Effectiveness of long-term (twelve months) nonsurgical weight loss interventions for obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects 2%–26% of women of reproductive age and is often accompanied by obesity. Modest weight loss reduces health risks and ameliorates effects of the syndrome. Weight loss interventions are mainly of short duration and have limited success. A systematic review of the literature was carried out to assess the efficacy of long-term (12 months), nonsurgical weight loss interventions for women with PCOS. Fifteen databases were searched, resulting in eight papers that met the search criteria. Comparison of results and meta-analysis was difficult due to heterogeneity of studies. Behavioral components of interventions were poorly described, and compliance was difficult to ascertain. The results suggested that the inclusion of a lifestyle component improves outcomes, but protocols must be clearly described to maintain study validity and to identify successful behavioral strategies

The Predictive Validity of a Text-Based Situational Judgment Test in Undergraduate Medical and Dental School Admissions

PROBLEM: Situational judgment tests (SJTs) can be used to assess the nonacademic attributes necessary for medical and dental trainees to become successful practitioners. Evidence for SJTs' predictive validity, however, relates predominantly to selection in postgraduate settings or using video-based SJTs at the undergraduate level; it may not be directly transferable to text-based SJTs in undergraduate medical and dental school selection. This preliminary study aimed to address these gaps by assessing the validity of the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) text-based SJT. APPROACH: Study participants were 218 first-year medical and dental students from four UK undergraduate schools who completed the first UKCAT text-based SJT in 2013. Outcome measures were educational supervisor ratings of in-role performance in problem-based learning tutorial sessions-mean rating across the three domains measured by the SJT (integrity, perspective taking, and team involvement) and an overall judgment of performance-collected in 2015. OUTCOMES: There were significant correlations between SJT scores and both mean supervisor ratings (uncorrected r = 0.24, P < .001; corrected r = 0.34) and overall judgments (uncorrected rs = 0.16, P < .05; corrected rs = 0.20). SJT scores predicted 6% of variance in mean supervisor ratings across the three nonacademic domains. NEXT STEPS: The results provide evidence that a well-designed text-based SJT can be appropriately integrated, and add value to, the selection process for undergraduate medical and dental school. More evidence is needed regarding the longitudinal predictive validity of SJTs throughout medical and dental training pathways, with appropriate outcome criteria

Recent advances in the vibrational spectroscopic diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide accounting for 1.69 million deaths in 2015. Studies have indicated a 5 year survival rate of 8%–15% in western countries, although a survival rate as low as 1% has been demonstrated for late stage diagnosis. With the advent of targeted therapies, it is imperative to accurately differentiate non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) subtypes in order to ensure efficacy of treatment for patients. Immunohistochemistry and molecular techniques for the diagnosis of NSCLC are increasingly part of the diagnostic algorithm and clinical work-up of lung cancer patients, however due to the limitation of small sample size, overlapping morphological features and molecular characterisation, differential diagnosis of NSCLC still proves challenging. Vibrational spectroscopy has shown promising results for the detection of a variety of cancers and a limited number of studies have focused on lung cancer. Yet to date there has been no published evaluation of vibrational spectroscopy on cytology bronchoscopy samples which may eliminate the necessity for an invasive biopsy procedure. Following an introduction to the epidemiology and etiological factors associated with NSCLC, currently used diagnostic methods and their limitations are presented. A thorough review of Raman and FTIR spectroscopic methods in lung cancer diagnosis is then presented. On review of the literature, vibrational spectroscopy offers an alternative or adjunct diagnostic method to be applied in bronchoscopy cytology samples

Three years on - the impact of being a Host City Volunteer at the 2014 Commonwealth Games

