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Raising the bar in sports performance research.
Get PDFThis is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of Sports Sciences on 06/01/2022, available online: https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2021.202433
ABO Blood Groups Do Not Predict <i>Schistosoma mansoni</i> Infection Profiles in Highly Endemic Villages of Uganda.
Get PDFFrom Europe PMC via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: ppub 2021-11-01, epub 2021-11-27Publication status: PublishedFunder: Medical Research Council; Grant(s): MR/P025447/1Funder: European Research Council; Grant(s): 680088 SCHISTO_PERSISTFunder: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council; Grant(s): EP/R01437X/, EP/T003618/1Funder: Wellcome Trust; Grant(s): 204820/Z/16/ZSchistosoma mansoni is a parasite which causes significant public-health issues, with over 240 million people infected globally. In Uganda alone, approximately 11.6 million people are affected. Despite over a decade of mass drug administration in this country, hyper-endemic hotspots persist, and individuals who are repeatedly heavily and rapidly reinfected are observed. Human blood-type antigens are known to play a role in the risk of infection for a variety of diseases, due to cross-reactivity between host antibodies and pathogenic antigens. There have been conflicting results on the effect of blood type on schistosomiasis infection and pathology. Moreover, the effect of blood type as a potential intrinsic host factor on S. mansoni prevalence, intensity, clearance, and reinfection dynamics and on co-infection risk remains unknown. Therefore, the epidemiological link between host blood type and S. mansoni infection dynamics was assessed in three hyper-endemic communities in Uganda. Longitudinal data incorporating repeated pretreatment S. mansoni infection intensities and clearance rates were used to analyse associations between blood groups in school-aged children. Soil-transmitted helminth coinfection status and biometric parameters were incorporated in a generalised linear mixed regression model including age, gender, and body mass index (BMI), which have previously been established as significant factors influencing the prevalence and intensity of schistosomiasis. The analysis revealed no associations between blood type and S. mansoni prevalence, infection intensity, clearance, reinfection, or coinfection. Variations in infection profiles were significantly different between the villages, and egg burden significantly decreased with age. While blood type has proven to be a predictor of several diseases, the data collected in this study indicate that it does not play a significant role in S. mansoni infection burdens in these high-endemicity communities
Flood Risk Assessment and management in the Benue Trough Nigeria
Get PDFThis research was borne out of the reoccurring flood in Nigeria but especially the extreme flooding in 2012 in the Benue Trough which brought into focus regional and national impacts by creating refugee communities and food insecurity. Previous reports within the study area did not consider vulnerability, resilience, community-based risk approach, flood extent and inundation mapping, management strategies, or multiple flood sources nor did they use geospatial methods. This research makes the contribution to knowledge by including these factors and approaches and an historical record for the 2017 flood event, which has previously received little or no attention in published literature or government archives. The multi-dimensional and holistic approach used here has shed more light on prevalent issues that will lead to hyper-local and more efficient management by both government and stakeholders, which can be replicated for other Nigerian states and beyond. The research examines the 2017 flood event in the Makurdi area, evaluating, and mapping the flood extent, perceived causal factors, proximity to water bodies, and flood impacts. It uses mixed methods and DPSIR model, analyzing land use, hydrological and meteorological data, stakeholder interviews and field survey with both residents' and stakeholders. Rapid risk assessment was integrated with geospatial mapping showing spatial distribution of damage and flood depth. Flood extent and inundation data reveal inland flooding and the possibility of varied causes of the flood, while analysis shows decreases in natural forest and, farmland and increases in 'bare ground' and ‘built-up’ areas, possibly related to accelerated rates of population growth and anthropogenic activities. Hydrological and meteorological trends show increased river water levels and discharge, slight increases in rainfall, increases in rainfall intensity, changing monthly peaks, and changes in seasonality, and frequency. Flooding in 2017 occurred south of the river Benue and was not restricted to the floodplain. Although flood depth was greater near to the main channel, damage away from the channel was similar to or, in some cases, more serious than that on the floodplain. Residents’ perceived flood types were surface water, river, groundwater, rainfall, smaller courses, and public sewer with causes mentioned as river overflow, blocked drains, surface water, ground water, rains, and indiscriminate waste disposal. Peak discharge in the 2017 event were directly attributed to rainfall, urbanisation, and increased occupation of flood risk zones. 3700 people were displaced, mainly from inland areas showing high levels of vulnerability using the CBDRI assessment. The research shows that there is a combination of increased vulnerability, lack of preparedness, poor understanding of risk and inadequate government response. Underlying causes of vulnerability are lack of capacity: early warning systems, emergency funds, application of building codes and protective structures; Economic: attitude to disaster and lack of priority for protection, budgets, and accessibility; Social: high poverty and low adult literacy; and Physical: high population growth and limited access to essential services. The 2017 floods provided a local scale test of mitigation plans, which is lacking, and exposed the failure of the current management strategy. Revitalizing of existing and implementation of recommended strategies such as dredging, building embarkments, Sendai framework, risk communication, Blue-green solutions and recovery programs that will rebuild affected communities, individuals and livelihood while building a safe environment in the face of disasters is key
Enhancing community weight loss groups in a low socioeconomic status area: Application of the COM-B model and Behaviour Change Wheel
Get PDFBackground
Obesity rates are higher among people of lower socioeconomic status. While numerous health behaviour interventions targeting obesity exist, they are more successful at engaging higher socioeconomic status populations, leaving those in less affluent circumstances with poorer outcomes. This highlights a need for more tailored interventions. The aim of this study was to enhance an existing weight loss course for adults living in low socioeconomic communities.
