Assessing the wider implementation of the SHARP principles: increasing physical activity in primary physical education

To assess the wider application of the SHARP (Stretching whilst moving, High repetition of skills, Accessibility, Reducing sitting and standing, and Promotion of physical activity) Principles intervention on children's moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in physical education (PE), when applied by teachers and coaches. A quasi-experimental intervention was employed in nine primary schools (experimental, n = 6: control, n = 3) including teachers (n = 10), coaches (n = 4), and children (aged 5 to 11 years, n = 84) in the West Midlands, UK. Practitioners applied the SHARP Principles to PE lessons, guided by an innovative behaviour change model. The System for Observing Fitness and Instruction Time (SOFIT) was used to measure children's MVPA in 111 lessons at pre- (n = 60) and post-intervention (n = 51). Seven interviews were conducted post-intervention to explore practitioners' perceptions. Two-way ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) revealed that teachers increased children's MVPA by 27.7%. No statistically significant change in children's MVPA was observed when taught by the coaches. The qualitative results for teachers were 'children's engagement', a 'pedagogical paradigm shift', and 'relatedness'; and for coaches 'organisational culture' and 'insufficient support and motivation'. The SHARP Principles intervention is the most effective teaching strategy at increasing MVPA in primary PE when taught by school based staff (rather than outsourced coaches), evidencing increases almost double that of any previously published study internationally and demonstrating the capacity to influence educational policy and practice internationally.Published versio

Strength of the Sweep: Exploring the Cleaning Culture of Black Women Consumers

This qualitative research study delves into the rich cleaning culture among Black women consumers, aiming to uncover the underlying motivations, beliefs, and practices that shape their household cleaning behaviors. Through in-depth interviews, the research explores how cultural heritage, community expectations, and personal empowerment inform Black women’s cleaning rituals and product preferences. The study employs a grounded theory approach to analyze participants’ narratives, revealing a complex interplay between societal norms, familial traditions, and individual agency. The findings highlight the role of cleaning as a form of self-expression, a means to preserve cultural legacy, and a powerful avenue for fostering a sense of control and pride within domestic spaces. By illuminating the unique perspectives and experiences of Black women in the realm of domestic cleanliness, this study contributes to a more nuanced understanding of consumer behavior. It offers valuable insights for brands aiming to engage with this community respectfully and authentically

Tunable fishnet metamaterials infiltrated by liquid crystals

We analyze numerically the optical response and effective macroscopic parameters of fishnet metamaterials infiltrated with a nematic liquid crystal. We show that even a small amount of liquid crystal can provide tuning of the structures due to reorientation of the liquid crystal director. This enables switchable optical metamaterials, where the refractive index can be switched from positive to negative by an external field. This tuning is primarily determined by the shift of the cut-off wavelength of the holes, with only a small influence due to the change in plasmon dispersio

Uncertainty principles for orthonormal sequences

The aim of this paper is to provide complementary quantitative extensions of two results of H.S. Shapiro on the time-frequency concentration of orthonormal sequences in $L^2 (\R)$. More precisely, Shapiro proved that if the elements of an orthonormal sequence and their Fourier transforms are all pointwise bounded by a fixed function in $L^2(\R)$ then the sequence is finite. In a related result, Shapiro also proved that if the elements of an orthonormal sequence and their Fourier transforms have uniformly bounded means and dispersions then the sequence is finite. This paper gives quantitative bounds on the size of the finite orthonormal sequences in Shapiro's uncertainty principles. The bounds are obtained by using prolate sphero\"{i}dal wave functions and combinatorial estimates on the number of elements in a spherical code. Extensions for Riesz bases and different measures of time-frequency concentration are also given

Reduction of NOₓ and SO₂emissions from coal burning pulse combustors

Issued as RD & D project, Financial status reports [nos. 1-9], Quarterly technical progress report [nos. 1-7], and Final report, Project no. E-16-A09Quarterly technical progress reports and Final report have co-author: E.A. Powel