34028 research outputs found
Sort by
Using genetics as a tool to understand the causal role of ectopic fat and total adiposity on the risk of type 2 diabetes and its complications
No full textType 2 diabetes (T2D) is a complex, multifaceted disease associated with high morbidity and mortality due to its macrovascular and microvascular complications. Although glycaemic control has been central to the clinical management of these panvascular complications, emerging evidence suggests that other factors—particularly adiposity, ectopic fat, and hypertension—may play a more prominent causal role in the disease and its associated cardiometabolic risk. This thesis uses genetic epidemiology approaches, including Mendelian randomisation, genetic risk scores (GRS), and pathway analysis, while leveraging MRI data from UK Biobank and genome wide association studies (GWAS) from various consortia, to explore the independent and combined effects of total adiposity, fat distribution, and ectopic fat on the risk of T2D and its associated cardiometabolic diseases.The key findings from this thesis suggest that while genetically predicted T2D is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular complications, this effect is significantly mediated by BMI and systolic blood pressure, indicating that glycaemic control alone is insufficient for mitigating the microvascular and macrovascular complications associated with the disease. Individuals with genetically favourable adiposity distribution exhibited a healthier metabolic profile and lower disease risk, underscoring the clinical significance of distinguishing between types and locations of adiposity. Analysis of liver fat identified contrasting effects of two sets of genetic variants—one promoting hepatic lipid export and the other increasing lipid retention—with paradoxical implications for cardiovascular and liver diseases. Genetic analysis of MRI-derived fat depots revealed a protective effect and healthier metabolic profile associated with thigh subcutaneous adipose tissue (TSAT), and a higher disease risk and adverse metabolic profile linked to abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (ASAT), emphasising the critical role of fat distribution in shaping disease risk. Finally, genetic variants influencing fatty acid composition in adipose tissue showed a dual effect: lowering cardiometabolic risk while increasing the risk of other conditions such as gallstones.These findings support a shift in clinical and public health approaches to T2D management, advocating for multifactorial strategies that integrate weight management, and blood pressure control. By leveraging genetic evidence, this thesis advances understanding of the causal pathways linking adiposity and ectopic fat to diabetes-related outcomes and highlights new avenues for targeted interventions. The research also contributes novel mechanistic insights that may inform precision medicine efforts and improve risk stratification models.</p
The psychosocial impact of oral conditions during transition to secondary education.
No full textAIM: Transition to secondary education is a significant life event. Little is known about the impact of oro-facial conditions during this time and how concerns may contribute as a risk factor to negative adaptation. The aim of the study was to explore experiences of young people with oro-facial conditions as they undergo the transition to secondary education. Study Design: Qualitative interview and diary study. METHODS: Participants were children aged 11-12 years with a range of clinical conditions who attended a dental hospital. Participants completed a two-week diary during the transition and were interviewed about the diary and their experiences. The interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. RESULTS: Seventeen participants returned the diary and were interviewed; they described both changes in school environment and social interactions. A key finding was the concerns about aspects of themselves that children developed during this time. For some young people these concerns were about their oro-facial condition. No links between gender, severity of condition and experiences of school were apparent. CONCLUSION: Transition to secondary education affected young people to varying degrees. Timely treatment for those concerned about the condition of their teeth may improve the likelihood of positive adaptation.</p
EquiCaps: Predictor-Free Pose-Aware Pre-Trained Capsule Networks
No full textLearning self-supervised representations that are invariant and equivariant to transformations is crucial for advancing beyond traditional visual classification tasks. However, many methods rely on predictor architectures to encode equivariance, despite evidence that architectural choices, such as capsule networks, inherently excel at learning interpretable pose-aware representations. To explore this, we introduce EquiCaps (Equivariant Capsule Network), a capsule-based approach to pose-aware self-supervision that eliminates the need for a specialised predictor for enforcing equivariance. Instead, we leverage the intrinsic pose-awareness capabilities of capsules to improve performance in pose estimation tasks. To further challenge our assumptions, we increase task complexity via multi-geometric transformations to enable a more thorough evaluation of invariance and equivariance by introducing 3DIEBench-T, an extension of a 3D object-rendering benchmark dataset. Empirical results demonstrate that EquiCaps outperforms prior state-of-the-art equivariant methods on rotation prediction, achieving a supervised-level R2 of 0.78 on the 3DIEBench rotation prediction benchmark and improving upon SIE and CapsIE by 0.05 and 0.04 R2 , respectively. Moreover, in contrast to non-capsule-based equivariant approaches, EquiCaps maintains robust equivariant performance under combined geometric transformations, underscoring its generalisation capabilities and the promise of predictor-free capsule architectures.</p
The development and evaluation of training for NHS administration staff in handling difficult calls
