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Aim. To explore how Black African international students adjust to their new university environment and gain insight into how they feel supported to engage in physical activity (PA). Background. People from ethnic minority backgrounds have poor physical activity levels compared with white populations in the UK. The Black population is known to have the lowest PA levels among the ethnic minority groups in the UK. This trend is suggested to be the case among university students, but no research has examined this. Ethnic minority students, including international students, encounter adaptation difficulties such as cultural barriers and social isolation which affect their university experiences and health behaviours such as physical activity. Methodology. This was a qualitative method, with in‐depth semistructured interviews conducted with five African students (two males and three females) aged between 21 and 40 years from a university in the West Midlands. The transcribed interviews were analysed using Braun and Clarke's thematic analysis. Results/Findings. Culture and lifestyle of physical activity; knowledge, experience, and self‐motivation; the effect of various social groups, activities, and services at the university; and weather variations and physical settings were the identified themes. The key finding of the study is that respondents engaged in PA to a greater extent at the British university than they did in their home countries. This was due to a combination of factors, including low‐cost gym memberships and events and a general lack of racial or gender‐based discrimination. Conclusions/Recommendations. Participants expressed satisfaction with the cultural and social support systems at their university, such as sports clubs and societies, and mental health support services that encouraged them to learn about and engage more in physical activity. Although some barriers, such as weather variations, were mentioned, various indoor options coupled with cheaper gymnasiums motivated students to remain or become active. Understanding the experiences of minority student groups in physical activity could help in reviewing current provisions and extending them to a wider population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper uses Positioning Theory, a theoretical framework within Discursive Psychology, to explore the positioning of children with special educational needs in the legislation of Britain, New Zealand and the Republic of Ireland. In terms of positioning the child with special educational needs as a person, the human rights legislation in all three countries ascribes person status, as does, in general, their Child Welfare legislation. Influenced by the Warnock Report of 1978, the education legislation positions the child first as a person having a special need, thus conferring person status. In terms of positioning the child as having a voice, all three countries affirm such positioning within their general legislation, but Ireland positions the child most strongly as an active partner with a voice within its recent education legislation. Finally, in terms of positioning with the right to appropriate education, all three countries confer strong rights to education and have now moved beyond the early numerous Warnock caveats to inclusion, with the wishes of parents and the best interests of the child, as remaining positive caveats.

This study explored the effects of a cognitive intervention program, Cognitive Acceleration in Science at Key Stage 1 (CASE@KS1), on both the thinking skills and motivation of a rural population in the United Kingdom. It used a quasi-experimental design and measures of both near and far transfer in order to replicate the evaluation of this program by Adey and colleagues with an urban population. In general, support was found for the positive findings of Adey and colleagues, with some significant findings on a near-transfer task but more inconclusive findings on a far-transfer task. The motivational measure used in this study identified some issues of interest, including gender difference in response, suggesting the value of motivational assessment in evaluation of the CASE@KS1 intervention program. (Contains 2 tables and 2 appendices.)

