Investigating the Construction Professionals’ Perspective on the New Building Safety Act in the UK: A Sentiment Analysis of Media Data

Existing research on constructional professional attitudes towards fire safety and evacuation has predominantly employed traditional methodologies. While these methods have provided valuable insights, they are limited in their ability to capture the full spectrum of the stakeholders. Moreover, a significant gap exists in the literature regarding the broader population’s concerns about how the industry experts perceives and responds to building safety regulations, particularly in the context of new legislation like the Building Safety Act (BSA) 2022. To address these gaps, this study adopts a novel approach by analysing social media data, specifically YouTube, to capture a wider range of public sentiments towards the BSA 2022. A total of 3577 data points reflecting the general public’s views were gathered, processed, and examined using sentiment analysis, k-means clustering and Latent Dirichlet Allocation text mining techniques for topic modelling. Findings reveal nine clusters each for the positive and negative sentiments. The overall findings reveal that the public expressed positive sentiments (20 %), negative sentiments (4 %), and neutral sentiments (76 %) towards BSA 2022. The study posits recommendations from the public’s sentiments for policy makers to leverage

Coal to swole: A survey of anabolic steroid use and muscularity concerns in coalfield areas of Wales

BACKGROUND: Growing male anabolic steroid use is often framed as symptomatic of a post-industrial masculinity crisis, but little quantitative evidence exists for this account. We examine whether steroid use is associated with geographic exposure to industrial decline, namely historical coal mining, and whether any association is mediated by masculine norms. METHODS: We fielded a quota-sampled survey of 18-49 year-old men in Wales (N = 1425). Data were geo-linked to the extent of historic coal mining locally to respondents. Generalised linear mixed models were fitted to test our hypotheses. RESULTS: Steroid use (odds ratio = 1.99, 1.10-3.60), but not body image (B = 1.06, -2.02-4.13), was positively associated with mining extent. However, this was not mediated by conformity to masculine norms. DISCUSSION: While use of steroids is more common in former mining areas, this is not due to more prevalent body image issues nor mediated by masculine norms. Thus, accounts of a post-industrial 'thwarted masculinity' do not fit the data. Steroid use in post-industrial areas is an issue for public health and these communities may benefit from targeted interventions to reduce risk of harms

Creating opportunities to communicate and connect in a global pandemic: Exploring the experiences of people with aphasia of an online conversation partner scheme

Background Conversation partner schemes for people with aphasia (PWA) can promote communication and quality of life as well as support skill development for students. Initial evidence indicates online conversation partner formats are acceptable as an alternative to in‐person delivery. Aims To evaluate the experiences of PWA of an online conversation partner scheme during the global pandemic. Methods & Procedures This qualitative study captured the experiences of eight PWA through semi‐structured interviews. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data and to create themes and subthemes, reflecting the experiences of the participants through the interpretation of the researchers. Outcomes & Results Two main themes were generated, each with subthemes. The first theme was Communicating and connecting online: ‘It was brilliant’ with subthemes: ‘It help me and I help them’: Mutual benefits, ‘Straight away I managed to speak’: Supported conversations, ‘We got to know each other’: Connecting, and ‘Nine out of ten, easy’: Convenient and easy. The second theme was Being me online: lacks ‘Je ne sais quoi’ with subthemes: ‘I like to shake hands’: Missing a human connection, ‘Show me, me self, myself, my broad Yorkshire coming out’: Restricted self‐expression, and ‘Wetherspoons, Wetherspoons’: Loss of the physical environment. Conclusions & Implications This study supports the existing evidence that online conversation partner schemes for PWA are successful. It contributes original ideas relating to the acceptability of technology, interaction and self‐expression online for PWA, and considers the benefits of combining both online and face‐to‐face communication and connection opportunities. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS What is already known on the subject University conversation partner schemes have been shown to improve the communication skills and confidence of PWA and students. A small body of research has shown that online conversation partner schemes are feasible and can be a positive experience for some, but not all, PWA. What this paper adds to the existing knowledge Participants found that an online conversation partner scheme during the COVID‐19 pandemic gave them the opportunity to communicate and connect with students, and led to mutual benefits including enjoyment, improved communication skills, confidence and a sense of purpose. They were able to connect through supported conversations and found it convenient and easy to meet online. Despite these benefits, the participants felt that there was something missing in terms of the human connection, self‐expression and the physical environment. What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work? This study suggests that online conversation partner schemes provide an opportunity for those who are restricted in their ability to meet face to face or would prefer the ease and comfort of staying in their own home. However, some people may face more barriers in meeting online due to limited experience, skills or support with technology, and may find it more difficult to communicate, build a connection and express themselves. Either using a combined approach of online and face‐to‐face interactions or providing a choice for PWA will ensure that they are still able to access the psychosocial benefits of participating in a conversation partner scheme

