University of Bedfordshire

Postural control is maintained through sensory information from visual, audio-vestibular and somatosensory inputs. When one of these senses are challenged, individuals shift their reliance more heavily onto other inputs to maintain postural control. Manipulation of vision to progress and regress lower limb rehabilitation has been researched extensively however, there is limited research on the effects of audio stimuli on postural control. In order to assess how audio stimuli can be manipulated for postural control and rehabilitation purposes, a reliable method must be identified. When testing postural control under alternative auditory conditions, is there an acceptable level of reliability for lower limb center of pressure measures? Thirteen healthy participants completed three 30 s single leg balance (SLB) trials in five auditory conditions (no sound, white noise, audio book, ear to ear and non-ear to ear) on a force plate in random order. Intraclass correlation (ICC) and coefficient of variation (CV) with 95 % confidence intervals were used to assess the reliability of the center of pressure (COP) anterior-posterior (AP), medial-lateral (ML) and total sway path (TSP) outcome measures. The CV for each COP sway path measure remained under 10 %, ranging from 3.44 % to 7.28 %. Based on the ICC, reliability was excellent for all sway path COP outcome measures (ICC= 0.705-0.950), except no sound and white noise conditions in the AP direction which show low reliability scores (ICC= 0.39 0.42). Three 30 s SLB trials were sufficient to ensure excellent within session reliability of COP TSP, in ML and some AP directions during alternative auditory conditions.

Tuberculosis (TB) continues to impose significant morbidity and mortality, with gender influencing access and outcomes within the TB care continuum. Despite international guidance and global commitments on gender-responsive TB care to improve the equity and effectiveness of the TB response, the extent to which gender is considered in TB strategies remains unclear. This scoping review aimed to collate and synthesize the evidence on gender-responsive TB interventions designed and implemented in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and high TB burden countries from 2000 to 2025. The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute's scoping review guidelines, using the PRISMA-ScR framework for reporting. Studies were eligible if they described TB initiatives for adults aged ≥ 15years, addressed access to services across the TB care cascade, written in English and explicitly mentioned gender considerationsin their introduction, study aims and objectives, or methods sections, beyond sex-disaggregation of results. The search spanned multiple databases and included both peer-reviewed and grey literature. Quality assessment was done using the Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool(CCAT), and gender responsiveness was assessed using the WHO Gender Responsiveness Assessment Tool(GRAT). Although many TB initiatives reported sex-disaggregated results, most were not gender-responsive by design; thus, from 3878 identified studies, 15 met inclusion criteria. Gender responsiveness varied as two interventions did not consider gender differences, treating everyone the same (gender-blind), eleven indicated gender awareness but lacked proper remedial action (gender-sensitive), and two were designed to target and benefit a specific group of women or men (gender-specific). No studies were found to be gender unequal or gender transformative. Nine studies targeted their intervention towards both men and women, five towards women only, and one towards men only. CCAT scores ranged from 52.5% (moderate quality) to 95% (high quality). This scoping review found limited consideration of gender in TB interventions, with most studies addressing gender superficially by including female healthcare workers or sex-disaggregated results without rigorous design, analysis, or proposed recommendations relating to the influence of gender norms on access to TB care. There remains a significant gap in gender-transformative TB programming which risks perpetuating disparities in access and health outcomes across genderswhich will challenge global commitments to ending TB.

This article examines systemic and structural governance barriers to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2) for rural women in climate-affected regions of the Global South, using Ghana and Bangladesh as focal countries. While the centrality of women's roles in food systems is acknowledged in literature, intersecting gender inequalities, climate vulnerability, and institutional blind spots continue to marginalise rural women within food security and adaptation policies. The study employs an integrative literature review and interpretive qualitative content analysis, grounded in an intersectional and rights-based analytical framework, to synthesise how gender, land tenure, climate exposure, economic informality, and policy recognition are addressed within SDG 2–related scholarship and policy documents. The focal countries provide illustrative reference contexts that help the analysis identify recurring patterns and omissions that constrain gender-responsive food systems governance. The review indicates that the absence of appropriate policy frameworks is not the major impediment to achieving SDG 2 goals. Still, rather fragmented institutional framing, including gender-blind adaptation strategies, insecure land governance, undervaluation of informal labour, and weak participatory accountability, are the greater impediments to success. The study concludes by outlining governance-oriented policy implications for aligning SDG 2 implementation with gender equity and climate resilience.

