Can the BBC survive the digital age?

The BBC is a public service broadcaster that is highly regarded by the British television audience. However, it is subject to increasing threats to its continuing viability from digital private sector television providers. A part of the threat to the BBC is the way in which it is funded through the TV licence. This article examines the threats to the survival of the BBC through a review of relevant literature and with reference to a survey conducted by the author. The research confirms the high regard in which the BBC is held by the British public and argues for its continuing existence

The clinical and prognostic use of circulating tumour cells in breast cancer

Adjuvant therapies such as endocrine or cytotoxic chemotherapy have been demonstrated to improve overall survival in early breast cancer patients. A blood test to monitor patients at risk of relapse is needed to identify those patients who would benefit from these treatments and those for whom it is not necessary. This is in favour of detecting disseminated tumour cells (DTCs) from painful bone marrow aspirates, currently the gold‐standard method for detecting minimal residual disease (MRD). The use of circulating tumour cells (CTCs) enriched from the blood was investigated for this purpose along with their characterisation in the metastatic setting to enable individualised therapy. Sixty‐four primary breast cancer patients were followed up for up to 12 years post surgery for any MRD present. This analysis looked at measurements of DTCs in the bone marrow, CTCs in the blood and circulating‐free DNA (cfDNA) in the plasma over the follow up period. Patients who had involved lymph nodes at surgery, were significantly more likely to have CTCs present than low risk patients with no nodes positive, (70% compared to 39% respectively, p = 0.042). Our analysis also looked at the relationship of cfDNA to DTCs and CTCs. An inverse relationship of cell death in the blood (manifesting as blood cfDNA) to bone marrow DTCs by qRT‐PCR was apparent. This may be due to tumour dormancy mechanisms ‐ cycles of tumour cell proliferation and cell death occurring in the bone marrow, evidence not shown before in patient samples. Combined use of these markers could therefore be used as a monitoring system for impending metastatic disease and a rationale for further treatment. We also participated in a multi–centre study to assess the effects of lapatinib; a targeted therapy against two members of the human epidermal growth factor receptor family (EGFR and HER2). This was in advanced breast cancer patients and used CTCs as a surrogate marker. Our study selected patients on the basis of EGFR positivity in CTCs that were present in the blood. Four out of 12 patients (33%) demonstrated an initial decrease in the number of EGFR positive CTCs in response to Lapatinib, however this was limited and all patients were taken off study with progressive disease. We also explored a novel method in development to detect viable CTCs. This used an in situ hybridisation method to amplify signals from mRNA transcripts of tumour markers in CTCs. The use of CTCs is a very useful and promising tool for studying both the biology of breast cancer, and also as a non‐invasive analytical tool in the clinical setting to gain predictive and prognostic information

Improved measurement linearity and precision for AMCW time-of-flight range imaging cameras

Time-of-flight range imaging systems utilizing the amplitude modulated continuous wave (AMCW) technique often suffer from measurement nonlinearity due to the presence of aliased harmonics within the amplitude modulation signals. Typically a calibration is performed to correct these errors. We demonstrate an alternative phase encoding approach that attenuates the harmonics during the sampling process, thereby improving measurement linearity in the raw measurements. This mitigates the need to measure the system’s response or calibrate for environmental changes. In conjunction with improved linearity, we demonstrate that measurement precision can also be increased by reducing the duty cycle of the amplitude modulated illumination source (while maintaining overall illumination power)

Work-based training and job prospects for the unemployed: an evaluation of Training for Work (research report RR96)

"Training for Work (TfW) was a major DfEE programme aimed at helping people who had been claimant unemployed for over six months to find jobs and improve their skills, by providing appropriate training and work experience. After initial assessment and guidance, entrants took one of three main routes: employer placements (with either trainee or employed status), full-time off-the-job training, or project placements... A nationally representative sample of TfW participants in England and Wales who left TfW during the autumn of 1995 was interviewed in spring 1996 and a second time in summer 1997. The present analysis excluded those who had been unemployed for less than six months at the point of entry to the programme (the 'special needs' group)." - Page 1

Embodiment, learning and wellbeing

Final Published versio

Medically Unexplained Symptoms (1/4): The BodyMind Approach

© Psychotherapy Excellence Ltd trading as PESI. All rights reserved.Final Published versio

Bone mineral density and body composition in high-performing cricket players : an exploratory study : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetics, at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand

Background/Aim: Cricket is a popular sport both in New Zealand, and internationally. Cricketers have a high prevalence of stress fractures, which may in part be linked to bone mineral density. However, little research exists investigating bone health in this group. The primary aim of this study was to investigate determinants of bone mineral density (BMD) in a group of highperforming cricketers. Secondary aims included measuring musculoskeletal differences in the dominant versus non-dominant arm, and monitoring pre and postseason body composition. Methods: Healthy male (n=27) and female (n=11) cricketers aged 16-33y were recruited. BMD was measured using DXA, and body composition was measured pre and post-season using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Food frequency questionnaires (FFQ’s) and a lifestyle & health questionnaire were completed. Determinants of BMD were tested using hierarchical multiple regression analysis. A dependent samples t-test was used to determine differences between dominant and non-dominant arms and changes in body composition over the season. Results: Skeletal muscle mass was a significant predictor of BMD and accounted for 31, 18, and 38 percent of BMD variation at the hip, spine, and total body, respectively. Age and calcium intake did not predict BMD at any site. BMD and lean mass were significantly greater (p<0.05) in the dominant arms of both males (+0.056g/cm2 and +308.4g) and females (+0.078g/cm2 and +254.2g). A 0.8kg reduction in post-season skeletal muscle mass was found in females (p<0.05), with no differences found in males. Conclusions: Skeletal muscle was the strongest predictor of BMD in this group, while age and calcium intake showed no effect. Significant differences in BMD and lean mass were observed between dominant and non-dominant arms. Skeletal muscle in males remained unchanged from beginning to end of season, and was reduced in females. Training methods in this group should target development and maintenance of muscle mass in order to optimise BMD

Arts Therapies And Psychotherapy Training: An International Survey

This paper presents a comparative analysis of data received from the dissemination of a qualitative questionnaire to 12 countries. The survey was concerned with the extent to which group therapy was incorporated into the personal development (PD) aspect of arts therapies and group psychotherapy training. It asked respondents for their rationales, which include or omit such an experience in their programme, together with details of the form, structure and orientation if it was included.Peer reviewe