Focal Areas Research Articles

Driving delivery and uptake of catch-up vaccination among adolescent and adult migrants in UK general practice: a mixed methods pilot study

BackgroundMigrants in the UK and Europe face vulnerability to vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) due to missed childhood vaccines and doses and marginalisation from health systems. Ensuring migrants receive catch-up vaccinations, including MMR, Td/IPV, MenACWY, and HPV, is essential to align them with UK and European vaccination schedules and ultimately reduce morbidity and mortality. However, recent evidence highlights poor awareness and implementation of catch-up vaccination guidelines by UK primary care staff, requiring novel approaches to strengthen the primary care pathway.MethodsThe ‘Vacc on Track’ study (May 2021–September 2022) aimed to measure under-vaccination rates among migrants in UK primary care and establish new referral pathways for catch-up vaccination. Participants included migrants aged 16 or older, born outside of Western Europe, North America, Australia, or New Zealand, in two London boroughs. Quantitative data on vaccination history, referral, uptake, and sociodemographic factors were collected, with practice nurses prompted to deliver catch-up vaccinations following UK guidelines. Focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with staff and migrants explored views on delivering catch-up vaccination, including barriers, facilitators, and opportunities. Data were analysed using STATA12 and NVivo 12.ResultsResults from 57 migrants presenting to study sites from 18 countries (mean age 41 [SD 7.2] years; 62% female; mean 11.3 [SD 9.1] years in UK) over a minimum of 6 months of follow-up revealed significant catch-up vaccination needs, particularly for MMR (49 [86%] required catch-up vaccination) and Td/IPV (50 [88%]). Fifty-three (93%) participants were referred for any catch-up vaccination, but completion of courses was low (6 [12%] for Td/IPV and 33 [64%] for MMR), suggesting individual and systemic barriers. Qualitative in-depth interviews (n = 39) with adult migrants highlighted the lack of systems currently in place in the UK to offer catch-up vaccination to migrants on arrival and the need for health-care provider skills and knowledge of catch-up vaccination to be improved. Focus group discussions and interviews with practice staff (n = 32) identified limited appointment/follow-up time, staff knowledge gaps, inadequate engagement routes, and low incentivisation as challenges that will need to be addressed. However, they underscored the potential of staff champions, trust-building mechanisms, and community-based approaches to strengthen catch-up vaccination uptake among migrants.ConclusionsGiven the significant catch-up vaccination needs of migrants in our sample, and the current barriers to driving uptake identified, our findings suggest it will be important to explore this public health issue further, potentially through a larger study or trial. Strengthening existing pathways, staff capacity and knowledge in primary care, alongside implementing new strategies centred on cultural competence and building trust with migrant communities will be important focus areas.

Time Differences From Abnormal Cervical Cancer Screening to Colposcopy Between Insurance Statuses.

Screening and diagnostic follow-up to prevent cervical cancer are influenced by socioeconomic and systemic factors. This study sought to characterize intervals from abnormal cervical cancer screening to colposcopy between practices differing by insurance status at a large, urban academic center. This retrospective cohort study included patients aged 21-65 who presented for colposcopy between January 1, 2021, and January 1, 2022, at the resident and faculty gynecology practices of a single large urban academic medical center. Patient characteristics were compared using t tests or Wilcoxon rank sum tests for continuous measures and χ2 or Fisher exact tests for categorical measures. Intervals from abnormal cervical cancer screening to colposcopy were compared using the Wilcoxon rank sum test and linear regression analysis with multivariable models adjusted for age, cervical cytology result, human papillomavirus result, and HIV status. Resident practice patients were publicly insured and more likely to be Black or Hispanic (p < .0001); rates of high-risk human papillomavirus and smoking were similar. Resident practice patients had longer intervals from abnormal cervical cancer screening to colposcopy compared with faculty practice patients (median 79.5 vs 34 d, p < .0001). On adjusted analysis, resident practice patients faced a 95% longer interval (p < .0001). Publicly insured patients of a resident-based practice faced significantly longer intervals from abnormal cervical cancer screening to colposcopy than faculty practice patients at a single urban academic center. Effort to address these differences may be an area of focus in improving health disparities.

