Sport rehabilitation in a young offenders institution: the "get onside" Rugby intervention, from practice to perception

The effectiveness of using rugby as a tool for rehabilitation in a Young Offenders Institution (YOI) was investigated in three studies. In Study 1, an intervention group (N = 33, mean age = 19.55, SD = .79) and a control group (N = 21, mean age = 19.76, SD = .89) across four cohorts of young adult males currently serving sentences at the YOI, completed the Measure of Criminal Attitudes and Associates (MCAA) instrument (Mills et al., 2002) pre and post intervention. Additionally, qualitative interviews were carried out with intervention (N = 27) and control (N = 14) groups. There was a small reduction between attitudes on MCAA measures taken before and after Rugby intervention. Analysis across the 4 cohorts showed significant differences between cohorts and time of questionnaire completion. Thematic Analysis of qualitative data indicated the programme developed pro-social values, fostered social cohesion, and provided its participants with protective factors against reoffending. Study 2 employed a questionnaire with 12 items which was presented to student respondents (Male = 27, Female = 61, mean age = 29.78, SD = 11.75) after reading a vignette depicting an offender as having committed a violent crime (N = 44) or a non-violent crime (N = 44) to explore their perceptions of rehabilitation. Results showed female respondents demonstrated perceptions significantly more supportive of the success of the programme in the areas of reduced criminal attitudes and social and behavioural outcomes. The perceptions of vignette character convicted of violent compared to non-violent crime were not demonstrated to be significantly different. Thematic analysis of open-ended responses indicated the programme was perceived to be a positive initiative that promotes health and wellbeing and provides a community and sense of belonging. Study 3 formed an Interpretative Phenomenological case study with an ex-prisoner. Semi-structured interview provided an insight into the development and formation of his personal identity in the prison and beyond, and the understanding of the impact of this specific intervention programme. Findings from this thesis present a novel contribution to prison sport literature, by placing prisoners’ experiences at the heart of the research process. Implications are discussed and recommendations made in terms of prison-based sport rehabilitation for researchers and policy makers

Rugby as a rehabilitation program in a United Kingdom male young offenders' institution: key findings and implications from mixed methods research

There is a growing body of research on the effectiveness of rehabilitation programmes in a Young Offenders’ Institution (YOI). The aim of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of Rugby training as a rehabilitation intervention in a YOI in the UK. Young adult males (n = 46) currently serving sentences at the YOI were split into two groups, intervention (n = 25, mean age = 19.64, SD = 0.81) and no intervention (n = 21, mean age = 19.76, SD = 0.89). Participants completed the Criminal Attitudes and Associates (MCAA) instrument (Mills et al., 2002) pre and post intervals at three different time cycles across an 8 week period. Additionally, qualitative interviews (one to one and focus groups) were carried out with the intervention and no intervention groups during the same cycles of the study. The results of questionnaire analysis showed no significant difference in MCAA measures taken before and after Rugby intervention. Interestingly, the intervention group showed more pro-criminal attitudes on their responses compared to the no intervention group. Finally, analysis of the 3 cycles of data collected showed that the time of the year the questionnaire was completed has a significant impact on the responses given. In contrast, the qualitative interviews showed a very positive change of attitude towards rehabilitation from the intervention group after Rugby training. The implications of the results in relation to studies aimed at evaluation of the intervention programmes in YOI are discussed

Effects of physical activity on debilitating behaviours in 13- to 20-year-old males with severe autism spectrum disorder

The presented study investigated the extent to which engaging in a therapeutic sporting programme in males with severe Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) improves the debilitating behaviours commonly associated with ASD. Furthermore, the views of parents of the autistic participants were assessed concerning the effectiveness of the programme. Participants were eight 13-20 year old males born in the UK from a school and sports college for pupils with severe learning difficulties. The selection was using volunteer sampling from the “Monday Club” initiative, run by Saracens Sports Foundation in partnership with a local School and specialist Sports College. The Gilliam Autism Rating Scale (GARS-3) was administered to identify and measure the severity of ASD behaviours at four time periods namely: at programme entry as the baseline (T1), a second time after 8 weeks (T2), a third time after sixteen weeks (T3) and a fourth time post programme (T4). The results showed that for the more severe cases of ASD (Autism Index >101) there was no positive change in subscale performance from Time1 to Time2. For milder cases (Autism Index 71-100) there were subtle non-significant improvements on the subscale scores from Time1 to Time2. Of the 6 subscales at Time2, Emotional Responses (ER), Cognitive Style (CS) and Maladaptive Speech (MS) approached significance at the p = 0.05 level. At Time3 and Time4, there was also no statistically significant improvement in ASD behaviours compared to the baseline for either condition. Finally parents’ were “very satisfied” with their child’s participation in the physical activity programme

Effects of canine-assisted intervention on the mental health of higher education students: a systematic review

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate existing literature exploring the effects of canine assisted intervention (CAI) on the mental health of Higher Education (HE) students. A literature search was performed on 14th January 2021 for studies that investigated the effects of CAI on HE students. Thirty three papers (6093 participants) encompassing 37 studies were included in this review. Study design varied in research objective, intervention type, timing, procedure, and measures. The Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool found studies ranged in quality from moderate (n=7) to weak (n=30). The review identified CAI has a positive effect on levels of anxiety and stress in HE students. Key limitations of the studies include confounding influences during the intervention as well as a lack of control groups and standardized measures. Furthermore, intervention and procedures ranged substantially in design and application making direct comparisons difficult. The authors conclude two main outcomes from the review. Firstly, CAI improves mental health in HE students, in particular anxiety and stress. Secondly, CAI has a social benefit, encouraging communication and a shared experience. However, a number of methodological limitations of the studies are identified and reviewed. To conclude, this systematic review reveals strong support for the use of CAI in HE students as a form of therapy

Temperature and pH-responsive nano-hydrogel drug delivery system based on lysine-modified poly (vinylcaprolactam).

