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Higher carotid artery temperature is associated with increased cardiovascular event rate. Results from two-year follow-up of a multicenter study
No full textIntroduction: The association of inflammation with prognosis in atherosclerosis is well recognized. Microwave radiometry (MWR) allows the noninvasive assessment of the internal temperature of carotid arteries, reflecting inflammation
Refugee healthcare professionals, education and training – Reache North West as a case study.
No full textRefugee healthcare professionals are a particular subset of refugees whose education and training requirements are specific to regulatory bodies in host countries. This chapter will use a UK-based organization (Refugee and Asylum Seeking Centre for Healthcare Professionals Education (REACHE) North West) as a case study to demonstrate the process of requalification, return to work, and integration. There are a variety of strands in this process which include language, clinical knowledge and practice, cultural influences, and experience of the asylum and refugee process. In this chapter, there is a model of education and training for working with refugee healthcare professionals which can be adapted to work with staff trained internationally to support the development of education and training material for successful integration into work
Zno Thin Films and Nanostructures for Acoustic Wave-Based Microfluidic and Sensing Applications
No full text196Progress in ZnO thin films and nanostructures for the acoustic wave microfluidic and sensing applications are reviewed in this chapter. ZnO thin films with good piezoelectric properties possess large electromechanical coupling coefficients and can be fabricated for the surface acoustic wave (SAW) and film-bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) devices with a good acoustic performance. The SAWs can be excited to mix, stream, pump, eject, and atomize the liquid, and precision sensing can be performed using SAWs and FBARs. Therefore, the ZnO SAW devices are attractive to be integrated into a lab- on-chip system where the SAWs can transport bio-fluids to the desired area, mix the extracted DNA or proteins, and detect the changes of the signals using SAWs or FBARs. The ZnO SAW and FBAR devices in combination with different sensing layers could also be used to successfully detect gas, UV light, and biochemicals with remarkable sensitivities.
This chapter reviews the progress in Zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films and nanostructures for the acoustic wave microfluidic and sensing applications. ZnO thin films with good piezoelectric properties possess large electromechanical coupling coefficients and can be fabricated for the surface acoustic wave (SAW) and film-bulk acoustic resonator (FBAR) devices with a good acoustic performance. The ZnO SAW devices are attractive to be integrated into a lab- on-chip system where the SAWs can transport bio-fluids to the desired area, mix the extracted DNA or proteins, and detect the changes of the signals using SAWs or FBARs. ZnO-based microfluidics is presented as one of the key the main applications for ZnO thin films and nanostructures. The electronic band structure of ZnO is one of the basic properties and has been investigated through the theoretical calculations and experimental determination. The size reduction of the ZnO materials to nanoscale can enhance the piezoelectricity
All that glitters is not grit: three studies of grit in University students
No full textThe present research looked at the importance of the concept of grit in University students based on a mixed-method approach. Study 1 comprised 440 University students. All were given the Grit Scale, the Perceived Stress Scale, the short Warwick– Edinburgh MentalWell-being Scale, the Office of National StatisticsWell-being items and the Self-Control Scale. Levels of grit were significantly higher in female students, older students and postgraduates. Grit correlated highest with self-control. Study 2 looked at 340 University students. In addition to measuring self-control, mental well-being and grit, measures of resilience and mindsets were also added. A construct validity test of the Grit Scale showed that high grit scorers had significantly higher levels of selfcontrol and mental well-being, were more resilient and were more likely to have a more growth oriented mindset. Grit varies with age and is most closely associated with the concept of self-control. The third study was a qualitative investigation with 10 successful graduates. Semi-structured interviews were coded using thematic analysis. Three broad themes emerged. The first, Passion and Perseverance, included themes of having short and long terms goals, resilience, dedication, and endurance. The second, Self-Control, included time management, self-awareness, prioritizing tasks and knowing strengths and weaknesses. The third theme identified was Positive Mindsets. This included having a positive attitude toward learning, the importance of feedback and constructive criticism and that success is not materialistic. The qualitative research has helped “unpack” concepts from the grit research and may enable University tutors to guide students better. Though these studies were only conducted in one English University, they have been stepping stones in our quest to discover what are the most important factors in determining student academic success? The development and piloting of our new Uni-Stride Scale, is the next step in this process
Ethical performance of Islamic banks in the GCC countries