Evaluating the Probability of Head-Acceleration Events in Elite Men’s and Women’s Rugby Union Match-Play: The Impact of Tackle Height and Body Position

Background Head acceleration events (HAEs) are an increasing concern in collision sports owing to potential negative health outcomes. Objectives The objective of this study is to describe the probabilities of HAEs in tackles of differing heights and body positions in elite men’s and women’s rugby union. Methods Instrumented mouthguards (iMGs) were worn in men’s (n = 24 teams, 508 players, 782 observations) and women’s (n = 26 teams, 350 players, 1080 observations) rugby union matches. Tackle height (i.e. point of contact on ball-carrier) and body positions of tacklers and ball-carriers were labelled for all tackles in which a player wore an iMG. HAEs from the initial impact were identified. Mean player, tackler and ball-carrier exceedance probabilities for various peak linear and angular acceleration thresholds were estimated from ordinal mixed-effects models. Results Contact with ball-carriers’ head/neck resulted in the highest mean HAE probabilities for both sexes. The probability of an HAE to the ball-carrier decreased as tackle height lowered. The highest probability for the tackler was initial contact to the ball-carriers upper leg. Body position influenced the probability of HAEs, with falling/diving ball-carriers resulting in higher mean probabilities. When a player, regardless of role, was bent-at-waist, elevated HAE probabilities were observed in men’s competitions. Women’s data demonstrated similar probabilities of an HAE for all body positions. Conclusions Initial contact to the ball-carrier’s head/neck had the highest chance of an HAE, whilst role-specific differences are apparent for different tackle heights and body positions. Future player-welfare strategies targeting contact events should therefore consider HAE mechanisms along with current literature

Lessons learnt in other people's classrooms

Third Angel was a theatre company born out of interdisciplinary practice, and created by theatre graduates Rachael Walton and myself, who then trained as teacher and film-maker, respectively. Without identifying it as interdisciplinary, what we were interested in from the outset was collaboration. Drawing on the expertise and experience of a varied group of practitioners, our stated aim was to make something none of us would have made on our own. Something more than the sum of its parts. Our unstated (at the time) aim was to demonstrate that theatre was more than plays. We were interested in cross-art form work – ‘multi-media’ was the in phrase at the time; when an idea reminded us of a film or novel, it seemed worth pursuing; if it reminded us of a piece of theatre we had seen, it would often get forgotten about. This chapter reflects on two decades of collaboration between Third Angel and a number of scientists and specialists from other disciplines. These collaborations produced projects in theatre, live art, film, video, and participation, which were presented throughout the UK and internationally. We did not specifically set out to make interdisciplinary work: we followed our curiosity and discovered that ethos as we travelled. We were believers in the value of serendipity in a devising process, and recognised that we did not know what we did not know. We were always interested in collaborating with people with different approaches, born out of different experiences to our own. When we wanted to learn more about a subject, we approached people who knew more than us and, always fascinated by other people’s workshops and studios, we asked if we could go and visit them in the place they worked. We began to value spending time, literally and metaphorically, in other people’s classrooms