Coach education is a learner-centred process, which often fails to consider the preferences of the consumer. Historically, research into performers' experiences of coaching have been influenced by the social constructivism of learning: in short, an expressed preference for what the performer has experienced as determined by their coach, rather than their own personal preferences. Therefore, this research used skateboarding as a natural laboratory in order to explore the current practices and preferences of performers in a coach-free environment. Ninety-one skateboarders from parks in the United Kingdom and New Zealand offered information relating to their current learning practices, how they learnt about learning, and how the top-level performers in their environment were differentiated. Findings suggest that a number of learning tools are used by performers, which are closely aligned with a more traditional, cognitive view of coaching (e.g., demonstration, drills, and error usage). Results also suggest that performers deployed a number of cognitive skills (e.g., imagery, analogy, and understanding) to enhance storage of a movement as an internal representation. Finally, in the absence of formal coaching, performers use their knowledge of learning to appoint informal leaders. Implications for practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent World Health Organization guidance has aimed to provide pragmatic guidance acknowledging the role of sequential nasopharyngeal swabs taken >24 hours apart for SARS‐CoV‐2 in high‐risk populations. Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are known to have an altered immune milieu which may be associated with a delay in viral clearance. Here, a cross‐sectional observational study of 138 patients admitted with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection at two large regional hospitals in Scotland, UK examined the median time to two consecutive negative nasopharyngeal swabs for SARS‐CoV‐2 in an inpatient population. The median time from admission to the first of two consecutive negative nasopharyngeal swabs was 18 days (range = 1‐44) in patients with CKD, compared with 11 days (range: 1‐71) in patients without CKD (P =.0007). Multivariable linear regression analysis using explanatory variables of age, sex, SARS‐CoV‐2 disease severity, key comorbidities and renal function showed that declining estimated glomerular filtration rate was independently associated with prolonged time to viral clearance. Our data suggest that patients with CKD who are admitted to hospital with SARS‐CoV‐2 take longer to achieve sequential negative nasopharyngeal swab reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction results than those without CKD. This has implications for renal service provision, discharge planning and hospital capacity as well as a direct impact on patients due to extended hospital stay, anxiety and stigmatisation. SUMMARY AT A GLANCE: In this study, the authors investigated the time between admissions to SARS‐CoV‐2 virus‐negative nasopharyngeal swabs in inpatients. They found that CKD patients had longer time to viral clearance than non‐CKD patients, and concluded that longer CKD patients had longer time to viral clearance, affecting renal service delivery, discharge planning, and admission capacity. In addition, potential anxiety and stigma have a direct impact on the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although there is an established body of research on twins within the wider social science domain, scarce attention has been applied to this relationship within sport coaching practice. Specifically, this is apparent during talent development, despite a growing empirical interest toward the developmental impact of age-gapped siblings on sporting success. Accordingly, this study explored potential mechanisms through which the twin relationship may impact on talent development. Longitudinal observation of two twin sets (one monozygotic and one dizygotic) took place within a U.K. regional hockey performance center training environment. Observations were used to inform semistructured interviews with twins and their parents, which facilitated the interpretation of observations and exploration of the relationship, before a codebook thematic analysis was conducted. Findings revealed several themes (regularity of interaction, emotional interpersonal skills, rivalry, skill development, communication, and type of separation) consistent with previous studies, alongside two new themes; namely, conflict and identity. The study highlights the complex and individualized nature of the sibling subsystem, illuminating the possible impact of twin type on several themes, and highlights the potential for observations as a practice-based tool for coaches to consider when individualizing the talent development process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using metagenomic analysis, we identified a novel picornavirus in young preweaned lambs with neurologic signs associated with severe nonsuppurative encephalitis and sensory ganglionitis in 2016 and 2017 in the United Kingdom. In situ hybridization demonstrated intralesional neuronotropism of this virus, which was also detected in archived samples of similarly affected lambs (1998-2014). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Physician Associate role is relatively new to the United Kingdom and is currently undergoing a period of significant expansion. This includes an aim of 1000 PAs working in primary care by 2020. The profession has specific continuing professional development requirements which need to be addressed. These requirements can be met through the deployment of some well established pedagogical strategies which are already in use for junior doctors and allied health professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comprehensive understanding and application of decision making is important for the professional practice and status of sports coaches. Accordingly, building on a strong work base exploring the use of professional judgment and decision making (PJDM) in sport, we report a preliminary investigation into uses of intuition by high-level coaches. Two contrasting groups of high-level coaches from adventure sports (n = 10) and rugby union (n = 8), were interviewed on their experiences of using intuitive and deliberative decision making styles, the source of these skills, and the interaction between the two. Participants reported similarly high levels of usage to other professions. Interaction between the two styles was apparent to varying degrees, while the role of experience was seen as an important precursor to greater intuitive practice and employment. Initially intuitive then deliberate decision making was a particular feature, offering