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Experimental evaluation of the biochar addition effects on the both batch and semi-continuous anaerobic digestion of food waste
No full textLensless Digital Holographic Microscopy for differentiation and counting of blood cells in a microfluidic device using Computer Vision
Full text linkThis research paper presents lensless digital holographic microscopy (LDHM) combined with
computer vision techniques for differentiating and counting blood cells in microfluidic flow.
A lensless holographic imaging setup captures holographic interference patterns of blood cells in a
microfluidic channel using a digital sensor. LDHM eliminates the need for lenses, allowing for low
cost, simplistic and robust designs, increasing suitability for decentralised testing and personalised
healthcare. LDHM offers advantages of non-invasiveness, label-free and potential for real-time
results; by utilising computer vision, it enables rapid and automated detection of particle populations,
potentially aiding early disease detection and assessing treatment success via ongoing monitoring.
Computer vision algorithms allow for reconstruction of holograms, in order for further analysis such
as to extract features, and classify cells based on morphology. This allows for a sample to be
monitored over time, allowing for an accurate count of particles over time and averaging to generate
an accurately calculated particle concentration.
This paper aims to display the potential for LDHM for blood cell differentiation and count as a form
of blood analysis, and how this technology can be designed in an effective yet affordable manner, with
its simplistic design having further potential for point-of-care translation
Understanding the impact of Job Crafting on healthcare staff wellbeing
Full text linkSection One: Literature Review
Section Two: Empirical Study
Lay Summary
Healthcare staff experience high levels of burnout and poor wellbeing.
Services need to find effective ways to support them. Job Crafting (JC) interventions
make people’s work feel more meaningful by changing work tasks, building better
relationships or changing the way they view their work to fit more with their values. It
is important to explore whether JC is effective in improving healthcare staff personal
wellbeing and burnout.
Chapter one of this thesis is a systematic literature review which includes
studies exploring the effect of JC on healthcare staff personal wellbeing and burnout.
Some of the studies were experimental delivering JC as an intervention while others
were observational measuring JC as a spontaneous employee-initiated behaviour.
The narrative synthesis found that JC was associated with better wellbeing, reduced
burnout and distress, increased happiness and better mental and physical health.
This suggests JC is a promising intervention for improving personal wellbeing,
although more high-quality research is required to confirm associations and long-
term effects.
Chapter two is an empirical research project which explored whether different
subtypes of burnout could predict who benefits from JC. A machine learning method
was used to identify 12 subtypes of burnout based on answers to a burnout
questionnaire. However, it was concluded that burnout subtype did not predict who
improved with JC. Job role or ethnicity did not predict outcomes either. Instead, the
best predictor or improvement was burnout level at the start. People who had higher
5
levels of burnout at the start were more likely to get better after JC. This suggests
that services should tailor JC to people who have the most severe burnout.
Together, these chapters show that JC is beneficial for improving healthcare
staff wellbeing however more research should be done to understand more about it
and how to deliver it most effectively
Control Oriented Model and Control System Design for Selective Laser Melting Process
Full text linkPowder Bed Fusion – Laser Beam (PBF-LB) process, a prominent additive manufacturing (AM) technology for metals, has the potential to revolutionize manufacturing by enabling the rapid production of complex parts directly from digital models. Despite its advantages in speed and geometric flexibility, the quality and repeatability of SLM-produced parts are often compromised due to the complex and fast-changing process dynamics. The literature highlights the critical need for robust online control systems to enhance part quality and consistency. However, a significant challenge lies in the lack of an adequate process model to design effective online control algorithms.
This research addresses these challenges by investigating and implementing various online control systems to mitigate heat accumulation and improve part quality and process performance. Our contributions are threefold:
1. Extending control models
2. Fast and efficient simulation
3. Control system exploration
Our work enhances understanding of SLM process control and paves the way for more efficient additive manufacturing practices
Interventions to improve the quality of life in patients living with endocrine conditions
No full textIntroduction
Patients living with chronic endocrine conditions experience a burden of disease which affects their quality of life compared to healthy controls. In people living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, this may be due to micro or macrovascular complications, as well as the negative emotions associated with living with diabetes. In individuals with adrenal insufficiency, the reduced quality of life may be due to failure to mimic the circadian rhythm during glucocorticoid replacement. Interventions to improve the management of these endocrine conditions can have an impact on the specific disease related distress. This would in turn affect the quality of life in these individuals. The first study assessed the impact of intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) on glycaemic control and diabetes distress in a predominantly type 1 diabetes population with psychosocial issues. The effect of this technology on diabetes distress in people living with type 2 diabetes but not yet on insulin has been evaluated in the second study. In the final study, we compared the effect of prednisolone to hydrocortisone on the quality of life in patients with adrenal insufficiency.
