84.7%. We further demonstrate that using simple metrics to describe lion vocalisations—maximum frequency (Hz) and vocalisation length (s)—and K‐means clustering is sufficient to classify lion call types, at a high accuracy (95.4%), and that using data‐driven predicted full‐throated roars results in an improved ability to identify individuals (F1‐score 0.87 vs. manual full‐throated roar classification 0.80). Here, we establish an easy‐to‐understand and implement process that will reduce the knowledge gap and make passive acoustic monitoring more accessible in a field currently dominated by other monitoring techniques (e.g., camera surveys), paving the way for novel research