participants an immediate check on the accuracy and validity of the decision. Integration of these data with the extant literature and implications for practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The challenge of delivering community benefits and infrastructure whilst not rendering development unviable is one that can only be met by changing our professional perspective. An example from Shropshire illustrates that a less spatially focused approach could be warmly welcomed by non-planners, but also needs professional planners to embrace a more balanced attitude and drop their emphasis on 'location, location, location'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The UK and Europe have seen successive outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza across the 2020/21 and 2021/22 autumn/winter seasons. Understanding both the epidemiology and transmission of these viruses in different species is critical to aid mitigating measures where outbreaks cause extensive mortalities in both land- and waterfowl. Infection of different species can result in mild or asymptomatic outcomes, or acute infections that result in high morbidity and mortality levels. Definition of disease outcome in different species is of great importance to understanding the role different species play in the maintenance and transmission of these pathogens. Further, the infection of species that have conservation value is also important to recognise and characterise to understand the impact on what might be limited wild populations. Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b has been detected in great skuas (Stercorarius skua) across different colonies on islands off the shore of Scotland, Great Britain during summer 2021. A large number of great skuas were observed as developing severe clinical disease and dying during the epizootic and mortalities were estimated to be high where monitored. Of eight skuas submitted for post-mortem examination, seven were confirmed as being infected with this virus using a range of diagnostic assays. Here we overview the outbreak event that occurred in this species, listed as species of conservation concern in Great Britain and outline the importance of this finding with respect to virus transmission and maintenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Winter epidemics of fractures have been described that greatly exceed normal seasonal variations and overwhelm resources. We investigated the relationship between severe weather warnings, the frequency of fractures and fracture-related workload. There was a significant increase in fractures with cold and inclement weather, mostly low-energy fractures treated with day-case surgery or in fracture clinics. The number of patients treated as inpatients for fractures did not increase. Hip fractures were not associated with weather. Severe weather warnings for icy roads were predictive of fracture epidemics (p<0.01) with an associated 40% (95% confidence limits 20-52%) increase in fractures. Meteorological Office-issued severe weather warnings can provide a trigger to plan for an increased workload of low-energy fractures, with opportunities for anticipatory public health measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transmission rate of many acute infectious diseases varies significantly in time, but the underlying mechanisms are usually uncertain. They may include seasonal changes in the environment, contact rate, immune system response, etc. The transmission rate has been thought difficult to measure directly. We present a new algorithm to compute the time-dependent transmission rate directly from prevalence data, which makes no assumptions about the number of susceptible or vital rates. The algorithm follows our complete and explicit solution of a mathematical inverse problem for SIR-type transmission models. We prove that almost any infection profile can be perfectly fitted by an SIR model with variable transmission rate. This clearly shows a serious danger of overfitting such transmission models. We illustrate the algorithm with historic UK measles data and our observations support the common belief that measles transmission was predominantly driven by school contacts. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objectives: This pilot study on the use of traditional Chinese acupuncture (TCA) to treat chronic stress explored the use of the diurnal salivary cortisol profile as a potential outcome measure. Design and methods: Adult volunteers ( n=18) with high self-reported stress levels, ascertained by screening with the Perceived Stress Scale 14, were randomized into three groups. Group 1 received weekly sessions of TCA for 5 weeks; Group 2 received attention only weekly (practitioner present and subject supine) for 5 weeks, and group 3 acted as a waiting-list control. A diurnal cortisol profile was constructed for each individual at nine data points: two at baseline, five during the intervention, and two postintervention. A salivary cortisol sample was taken at four time points (on waking, 30 minutes, 3 hours, and 12 hours after waking). Outcome measures: Salivary cortisol concentrations were measured using a high-sensitivity salivary cortisol enzyme immunoassay. Results: The cortisol awakening response showed an average increase during the intervention for both TCA and attention groups, indicating that for these two groups the cortisol response had normalized and they were in a lower state of stress. These trends did not reach statistical significance due to individual variation and the small number of study participants. The control group showed an overall decrease in the average morning increase over the same period. No significant difference in the day decline in cortisol was found between groups at any point in the study. Conclusions: This pilot study suggests that TCA could reduce stress and increase the morning rise of the cortisol profile; however, this was not distinguishable from the effect of attention only. Further work with a larger sample is necessary to provide a definitive answer regarding whether this could be sustained with more TCA treatments. The morning cortisol increase could be a useful outcome measure for monitoring the effects of treatment on perceived stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the history of academic general practice in Great Britain. It highlights the events that influenced the evolution of academic general practice, including the foundation of the College of General Practitioners in 1952, structural events brought about by the 1966 charter and international developments in general practice medicine. The author suggests that the second generation of academic general practice came in 2000 with the formation of the Society of Academic Primary Care (SAPC).