Mathematical models and analysis tools for risk assessment of unnatural epidemics: a scoping review

Predicting, issuing early warnings, and assessing risks associated with unnatural epidemics (UEs) present significant challenges. These tasks also represent key areas of focus within the field of prevention and control research for UEs. A scoping review was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase, from inception to 31 December 2023. Sixty-six studies met the inclusion criteria. Two types of models (data-driven and mechanistic-based models) and a class of analysis tools for risk assessment of UEs were identified. The validation part of models involved calibration, improvement, and comparison. Three surveillance systems (event-based, indicator-based, and hybrid) were reported for monitoring UEs. In the current study, mathematical models and analysis tools suggest a distinction between natural epidemics and UEs in selecting model parameters and warning thresholds. Future research should consider combining a mechanistic-based model with a data-driven model and learning to pursue time-varying, high-precision risk assessment capabilities.

ChatGPT in higher education - a synthesis of the literature and a future research agenda

AbstractChatGPT has emerged as a significant subject of research and exploration, casting a critical spotlight on teaching and learning practices in the higher education domain. This study examines the most influential articles, leading journals, and productive countries concerning citations and publications related to ChatGPT in higher education, while also shedding light on emerging thematic and geographic clusters within research on ChatGPT’s role and challenges in teaching and learning at higher education institutions. Forty-seven research papers from the Scopus database were shortlisted for bibliometric analysis. The findings indicate that the use of ChatGPT in higher education, particularly issues of academic integrity and research, has been studied extensively by scholars in the United States, who have produced the largest volume of publications, alongside the highest number of citations. This study uncovers four distinct thematic clusters (academic integrity, learning environment, student engagement, and scholarly research) and highlights the predominant areas of focus in research related to ChatGPT in higher education, including student examinations, academic integrity, student learning, and field-specific research, through a country-based bibliographic analysis. Plagiarism is a significant concern in the use of ChatGPT, which may reduce students’ ability to produce imaginative, inventive, and original material. This study offers valuable insights into the current state of ChatGPT in higher education literature, providing essential guidance for scholars, researchers, and policymakers.

Comprehensive visualization of bariatric surgery and gut microbiota research: a global analysis

Comprehensive visualization of bariatric surgery and gut microbiota research: a global analysis

Diagnostic accuracy of artificial intelligence versus dental experts in predicting endodontic outcomes: A systematic review

Abstract Introduction: In the rapidly evolving landscape of health care, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a promising tool to enhance diagnostic accuracy across various medical disciplines. Within the realm of dentistry, one critical area of focus is endodontics, which involves the diagnosis and treatment of dental pulp diseases. This systematic review investigates the diagnostic precision of AI in contrast to dental experts when predicting endodontic outcomes. Materials and Methods: The review was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The review was registered on the Open Science Framework database. A systematic search was performed of the literature on the application of AI versus dental experts in endodontics. The search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and OVID until December 2022. The QUADAS-2 tool was used to evaluate the risk of bias. Results: The initial search retrieved 972 records, of which eight articles were included in the study. The studies reported application of AI for working length determination, periapical lesions, pulp and tooth segmentation, apical periodontitis, vertical root fracture, and C-shaped canals. QUADAS-2 tool revealed a low risk of bias in five out of the eight included studies. Conclusion: AI models demonstrated a notable increase in accuracy and effectiveness in endodontic diagnosis and treatment planning. These results suggest that the integration of AI technology in endodontic diagnosis and treatment planning has immense potential to serve as a promising aid.