BackgroundLong-acting cabotegravir and rilpivirine (LA CAB/RPV) was approved in 2021 for treatment of HIV-1 to replace current antiretroviral therapy (ART) in those who are virologically suppressed with a viral load (VL) < 50 copies/mL. Challenges with patient access led to development of a standardized office-based LA CAB/RPV program in a network of Infectious Disease offices in the US. We reported initial success and patient adherence in 2024, and this study evaluates the long-term effectiveness of the LA CAB/RPV program.Table 1.Baseline Demographics and Treatment CharacteristicsFigure 1.Virologic Outcomes at Baseline and Follow-UpMethodsThe LA CAB/RPV program was initiated in July 2023 and the first 100 patients were followed through April 2025. Data collection included demographics, prior therapy, baseline and follow-up VL, adherence to schedule, adverse events, and reasons for discontinuation. Adherence was defined as LA CAB/RPV received within 7 days of target date.Table 2.Reasons for discontinuationResults100 pts from 20 sites were included. Patient and treatment characteristics are in Table 1. Median age was 49 years (IQR 39-59) with 81% male. Median BMI was 29.2 kg/m2 (IQR 27.1-31.9), with 38% ≥30 kg/m2. The majority (98%) received 2-month injections. The duration of therapy with LA CAB/RPV was 13 months (median, IQR 11-15), with 753 injections administered to date. Injections were administered on schedule in 94.8% of all doses. Virologic outcomes are noted in Figure 1. The baseline VL was 29 c/mL (median, IQR 20-54) and 94% were virologically suppressed at initiation of LA CAB/RPV. After a median of 8 doses (IQR 7-9) and for those with follow-up VL, 91 remained suppressed with a VL non-detectable (IQR 0-0). One had a VL of 84 copies/mL. Overall, 21 discontinued therapy, with reasons noted in Table 1. One third discontinued due to financial or payor issues. Non-serious adverse events occurred in 6%, with 4 resulting in discontinuation.ConclusionAn ID physician office based LA CAB/RPV program demonstrated durability in maintenance of virologic suppression with high injection adherence. These results suggest that LA CAB/RPV administered through a standardized ID office-based program is effective in managing HIV-1.DisclosuresNikhil K. Bhayani, MD, FIDSA, Cumberland Pharmaceuticals: Advisor/Consultant|Melinta: Advisor/Consultant|Paratek Pharmaceuticals: Advisor/Consultant Brian S. Metzger, MD, MPH, Abbvie: Advisor/Consultant|Cumberland Pharmaceuticals: Advisor/Consultant|Ferring Pharmaceuticals: Advisor/Consultant Richard L. Hengel, MD, FIDSA, Gilead: Grant/Research Support Lucinda J. Van Anglen, PharmD, FIDSA, Cumberland Pharmaceuticals: Grant/Research Support|Ferring Pharmaceuticals: Grant/Research Support|Melinta Therapeutics: Grant/Research Support|Novartis: Grant/Research Support|Takeda Pharmaceuticals: Grant/Research Support

