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Development and validation of the caregiver-report version of the international depression questionnaire (IDQ-CG) and international anxiety questionnaire (IAQ-CG)
Get PDFThe International Depression Questionnaire (IDQ) and International Anxiety Questionnaire (IAQ) are self-report measures of ICD-11 single episode depressive disorder (DD) and generalised anxiety disorder (GAD). The present study sought to describe the development and psychometric evaluation of the caregiver-report versions of the IDQ and IAQ for children, referred to as the IDQ-CG and IAQ-CG, respectively. Participants were 639 parents living in Ukraine who provided data on themselves and one child in their household as part of “The Mental Health of Parents and Children in Ukraine Study: 2023 Follow-up” study. The latent structure of the IDQ-CG and IAQ-CG were tested using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), composite reliability (CR) estimates were estimated, and convergent validity was assessed. Prevalence rates of probable ICD-11 DD and GAD were also estimated. CFA results indicated that the IDQ-CG and IAQ-CG were unidimensional, while the internal reliability of both scales was excellent. Convergent validity was established via associations with external measures of internalizing, externalizing, and attention problems as well as trauma exposure. Factors associated with increased IDQ-CG and IAQ-CG scores included pharmacological support for emotional or behavioural problems, delayed milestone development, being forced to move to another part of Ukraine, serious life disruption due to the war, and having experienced a bereavement. Of the total sample, 1.6% met diagnostic requirements for ICD-11 DD and 5.8% met diagnostic requirements for ICD-11 GAD. This study supports the psychometric properties of the IDQ-CG and IAQ-CG. These measures can be effectively used to identify young people in need of mental health support
Techno-Economic Assessment of Carbon-Neutral Ammonia Fuel for Ships from Renewable Wind Energy
Get PDFClimate change is fuelled by the continued growth of global carbon emissions, with the widespread use of fossil fuels being the main driver. To achieve a decarbonisation transition of the energy mix, the development of clean and renewable fuels has become crucial. Ammonia is seen as an important option for decarbonisation in the transport and energy sectors due to its zero-carbon emission potential and renewable energy compatibility. However, the high energy consumption and carbon emissions of the conventional Haber–Bosch method limit its sustainability. A green ammonia synthesis system was designed using ECLIPSE and Excel simulations in the study. Results show that at a recirculation ratio of 70%, the system’s annual total energy consumption is 426.22 GWh, with annual ammonia production reaching 8342.78 t. The optimal system configuration comprises seven 12 MW offshore wind turbines, integrated with a 460 MWh lithium battery and 240 t of hydrogen storage capacity. At this configuration, the LCOE is approximately £5956.58/t. It shows that incorporating renewable energy can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but further optimisation of energy storage configurations and reaction conditions is needed to lower costs. This research provides a reference for the industrial application of green ammonia in the transporta-tion sector
Cohort profile: the Maharashtra Anaemia Study 3 (MAS 3)—a maternal-child cohort study up to age 18 years in India
Get PDFPurpose: The Maharashtra Anaemia Study 3 (MAS 3) aims to (1) Investigate the nutritional, environmental, and economic impacts on haemoglobin concentration/anaemia, (2) Identify the underlying micronutrient causes of anaemia and (3) Investigate the association between anaemia and physical and cognitive development of Indian children during their first 18 years of life. This paper introduces the MAS 3 cohort, which consists of data collected from the participants in the prospective Pune Maternal Nutrition Study from the antenatal period to children at 18 years of age (1996–2014) in the Maharashtra state, India. Participants: Recruitment of 2466 married non-pregnant women, and their husbands, took place between June 1994 and April 1996 in six villages, approximately 50 km from Pune city in India. Women were followed up monthly to identify those who became pregnant. A total of 797 pregnant women were followed up for data collection at or near gestational week 18 and 28, with further data collection for women and children occurring within 72 hours of delivery, for both live and stillbirths. Of the 797 women, 710 were included in the MAS 3 cohort, and long-term follow-up of children occurred at 6 years, 12 years and 18 years of age. Findings to date: In the MAS 3 cohort, most mothers (73%) were aged between 18 and 25 years at the time of their final prepregnancy visit (baseline), and half (55%) belonged to families of middle-upper socioeconomic status (SES). At the children’s baseline (birth) visit, children had a mean birth weight of 2630 g (SD: 376), with one third (31%) of low birth weight. At the 6-year, 12-year and 18-year follow-up visits, data were available for 706 (99%), 689 (97%) and 694 (98%) children. Future plans: MAS 3 will be used to address a number of research objectives, including (1) Trends of haemoglobin and anaemia-related micronutrients from age 6 to 18 years, (2) Micronutrient causes of anaemia during childhood, (3) Prevalence and risk factors for maternal anaemia and childhood anaemia, (4) Impact of maternal anaemia on immediate birth outcomes and (5) Intergenerational risk factors associated with anaemia
