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Improved micro-sampling methodology enables accurate platelet function analysis
No full textMicro-sampling for platelet function assays offers a minimally invasive alternative to venipuncture that may facilitate point-of-care testing. We have developed a new micro-sampling methodology for human and mouse and evaluated these methods for platelet function analysis.
Blood was collected by venepuncture or our new finger-prick sampling method in humans, and by terminal bleeding or a modified tail vein bleeding method in mice. Platelet activation was assessed by flow cytometry, measuring fibrinogen binding and P-selectin exposure in response to ADP, CRP-XL or TRAP-6 in humans (n=14) and fibrinogen binding in response to ADP, CRP-XL in mice (n=5). In humans, platelet sensitivity (EC50) and capacity (maximal minus minimal response) showed no significant differences between capillary and venous samples, except for a higher EC50 of P-selectin exposure to CRP-XL in capillary samples (0.179 µg/mL), compared to venous samples (0.026 µg/mL). This may be clinically relevant but requires further investigation. In mice, no significant differences were observed in EC50 or capacity in response to ADP or CRP-XL between the terminal bleeding techniques and our modified tail vein method.
Our new finger-prick sampling and tail vein bleeding methods are viable alternatives to the standard methods used for platelet function analysis. They maintain assay accuracy while improving accessibility and while reducing and refining the use of animal models
Too rich city: a Sinofuturist playground
No full textThe artwork Too Rich City transforms China’s housing crisis into a virtual playground, where NFT properties and augmented reality offer young people alternative forms of urban belonging. Hsin Hsieh both embraces and critiques this artwork
Leading online learning during a pandemic and beyond: challenges and opportunities for school leaders in England
Get PDFEmerging work around the globe has identified the impact closing schools and moving education online during the Covid-19 pandemic has had, especially on children from disadvantaged backgrounds. While research into this area is growing from both student and parents’ perspectives, there remains a need to explore how school leaders strategically dealt with these challenging circumstances, and crucially, what can be learned for the future to ensure some of the opportunities that emerged can be harnessed and developed. This article addresses this knowledge gap by drawing on an UKRI funded mixed methods study involving an online survey (n=65) and semi-structured interviews (n=50) with headteachers in England exploring not only the strategic challenges that school leaders had to overcome, but also highlighting the opportunities that have emerged from the crisis that will positively impact on leading online learning in the future. The results from this research have been used to develop a free online professional development course for heads, underpinned by the key findings, which is highlighted at the end of this article
The institutional development of Islamic finance in the Middle East: a post-colonial comparative perspective
Get PDFThe Islamic finance sector has experienced rapid growth since its commercialisation in the 1970s. For many Muslim countries that gained independence from their colonial rulers, developing a financial industry that represented their faith and value belief systems gave the population a sense of identity. In our study, we traced the historical development of the Islamic finance sector in the Middle East. We applied a post-colonial perspective and the institutional theory lens to analyse the evolution of governance models across the three Middle Eastern countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, and the UAE. We found that the foundation for the Islamic finance sector in these countries was laid soon after they had gained independence. The governance models in these countries have evolved from a decentralised approach to a centralised system aimed at harmonising operations both regionally and globally. This paper highlights implications for theory, policy, and practice and identifies avenues for future research
The Effectiveness of Telemedicine in Coaching Parents of Autistic Children Using Naturalistic Developmental Early Interventions: a Rapid Review
Get PDFEvidence on the effectiveness of telemedicine in coaching parents of autistic children using naturalistic developmental early interventions is limited. This review aimed to examine the literature on the effectiveness of telemedicine on children’s social communication following parent-mediated naturalistic developmental early interventions. A total of nine studies were identified. Intervention characteristics, outcomes, and research quality were assessed. Findings suggest insufficient evidence for the effectiveness of telemedicine on child social communication. All the included studies were at high risk of bias in at least one quality indicator of the risk of bias tools. More high-quality research is required to examine the effectiveness of telemedicine applications on child social communication to support access and continuity of early intervention services
No tuozaafi no food among the Dagaaba of Ghana: understanding the cultural aspects of the uses of food
