Financial literacy education and Skills for Life

This report presents a review of the provision and accreditation of financial literacy education in England at the levels covered by Skills for Life (i.e. up to and including Level 2), not including financial advice and information. It is based upon data collected in the first half of 2004. Financial literacy education provision is mapped against the broad areas identified by the Financial Services Authority and the Basic Skills Agency (BSA) in the Adult Financial Capability Framework (FSA/BSA 2003). This is thought to be the first such attempt

Does Body Mass Index Influence the Physiological and Perceptual Demands Associated with Defensive Tactics Training in State Patrol Officers?

International Journal of Exercise Science 11(6): 319-330, 2018. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the physiological and perceptual demands associated with defensive tactics (DEFTAC) training among state patrol officers of different BMI (body mass index) categories. Twenty-four male state patrol officers (n = 24, age 36.00 + 7.86 yrs) voluntarily agreed to participate in data collection during a DEFTAC gauntlet. Anthropometric information (height (HT) 182.19 + 7.43 cm and weight (WT) 96.31 + 17.45 kg), body mass index (BMI), peak and average heart rates, duty weight, BLa, and RPE, were recorded. Officers were then divided into two-groups (Healthy BMI (BMI ≤ 25), n = 12, Overweight (BMI ≥ 25), n = 12). Analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) were conducted to determine the effect of BMI on the outcome variables. Furthermore, a Pearson’s product-moment correlation coefficient was also conducted to determine if significant relationships between RPE, BLa, and HR existed between groups. Significant mean score differences between healthy and overweight officers were found in measures of age [t(22) 4.12, p\u3c 0.01, R2 = .44], and weight of duty gear [t(21) 3.96, p\u3c0.01, R2 = .33]. When used as a covariate, age also predicted average HR% [ F(1, 21) = 6.19, p \u3c .05, partial η2 = .24]. Significant relationships were found in the healthy group between RPE and DEFTAC time, DEFTAC time and score, as well as score and post BLa. Significant relationships for the overweight group between peak (HR) percentage and post BLa, peak (HR) percentage and RPE, DEFTAC time and duty weight, and between weight and DEFTAC time. The results of this study suggest that overweight officers may have lower DEFTAC scores when compared to their healthy counterparts. Based on the results, it seems reasonable to compare physiological variables from this population to those from combative sports as well as for officers to achieve and maintain a healthy BMI value in order to improve individual DEFTAC performance

Abstracts from the NIHR INVOLVE Conference 2017

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Case Reports1. A Late Presentation of Loeys-Dietz Syndrome: Beware of TGFβ Receptor Mutations in Benign Joint Hypermobility

Background: Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) and dissections are not uncommon causes of sudden death in young adults. Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) is a rare, recently described, autosomal dominant, connective tissue disease characterized by aggressive arterial aneurysms, resulting from mutations in the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) receptor genes TGFBR1 and TGFBR2. Mean age at death is 26.1 years, most often due to aortic dissection. We report an unusually late presentation of LDS, diagnosed following elective surgery in a female with a long history of joint hypermobility. Methods: A 51-year-old Caucasian lady complained of chest pain and headache following a dural leak from spinal anaesthesia for an elective ankle arthroscopy. CT scan and echocardiography demonstrated a dilated aortic root and significant aortic regurgitation. MRA demonstrated aortic tortuosity, an infrarenal aortic aneurysm and aneurysms in the left renal and right internal mammary arteries. She underwent aortic root repair and aortic valve replacement. She had a background of long-standing joint pains secondary to hypermobility, easy bruising, unusual fracture susceptibility and mild bronchiectasis. She had one healthy child age 32, after which she suffered a uterine prolapse. Examination revealed mild Marfanoid features. Uvula, skin and ophthalmological examination was normal. Results: Fibrillin-1 testing for Marfan syndrome (MFS) was negative. Detection of a c.1270G > C (p.Gly424Arg) TGFBR2 mutation confirmed the diagnosis of LDS. Losartan was started for vascular protection. Conclusions: LDS is a severe inherited vasculopathy that usually presents in childhood. It is characterized by aortic root dilatation and ascending aneurysms. There is a higher risk of aortic dissection compared with MFS. Clinical features overlap with MFS and Ehlers Danlos syndrome Type IV, but differentiating dysmorphogenic features include ocular hypertelorism, bifid uvula and cleft palate. Echocardiography and MRA or CT scanning from head to pelvis is recommended to establish the extent of vascular involvement. Management involves early surgical intervention, including early valve-sparing aortic root replacement, genetic counselling and close monitoring in pregnancy. Despite being caused by loss of function mutations in either TGFβ receptor, paradoxical activation of TGFβ signalling is seen, suggesting that TGFβ antagonism may confer disease modifying effects similar to those observed in MFS. TGFβ antagonism can be achieved with angiotensin antagonists, such as Losartan, which is able to delay aortic aneurysm development in preclinical models and in patients with MFS. Our case emphasizes the importance of timely recognition of vasculopathy syndromes in patients with hypermobility and the need for early surgical intervention. It also highlights their heterogeneity and the potential for late presentation. Disclosures: The authors have declared no conflicts of interes

Investigating teacher and learner experiences of the THRASS programme in an independent primary school