Methods:
The first study was a retrospective analysis of baseline and follow-up data from the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD) nationwide audit of people with diabetes who initiated the isCGM for psychosocial reasons in the United Kingdom. In the second study, a randomized controlled trial, the effect of use of Free Style Libre 2 over 12 weeks on glycaemic control and diabetes distress in patients with type 2 diabetes was assessed. The final study was an observational study that compared the cardiovascular risk and quality of life of patients with adrenal insufficiency, at the start and 4 months after switching from hydrocortisone to prednisolone.
Results
In the first study, with the initiation of isCGM, after a mean follow-up period of 6.9 months, there was a significant reduction in Diabetes Distress Scale score; 4 at baseline vs. 2.5 at follow up (P<0.001). The prevalence of high Diabetes Related Distress (DRD) reduced from 76% to 38% at follow-up (50% reduction in DRD, P<0.001). There was also a significant reduction in HbA1c (HbA1c 78.5 mmol/mol (9.3%) at baseline vs 66.5 mmol/mol (8.2%) at follow-up (P<0.001).
In the second study, the use of Libre 2, a form of isCGM, increased the mean time in range at 12 weeks by 18% (CI 2-35, p=0.028). Participants in the Libre 2 arm exhibited a non-significant reduction in HbA1c levels of 8 mmol/mol compared to the control arm. However, no significant differences were observed in other isCGM metrics or diabetes distress between the study arms.
In the final study, the use of prednisolone was associated with an average reduction in weight of 1.2kg (p=0.007) and relatedly, a reduction in body mass index (BMI) of 0.4kg/m2. The systolic blood pressure reduced by an average of 6mmHg (p=0.027). The total cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, triglycerides levels were lower at follow up compared to baseline levels. These changes were however not statistically significant (p>0.05). Data from the modified SF-36 quality of life questionnaire showed significant increase in the energy scores and scores relating to the participants’ general health (p=0.003 and p=0.019 respectively), indicating an improvement in the quality of life.
Conclusion:
Analysis of real-world data of people with T1DM using isCGM initiated for psychosocial reasons shows a significant improvement in diabetes related distress, glycaemic control and hospital admissions due to hyperglycaemia/diabetic ketoacidosis. The use of isCGM in T2DM patients on non-insulin therapy showed promise in improving glycaemic control, as evidenced by increased time in range. There was, however, no significant reduction in HbA1c or impact on diabetes distress. The use of prednisolone was associated with a significant reduction in systolic blood pressure, weight and BMI. Prednisolone did not affect the lipid profile, signifying no increase in cardiovascular risk. Patients felt more energetic and had higher general health scores. These findings suggest that low dose prednisolone may be a better glucocorticoid option than hydrocortisone. In this thesis, we have shown that the disease specific interventions had an overall positive impact on the management of individuals living with diabetes and adrenal insufficiency. This generally resulted in improvement in the quality of life as evidenced by the disease related distress. Interventions also had an impact on the individuals’ biochemical health as shown by various outcome measures
Networking the Modern: Roger Fry and the Contemporary Art Society c.1909–39
Full text linkThis thesis explores the work of the Contemporary Art Society (CAS) from 1909–1939. Its founders were a cross-section of British art world – collectors, dealers, artists, and curators – who wanted to support the work of living artists and make more contemporary art available in public galleries.
No previous scholarship has considered in detail what the CAS collected and why. This study is the first attempt to examine the early years of the CAS in detail and the role of the Bloomsbury Group, and in particular Roger Fry, in its development.
After reviewing the work of the CAS from 1909–1917, this thesis focuses on three case studies. The first considers the selection of works from the CAS collection by Manchester City Galleries (who received more than any other subscribing gallery). The second describes the consultancy work performed by the CAS for the Ulster Museum in Belfast. Free from financial constraints, but constrained by time, this case study explores what the CAS bought when funds were not an issue. The final case study concerns the work of the CAS Prints and Drawings Fund with the British Museum. Here a statistically significant number of works were acquired, most of which were prints, allowing for an analysis of the effect of social networks.
My case studies are presented within the context of British social, political and museum history. Their primary sources are unpublished archives held by the Tate, Manchester City Galleries, Manchester Corporation and the Ulster Museum.
My research demonstrates that though the foundation of the CAS can be attributed to the denizens of Bloomsbury, their impact on the work of the CAS as a whole, though significant in the early years, diminishes in the interwar period when other social and professional networks, and links to London art dealers, have far more influence
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