BackgroundThe sequence of events in a behaviour change trial involves interactions between research participants and the trial process. Taking part in such a study has the potential to influence the behaviour of the participant, and if it does, this can engender bias in trial outcomes. Since participants’ experience has received scant attention, the aim of this study is thus to generate hypotheses about which aspects of the conduct of behaviour change trials might matter most to participants, and thus have potential to alter subsequent behaviours and bias trial outcomesMethodsTwenty participants were opportunistically screened for a health compromising behaviour (unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, smoking or alcohol consumption) and recruited if eligible. Semi structured face to face interviews were conducted, after going through the usual processes involved in trial recruitment, baseline assessment and randomisation. Participants were given information on the contents of an intervention or control condition in a behaviour change trial, which was not actually implemented. Three months later they returned to reflect on these experiences and whether they had any effect on their behaviour during the intervening period. Data from the latter interview were analysed thematically using a modified grounded theory approach.ResultsThe early processes of trial participation raised awareness of unhealthy behaviours, although most reported having had only fleeting intentions to change their behaviour as a result of taking part in this study, in the absence of interventions. However, careful examination of the accounts revealed evidence of subtle research participation effects, which varied according to the health behaviour, and its perceived social acceptability. Participants’ relationships with the research study were viewed as somewhat important in stimulating thinking about whether and how to make lifestyle changes.ConclusionThese participants described no dramatic impacts attributable to taking part in this study. This study demonstrates the likely value of well conducted qualitative studies of subtle research participation effects, which may be particularly important to explore for alcohol. Separating unintended influences in trial participation from the effects of behaviour change interventions being evaluated therein is necessary for valid estimates of intervention effects.

Wireless sensor networks have become incredibly popular due to the Internet of Things' (IoT) rapid development. IoT routing is the basis for the efficient operation of the perception-layer network. As a popular type of machine learning, reinforcement learning techniques have gained significant attention due to their successful application in the field of network communication. In the traditional Routing Protocol for lowpower and Lossy Networks (RPL) protocol, to solve the fairness of control message transmission between IoT terminals, a fair broadcast suppression mechanism, or Drizzle algorithm, is usually used, but the Drizzle algorithm cannot allocate priority. Moreover, the Drizzle algorithm keeps changing its redundant constant k value but never converges to the optimal value of k. To address this problem, this paper uses a combination based on reinforcement learning (RL) and trickle timer. This paper proposes an RL Intelligent Adaptive Trickle-Timer Algorithm (RLATT) for routing optimization of the IoT awareness layer. RLATT has triple-optimized the trickle timer algorithm. To verify the algorithm's effectiveness, the simulation is carried out on Contiki operating system and compared with the standard trickling timer and Drizzle algorithm. Experiments show that the proposed algorithm performs better in terms of packet delivery ratio (PDR), power consumption, network convergence time, and total control cost ratio.

Despite intense focus on child sexual exploitation (CSE) in the UK, little is known about how and why some young people manage to recover from sustained exploitation by multiple perpetrators. Using thematic analysis, three published memoirs by young people (female) about their sexual exploitation by groups of men in the UK are analysed for insight into what contributes to positive short and long-term outcomes. Despite the populist nature of the publications, the memoirs offer an important insight into young people's understandings of their exploitation. The rich detail inherent to memoir exposes the complexities and dilemmas faced by the young people and the professionals involved. Being listened and believed by family and professionals is the most significant aspect to positive adaptation post exploitation in these accounts. However, the dynamics of grooming and the nature of contemporary social work intervention and investigation render disclosure difficult. As these accounts illustrate, CSE is characterised by uncertainty and complexity and this is the domain in which social work needs to intervene more successfully to support young people.

For more information, including our policy and submission procedure, please contact the Repository Team at: usir@salford.ac.uk.Reporting Sexual Violence on Mental Health Wards. Research limitations/implicationsThe research highlights variation and inadequacy of current recording practices in relation to sexual offences committed against inpatients on mental health units. Practical implicationsThere needs to be more consistent system of recording of allegations of sexual assault and responses to them by agencies. In the Trust recording of these incidents, it is recommended that a specific category of sexual violence is created. On a national level, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) should produce a national data set that records the number of rapes that are committed in mental health inpatient units.

Purpose -The purpose is to report the main themes identified into the SCR produced by Surrey Safeguarding Adults Board (SSAB) regarding the suicide of Mrs A in January 2013.Design -A case study approach is used to examine the SCR. The article links the findings of the SCR with the broader literature, which has examined the experiences of witnesses and complainants in cases of sexual violence.Findings -The report emphasises that support for witnesses in historic? sexual assault cases has improved but there are still significant gaps in provision. In particular, the systems need to support witnesses for longer after giving evidence. Mental health services need to be more aware of the potential impact of Court cases on victims of sexual violence. The case also highlights the potentially devastating impact of the media reporting of evidence given by victims in rape cases.Implications -The authors hope that a wider consideration of the circumstances of this case will lead to a greater focus on the needs of victims in cases of historic rape and other sexual assault cases. The SCR highlights that the provision of support for women giving evidence in sexual abuse cases is patchy. Such cases raise very serious ethical issues including the question of how to use the special measures that exist to support vulnerable or intimidated witnesses.Originality /value -The paper brings together a number of themes in the wider literature and links them to current practice. It also uses a case study approach to exploring the implications for women, in cases of historical sexual abuse, of giving evidence in Court proceedings.