Towards zero waste: A comprehensive framework for categorizing household food waste

One-third of food produced for humans, approximately 1.3 billion tonnes annually, is wasted, with households contributing over 60 % of this waste. This waste has significant environmental, social, and economic impacts. Previous studies have examined the problem of household food waste but lacked sufficient specificity in categorizing waste streams, hindering the development of targeted interventions. This paper addresses this issue by systematically developing a novel household food waste categorization framework that enables a more targeted and potentially effective approach to intervention design aimed at reducing household food waste. Specifically, it revolutionises existing classification systems and introduces a novel, practical nine-stage categorization framework, rigorously validated with 190 household food waste occurrence descriptions and expert feedback. Users of the framework correctly categorized 92 % of household food waste samples identifying 165 as edible, with 92 as eatable and 73 as not eatable. Domestic food preparation and consumption stages showed the highest waste instances (91), followed by planning and purchasing (77), emphasizing the framework's effectiveness in identifying key areas of focus for reducing food waste within households. The role of the framework for developing future interventions to reduce household food waste is discussed.

Visual analysis of global research on the transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 channel: A literature review from 2002 to 2022

Background and aimsThe transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) channel has become a focus in pain research. However, there are no bibliometric studies that systematically analyze the existing research in this area. This study aimed to provide a systematic review of the existing literature on TRPA1 using a bibliometric analysis. MethodsPublished literature in the field of TRPA1 was collected from the Web of Science Core Collection database. Quantitative and qualitative analyses of publications, countries, institutions, authors, journals, and other entries were conducted using Excel, VOSview, and Citespace software to provide insight into global research hotspots and trends in the TRPA1 field. ResultsThis study included 1189 scientific products published in 398 journals from 52 countries. The United States of America (n = 367) had the most publications, ahead of Japan (n = 212) and China (n = 199). The University of Florence (n = 55) was the most productive institution and Pierangelo Geppetti (n = 46) was the most productive author. PLoS One (n = 40) published the most articles on TRPA1. Pain, cold, inflammation, covalent modification, hyperalgesia, and oxidative stress were the most common keywords used in the studies. ConclusionThis study provides the first bibliometric analysis of TRPA1 publications. The physiological functions of TRPA1, TRPA1, and neuropathic pain, TRPA1 as a therapeutic target, and agonists of TRPA1 are trending in TRPA1 research. Neuropathic pain, apoptosis, and sensitization could be focus areas of future research. This study provides important insight in the field of TRPA1 research.

Allied health assistant management of people with hip fracture is feasible and may improve patient adherence to hip fracture mobilisation guidelines: a feasibility randomised controlled trial

ObjectivesDetermine the feasibility of allied health assistant (AHA) management of people with hip fracture in acute hospital. DesignAssessor-blind, parallel, feasibility randomised controlled trial with qualitative component. SettingAcute orthopaedic ward. ParticipantsPeople with surgically-managed hip fracture, who walked independently pre-fracture and had no cognitive impairment. InterventionsRehabilitation from an AHA, under the supervision of a physiotherapist, compared with rehabilitation from a physiotherapist. Main Outcome MeasuresFeasibility was evaluated according to focus areas of demand, acceptability, practicality and implementation. Secondary outcomes included estimates of effect of adherence to hip fracture mobilisation guidelines, discharge destination, 30-day readmission, functional activity, and length of stay. ResultsFifty people were allocated to receive rehabilitation from an AHA (n=25) or physiotherapist (n=25). AHA rehabilitation had high demand with 60% of eligible participants recruited. Satisfaction with AHA rehabilitation was comparable with physiotherapy rehabilitation (acceptability). The AHA group received an average of 11minutes (95%CI 4 to 19) more therapy per day than the physiotherapy group (implementation). The AHA group may have had lower cost of acute care (MD -$3 808 95%CI -7 651 to 35) and adverse events were comparable between groups (practicality). The AHA group may have been 22% (HR 1.22, 95%CI 0.92 to 1.61) more likely to walk on any day and may have had a shorter length of stay (MD -0.8 days, 95%CI -2.3 to 0.7). ConclusionsAHA management of patients with hip fracture was feasible and may improve adherence to mobilisation guidelines and reduce cost of care and length of stay.

