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Graphene oxide for improved sensitivity and response time of fibre-Bragg-grating-based humidity sensors
Get PDFWe report on the characterisation of relative humidity sensors based on fibre Bragg gratings coated with two hygroscopic materials: polyimide (PI) and graphene oxide (GO). In both cases, sensitivity and response time could be tuned by varying the coating thickness, but graphene oxide provided significantly higher sensitivity and a faster response time than polyimide: for PI-coated sensors, a 1 pm/% increase in sensitivity resulted in a 94 s increase in response time, whereas for GO-coated sensors, the same increase in sensitivity only cost an additional 1 s increase in response time. These results show that graphene oxide is a promising material for faster-responding humidity sensors that can maintain high sensitivity
Postprandial glycemic response in different ethnic groups in East London and its association with vitamin D status: Study protocol for an acute randomized crossover trial
Get PDFBackground
In the UK, Black African-Caribbeans (ACs) and South Asians (SAs) have 3–6 times greater risks of developing type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and significantly higher prevalence of vitamin D (vitD) deficiency than White Caucasians. East London is among the areas with the highest prevalence of T2DM and the highest proportion of ethnic minority groups. This ethnic health inequality is ascribed to socioeconomic standing, dietary habits, culture, and attitudes, while biological diversity has rarely been investigated.
Aim
The study aims to investigate the difference in the postprandial glycemic response (PGR), an independent risk factor of T2DM, between ethnic groups (White Caucasians, SAs, and ACs) in East London and its association with vitD status.
Methods
This acute randomized crossover trial will recruit healthy adults (n = 106) in East London between November 2023 and March 2025. Two test drinks are consumed by participants (a glucose drink containing 75 g glucose and pure orange juice) on different occasions. PGRs are monitored before and after drinking every 30 min for up to 2 h via finger prick. A fasting blood sample obtained via phlebotomy will be used for plasma 25(OH)D and relevant tests. A knowledge/perception questionnaire about vitD and a 4-day food diary (analyzing vitD dietary intake) will also be collected. Data will be analyzed using a multiple linear regression model adjusted by confounding factors (age, gender, body mass index, and body fat percentage).
Summary
The study results will be disseminated through journals and conferences, and target stakeholders
Maternal and infant (mental) health and development: our TREASURE – Introducing an EU COST Action on the impact of maternal perinatal stress
Get PDFThe tension of history: an interview with Nic Watts and Sakina Karimjee
No full textNic Watts and Sakina Karimjee are the co-creators of Toussaint Louverture: The Story of the Only Successful Slave Revolt in History (2023), a graphic novel adapted from a play by the anti-colonial historian C.L.R. James. It tells the story of the Haitian Revolution (1791–1804) as a slave-led uprising of world-historical significance. This interview provides in-depth discussion of several aspects of the graphic novel, including its origins and inspiration, the parallels between theatre and comics, the use of graphic narrative to picture world-historical events, and the enduring importance of the Haitian Revolution today
Graduate career development: Two empirically-derived models of the career decision-making processes of students and graduates in the UK
Get PDFIn this article I report on a strand of research, based on interviews with 22 university career practitioners and 30 graduates, that explores the career development of UK students. The research addresses a gap in the literature which has overlooked the decision-making processes of this group and supplements the evidence-base for career practitioners. Findings indicate that students exhibit emotional, cognitive and behavioural career development difficulties, and that graduates consider career options one at a time, engage in self-exploration in the context of a specific option, and use the application process to help them decide on a career direction
Optimal N-state endogenous Markov-switching model for currency liquidity timing
Get PDFIn this paper, we examine whether globally-diversified funds' actively adjust their currency exposure in response to systematic currency liquidity movements, a behavior we term currency liquidity timing. A novel currency-liquidity-timing model embedded with an N-state endogenous Markov-switching mechanism is proposed to capture the dynamics in funds' timing behavior, as well as the external and internal drivers influencing such dynamics. Using a sample of 382 international fixed income mutual funds from July 2001 to December 2020, we find evidence of currency liquidity timing at the aggregate level for the sample funds. Interestingly, funds' currency-liquidity-timing behavior exhibits a state-switching pattern across different market periods: funds on average engage in perverse currency liquidity timing during tranquil market periods, but in positive currency liquidity timing with a stronger degree of aggressivity during more turbulent market periods. Our results suggest that the state transitions in funds' currency-liquidity-timing behavior are driven by deteriorating external currency market liquidity conditions and negative shocks to internal fund returns
Stakeholders’ expectations and experiences of being involved with a global accreditation process for midwifery centres in LMICs: a rapid ethnography
Get PDFBACKGROUND: This study explored the expectations and experiences of stakeholders involved in the accreditation of midwifery centres (MCs) in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). With increasing evidence that MCs provide safe, respectful, and evidence-based care that improves maternal and neonatal outcomes, accreditation may serve as a mechanism to bridge quality gaps in maternal health systems, particularly in regions with high maternal and neonatal mortality.