No full textPurposeThe purpose of this service evaluation was to develop and evaluate training to support NHS mental health administration staff with handling difficult calls.MethodA two-stage mixed method approach was used. Stage one (training development) used quantitative measures and consultation to underpin the training design. Stage two (training evaluation) qualitative feedback.ResultsResults from stage one indicated unanimous experience of distressing calls and request for training to support with verbal de-escalation, understanding of psychological distress, and process information for escalation. Results from stage two suggested the utility of discussion with peers, improved knowledge that was applicable to working practice, and improvements in confidence. The implications of the findings are discussed alongside limitations and suggested future directions.Practical implicationsIn particular, this service evaluation highlighted the potential usefulness of reflective practice spaces and specific mental health training for administration staff in NHS mental health settings.Originality/valueThis is the first written article detailing the development and evaluation of training on handling distressing calls for NHS mental health administration staff.</p
A Cartoon Explaining How Central Banks Manage Inflation Through Interest Rates
No full textA Cartoon Explaining How Central Banks Manage Inflation Through Interest Rates.</p
Cartoon Creation Centre
No full textHow the Cartoon Creation Centre was established, what we do, and how we do it.</p
An adapted Qualitative Behavioural Assessment of dogs’ facial expressions of fear and frustration
No full textQualitative Behavioural Assessment (QBA) involves the quantification of people’s holistic interpretations of the style and quality of movement and has been used to assess the emotional states of many species, including dogs. Faces are a rich source of emotional expression, but there is enormous variability in dog facial morphology limiting the potential to use standardised anatomically-based descriptions across breeds. However, we hypothesise that style of movement in relation to emotion may be consistent and detectable by humans, by focusing on the face and irrespective of the morphological differences that occur in dogs. We aimed to see whether we could use an adapted form of Free Choice Profiling QBA (aFCP-QBA) where participants concentrated on the face of the dog, to reveal qualitative discriminations of fear and frustration. Twenty-two behaviourists were asked to describe using a aFCP-QBA methodology (i.e. using their own descriptors adjectives) the facial expressions of 5 fear and 5 frustration videos from a previously validated dataset of videos. They were blind to the video’s previous validation of their emotional content. Forty-nine adjectival descriptors were generated and Generalised Procrustes Analysis demonstrated significant inter-observer reliability (55 %, p < 0.01) suggesting congruence in the description of facial emotions using our aFCP-QBA. Three Principal Components explaining 61 % of data variance were extracted and appeared to represent expressions of arousal, anticipation and valence. Participants generally assigned the videos to two groups consistent with our a priori emotional classification, suggesting they discriminated the two different emotions. There was good consensus for the emotional content of the fear videos, with similar adjectives used by participants. For the frustration videos, participants agreed that these videos differed from the fear videos (as they were separated by arousal, anticipation and valence) but the consensus profile of the adjectives was weaker. Participants also rated the videos using four visual analogue scales (VAS) relating to the level of fear, frustration, happiness and positive anticipation expressed by the dogs. Fear videos were rated significantly higher on fear (Friedman Chi-square 184.67, p < 0.01), and frustration videos were rated significantly higher for frustration (Friedman Chi-square 161.80, p < 0.01). This provides convergent validity for each of the two emotional expressions revealed by the aFCP-QBA. These results indicate that humans may identify the emotional state of dogs using holistic evaluations of the style when asked to concentrate on the facial expressions of dogs.</p
Once Upon A Tale
No full textBook nine in a series of post-modern, transgressive, fairy tales generated by AI.</p
Once Upon A Devil
No full textBook Eight in a series of post-modern, transgressive, fairy tales generated by AI.</p
Case Study: The Potential of Wind Energy Sources and Their Utilisation in Bangladesh
No full textBangladesh, a densely populated nation with mounting energy demands, is actively seeking sustainable alternatives to traditional fossil fuels. This study employs an inclusive, dynamic approach by integrating geographic information systems (GISs) mapping and analysis to evaluate the country’s renewable energy (RE) potential, with a particular focus on the promising wind energy. It assesses the current state of alternative energy infrastructure, examining installed capacities and the policy frameworks that are shaping Bangladesh’s energy transition. Furthermore, the study considers the socio-economic, climatic, and social impacts of energy transformation within the context of SDG7, outlining a pathway to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Significant attention is provided to challenges and opportunities associated with incorporating renewables into the existing energy mix, as well as the critical need for workforce development. This study examines Bangladesh’s potential for wind energy, with an emphasis on offshore wind resources. Through GIS analysis and policy assessment, it evaluates wind speeds, economic viability, and policy challenges. The findings identify key hindrances and opportunities in the shift to wind energy. The study also provides policy recommendations, including investment incentives, offshore wind integration, and infrastructure development to support a sustainable energy future.</p