Environmental reporting in Italian thermal power plants: insights from a comprehensive analysis of EMAS environmental statements

The global energy sector heavily relies on fossil fuels, significantly contributing to climate change. The ambitious European emissions' reduction targets require sustainable processes and alternatives. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of 73 Italian thermal power plants registered to the European Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) aimed at assessing EMAS effectiveness in addressing and quantifying the environmental impacts of this relevant industrial sector. The analysis was based on EMAS environmental statements, publicly disclosing verified and certified data, with the secondary objective of evaluating if EMAS could be an efficient tool to improve the plants’ environmental performances. An inventory of technical and environmental aspects, adopted indicators, and allocated budgets was based on 2023 data. A strong correlation was found between the significance of the environmental aspects and the number of adopted indicators. Gaps were observed in describing aspects like “biodiversity” and “local issues”. Improvement objectives and budget allocation showed discrepancies and lacked correlation with the significance of the related environmental aspects. “Energy production” accounted for 68% of the total allocated budget; “environmental risks”, “emissions to air”, “electricity consumption”, and “local issues” were also key focus areas. Insufficient information on emission control technologies and progress tracking of improvement objectives was detected. This study highlights the need for thermal power installations to improve the selection of appropriate indicators and to better relate allocated budget to improvement objectives when implementing EMAS. Such measures would facilitate the quantification of the effective environmental impacts of the energy production sector, supporting future research on this topic, allowing stakeholders a better comparison among plants, and driving industry-wide improvements.

Navigating political terrain: a comprehensive review of leadership theories in political science

Political science is increasingly focusing on the study of leadership factors in its field scope. Therefore, the primary objective of this article is to systematically analyze the use of leadership theories in scholarly publications of political science. This paper also underscores the lack of leadership theories or concepts in political science, offering insights to anyone interested in examining leadership in this academic discipline. This study introduces an alternative framework for analyzing leadership, specifically emphasizing political leadership. Thus, the question addressed in this study is: What leadership theories are applied to the study of political science? This study utilizes the systematic literature review approach, except for the Appraisal Quality stage, to examine political leadership theory and the notion of utilization as discussed in political science. The ROSE protocol is employed in this study due to its suitability for mapping and qualitative studies. Furthermore, PICo is used to formulate research questions in the context of this study. The results of this study, which involved the review of 75 papers, revealed the implementation of leadership theories and concepts in 15 distinct contexts or focus areas. The analysis of leadership in political science places significant emphasis on the dimensions of transformative and transactional leadership styles. Both leadership styles are frequently used in various research contexts. Overall, the prevalence of transformative and transactional leadership theories in political science can be understood as a reflection of the constraints political scientists face in comprehending the nature of leadership within a political context from a scientific standpoint.

Research on multi-object detection technology for road scenes based on SDG-YOLOv5

To resolve the challenges of low detection accuracy and inadequate real-time performance in road scene detection, this article introduces the enhanced algorithm SDG-YOLOv5. The algorithm incorporates the SIoU Loss function to accurately predict the angle loss of bounding boxes, ensuring their directionality during regression and improving both regression accuracy and convergence speed. A novel lightweight decoupled heads (DHs) approach is employed to separate the classification and regression tasks, thereby avoiding conflicts between their focus areas. Moreover, the Global Attention Mechanism Group Convolution (GAMGC), a lightweight strategy, is utilized to enhance the network’s capability to process additional contextual information, thereby improving the detection of small targets. Extensive experimental analysis on datasets from Udacity Self Driving Car, BDD100K, and KITTI demonstrates that the proposed algorithm achieves improvements in mAP@.5 of 2.2%, 3.4%, and 1.0% over the original YOLOv5, with a detection speed of 30.3 FPS. These results illustrate that the SDG-YOLOv5 algorithm effectively addresses both detection accuracy and real-time performance in road scene detection.

