Aspire Higher End of Year Report

In 2022-23, Aspire Higher continued to deliver a sustained and progressive programme of outreach to students in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Northamptonshire. This academic year also marked the beginning of a transition to a focus on attainment raising in line with the changing national objectives of the Uni Connect programme, which will continue into 2023-24. This report showcases the approach of the Aspire Higher Uni Connect partnership during this year. The partnership engaged with 4,905 learners from target wards during the 2022-23 academic year. Of these learners, 2,275 had three or more instances of engagement within the academic year.<br/

Aspire Higher End of Year Report

In 2022-23, Aspire Higher continued to deliver a sustained and progressive programme of outreach to students in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, and Northamptonshire. This academic year also marked the beginning of a transition to a focus on attainment raising in line with the changing national objectives of the Uni Connect programme, which will continue into 2023-24. This report showcases the approach of the Aspire Higher Uni Connect partnership during this year. The partnership engaged with 4,905 learners from target wards during the 2022-23 academic year. Of these learners, 2,275 had three or more instances of engagement within the academic year.<br/

Does advance care planning in addition to usual care reduce hospitalisation for patients with advanced heart failure: A systematic review and narrative synthesis

BACKGROUND: People with advanced heart failure have repeated hospital admissions. Advance care planning can support patient preferences, but studies in people with heart failure have not been assessed.AIM: To evaluate the literature regarding advance care planning and hospitalisation in heart failure.DESIGN: Systematic review and narrative analysis.(PROSPEROCRD42017059190)DATA SOURCES: Electronic databases were searched (1990 to23.03.2017); MEDLINE(R), Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and Scopus. Four journals were hand searched. Two independent researchers screened against eligibility criteria. One reviewer extracted all data and a sample by a second. Quality was assessed by Cochrane Risk of Bias or the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Tool for Cohort Studies.RESULTS: 8/1713 articles were included representing 14,357 participants from in/outpatient settings from five countries. Two randomised-controlled trials and one observational study assessed planning as part of a specialist palliative care intervention; one randomised-controlled trial assessed planning in addition to usual cardiology care; one randomised-controlled trial and one observational study assessed planning in an integrated cardiology-palliative care model; one observational study assessed evidence of planning (advance directive) as part of usual care, and one observational study was a secondary analysis of trial participants coded Do Not Attempt Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation. Advance care planning i) reduced hospitalisation(5/7 studies), ii) increased referral/use of palliative services (4/4 studies), iii) supported deaths in the patient-preferred place (2/2 studies).CONCLUSIONS:Advance care planning as part of a specialist palliative care careintervention reduces hospitalisation. Preliminary studies of planning integrated into generic care, accessing specialist palliative care support if needed, are promising

Statistical properties of extragalactic sources in the New Extragalactic WMAP Point Source (NEWPS) catalogue

We present results on spectral index distributions, number counts, redshift distribution and other general statistical properties of extragalactic point sources in the NEWPS5 sample L\'opez-Caniego et al. (2007). The flux calibrations at all the WMAP channels have been reassessed both by comparison with ground based observations and through estimates of the effective beam areas. The two methods yield consistent statistical correction factors. A search of the NED has yielded optical identifications for 89% of sources in the complete sub-sample of 252 sources with S/N>5 and S>1.1 Jy at 23 GHz; 5 sources turned out to be Galactic and were removed. The NED also yielded redshifts for 92% of the extragalactic sources at |b|>10deg. Their distribution was compared with model predictions; the agreement is generally good but a possible discrepancy is noted. Using the 5 GHz fluxes from the GB6 or PMN surveys, we find that 76% of the 191 extragalactic sources with S_23GHz>1.3,Jy can be classified as flat-spectrum sources between 5 and 23 GHz. A spectral steepening is observed at higher frequencies: only 59% of our sources are still flat-spectrum sources between 23 and 61 GHz and the average spectral indexes steepen from = 0.01\pm 0.03 to = 0.37\pm 0.03. We think, however, that the difference may be due to a selection effect. The source number counts have a close to Euclidean slope and are in good agreement with the predictions of the cosmological evolution model by De Zotti et al. (2005). The observed spectral index distributions were exploited to get model-independent extrapolations of counts to higher frequencies. The risks of such operations are discussed and reasons of discrepancies with other recent estimates are clarified.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figures. Accepted for publication in MNRA

Emergent Strain of Human Adenovirus Endemic in Iowa

We evaluated 76 adenovirus type 7 (Ad7) isolates collected in Iowa from 1992 to 2002 and found that genome type Ad7d2 became increasingly prevalent. By 2002, it had supplanted all other Ad7 genome types. The association of Ad7d2 with severe illness and death calls for heightened public health concern

Acceptability of Home Monitoring for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration Reactivation: A Qualitative Study