The exponential advancement of quantum computing poses an unprecedented threat to blockchain technology and emerging Sixth Generation (6G) networks, necessitating an urgent transition to post-quantum cryptographic solutions. This comprehensive review proposed post-quantum Cryptography (PQC) integration within Blockchain Enabled 6G (BE6G) architectures, highlighting vulnerabilities by Shor’s and Grover’s algorithms according to existing cryptographic standards, including Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA), Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA), and Elliptic-Curve Cryptography (ECC). The paper addresses quantum computing fundamentals and blockchain security implications, exploring quantum-resistant cryptographic schemes including lattice-based, hash-based, code-based, and multivariate approaches. Through systematic examination of post-quantum threats, this review shows vulnerabilities affecting nearly 25% of existing cryptocurrency assets, presenting how quantum computers can break public-key systems in polynomial time. The study proposes solutions for implementing quantum-resistant blockchain architectures throughout 6G components, including Radio Access Network (RAN), edge computing, and core transport networks, while meeting ultra-low latency and scalability requirements. Key findings elaborate that hybrid cryptographic approaches combining classical and quantum-resistant algorithms provide promising directions. Lattice-based algorithms, particularly CRYSTALS-kyber and CRYSTALS-dilithium, are identified as primary deployment candidates. The review concludes that successful Quantum-Resistant Security deployment for BE6G Networks requires unprecedented coordination among telecommunication operators, blockchain developers, equipment manufacturers, and regulatory bodies. The ”harvest now, decrypt later” threat model creates sudden implementation, valuable for long-term digital infrastructure security.

The fast development of the Metaverse has posed very serious concerns regarding user security and privacy. This research analyzes the potential threats to privacy of personal data, countermeasures, technological developments, and the regulations, which affect privacy in virtual space. Most participants are still unaware of an extensive amount of information collected by Metaverse platforms that includes not only personal identifiers but also behavior and physiological indicators. The massive acquisition and unauthorized sharing of such data in various platforms subject users to significant privacy risks. Although encryption and multi-factor authentication provides a level of security measures, it does not suffice to counter high vulnerability levels that are present in immersive virtual ecosystems. Current solutions that combine blockchain with artificial intelligence (AI) are promising to enhance privacy because they provide a person with better control over his/her data and provide control over privacy in real-time. However, challenges like scalability, ethical considerations, and smooth integration are yet to be addressed. The existing regulatory frameworks, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), do not adequately address the privacy issues peculiar to the Metaverse, thus, there is a dire need to develop new and flexible legislation. International data protection policies, technological advancement, and awareness campaigns are crucial in empowering users. Since the Metaverse is still developing, developers, policymakers, and end-users should collaborate to develop comprehensive and sustainable privacy protection systems.

Given the prevalence and severity of brain tumors globally, it is crucial to comprehend the different forms of brain tumors, early detection, their responsiveness to treatments, and the timeframe within which a tumor can progress into lethal cancer. According to the World Health Organization grading system, tumors are classified into four grades starting from grade I to grade IV. The deadliest type of glioma brain tumor is grade IV which is called glioblastoma (GBM). Healthcare professionals/radiologists/neurologists are faced with a huge workload while making informed life decisions for their patients. This can be stressful and can result in human error. Utilizing a deep learning model to classify the various types and grades of brain tumors holds great importance in addressing the increasing cases, mortality rates, and recovery rates associated with this disease through early detection. In this chapter, we explore the classification of GBM brain tumors by employing a convolutional neural network, which achieved an accuracy and precision rate of 98–99%. We also explore the possible reasons for disparities between brain cancer survivability and readmission with ethnicity/race.

Abstract In recent years, research on extreme contexts has expanded significantly, focussing on management practices in unusual or atypical work environments. However, individual behavioural responses in these settings have received less attention. Our study addresses this gap by using Job‐Demand Resources (JD‐R) theory to explore how extreme context exposure (i.e. frequent exposure to extreme events) influences counterproductive work behaviour towards the organisation (CWB‐O) in high‐risk contexts of aviation and shipping. In Study 1, based on data from 297 flight cadre, we found that extreme context exposure is positively linked to CWB‐O, with exhaustion linking the two variables. Study 2 replicated these findings with data from 309 seafarers, reinforcing the robustness of our results. Additionally, we identified authentic leadership and spirituality as key job and personal resources that moderate this relationship, reducing the impact of extreme context exposure on CWB‐O. We conclude by discussing the theoretical and practical implications of our findings, emphasising the importance of addressing individual behaviours in extreme work environments.