Assessment of Factors Affecting the Safety Performance in Construction Projects

Abstract: This study analyzes the 152 responses of clients, contractors, and consultants within the construction industry in order to investigate safety performance factors within the construction industry. The data for the study were gathered through the use of a structured questionnaire, and statistical analysis, including ANOVA tests, was performed on it in order to evaluate the possibility of differences between the respondents in terms of their experience and designation. The findings highlight significant differences in perceptions among the various groups and suggest that areas of focus for improvement include safety training, availability of equipment, communication, and adherence to safety standards. The study emphasizes the significance of ongoing evaluation and improvement of safety measures and advocates for increased attention to the cultivation of a culture that places an emphasis on safety in construction projects. These findings provide valuable insights for improving overall safety performance and contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics of safety in the construction industry, which is a sector that is currently understudied.

EFFECTIVENESS OF SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE RECRUITMENT &amp; SELECTION

INTRODUCTION The HR department’s primary responsibility is recruitment. While HR works in a variety of areas such as worker commitment, representative turn of events, legal consistency, information the board, and many others, one of the most important areas of focus for HR is to attract, select, and locally accessible qualified candidates for the organization. Recruitment is the process of attracting eligible candidates for a certain position, whereas selection is the most typical technique of identifying and selecting the best candidate for that job. Every representative’s pledges play an important role in the food and development of a firm. As a result, it is vital to select the best person to do all tasks. A bad hire may have an impact on overall business success in the same way as a square stake can not fit in a round aperture. The impact on your organization when you choose an unsuitable candidate is usually far greater than not hiring anyone at all! Enlistment is a significant essential activity for the business, not merely a functional action. As a result, there is a need to create a strong enrollment and choice interaction. The appropriate cycle considers your organization’s fantastic ability and represents your organization’s progress in attracting and hiring the suitable talent. A feasible engagement aids in the proactive formation of an ability pool, hence assisting in the achievement of medium- and long-term corporate objectives.

Infantile Fibrosarcoma Presenting as Neck Mass: A Case Report

Abstract A one year old boy presented with a mass in the posterior triangle of left side of neck for ten months with rapid increase in size since one month. Radio-imaging was done. He underwent surgery, the mass was excised and the histopathological examination was done. Clinically, it was thought to be as schwannoma. Tumor measured 10 x 8 x 6 cm approximately, fixed with underlying tissue, venous prominence seen on bosselated surface and was non-tender. Microscopically, showed a cellular neoplasm composed of spindle cells arranged in herringbone pattern, also as fascicles and bundles, with focal area showing slit like thin-walled vessels simulating hemangiopericytoma like vasculature. Focally, shows infiltration of muscle and fat. Immunohistochemistry study was performed. Correlating histology with clinical, radiology and immunohistochemistry findings, the patient was diagnosed as a case of Infantile Fibrosarcoma of neck region, a relatively rare malignant fibroblastic tumor, occurring mostly in infancy, often misdiagnosed with benign tumor. Keywords: Cellular, herringbone pattern, hemangiopericytoma, immunohistochemistry, fibroblastic.

Optimizing retail prosperity: Strategic working capital management and its impact on the global economy

This study explores the critical role of the retail sector in the global economy and the importance of working capital management within retail businesses. Recognizing retail’s influence beyond just income generation, the research examines its impact on economic stability, job creation, and national GDP, and how it links industries such as manufacturing and logistics. Employing a blended-methods approach, the study integrates quantitative analysis using AMOS software with qualitative insights from interviews with financial managers and retail experts. Key focus areas include cash flow management, market demand, and supplier relationship management in the context of working capital management. Findings highlight the necessity of effective working capital management in maintaining financial stability, optimizing shareholder wealth, and ensuring long-term business viability in the retail sector. Strategies for enhancing profitability, such as improving supplier relationships and adapting to market demands, are identified. This research contributes to understanding the economic impact of the retail sector and the intricacies of working capital management. It offers insights for policymakers, retail managers, and academics, emphasizing the need for supportive retail industry measures and effective financial management practices. The study fills a gap in literature and sets a foundation for future research in this critical area of economic studies and retail management.