This study explored the effects of a cognitive intervention programme, Cognitive Acceleration in Science at Key Stage 1 (CASE@KS1), on both the thinking skills and motivation of a rural population in the United Kingdom. It used a quasi-experimental design and measures of both near and far transfer in order to replicate the evaluation of this programme by Adey and colleagues with an urban population. In general, support was found for the positive findings of Adey and colleagues, with some significant findings on a near-transfer task but more inconclusive findings on a far-transfer task. The motivational measure used in this study identified some issues of interest, including gender difference in response, suggesting the value of motivational assessment in evaluation of the CASE@KS1 intervention programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduces a series of articles about higher education in Great Britain.

The article discusses the driving forces and tension in the improvement of the medical profession in Great Britain. Factors that affect the growth of medical care industry include the growth of consumerism, corporate responsibility and doctor-patient connections. Key information regarding the interprofessional relationships are also cited.

INTRODUCTION: The authors examined the reliability and validity of a UK-modified version of the Behavioral and Symptom Identification Scale (BASIS-32). METHOD: Data from two samples of patients from acute psychiatric inpatient settings were used in the analyses (n=303, n=92). The factor structure of the scale differed from that of the original BASIS-32. RESULTS: Five factors emerged: (i) depression and anxiety, (ii) lability, (iii) psychosis, (iv) substance misuse and (v) functioning. The full scale of the modified BASIS demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.93). Internal consistency for the subscales ranged from 0.86 to 0.45. The depression and anxiety subscale discriminated patients with a diagnosis of unipolar depression from those with other diagnoses (median score=3.11 (Inter quartile range (IQR)=2.67,3.33) versus median score=2.44 (1.67,3.11), P < 0.001). The substance misuse subscale discriminated patients with a diagnosis of alcohol or opiate dependence from those with other diagnoses (median score=2.33 (2, 3) versus median score=1.33 (0.67, 2), P < 0.001). However, the psychosis subscale did not differentiate patients with a psychotic illness from those with a nonpsychotic diagnosis (median score=1.4 (0.6,2.4) versus median score=1.2, (0.6,2), P= 0.16). CONCLUSION: The total scale appeared to be at least as good as the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) in its responsiveness to change. The effect size for the BASIS=1.17 versus 0.91 for the BSI. Convergent validity was partially demonstrated between the modified BASIS and the BSI. (Int J Psych Clin Pract 2001; 5:41-48). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clear, concise, up-to-date food composition data are essential to the food retail sector. Legislation requires nutrition information on food labels to be accurate and provided in a format that consumers can read and understand. A product's nutrition panel enables consumers to make informed decisions at point of sale or purchase and choose products best suited to their dietary needs. This is particularly important in light of current public health concerns regarding energy (kcal), fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt intakes within the UK diet and also for increasing intake of nutrients conducive to health. In this regard, the Seventh Summary Edition of McC ance and W iddowson's T he C omposition of F oods is an invaluable set of reference tables for the food industry. Its data, particularly on vitamins and minerals, allow consistent labels to be produced even when small seasonal variations occur. In such circumstances, changing the information on the label would be unnecessary and incur cost. Nutritional data are particularly useful for single-ingredient foods such as eggs, cheese, bread and fruit, but the tables do lack some accuracy for composite recipe dishes because of the pace of reformulation. Overall, the validated data provided by McC ance and W iddowson's T he C omposition of F oods are critical to the integrity of nutritional information provided on food labels and facilitates food retailer compliance with legislation, though there is a need for better management of new/revised 'real-time' data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the Mackenzie Report on academic general practice in Great Britain. Structure of departments; Information on postgraduate training; Performance indicators in teaching.