BACKGROUND: Smart materials capable of responding to external stimuli are noteworthy candidates in designing drug delivery systems. In many of the recent research, temperature and pH have been recognized as the main stimulating factors in designing systems for anti-cancer drugs delivery systems. PURPOSE: In this study, thermo and pH-responsive character of a nano-carrier drug delivery platform based on lysine modified poly (vinylcaprolactam) hydrogel conjugated with doxorubicin was assessed. METHODS: Poly (vinylcaprolactam) cross-linked with poly (ethyleneglycol) diacrylate was prepared via RAFT polymerization, and the prepared structure was linked with lysine through ring-opening. The anti-cancer drug doxorubicin, was linked to lysine moiety of the prepared structure via Schiff-base reaction. The prepared platform was characterized by 1HNMR and FT-IR, while molecular weight characterization was performed by size exclusion chromatography. The temperature-responsive activity was evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic light scattering. In vitro release pattern in simulated physiologic pH at 37°C was compared with acidic pH attributed to tumor site and elevated temperature. The anticancer efficiency of the drug-conjugated structure was evaluated in breast cancer cell line MCF-7 in 24 and 48 h, and cell uptake assay was performed on the same cell line. CONCLUSION: According to the results, well-structure defined smart pH and temperature responsive nano-hydrogel was prepared. The enhanced release rates are observed at acidic pH and elevated temperature. We have concluded that the doxorubicin-conjugated nanoparticle results in higher cellular uptakes and more cytotoxicity

Influence of specific HSP70 domains on fibril formation of the yeast prion protein Ure2.

Ure2p is the protein determinant of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae prion state [URE3]. Constitutive overexpression of the HSP70 family member SSA1 cures cells of [URE3]. Here, we show that Ssa1p increases the lag time of Ure2p fibril formation in vitro in the presence or absence of nucleotide. The presence of the HSP40 co-chaperone Ydj1p has an additive effect on the inhibition of Ure2p fibril formation, whereas the Ydj1p H34Q mutant shows reduced inhibition alone and in combination with Ssa1p. In order to investigate the structural basis of these effects, we constructed and tested an Ssa1p mutant lacking the ATPase domain, as well as a series of C-terminal truncation mutants. The results indicate that Ssa1p can bind to Ure2p and delay fibril formation even in the absence of the ATPase domain, but interaction of Ure2p with the substrate-binding domain is strongly influenced by the C-terminal lid region. Dynamic light scattering, quartz crystal microbalance assays, pull-down assays and kinetic analysis indicate that Ssa1p interacts with both native Ure2p and fibril seeds, and reduces the rate of Ure2p fibril elongation in a concentration-dependent manner. These results provide new insights into the structural and mechanistic basis for inhibition of Ure2p fibril formation by Ssa1p and Ydj1p

Flexible free-standing Ni-Mn oxide antenna decorated CNT/nanofiber membrane for high-volumetric capacitance supercapacitors

There is growing demand for lightweight flexible supercapacitors with high electrochemical performance for wearable and portable electronics. Here, we spun nanoparticles of nickel-manganese oxides along with carbon nanotubes into carbon nanofibers and engineered a 3D networked Ni-Mn oxides/CNT@CNF free-standing membrane for flexible supercapacitor applications. The electrospinning process controlled the nanoparticle aggregation while subsequent heat treatment generates nanochannels in the fibres, resulting in a very porous tubular nanocomposite structure. The preparation process also enabled good interfacial contact between the nanoparticles and the conductive carbon network. The resulting Ni-Mn oxides/CNT@CNF membrane displays high mass loading (Ni-Mn oxides) of 855 mg cm-3 and low CNT incorporation of ∼0.4%. The outstanding porous structure, synergy of the carbon with Ni-Mn oxides, and fast and facile faradaic reactions on the electrode were responsible for the superior volumetric capacitance of 250 F cm-3 at 1 A cm-3, energy density as high as 22 mW h cm-3 and an excellent power density of 12 W cm-3. Despite the low CNT loading, the hybrid electrode exhibits excellent cycling performance with capacitance retention of 96.4% after 10 000 cycles evidencing a well-preserved Ni-manganese oxide nanostructure throughout the cycling. The resulting outstanding electrochemical performances of the Ni-Mn oxides/CNT@CNF synergic system offer new insights into effective utilization of transition metal oxides for establishing high-performance flexible supercapacitors within a confined volume

Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell Based on a Three-Dimensional Photonic Crystal

We present a material assembly route for the manufacture of dye-sensitized solar cells, coupling a high-surface mesoporous layer to a three-dimensional photonic crystal (PC) Material synthesis aided by self-assembly on two length scales provided electrical and pore connectivity at the mesoporous and the microporous level This construct allows effective dye sensitization. electrolyte infiltration, and charge collection from both the mesoporous and the PC layers, opening up additional parameter space for effective light management by harvesting PC-induced resonance