High Alert Medication Mitigation Strategies (HAMMS): A rapid realist review for assessing what works, how, and in what circumstances in a full service Irish acute hospital

Abstract Introduction All medications have the potential to cause harm; however, some are prone to cause more serious harm than others - titled “high-alert medications”. High-alert medications are identified from national/international consensus and from local patient incidents. Safeguarding of high-alert medications through mitigation strategies is complex and can represent a multi-faceted approach; international consensus, public guidance and local data inform interventions to reduce the risk of error. Realism can explore complex interventions, whereby rapid realist reviews are used when the evidence is required for a local intervention, and the results are not required to be relevant in other situations. Aim This rapid realist review aimed to present an evidence-informed approach of high-alert medication mitigation strategies within an acute hospital, how they work, why and the specific circumstances they work in. Methods Realist methodologies explores the context (C) of strategies/interventions (I) and the mechanisms (M) by which they operate to impact outcomes (O), which in this case is to reduce the risk of errors associated with high-alert medications. Audit data and stakeholder discussion informed the development of an initial programme theory. A rapid literature review across four databases was then conducted to test the initial programme theory, where evidence of how interventions work to reduce errors in specific contexts was extracted using Microsoft Excel®. Papers from initial rapid reviews and iterative searches were assessed by relevance and rigour through NVivo12® software, until theoretical saturation of the programme theory was reached, and the development of a modified programme theory occurred. Results Thirty-two papers were included in the final synthesis. Specific to the institution, employing redundancies, standardisation, warning labels and automation were the most commonly applicable interventions related to mitigating the risk of high-alert medications. Governance, confidence, limiting access and engagement, among other adaptive and responsive mechanisms are needed to facilitate these interventions. Influence is spread across organisational, ward and individual perspectives for increasing access to information. Based on audited data, insulin medication management represented a specific area for focus; therefore, a list of ten recommendations were drawn up using guiding principles from realist findings. Conclusion A suite of high- to low-leverage strategies related to high-alert medications, applied within specific contexts, could be adopted within the institutions current infrastructure. Further research is needed to evaluate the adoption of the strategies to determine their success and validate the data. Rapid realist reviews are useful methods in capturing complex interventions within specific institutions in a time-sensitive manner.

Financial Inclusion Strategies: A Bibliometric Study of Microfinance and Economic Development Initiatives

Financial inclusion, crucial for equitable economic development, remains a pivotal focus area in global development discourse. Microfinance, an essential component of financial inclusion strategies, aims to provide financial services to marginalized communities, thereby fostering economic empowerment. This study conducts a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of the scholarly literature on microfinance and economic development initiatives. By systematically reviewing and synthesizing a vast array of academic publications, including journal articles, conference proceedings, and book chapters, this study identifies key themes, trends, and research gaps in the field. The analysis encompasses publication trends, citation patterns, thematic clusters, author collaboration networks, and emerging research directions. Findings highlight the evolution of microfinance from its origins to its contemporary applications, with a shift in research emphasis from theoretical underpinnings to practical implementations and regional applications. Moreover, the study identifies underexplored research avenues, such as the role of education in financial inclusion, the impact of microcredit services in specific regions, and regulatory environments for small and medium-sized enterprises. The author collaboration network reveals both robust collaborative clusters and opportunities for new collaborations, reflecting the dynamic and interconnected nature of scholarly engagement in this domain. Ultimately, this study informs evidence-based policy formulation, program design, and academic inquiry, contributing to more effective and sustainable interventions aimed at promoting financial inclusion and fostering economic growth on a global scale.