No full textThis paper examines cultural dimensions of food among Dagaaba of north-west Ghana. Using mixed methods, the study participants comprised 8 individual key informant interviews, 150 semi-structured questionnaires, 6 focus 10 group discussions, and 34 in-depth interviews. The findings of this study indicate that, tuozaafi, the main staple is a tool that is used to welcome guests by host households and the latter are expected to prepare tuozaafi for visitors even after they have prepared a different meal for the consumption of household members. Also, this study revealed social differentiation in terms of norms and customs around food consumption with men, particularly heads of households and children being served first in food sharing. Furthermore, the study showed that men eat with men, children with children and women with women. In sum, in this examination, it is argued that, the consumption of food goes beyond meeting nutritional and biological needs to nurturing social relations and meeting ritual significance. This therefore implies that, individuals, and households’ decisions on food consumption, and the cultural significance of food particularly tuozaafi in the Dagaaba cultural milieu are potential pathways for understanding future outcomes of interventions that seek to enhance the nutritional value of local foods
A synthetic Chinese renminbi: uncovering the anchor currencies
Get PDFWe investigate the de facto exchange rate arrangements of the Chinese renminbi. A recently enhanced methodology is used to estimate a synthetic Chinese renminbi to uncover any anchor currencies. We find two anchor currencies, namely the US dollar and the Singapore dollar. However, the average R-squared is only 43.6%. Thus, the Chinese renminbi is less anchored to the US dollar. This implies that future research can classify the Chinese renminbi as a potential anchor currency
Developing product liability networks for AI systems in the medical context
No full textProduct liability is again a matter of contemporary discussion due to the increased integration of technology into products. In particular, artificial intelligence (AI) has come to the fore, with machines, for example, using big data to make decisions faster and often with greater accuracy than humans. AI is being used at all stages of medicine. Such advances in technology have the potential to provide great benefits. However, there are potential risks. Many of these risks relate to data privacy but even in the field of safety uncertainty about the risks remain. This has led, in part, to reform of the European Union (EU) Products Liability Directive. The United Kingdom (UK) is, of course, no longer bound to follow, but it is likely it will also in time feel the need to do something in this space. In 2021 the Law Commission tentatively suggested ‘product liability and emerging technology’ for its programme of Law Reform, but concluded the time was not right. Subsequently, the Government has alluded to the need for modernising product liability law, but has only mentioned the possibility of extending the definition of product to include software and taking AI into account when assessing defectiveness. The context is a country hamstrung by Brexit, without a real vision for the future of UK consumer law nor for achieving the competitive advantages which Brexit promised to deliver. On the other hand, the EU has considered both a strict liability regime for high-risk AI products and a revised negligence regime for AI, as well as a revised strict product liability regime adapted to the AI context. This article will, first, consider how negligence might apply. Then, liability under the product liability regime, the EU’s amended regime and the proposed strict liability regime for high-risk AI will be considered. The advantages and disadvantages of negligence and strict liability will be discussed with a preference being for strict liability for all products. Finally, a plea to consider network liability or an even more ambitious insurance-based solution will be made
Volatile compositional profile, antioxidant properties, and molecular docking of ethanolic extracts from Philodendron heleniae
Get PDFAntioxidants are essential compounds with diverse applications, and medicinal plants are a natural source of these biomolecules. Philodendron heleniae, a species native to the Ecuadorian Amazon, belongs to a genus renowned for its traditional therapeutic uses. Extracts from the stems and roots of several Philodendron species have been widely used to treat stress, bladder disorders, and snakebite wounds, underscoring their medicinal potential. This study investigates the volatile composition, antioxidant properties, and molecular docking of ethanolic extracts from P. heleniae, aiming to expand its applications. Phytochemical analysis revealed a rich profile of tannins, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and terpenoids. Antioxidant assays (ABTS and DPPH) demonstrated the extract’s strong free radical scavenging capacity, comparable to the standard Trolox. GC-MS analysis identified 48 volatile and semi-volatile metabolites, predominantly phenolic compounds, terpenoids, and lipid-like molecules. Fractionation of the crude ethanolic extract into aqueous and ethanolic fractions simplifies the downstream analytical steps and facilitates the identification and the evaluation of the higher abundance of antioxidant-related metabolites. Molecular docking supported these findings, highlighting strong binding affinities of stigmasterol and desmosterol to catalase, an enzyme critical for reducing oxidative stress. These results position P. heleniae as a promising source of natural antioxidants with potential pharmaceutical applications, while emphasizing the importance of conserving Ecuador’s biodiversity and its bioactive resources