No full textThe emphasis on ethical activities within financial industry and in banking sector in particular has increased in recent years. Such awareness of business ethics came as a consequence of the poor corporate governance that had a negative impact on the economic growth as well as on the societies and environment. As a result, the emphasis has moved from the ‘shareholders only’ approach of corporate governance to a larger corporate governance model that emphasises on stakeholders’ values.Due to such understanding, it is suggested that ethics should be embedded into everyday business activities of banks. Given that Islamic banks are operating according to Islamic law that prioritises ethical values, where social goods, environmental concerns and ethical individual and organisational behaviours come at its heart, they are expected to be highly ethical in offering products and services.In addition, due to the high level of competition in the financial markets, businesses are under pressure of optimising their communication management to be able to boost their reputation through emphasising ethics, from all social perspectives, as a way of generating brand image, which may in turn lead to competitive advantage that will positively attract and expand their customer based market.Consequently, taking into consideration that Islamic bank operate based on such principles and moral axioms, they are by definition required to be actively ethical in their businesses. Based on such arguments, this study aims to examine the ethical practices of Islamic banks and assess the influence of such ethical business behaviour on the customer based market through attracting more deposits and increasing the financing activities of Islamic banks in the case of GCC countries. In order to achieve the outlined aims, this research applies content analysis to assess the ethical performance of Islamic banks through measuring ethical activities communicated in their annual reports. In addition, this study applied regression analysis to measure the impact of ethical behaviour of Islamic banks on their customer based market by attracting more deposits and increasing their lending activities. The empirical results suggest that Islamic banks are not minimising the gap between the ideal ethical performance and current practices, as their communicated ethical activities are just above the average.This indicates that Islamic banks are not fully embedding the ethical values that are derived from Islamic law into their business operations. Moreover, the regression results provide empirical evidences of the positive impact of ethical performance on the customers’ depositing and borrowing behaviour. The results tend to suggest that when Islamic banks embed ethics into their financial services, they will attract more customers to deposit funds and also more customers to borrow funds from them. Having obtained such results, it can be argued that by being ethical Islamic banks will benefit the society in which they operate and, in return, will maintain their financial stability, which will promote the sustainable development of the whole society. Having achieved the research aims and objectives, it can be stated that this research has contributed to the existing literature by providing the empirical evidences of the current ethical practices of Islamic banks in the GCC countries.Furthermore, this study provided the empirical evidences of the impact of ethical performance on customers lending and borrowing behaviour, which filled an existing gap in the current literature
A qualitative analysis of an online forum to understand how young people use this platform for mental health support
No full textThis case study is based on the research conducted by the authors in partnership with Kooth, a U.K.-based online counseling provider. Kooth provides a range of services for young people aged 11-25, including static and live online forums that allow young people to discuss issues around mental health. To gain an understanding of how young people engage with these online forums, and to gain an insight into how the forums provide peer-to-peer support for young people, a qualitative research project was devised. This case study provides readers with an overview of the project before moving on to consider a number of methodological and ethical issues
Dwarfed giant: impact of trade and related policies on SMEs in the Nigerian textile industry
No full textThis study examines the impact of trade-related policies on SMEs fabric manufacturers operating in the Nigerian textile industry. The Nigerian textile industry was the third largest in Africa and the second largest employer of labour after the government. However, from the 1990s, the industry started experiencing some challenges often linked to trade liberalisation policy under the World Trade Organisation (WTO). This placed SMEs textile fabric manufacturing firms under immense pressure to attain long-term sustainability as the productivity and competitiveness of the domestic industry were being threatened by foreign/external competitors from international markets. In identifying and addressing the issues posed by trade policies as part of achieving the research objective, a qualitative mode of inquiry with a case study approach was employed. Semi-structured In-depth interviews were conducted with the managers of three formally registered SMEs fabric manufacturing firms in Lagos State, Nigeria. The findings were interpreted using thematic analysis. The findings indicate that the challenges faced by SMEs in the Nigerian textile industry are linked to the lack of supportive and measurable policy and regulatory frameworks to accompany the implementation of liberal policy in the country. These findings point to the fact that in order to revive and boost the productivity and competitiveness of SMEs in the Nigerian textile industry, and to reap the full benefits of international trade policy on liberalised markets, the government has to engage in restructuring the business environment through the implementation of effective and stable macroeconomic, trade-related infrastructural and institutional policies
