Iconic dishes, culture and identity: the Christmas pudding and its hundred years’ journey in the USA, Australia, New Zealand and India

Asserting that recipes are textual evidences reflecting the society that produced them, this article explores the evolution of the recipes of the iconic Christmas pudding in the United States, Australia, New Zealand and India between the mid-nineteenth and the mid-twentieth centuries. Combining a micro-analysis of the recipes and the cookbook that provided them with contemporary testimonies, the article observes the dynamics revealed by the preparation and consumption of the pudding in these different societies. The findings demonstrate the relevance of national iconic dishes to the study of notions of home, migration and colonization, as well as the development of a new society and identity. They reveal how the preservation, transformation and even rejection of a traditional dish can be representative of the complex and sometimes conflicting relationships between colonists, migrants or new citizens and the places they live in

Extending the age range for breast screening in England: pilot study to assess the feasibility and acceptability of randomization.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the feasibility and acceptability of randomizing the phased introduction of the extension of the invited age range in the National Health Service (NHS) Breast Screening Programme in England from 50-70 to 47-73 years. SETTING: Six volunteer breast screening units (BSUs) in England. METHODS: Cluster-randomized trial of invitation versus no invitation for breast screening. STUDY PARTICIPANTS: women aged 47-49 and 71-73 years in screening batches randomized between 1 June 2009 and 31 May 2010. OUTCOMES: workload, screening uptake among women invited, self-referrals among women not invited, and screening outcomes among women invited. RESULTS: A total of 312 screening batches (clusters) were randomized including 60,708 women. Screening uptake was 63% in women aged 47-49 and 62% in women aged 71-73. Those who attended screening in the younger age group were more likely to be recalled for assessment than older attendees (7.5% vs. 3.0%) but less likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer (0.5% vs. 1.1%). Among women not invited, 0.2% of those aged 47-49 and 6.8% of those aged 71-73 self-referred for screening. Despite the extra workload BSUs largely coped although there was some slippage in round lengths and other targets. CONCLUSION: No major problems of feasibility or acceptability of randomization were found. This pilot study has informed the randomized phasing-in of the age extension across the whole of England

A Systematic Review of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Behavioral Activation Apps for Depression

<div><p>Depression is a common mental health condition for which many mobile apps aim to provide support. This review aims to identify self-help apps available exclusively for people with depression and evaluate those that offer cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or behavioural activation (BA). One hundred and seventeen apps have been identified after searching both the scientific literature and the commercial market. 10.26% (n = 12) of these apps identified through our search offer support that seems to be consistent with evidence-based principles of CBT or BA. Taking into account the non existence of effectiveness/efficacy studies, and the low level of adherence to the core ingredients of the CBT/BA models, the utility of these CBT/BA apps are questionable. The usability of reviewed apps is highly variable and they rarely are accompanied by explicit privacy or safety policies. Despite the growing public demand, there is a concerning lack of appropiate CBT or BA apps, especially from a clinical and legal point of view. The application of superior scientific, technological, and legal knowledge is needed to improve the development, testing, and accessibility of apps for people with depression.</p></div

Heuristics used to assess usability of the apps.

<p>Heuristics used to assess usability of the apps.</p

Evaluation of integration and infrastructure dimension.

<p>Evaluation of integration and infrastructure dimension.</p

All apps for depression included in the review.

<p>All apps for depression included in the review.</p

Evaluation of the usefulness dimension.

<p>Evaluation of the usefulness dimension.</p

Flowchart of the screening process.

<p>Flowchart of the screening process.</p

System to grade the level of adherence to the theoretical principles of CBT and BA.

<p>System to grade the level of adherence to the theoretical principles of CBT and BA.</p