The working lives of women in Northern Ireland:ESRC Festival of Social Science 'Our working lives'
Get PDFThe Working Lives of Women in Northern Ireland is a journey-style exhibition that explores the diverse experiences of women in both paid and unpaid forms of work in Northern Ireland.Using photographs and written testimonies, the exhibition draws inspiration from the Monument to the Unknown Woman Worker on Great Victoria Street in Belfast and the Peace Heroines exhibition at Linen Hall Library.The exhibition invites visitors to reflect critically on how women’s contributions from employment to childcare, eldercare, housework, and community roles have historically been undervalued, yet remain central to the fabric of our everyday lives.A participatory element at the end of the exhibition encourages visitors to share their reflections, hopes, and visions for the future of women’s work in Northern Ireland, contributing to a collaborative visual display shaped by community voices and lived experience
Parasitic risks and One Health implications of valorising slaughterhouse animal by-products in raw meat-based diets for pets
Get PDFThe increasing popularity of raw meat-based diets (RMBDs) for companion animals has raised One Health concerns regarding their microbiological and parasitological safety, particularly when raw diets are used at home without following standard safety precautions. These diets may serve as a transmission route for zoonotic parasites, posing risks not only to animal health but also to human health and the environment. This study aimed to assess the parasitic risk of animal by-products (ABP's) from sheep and cattle slaughtered in Sardinia, with a focus on zoonotic parasites of veterinary and public health significance. A total of 672 sheep and 503 cattle were examined in seven slaughterhouses between March 2021 and July 2023. Organs were inspected macroscopically, with representative samples subjected to laboratory parasitological analysis. In sheep, Echinococcus granulosus was detected in 67.7 % of animals, with the liver being significantly more affected than the lungs (54.8 % vs. 49.1 %; P = 0.038). Fertile hydatid cysts were more prevalent in the lungs (9.5 %) than in the liver (5.5 %). Cysticercus tenuicollis and Dicrocoelium dendriticum were observed in 2.4 % and 14.7 % of sheep, respectively. Bronchopulmonary nematodes were detected in 44.8 % of cases, and macroscopic Sarcocystis gigantea cysts were identified in 27.7 % of examined oesophagi. In contrast, cattle showed a significantly lower parasitic burden, with E. granulosus detected in only 2.0 % of animals and fertile cysts being rare. Fasciola hepatica was found in 0.4 % of cattle livers, and no Dicrocoelium or bronchopulmonary nematodes were detected. The results demonstrate a high parasitological load in sheep-derived ABPs, reinforcing the need for strict sanitary controls before their inclusion in RMBDs. Given the zoonotic potential of the detected parasites, particularly in endemic regions, the adoption of targeted decontamination measures is essential. These findings underscore the importance of integrating a One Health approach into raw pet food safety, public health and ABP management strategies
The <i>Children - Sit Less, Move More</i> (C-SLAMM) pilot intervention: Feasibility and acceptability of a multi-component school and home-based intervention to promote physical activity
Get PDFBackground: A high proportion of primary school children in Northern Ireland (NI) are insufficiently active. In response, an intervention adapted from the TransformUs programme was established to promote physical activity (PA) and reduce sedentary behaviour (SB). This study aimed to assess the feasibility of recruitment and retention, data collection procedures, intervention acceptability and explore preliminary effectiveness on children’s PA and SB levels. Methods: The Children – Sit Less, Move More (C-SLAMM) intervention integrated behavioural, pedagogical, and environmental strategies across classroom, school, and home settings. Eight primary schools were recruited and randomly assigned (1:1) to either the intervention or control. Feasibility measures included school and participant recruitment, retention and completion rates. Acceptability was assessed using weekly diary logbooks, fidelity checklists and qualitative methods (write and draw activity, focus groups, interviews). Children (aged 7–9 years) wore activPAL accelerometers continuously for 7 days at baseline and post-intervention (Week 8) to measure time spent sitting, standing, and stepping. Results: A total of 194 consent forms were distributed. Of the 162 children who consented (84% response rate), 76 (46.9%) met the valid wear-time criteria at both baseline and follow-up. Intervention delivery varied across schools, impacting fidelity. Qualitative analysis revealed four themes: (1) engagement, (2) positive aspects of C-SLAMM intervention, (3) barriers to intervention delivery, and (4) recommendations for improvement. Children and teachers generally found the intervention acceptable, though barriers included limited parental support, inadequate classroom space and time constraints. There were no significant differences in sitting time (β = −6.5 minutes/day; 95%CI: −36.4, 23.4), standing or stepping time between groups. Nevertheless, the intervention was seen as enhancing classroom experiences for both children and teachers. Conclusions: The C-SLAMM intervention was well-received and shows promise as an acceptable approach to reduce sitting time and promote PA. Further refinement of data collection methods is needed before progressing to a pilot trial. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05854355 (submitted on the 30th of March 2023)
Exploring gender and ethnic disparities in sarcoidosis: insights from the British Thoracic Society UK Interstitial Lung Disease Registry
Get PDFIntroduction Sex and ethnicity influence sarcoidosis internationally, but UK data are limited. We analysed the British Thoracic Society Interstitial Lung Disease Registry to assess whether gender or ethnic differences affect presentation and management of pulmonary sarcoidosis in the UK.Methods A retrospective study included adults with confirmed pulmonary sarcoidosis recorded between January 2013 and December 2024. Demographics, symptoms, comorbidities, investigations, radiology, treatment and Index of Multiple Deprivation were extracted. Group comparisons used χ², t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests; multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with immunosuppressive initiation.Results Among 1071 patients, 55.5% were male; median age 54 years (SD 13). Ethnicity was documented in 918 (85.7%): 55.4% white, 14.2% non-white (black, South Asian, mixed).Gender: Women presented older than men (56 vs 52 years; p=0.002) and reported more fatigue, higher erythrocyte sedimentation rate and prior tuberculosis. Men had more lymphopenia, elevated ACE and arrhythmia. Lung function and CT patterns were similar, but methotrexate use was higher in men (4.9% vs 2.3%; p=0.017).Non-white patients presented younger (52 vs 54 years; p<0.001) with greater symptom burden (breathlessness 46% vs 33%; cough 44% vs 27%) and more comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes, tuberculosis). Physiology was comparable, but CT nodularity (54% vs 36%) and abnormal liver tests (16% vs 9%) were more frequent, and mycophenolate was prescribed more often (3.7% vs 0.3%; p=0.036).In multivariable analysis, male sex (OR 2.34), non-white ethnicity (OR 3.20), breathlessness (OR 2.05) and lower forced vital capacity (OR 0.97 per % predicted) were independently associated with immunosuppressive treatment (all p≤0.031).Conclusions In this UK cohort, treatment decisions were more influenced by sex and ethnicity than by lung function or imaging. Male and non-white patients received immunosuppression more frequently, suggesting possible biological, socioeconomic or practice-related differences
Fish consumption & polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) across the lifecycle: implications for cardiometabolic health and ageing
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Nonlinear Harmonics: A Gateway to Enhanced Image Contrast and Material Discrimination
Get PDFRecent advancements in atomic force microscopy (AFM) have enabled detailed exploration of materials at the molecular and atomic levels. These developments, however, pose a challenge: the data generated by microscopic and spectroscopic experiments are increasing rapidly in both size and complexity. Extracting meaningful physical insights from these datasets is challenging, particularly for multilayer heterogeneous nanoscale structures. In this paper, an unsupervised approach is presented to enhance AFM image contrast by analyzing the nonlinear response of a cantilever interacting with a material's surface using a wavelet‐based AFM. This method simultaneously measures different frequencies and harmonics in a single scan, without the need for additional hardware and exciting multiple cantilevers' eigenmodes. This developed AFM image contrast enhancement (AFM‐ICE) approach employs unsupervised learning, image processing, and image fusion techniques. The method is applied to interpret complex multilayer structures consist of defects, deposited nanoparticles and heterogeneities. Its substantial capability is demonstrated to improve image contrast and differentiate between various components. This methodology can pave the way for rapid and precise determination of material properties with enhanced resolution