Autopsy material was examined from British children dying early in the course of haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS). These presented after 1983, the period in which verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) infection was confirmed as the leading cause of diarrhoeaassociated (D+HUS) in the United Kingdom. Of 18 cases referred for this study, 3 were found on review to have no history of a diarrhoeal prodrome (D-HUS). In the D+ patients, the median duration from onset of diarrhoea to death was 8 days (range 4-42 days). VTEC infection was confirmed in 6 cases. All had neutrophilia at presentation (median 21, range 15-49.8 × 10[sup 9]/l). The 15 cases had uniform pathological features, consisting of glomerular thromboses and congested rather than ischaemic glomeruli. Arteriolar thromboses were common at the hilum of glomeruli and were sometimes also seen proximally, including in interlobular arteries. There were cortical infarcts in 5 cases with extensive thrombosis. Cases were demonstrated to have significantly greater numbers of neutrophils expressed per 100 glomeruli than controls, when counted using immunohistological stains to neutrophil elastase and CD15. This study showed uniformity of the renal changes in D+ HUS and gave further evidence of the importance of neutrophils in the pathogenesis of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluates the relations between breast feeding and infant illness in Great Britain. Observation of infant feeding and illness; Prevalence of gastrointestinal disease in infants; Assessment on the duration of breast feeding to rate of gastrointestinal illness.

Evaluates the care of patients with joint pain in fundholding practices of hospitals in Great Britain. Percentage of patients with social problems; Decrease in the volume of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug prescriptions; Indicators of quality care during consultations.

Focuses on the use of Howie Code for preventing infection in clinical laboratories. Circulation of printed copies of the Howie Code in the National Health Service; Background of the historical development of the code; Discussions on the specific complaints.

Comments on the developments in medicine as of February 1990 in Great Britain. Enumeration of the responsibilities of research ethics committee; Commentaries on the prevalence of hypernatremic dehydration in hospital for the mentally handicapped; Criticisms on the study on deterioration in wheezing infants after nebulized preservative bromide.

Investigates the induction of labor in the Glasgow Royal Maternity Hospital in Great Britain. Decline of perinatal mortality rate; Factors causing perinatal death; Identification of deaths of unknown cause in mature fetus.

Presents updates on medical conditions and practices in Great Britain as of July 1984. Unfamiliarity of conditions similar to tuberculosis mastitis; Failure to prevent deaths from cervical cancer in Great Britain; Pressures in medical training.

In this article, the writer, formerly a member of the Institute's Staff and now an official of the Ministry of Labour and National Service, describes how part-time labour, especially the part-time employment of women, is being used to its fullest extent and how the best advantage may be derived from it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the relevance of diagnosis in general practice to implications for quality of care in Great Britain. It examines studies that concentrate on respiratory and non-respiratory illnesses which reveal the factors that affect the making of diagnostic and management decisions in general practice. It notes the policies enacted to improve public health in the area which include a strong focus on the long-term health needs of patients.

Focuses on the importance of physicians general practice in influencing the balance of professional values and attitudes, knowledge and skills for incoming generations in Great Britain. Definition of cellular medicine; Main activities of academic medicine; Establishment of discipline in general practice.