Post-concussion symptom burden and dynamics: Insights from a digital health intervention and machine learning

Individuals who sustain a concussion can experience a range of symptoms which can significantly impact their quality of life and functional outcome. This study aims to understand the nature and recovery trajectories of post-concussion symptomatology by applying an unsupervised machine learning approach to data captured from a digital health intervention (HeadOn). As part of the 35-day program, patients complete a daily symptom diary which rates 8 post-concussion symptoms. Symptom data were analysed using K-means clustering to categorize patients based on their symptom profiles. During the study period, a total of 758 symptom diaries were completed by 84 patients, equating to 6064 individual symptom ratings. Fatigue, sleep disturbance and difficulty concentrating were the most prevalent symptoms reported. A decline in symptom burden was observed over the 35-day period, with physical and emotional symptoms showing early rates of recovery. In a correlation matrix, there were strong positive correlations between low mood and irritability (r = 0.84), and poor memory and difficulty concentrating (r = 0.83). K-means cluster analysis identified three distinct patient clusters based on symptom severity. Cluster 0 (n = 24) had a low symptom burden profile across all the post-concussion symptoms. Cluster 1 (n = 35) had moderate symptom burden but with pronounced fatigue. Cluster 2 (n = 25) had a high symptom burden profile across all the post-concussion symptoms. Reflecting the severity of the clusters, there was a significant relationship between the symptom clusters for both the Rivermead (p = 0.05) and PHQ-9 (p = 0.003) questionnaires at 6-weeks follow-up. By leveraging digital ecological momentary assessments, a rich dataset of daily symptom ratings was captured allowing for the identification of symptom severity clusters. These findings underscore the potential of digital technology and machine learning to enhance our understanding of post-concussion symptomatology and offer a scalable solution to support patients with their recovery

QCA: Quantum Computational Approach for Internet of Things with 5G Connectivity

In this paper, the need for a quantum computing approach is analyzed for IoT applications using the 5G resource spectrum. Most of the IoT devices are connected for data transmission to end users with remote monitoring units, but there are no sufficient data storage units, and more data cannot be processed at minimized time periods. Hence, in the proposed method, quantum information processing protocols and quantum algorithms are integrated where data transmissions are maximized. Further, the system model is designed in such a way for checking the external influence factors that prevent the IoT device from transmitting data to end users. Therefore, with corresponding signal and noise power, it is essential to process the transmissions, thereby increasing data proportions at end connectivity. Once quantum computations are performed, then it is crucial to normalize IoT data units, thus establishing control over entire connected nodes that create a gateway for achieving maximum throughput. The combined system model is tested under four cases where the comparative outcomes prove that with reduced queue reductions of 12%, it is possible to achieve a maximum throughput of 99%

Perceived Safety in Urban Parks: CPTED, Place Attachment and the COVID-19 Paradigm

The combined influence of the pandemic and fear of crime on CPTED effectiveness, park visitation, and urban park attachment introduces complexity and raises new research questions. Accordingly, this study examines the relationships between Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), time spent in the park, perceived safety concerning crime (PSC), perceived safety concerning COVID-19 (PS19), and PA. It also investigates how these variables and their interrelationships differ between married and single individuals, as well as between old and modern parks. Structural equation modelling, a multigroup analysis, and SPSS are used to analyse data from 411 office workers in Baise City, China. Results indicate that the effect of CPTED on PS19 is mediated by both the time spent in parks and PSC, highlighting both the applicability and challenges of CPTED theory in promoting perceived pandemic-related safety. Furthermore, the influence of PS19 on PA is greater than that of PSC, underscoring the crucial role of urban parks in promoting PA by ensuring PS19. In contrast to previous studies, this study finds that time spent in the park does not significantly mediate the relationship between CPTED and PSC. Additionally, differences in study variables and their interrelationships are observed between single and married participants and between old and modern parks, revealing inequities in urban park benefits. These findings contribute to the expanded application of CPTED and its integration with PA theory, thereby offering empirical support for leveraging urban parks to enhance residents' well-being in future pandemics, aligning with SDG #11