This study formed part of a diagnostic test accuracy study to quantify the ability of three index home monitoring (HM) tests (one paper-based and two digital tests) to identify reactivation in Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). The aim of the study was to investigate views about acceptability and explore adherence to weekly HM. Semi-structured interviews were held with 98 patients, family members, and healthcare professionals. A thematic approach was used which was informed by theories of technology acceptance. Various factors influenced acceptability including a patient’s understanding about the purpose of monitoring. Training and ongoing support were regarded as essential for overcoming unfamiliarity with digital technology. Findings have implications for implementation of digital HM in the care of older people with nAMD and other long-term conditions

Testing the companion hypothesis for the origin of the X-ray emission from intermediate-mass main-sequence stars

There is no straightforward explanation for intrinsic X-ray emission from intermediate-mass main-sequence stars. Therefore the observed emission is often interpreted in terms of (hypothesized) late-type magnetically active companion stars. We use Chandra imaging observations to spatially resolve in X-rays a sample of main-sequence B-type stars with recently discovered companions at arcsecond separation. We find that all spatially resolved companions are X-ray emitters, but seven out of eleven intermediate-mass stars are also X-ray sources. If this emission is interpreted in terms of additional sub-arcsecond or spectroscopic companions, this implies a high multiplicity of B-type stars. Firm results on B star multiplicity pending, the alternative, that B stars produce intrinsic X-rays, can not be discarded. The appropriate scenario in this vein is might be a magnetically confined wind, as suggested for the X-ray emission of the magnetic Ap star IQ Aur. However, the only Ap star in the Chandra sample is not detected in X-rays, and therefore does not support this picture.Comment: 12 pages; accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic

Anxiety and depression following critical illness: A comparison of the recovery trajectories of patients and caregivers

Background: Following critical illness, family members are often required to adopt caregiving responsibilities. Anxiety and depression are common long term problems for both patients and caregivers. However, at present, it is not known how the trajectories of these symptoms compare between patients and caregivers. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the trajectories of anxiety and depression in patients and caregivers in the first year following critical illness. Methods: This study analyses data from a prospective multicentre cohort study of patients and caregivers who underwent a complex recovery intervention following critical illness. Paired patients and caregivers were recruited. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale was used to evaluate symptoms of anxiety and depression at three timepoints: baseline; 3 months; and 12 months in both patient and caregivers. A linear mixed-effects regression model was used to evaluate the trajectories of these symptoms over the first year following critical illness. Results: 115 paired patients and caregivers, who received the complex recovery intervention, were recruited. There was no significant difference in the relative trajectory of depressive symptoms between patients and caregivers in the first 12 months following critical illness (p = 0.08). There was, however, a significant difference in the trajectory of anxiety symptoms between patients and caregivers during this time period (p = 0.04), with caregivers seeing reduced resolution of symptoms in comparison to patients. Conclusions: Following critical illness, symptoms of anxiety and depression are common in both patients and caregivers. The trajectory of symptoms of depression was similar between caregivers and patients; however, there was a significantly different recovery trajectory in symptoms of anxiety. Further research is required to understand the recovery pathway of caregivers in order to design effective interventions

A discursive approach to narrative accounts of hearing voices and recovery

Substantive objective: To research the range of discursive constructions ‘recovered’ voice hearers employ to describe hearing voices and the implications for positioning and subjectivity (what can be thought and felt) using each construction. Methodological objective and method: To explore a ‘sympathetic’ application of Foucauldian discourse analysis, adapting Willig’s (2008 Willig, C. 2008. Introducing Qualitative Research in Psychology, Maidenhead: Open University Press. ) method, analysing two published accounts. Results and conclusions: Heterogeneous discursive constructions for talking about hearing voices were identified, including: ‘many-’selves’’, ‘taking-the-lead-in-your-own-recovery’, ‘voices-as-an-’imagined-world’’ and ‘voices-as-a-coping-strategy-for-dealing-with-trauma’. The discourse of the biomedical model was not prominent, suggesting alternate discursive constructions may create subjects with a greater capacity for ‘living with voices’ and create a subjectivity from which vantage point the experience holds meaning and value and can be integrated into life experiences. This research may have useful clinical applications for mental health services aiming to collaboratively explore service users’ ways of understanding hearing voices

Quality of life and neck pain in nurses

Objectives: To investigate the association between neck pain and psychological stress in nurses. Material and Methods: Nurses from the Avon Orthopaedic Centre completed 2 questionnaires: the Short Form-36 (SF-36) and 1 exploring neck pain and associated psychological stress. Results: Thirty four nurses entered the study (68% response). Twelve (35.3%) had current neck pain, 13 (38.2%) reported neck pain within the past year and 9 (26.5%) had no neck pain. Subjects with current neck pain had significantly lower mental health (47.1 vs. 70.4; p = 0.002), physical health (60.8 vs. 76.8; p = 0.010) and overall SF-36 scores (56.8 vs. 74.9; p = 0.003). Five (41.7%) subjects with current neck pain and 5 (38.5%) subjects with neck pain in the previous year attributed it to psychological stress. Conclusions: Over 1/3 of nurses have symptomatic neck pain and significantly lower mental and physical health scores. Managing psychological stress may reduce neck pain, leading to improved quality of life for nurses, financial benefits for the NHS, and improved patient care