M.Ed.A concern with regard to the apparent drop in achievement levels in the area of literacy and the implementation of the Teaching Handwriting Spelling and Spelling Skills (THRASS) programme, introduced as part of the strategy to address the problem, prompted this research. A qualitative case study was undertaken in order to determine 1. The experiences of the Foundation Phase teachers from Grade 1 to Grade 3 with regard to THRASS in the first year of implementation. 2. The influence of THRASS on the spelling ages the spelling strategies and the independent written of the Foundation Phase learners. 3. Imperatives for management when introducing new programmes into schools. Using the chronological age of the learners as the baseline indicator the findings indicated that an age appropriate development in the spelling age of the Grade 1 learners. These results were similar to those of 2006 when a different system was being used. On average the Grade 2 and Grade 3 learners had a spelling age which was a year or more greater than their chronological age. These results were better than those recorded in 2006. The learners were using the majority of the strategies embedded in the THRASS programme and were experiencing greater confidence when attempting to complete independent written tasks. No conclusive evidence indicated the influence of THRASS on the independent written work of the learners. There was, however, evidence in support of the finding that the learners were using the majority of the strategies embedded in the programme. It became apparent, with regard to management, that ensuring the sustainability of programmes requires as much attention as the implementation of the programmes

Assessing physical therapy students' performance during clinical practice

Purpose: To assess the feasibility and acceptability of using the Assessment of Physiotherapy Practice (APP) instrument to assess physiotherapy students' clinical competencies. Methods: A convenience sample of clinical educators (CEs) and students from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver, Canada, completed the instrument currently in use, the Physical Therapist Clinical Performance Instrument (PT-CPI), and the APP. A cross-sectional survey of CEs and physiotherapy students was conducted from 2011 to 2012; the survey included questions worded to elicit opinions about the two instruments when used in the clinical environment with students at different stages of training. Questions addressed various aspects of the instruments, including ease of use, provision of feedback, and completion time. Results: Data were analyzed from 63 CEs from a variety of settings; sufficient data were recorded on 71 student PT-CPI and APP forms. A grading comparison between the PT-CPI and the APP demonstrated equivalence of entry-to-practice standard. Mean completion time was 80 (SD 53) minutes for the PT-CPI and 23 (13) minutes for the APP; mean time difference was 57 (95% CI, 39–75). Students would prefer (82%) that the APP be used to provide feedback and assess their performance on clinical placements. Conclusions: It is feasible and acceptable to use the APP to assess physiotherapy students' clinical competencies at the University of British Columbia

A Narrative Review of Lifestyle Risk Factors and the Role of Oxidative Stress in Age-Related Hearing Loss

Age-related hearing loss affects a significant proportion of adults aged 60 years and above, with a prevalence of 65%. This condition has a negative impact on both physical and mental well-being, and while hearing interventions can help alleviate the effects of hearing loss, they cannot completely restore normal hearing or halt the progression of age-related hearing loss. Oxidative stress and inflammation have been identified as potential contributors to this condition. By addressing modifiable lifestyle risk factors that exacerbate oxidative stress, there may be an opportunity to prevent hearing loss. Therefore, this narrative review provides an overview of the major modifiable lifestyle risk factors associated with age-related hearing loss, that is, exposure to noise and ototoxic chemicals, smoking, diet, physical activity, and the presence of chronic lifestyle diseases, and offers an overview of the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of this condition

Existence and uniqueness for a coupled PDE model for motor-induced microtubule organization

International audienceMicrotubules (MTs) are protein filaments that provide structure to the cytoskeleton of cells and a platform for the movement of intracellular substances. The spatial organization of MTs is crucial for a cell's form and function. MTs interact with a class of proteins called motor proteins that can transport and position individual filaments, thus contributing to overall organization. In this paper, we study the mathematical properties of a coupled partial differential equation (PDE) model, introduced by White et al. in 2015, that describes the motor-induced organization of MTs. The model consists of a nonlinear coupling of a hyperbolic PDE for bound motor proteins, a parabolic PDE for unbound motor proteins, and a transport equation for MT dynamics. We locally smooth the motor drift velocity in the equation for bound motor proteins. The mollification is not only critical for the analysis of the model, but also adds biological realism. We then use a Banach Fixed Point argument to show local existence and uniqueness of mild solutions. We highlight the applicability of the model by showing numerical simulations that are consistent with in vitro experiments

Existence and uniqueness for a coupled PDE model for motor-induced microtubule organization

Microtubules (MTs) are protein filaments that provide structure to the cytoskeleton of cells and a platform for the movement of intracellular substances. The spatial organization of MTs is crucial for a cell's form and function. MTs interact with a class of proteins called motor proteins that can transport and position individual filaments, thus contributing to overall organization. In this paper, we study the mathematical properties of a coupled partial differential equation (PDE) model, introduced by White et al. in 2015, that describes the motor-induced organization of MTs. The model consists of a nonlinear coupling of a hyperbolic PDE for bound motor proteins, a parabolic PDE for unbound motor proteins, and a transport equation for MT dynamics. We locally smooth the motor drift velocity in the equation for bound motor proteins. The mollification is not only critical for the analysis of the model, but also adds biological realism. We then use a Banach Fixed Point argument to show local existence and uniqueness of mild solutions. We highlight the applicability of the model by showing numerical simulations that are consistent with in vitro experiments