Managing Alternative Higher Education Providers: Towards a conceptual model of management for collaborative HE provision
No full textChanges in funding arrangements for UK Higher Education provision, has seen a marked increase in the number of Alternative Providers (AP’s). Fielden and Middlehurst (2017) cite BIS statistics to report Alternative Providers of Higher Education rose from 670 in 2013 to 732 in 2017 and describe AP’s as “a fast moving and complex group” (:4). This group includes; for profit providers, sub-degree colleges, generalist colleges serving both undergraduates and postgraduates, small specialist providers, not-for-profit colleges, for-profit distance learning providers, and overseas campuses. One third of these providers have less than 100 students. Many of these institutions work in partnership to offer higher level qualifications validated at traditional universities but others do not. While the offerings of institutions working in partnership with universities are seen as better than others, successive BIS Reports (2013, 2016) have reflected wider concerns taken up by Parliamentary Committees and the QAA (2016). These concerns and the implementation of the 2017 Higher Education and Research Act (DBIS, 2017) will provide significant challenges to validating Universities in terms of due diligence, management and oversight.This paper takes an objectivist approach to investigating the challenges of managing Alternative Providers (AP’s). It extracts information from national and institutional archival data and a researched case study from a Northern UK University operating a broad spectrum of academic partnerships to form a discussion of the key aspects of successful partnership management.Case study data was collected from 30 UK and international partners using a Likert style questionnaire based on an adaptation of Chou’s Five Determinants of successful partnership working (2012). This was followed up by 10 qualitative interviews with partners selected to represent the range of partnership types identified by Fielden and Middlehurst (2017). The institutional data is collected using a mixed methods approach and draws on partner experiences of working with the validating institution and to provide a conceptual model of oversight and management. The findings are developed into a proposed conceptual model of partnership working for discussion in which co-operative partnership working, alignment of business and education strategy, training, oversight systems and processes, communication and accessible support, play a prominent role.University Ethical Procedures were followed in full during the collection of data and passed by the respective Research Ethics Committees
Supporting practice-based undergraduate students in academic study through creative learning strategies
No full textThis case study disseminates research and reflection on teaching practices which sought to address the needs of first year BA (Hons) Theatre degree students who were transitioning from a BTEC performing arts background. Drawing on reflections upon the delivery of a first year, second semester core module (Theatre History) which introduces students to theatre texts from different historical periods, this case study will reflect, and offer initial thoughts, upon the effectiveness of using creative learning to engage and improve outcomes for undergraduate students on this module. The case study outlines and evaluates the teaching strategies that were adapted and implemented to support students transitioning from practice-based further education courses and who were finding the theoretical and academic aspects of the course difficult in terms of personal engagement. The study concludes with a summation of the achievement of students on final assessment in relation to their previous achievements on the module and reflects upon the success of the teaching practices adopted to support the students’ academic development
The geographic origins of ethnic groups in the Indian subcontinent: exploring ancient footprints with Y-DNA haplogroups
No full textSeveral studies have evaluated the movements of large populations to the Indian subcontinent; however, the ancient geographic origins of smaller ethnic communities are not clear. Although historians have attempted to identify the origins of some ethnic groups, the evidence is typically anecdotal and based upon what others have written before. In this study, recent developments in DNA science were assessed to provide a contemporary perspective by analyzing the Y chromosome haplogroups of some key ethnic groups and tracing their ancient geographical origins from genetic markers on the Y-DNA haplogroup tree. A total of 2,504 Y-DNA haplotypes, representing 50 different ethnic groups in the Indian subcontinent, were analyzed. The results identified 14 different haplogroups with 14 geographic origins for these people. Moreover, every ethnic group had representation in more than one haplogroup, indicating multiple geographic origins for these communities. The results also showed that despite their varied languages and cultural differences, most ethnic groups shared some common ancestors because of admixture in the past. These findings provide new insights into the ancient geographic origins of ethnic groups in the Indian subcontinent. With about 2,000 other ethnic groups and tribes in the region, it is expected that more scientific discoveries will follow, providing insights into how, from where, and when the ancestors of these people arrived in the subcontinent to create so many different communities