Methods
The Behaviour Change Wheel approach was followed to design an add-on intervention to an existing local authority-run weight loss group, informed by mixed-methods research and stakeholder engagement.
Results
The COM-B analysis of qualitative data revealed that changes were required to psychological capability, physical and social opportunity and reflective motivation to enable dietary goal-setting behaviours. The resulting SMART-C booklet included 6 weeks of dietary goal setting, with weekly behavioural contract and review.
Conclusion
This paper details the development of the theory- and evidence-informed SMART-C intervention. This is the first report of the Behaviour Change Wheel being used to design an add-on tool to enhance existing weight loss services. The process benefitted from a further checking stage with stakeholders
New challenges for an expanding generation of older persons with haemophilia
Get PDF© 2022 Jamie O’Hara et al., published by SciendoBackground: Increasing survival among people with haemophilia means that more individuals are at risk of developing age-related morbidity. Little is known about morbidity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in different age groups within a single large population of people with haemophilia. Aim This study aimed to explore the association between increasing age and comorbidity among people with haemophilia and to compare their HRQoL with that of a sample of the general population in England. Methods The prevalence of comorbidity recorded in medical records and HRQoL assessed by EQ-5D were compared by age group in participants in the Cost of Haemophilia in Europe: A Socioeconomic Survey study (CHESS) in Europe. HRQoL was compared with that of a sample of the general population taken from the 2012 Health Survey for England (HSE). Results Younger adults in CHESS were more likely to have received prophylaxis from an early age. The mean number of affected joints in younger adults was 1.0; participants aged 41–50 (1.25) and 51–60 years (1.41) had the highest mean number of affected joints. The prevalence of comorbidity was 36% in patients aged 18–30, 61% in 31–60-year-olds and 68% in those aged 61+. HRQoL impairment in young adults with haemophilia was comparable with that in the HSE population aged over 60. Conclusions Older people with haemophilia have impaired quality of life compared with younger adults and an increasing prevalence of several age-related disorders affecting mental health and cardiovascular and bone health. Young adults with haemophilia report impaired HRQoL comparable with that in a general population aged 61+
Effects of Ramadan and Non-ramadan Intermittent Fasting on Gut Microbiome
Get PDFIn recent years, intermittent fasting (IF) has gained popularity in the health and wellness in the world. There are numerous types of IF, all of which involve fasting periods that last longer than an overnight fast and involve limited meal time-windows, with or without calorie restriction. The objective of this review is to summarize the current evidence for the effects of Ramadan and non-Ramadan IF on gut microbiome. Methods: We explored PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar according to the PRISMA criteria (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis). Animal and human studies were screened and reviewed separately by two researchers. Results: Twenty-eight studies were selected after screening. Some of the studies were performed on animal models and some on humans. The results of these studies indicate a significant shift in the gut microbiota, especially an increase in the abundance of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria following fasting diets. The results of some studies also showed an increase in the bacterial diversity, decrease inflammation and increased production of some metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in individuals or samples under fasting diets. Moreover, Ramadan fasting, as a kind of IF, improves health parameters through positive effects on some bacterial strains such as Akkermansia muciniphila and Bacteroide. However, some studies have reported adverse effects of fasting diets on the structure of the microbiome. Conclusion: In general, most studies have seen favorable results following adherence from the fasting diets on the intestinal microbiome. However, because more studies have been done on animal models, more human studies are needed to prove the results
Preliminary investigation of the effects of a concert on the behavior of zoo animals
Get PDFThe AAM is the peer reviewed version of the following article: [Harley, J. J., Rowden, L. J., Clifforde, L. M., Power, A. & Stanley, C.R. (2022). Preliminary investigation of the effects of a concert on the behavior of zoo animals. Zoo Biology, 41(4), 308-327], which has been published in final form at [https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21676]. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.To increase visitor footfall and engagement, zoos may host public events which may extend outside of typical opening hours. With plans to hold a 2-day concert at Tayto Park, Ireland, this study aimed to identify the behavioral response to the music event of a selected group of species in the zoo. Twenty-two species were observed across three Phases of the event (pre-, during and post-event). Specific behaviors of interest were categorized as active, resting, asleep, abnormal, and out of sight, with repeated observations being made at each enclosure during each Phase. Alongside these behavioral data, Sound Pressure Levels (SPLs) were concurrently recorded at the observation locations in terms of both dB(A) and dB(C). The median dB(C) levels during the event were found to be significantly higher (mdn = 64.5dB) when compared with both pre- (mdn = 60.7dB) and post-event Phases (mdn = 59.4dB), whilst dB(A) levels were only significantly higher during the event (51.7dB) when compared with the pre-event Phase (mdn = 49.8dB). We found some species-specific behavioral changes (mainly associated with active and resting behaviors) correlated with increased SPLs and/or event itself. However, the behavioral responses varied between species and there were numerous species which did not respond with any change in behavior to the increased SPLs or the event itself. This variation in response across species reinforces the need for monitoring of behavioral changes as well as consideration of their natural behavioral ecology when implementing appropriate mitigation strategies. Further research should be encouraged to provide evidence-based assessment of how music events may affect animal welfare and behavior and to test the efficacy of mitigation strategies that are implemented to safeguard animal welfare
Appraisal self-respect: Scale validation and construct implications
Get PDFDespite the widely accepted recognition of the notion of self-respect and its importance for emotional well-being, it has received scant attention in the psychological literature. We report on the development and validation of a scale to measure trait (character-based) appraisal self-respect (ASR), conceptualised as a disposition to perceive or appraise oneself as being a respectworthy honourable person. We tested the factor structure, reliability, convergent, discriminant and criterion validity of the ASR scale in samples of adult individuals (combined N = 1910 across samples). The resulting ASR scale was found to be essentially unidimensional and showed good internal and acceptable test-retest reliability. Trait ASR was correlated with (yet distinct from) theoretically related measures of global self-esteem, moral self and principledness, and was distinct from other self-esteem facets not based on honourable character traits. Importantly, it related to well-being and prosocial behaviour over-and-above self-esteem. The validation work served to consolidate the theoretical boundaries and utility of this important concept
This Is Me Now: Queer Time and Animated Childhood
Get PDFAnimation has a complex relationship with time, often subverting linear narrative tradition and freezing characters in space and time. Animated sitcoms deal in seriality and repetition, with an episodic structure that prioritizes narrative closure. At each episode begins, the equilibrium is reset and order is restored.
This apparent triumph of equilibrium, however, should not detract from the subversive potential of animated sitcoms and, specifically, the queer potential rooted in the rejection of linearity and temporal progression. This article discusses the character of Gene in the Fox sitcom Bob's Burgers, exploring how his queer identity is foregrounded by the subversion of temporality
Medieval fish remains on the Newport ship identified by ZooMS collagen peptide mass fingerprinting
Get PDFThis version of the article has been accepted for publication, after peer review (when applicable) and is subject to Springer Nature’s AM terms of use, but is not the Version of Record and does not reflect post-acceptance improvements, or any corrections. The Version of Record is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12520-021-01478-yFish represent a key economic, social and ecological group of species that humans have exploited for tens of thousands of years. However, as many fish stocks are going into decline and with little known about the anthropogenic impacts on the health of the marine ecosystem pre-Industrial Revolution, understanding historical and archaeological exploitation of fish species is key to accurately modelling these changes. Here, we explore the potential of collagen peptide mass fingerprinting (also known as Zooarchaeology by Mass Spectrometry, or ZooMS) for identifying fish remains from the Medieval (fifteenth century) Newport ship wreck (Wales, UK), and in doing so we establish a set of biomarkers we consider useful in discriminating between European fish taxa through the inclusion of over 50 reference taxa. The archaeological results identified nine distinct taxonomic groups, dominated by ling (> 40%), and a substantial amount of cod (> 20%) and hake (~ 20%). The vast majority of samples (> 70%) were identified to species level, and the inability to identify the remaining taxonomic groups with confidence using ZooMS was due to the fact that the reference collection, despite being relatively large in comparison to those presented in mammalian studies, reflects only a small proportion of fish biodiversity from this region. Although the results clearly demonstrate the potential for ZooMS as a means of fish bone identification, the sheer number of different fish species that potentially make up ichthyoarchaeological assemblages leads to obvious requirements for the analysis on much greater numbers of modern reference specimens, or the acquisition of collagen sequences
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