Digital literacy within Master of Pharmacy curricula in the United Kingdom: a mixed-method study

Abstract Introduction As digital health technologies (DHTs) like electronic health records (EHRs), computerised clinical decision support (CCDS), and telehealth become integral to healthcare delivery, there is an increasing demand for digitally literate healthcare professionals, including pharmacists. The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has emphasised digital competencies in the United Kingdom’s (UK’s) Master of Pharmacy (MPharm) curriculum. The Health Education England (HEE) and the Topol review further emphasises this point, indicating the pressing need for a digitally ready healthcare workforce.[1,2] However, despite these efforts, evidence suggests that digital literacy remains underrepresented in undergraduate pharmacy training. Aim To explore the current and planned inclusion of digital literacy education in the MPharm curricula of UK pharmacy schools. Methods A two-phase study was conducted. Phase 1: we undertook a content analysis of curricula from all GPhC-accredited UK pharmacy schools (n=30) in April 2022. Curriculum materials were procured either directly from schools’ websites or via formal correspondence. The analytical approach was based on a preceding systematic scoping review and further refined through an inductive open coding methodology. Phase 2: a structured 14-item quantitative survey, informed by the HEE Digital Capabilities Framework for the Pharmacy Workforce, was emailed to academic representatives across all UK pharmacy institutions, soliciting data on digital literacy, pedagogical methodologies, and envisaged curriculum trajectories. Results Documents for the content analysis were obtained from 46.7% (14/30) of the UK pharmacy schools. Of these, 71.4% (10/14) included components of digital literacy education or training. We identified themes relating to digital literacy education including: the theoretical understanding of health informatics, applied informatics, information technology skills and the newly emerging field of DHTs including artificial intelligence, pharmacogenomics, and personalised therapies. A total of 53.3% (16/30) schools responded to the survey. Most schools who participated in the survey stated that they had integrated digital literacy into their curricula, with only one exception; alignment with the HEE framework varied. Digital literacy was typically integrated within other teaching sessions, taught through self-learning using online resources (66.7%; 12/18). EHRs and remote counselling were primary focus areas (94.4%; 17/18). Challenges in digital literacy education include expertise shortage (68.4%; 13/19), insufficient support from pharmacy organisations (68.4%; 13/19), and limited time (52.6%; 10/19). Conclusion Although the review of the MPharm curricula revealed evidence of UK pharmacy schools incorporating digital literacy, we identified gaps in training and education relating to the variability in topics across schools, misalignment with the HEE framework, and educators’ concerns about the adequacy of current digital literacy provisions. It is important to acknowledge that our study’s low response rate might introduce sample bias, including schools more proactive in teaching digital literacy, and may not be representative of the broader educational context. The observed gaps underscore the need for collaboration with professional bodies and industry experts to enhance training with the aim of ensuring that future pharmacists are prepared and competent to practice in the digital age.

Nature's hand in megacity cluster progress: Integrating SDG11 with ecosystem service dynamics

The harmonious integration of urban development and ecosystem services (ESs) is crucial for advancing sustainable urban agglomerations. This study unveils an innovative framework that synergizes SDGs with ESs, spotlighting the Yangtze River Delta Megacity Cluster (YRDMC) as a focal area. We first evaluated the SDG11 levels of 26 cities within the YRDMC, categorizing them into four distinct SDG11 development patterns based on their changing trends. We quantified six essential ESs for each city, analyzing how urban land use changes impact these ESs. Subsequently, we employed the SWOT analysis matrix, to devise nature-based urban planning strategies tailored to each city. Our findings indicate that only 3 cities exhibited a continuous rise in SDG11 scores, whereas 17 cities showed an initial increase followed by a decrease in their SDG11 scores. On average, water yield in the YRDMC increased by 4.8 %, while carbon storage and habitat quality declined by 2.25 % and 4.17 %, respectively. Major land use shifts involved reductions in forests and cropland, with most cities facing challenges in providing sufficient ESs. The study equips planners, developers, and consultants with insights for greener, more resilient urban spaces, aligning development with sustainability goals and enhancing the appeal of sustainable initiatives.