METHODS: A rapid ethnographic approach, combining participant observation and semi-structured interviews, was conducted in partnership with the GoodBirth Network (GBN), which identified six pilot midwifery centres in Haiti, Uganda, and South Africa. Convenience sampling was applied, and qualitative data was thematically analyzed using NVivo software. Ethical approval was granted by City St. George's, University of London.
RESULTS: Findings suggest that the accreditation process fostered a culture of co-production and continuous quality improvement. Four key themes emerged: the value of accreditation, enablers and barriers of the process, and future expectations. The participatory approach was identified as a self-reflexive tool supporting an evolving culture of quality, an enabling environment and embedding the principles of continuous improvement. However, structural and cultural barriers varied across contexts, potentially influencing stakeholder engagement and implementation.
CONCLUSION: A participatory approach to accreditation may facilitate MC implementation, integration, and sustainability in LMICs, contributing to quality care and enabling environments for midwives. Further research is needed to explore the short- and long-term benefits of accreditation, as well as macro- and micro-level enablers and barriers to its adoption
Barriers to accessing eye care in Pakistan: a mixed methods study
Get PDFAims:
To support policymakers in enhancing access to eye care for the population aged 45 years and older in Pakistan, this study aims to identify and quantify the barriers that hinder effective eye care delivery to this group. Additionally, it seeks to explore patients’ experiences with the Sehat Sahulat (health insurance) programme in the context of eye care services.
Background:
Accessible eye care services can reduce avoidable blindness by delivering timely, high-quality interventions. In Pakistan, the lack of primary eye care burdens overcrowded hospitals and combined with economic challenges, limits access for underprivileged populations. To address this, a nationwide health insurance scheme – the Sehat Sahulat programme (SSP) was introduced to reduce out-of-pocket (OOP) expenses and improve healthcare access for economically disadvantaged groups.
Methods:
Using an exploratory sequential mixed methods design, an initial qualitative phase explored participant experiences and identified specific barriers. The qualitative study provided the basis for the development of a customized survey tool. The survey tool was then used in a second phase to obtain quantitative data to capture the magnitude of barriers and costs associated with accessing eye care in Pakistan.
Findings:
Numerous considerable barriers were identified including illiteracy, long travel times, female gender, old age, mobility issues, and costs, all of which limited access to eye care in Pakistan. Awareness surrounding use of the SSP was poor, with the programme seldom used towards eye care costs. This study highlights patient experiences with eye care in urban and rural Pakistan, including enablers and barriers to accessing eye care. Improvements should focus on educating the public on eye health, increasing availability of eye care services in rural areas, improving accessibility within eye care facilities, addressing gender disparities, and reducing costs associated with eye care treatments, potentially through advancement of the SSP
Midwives, Health Visitors and GPs Working Together
No full textPoor interprofessional communication contributes to negative experiences and outcomes. An innovative Health Team comprised of two midwives, a health visitor and a GP were given a small amount of protected time to develop a range of low-cost, bottom-up solutions to challenges in maternity services. The Health Team had a profound effect on services and on its members, challenging previously held beliefs about other disciplines, addressing historic frustrations and developing new skills. This model shows promise as an organisational approach to identifying and resolving local challenges
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