Focuses on the medical history of Great Britain. Processes of admission; Description of the daily routine of a patient; Diet of a patient.

Focuses on the pattern of communicable microbial diseases in Great Britain. Types of control in the spread of infections; Causal virus of influenza; Cause of fetal deformity.

Focuses on the hidden risks of prescribing psychotropic drugs in general practice in Great Britain. Benefits of reducing availability of psychotropic drugs on prescription; Side effects of the drugs; Prescription policies of general practitioners.

Examines the quality and use of time of general practitioners in Great Britain. Decrease prescription of psychosocial problems; Assessment of clinical behavior; Average time spent on individual medical consultations.

A letter to the editor related to the potential benefits of the deployment of physician associates (PAs) to emergency departments in the Britain by Tamara Ritsem, in a 2014 issue of the journal, is presented.

The article focuses on the Practice Nurse Association (PNA), the largest nursing forum within the Royal College of Nursing (RCN). It represents all nurses working in general practice. PNA encourages nurses to join local practice nurse forums as a way to meet colleagues. The Practice Nurse Association's 27th annual conference will be held in Eastbourne, East Sussex, England on June 25-26, 2010.

The authors deals with the concept of enablement and the practicality and fairness of its use as a measurement of quality of care with reference to an article by N. Mead et al in the 2008 issue of the "British Journal of General Practice." They note that patients from ethnic minority groups report higher enablement. They cite that the article suggests that ethnic minority patients are more likely to have their presumed different health care expectations met than native British patients. They tackle the differential effects on enablement in consultations.

The article looks into the factors that affect the views of older people towards quality of life in Great Britain. The authors explain that various experiences influenced the perceived quality of life of older people living in the community. These included having good social relationships with family, friends and neighbors, living in a safe home and neighborhood. They conclude that quality of life experiences provide valuable insights into the domains of quality of life.

Profiles British microbiologist, Colin Beattie. Contributions of Beattie to microbiology; Educational background; Career history.

Profiles Eric Catford, military doctor serving in the Royal Army Medical Corps of the British Army in Great Britain. Military career of Catford as medical doctor reserve; Acquaintance of Catford with patients on medical mission in Ibadian, Nigeria. Medical services of Catford for Normandy and Belgian-south Holland Area.

Presents an obituary for microbiologist John Smith who died in 1976 in Great Britain.

Highlights the life and works of pathologist Walter Russel Brain in Great Britain. Views on scientific investigative works in pathology; Dedication to work; Achievements in pathology.

Highlights the life and works of bacteriologist James Walter McLeod in Great Britain. Career achievements; Dedication to work; Services offered during the first world war.

Presents an obituary for professor George M. Wishart who died on 1958 in Great Britain.

The article focuses on the issue of compulsory pasteurisation of milk in Great Britain. It says that mandatory pasteurisation in Scotland was introduced in August 1983 that led to a decline in milk borne infections while there was no change in legislation in England and Wales, which only covers pasteurisation of cows' milk. The author says that to further reduce the risks of these infections, farm water supplies must be better controlled and pasteurisation plants must be well maintained.

Evaluates the potential use of postcoital contraception in preventing unwanted pregnancy in Great Britain. Possibility of pregnancy after unprotected intercourse; Decrease in the number of terminations of pregnancy; Reduction of unwanted pregnancies.

Reports the proposals to transfer the regional and area laboratories of the Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS) of England and Wales to the control of National Health Service in Great Britain. Reasons for the proposals; Difficulties brought by the cuts in the financial allocation to the PHLS; Creation of the Communicable Disease Surveillance Center.

Discusses a study which compared the assessments of university departments of general practice by the department heads with those of the United Kingdom Universities Funding Council. Scale of the Universities Funding Council; Validity of the appointed panel members in the assessment; Economics of the assessment exercise.