This research has examined the long-term impact or legacy of the Host City Volunteer (HCV) programme at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games (1.1). By engaging with a large group of the former HCVs, it has sought to identify the nature of change in levels of volunteering and social connectedness. The evidence from the results presented in this report suggests continuity rather than change. The Games-time experience has not transformed the HCVs into repeat volunteers, having limited impact in altering their existing propensity to volunteer. It challenges the widely accepted view that increased volunteering should be a realistic aspiration from major events. On the other hand, the research found that there has been a small but measurable increase in levels of connectedness, especially amongst those were more socially isolated before being a HCV. Taken as a whole, this research therefore suggests that a one-off intervention like the HCV programme is not sufficient, by itself, to have a long-term impact on the volunteering behaviours of participants. Further action is needed to translate enthusiasm about the Games-time volunteering experience into long-term tangible change in behaviour (7.0)

Decolonising higher education curricula: Authentic guiding narratives from academic and learner communities

Decolonising the higher education curriculum is necessary to address the legacy of colonialism that has resulted in racial inequality, including persistent awarding gaps. In practice, there are numerous competing demands on academics’ time, particularly in a landscape of post-Covid re-adjustment. To inform the process, authentic narratives from two contrasting, but inextricably connected communities are explored: In the Student Diary Project, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic undergraduate student diaries provide powerful, personal perspectives that underpin the need for decolonising. These first year students draw on personal experiences of ‘otherness’ and cultural difference, as well as advocating a range of practical measures. In Stories from Scholars, academic narratives provide an insight into ‘teacher’ perspectives on decolonising. Collectively, these demonstrate an understanding of the transformational value of the process, not only for curricula, but also for individual students and wider society. There is considerable commonality between these two community narratives, though students seem less aware of the potential benefits of decolonising on their own personal role in future society. Authentic community narratives such as these provide compelling evidence that will help persuade, engage, and guide academic and learner partnerships in their decolonising activity

Using major events to increase social connections : the case of the Glasgow 2014 Host City Volunteer programme

Despite suggestions of the potential opportunity of using major events to generate wider social connections, most emphasis in event management research continues to be placed on future volunteering as a legacy from event volunteering. This paper examines the impact of a dedicated Host City event volunteer programme associated with the 2014 Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow which sought to use this major sporting event to enhance social connectivity amongst the volunteers. This initiative, designed in response to the perceived failure of legacies arising from recruitment to the main event volunteer programme, sought to leverage social outcomes beyond that of volunteering. Although the quantitative and qualitative evidence gathered at the event time and three years later indicates that the programme failed to realise all its social ambitions, it nevertheless offers valuable insights into policy and practice around how event management can and needs to adapt to help delivery legacies, and to use emerging opportunities to leverage other benefits. This study points to the need for more attention to be given to examine how unanticipated circumstances ahead of events can alter legacy planning and create opportunities for social leveraging

Amplifying new voices and making space for alternative knowledge systems in engineering curricula – the example of Ubuntu

Engineering projects are ubiquitous; from developing COVID-19 vaccines to building new cities and developing climate change solutions. An inclusive approach to teaching engineers how to master the complexities of engineering project management is vital to the deliverability of sustainability and net zero initiatives (Hockings 2010). Yet, our engineering curricula remain deeply rooted in Western epistemology (Winter et al. 2022, Mbembe 2015). Arguably, this is an opportune time to consider decolonising our curricula. At a fundamental level, ‘decolonising the curriculum’ means introducing previously ignored voices, images, authors, theories and arguments into our teaching (Rogers et al. 2022). This is a challenge in the subject of engineering project management, where we have a rigid body of knowledge that forms the backbone of our curricula. In this paper, we argue that we must not lose the richness of theory, models and processes taught in our engineering curricula. However, we do need to search out or build knowledge of how projects in the Global South or among indigenous peoples may be managed differently and listen to and amplify voices from those cultures and communities. Ubuntu is one such alternative knowledge system, which we propose as an example of how we can amplify new voices within our engineering curricula and begin the work of decolonising our discipline (Metz 2007, Naude 2019). Our paper is based on a critical review of extant literature. We challenge readers with an evidenced call to action to embed the Ubuntu values and its benefits for students into engineering education