Cost-effectiveness of swab versus tissue sampling for infected diabetic foot ulcers from the CODIFI2 randomised controlled trial

This multi-centre, Phase III, prospective, unblinded, two-arm parallel group, randomised controlled trial compared clinical (reported elsewhere) and economic outcomes of swab versus tissue sampling over a 52–104 week period. Resource use was logged using case record forms and patient questionnaire at weeks 4, 12, 26, 39, 52 and 104, costed using laboratory and published sources from the UK NHS perspective, at 2021/2022 price-year. EQ-5D-3L questionnaires issued at these time points were used to derive quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). To account for imbalances such as age, a regression-based approach was used to estimate survival, expected costs and QALYs between the sampling arms. Available case analysis (ACA) and multiple imputation methods were applied for self reported missing data, and ACA for researcher-collected data (survival, hospitalisations and antibiotic use). Probabilistic sensitivity analysis was used to assess the uncertainty of economic results. Results We recruited 149 participants (75 swab, 74 tissue) from 21 UK sites, between 07 May 2019 and 28 April 2022 (last follow-up 28 April 2023). Planned sample size was 730 participants, for 90% power to detect 12.5% difference in healing at 52 weeks, but the trial stopped early due to low recruitment. Expected QALYs in the swab-sampling arm were greater than in the tissue-sampling arm at weeks 26, 52 and 104. The cost of tissue sampling was greater than of swabbing when including antibiotics and hospitalisation. Swab sampling participants had higher QALYs and lower costs across weeks 26–52, reducing slightly by week 104. Conclusions Because of higher costs, lower QALYs and lack of evidence of benefit, potentially due to the trial being underpowered, tissue sampling was dominated by wound swabbing in the cost-effectiveness analysis

Symptom Burden, Treatment Goals, and Information Needs of Younger Women with Pelvic Organ Prolapse: A Content Analysis of ePAQ-Pelvic Floor Free-Text Responses

Background/Objectives: Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) is a common condition that significantly impacts quality of life. Research has focused largely on older women, while experiences of younger women remain relatively underexplored despite challenges unique to this population. Informed by the biopsychosocial model of illness, this study aims to assess the symptom burden, treatment goals, and information needs of younger women complaining of prolapse by analyzing questionnaire responses from an existing electronic Personal Assessment Questionnaire—Pelvic Floor (ePAQ-PF) dataset. Methods: Mixed-methods content analysis was conducted using free-text data from an anonymized multi-site ePAQ-PF dataset of 5717 responses collected across eight UK NHS trusts (2018–2022). A quantitative, deductive approach was first used to identify younger women (≤50 years old) with self-reported prolapse. ePAQ-PF scores for younger women with prolapse were compared with those aged >50 years, using Mann–Whitney tests. Free-text response data were analyzed inductively to qualitatively explore younger women’s symptom burden, treatment goals, and information needs. Results: Of the 1473 women with prolapse identified, 399 were aged ≤50 years. ePAQ-PF scores of the younger cohort demonstrated significantly greater symptom severity and bother than those aged >50, particularly in bowel, prolapse, vaginal, body image, and sexual health domains (p < adjusted threshold). Qualitative analysis undertaken to understand women’s concerns and priorities produced five health-related themes (physical health; functionality; psychosocial and emotional wellbeing; reproductive and sexual health; and healthcare journeys) and a sixth intersecting theme representing information needs. Conclusions: The findings highlight the substantial symptom burden of younger women with prolapse, as well as treatment goals and information needs specific to this population. The development of age-specific resources is identified as a requirement to support this group