Using ICT to overcome barriers to behaviour change and implement lifestyle interventions

This paper outlines my doctoral research to date as well as describing areas for future research. The aim of my PhD is to explore the potential role that information and communication technologies (ICT) may have in motivating behaviour change relating to lifestyle behaviours. In particular the focus of my research are behaviours associated with obesity amongst those considered to be at high risk (families of low SES). Barriers to adopting healthy lifestyles will be explored and motivational techniques with strong theoretical underpinnings will be developed. ICTs will be considered and tested as means to disseminate motivational interventions. The research has a strong focus on real world applications which should be seen as highly important when focussed on addressing problems such as obesity

Primary radical yields in pulse irradiated alkaline aqueous solution

Primary radical yields of hydrated electrons, H atoms, and OH radicals are determined by measuring hydrated electron formation following a 4 microsecond pulse of X rays. The pH dependence of free radical yields beyond pH 12 is determined by observation of the hydrated electrons

'It's good to be angry': enacting anger in construction project management to achieve perceived leader effectiveness

There is considerable evidence to suggest how positive and negative leader emotions influence a variety of positive and negative follower outcomes. However, little empirical evidence exists to suggest under what circumstances the enactment of negative emotions can yield desirable outcomes for individuals operating in a given organizational context. Drawing upon a series of semi-structured interviews with construction project managers (n = 19) from the UK, this study offers valuable insights into how anger is frequently enacted to help individuals ensure the progress of the project, be it in negotiations with other parties or affairs on site with operatives

Two-Dimensional, Pyrazine-Based Nonlinear Optical Chromophores with Ruthenium(II) Ammine Electron Donors

Six new nonlinear optical (NLO) chromophores with pyrazinyl-pyridinium electron acceptors have been synthesized by complexing a known pro-ligand with electron donating {Ru^(II)(NH_3)_5}^(2+) or trans-{Ru^(II)(NH_3)_4(py)}^(2+) (py = pyridine) centers. These cationic complexes have been characterized as their PF_6^− salts by using various techniques including electronic absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The visible d → π* metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) absorptions gain intensity on increasing the number of Ru^(II) centers from one to two, but remain at constant energy. One or two Ru^(III/II) redox processes are observed which are reversible, quasi-reversible, or irreversible, while all of the ligand-based reductions are irreversible. Molecular first hyperpolarizabilities β have been determined by using hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS) at 1064 nm, and depolarization studies show that the NLO responses of the symmetric species are strongly two-dimensional (2D) in character, with dominant “off-diagonal” β_(zyy) components. Stark (electroabsorption) spectroscopic measurements on the MLCT bands also allow the indirect determination of estimated static first hyperpolarizabilities β_0. Both the HRS and the Stark-derived β_0 values increase on moving from mono- to bimetallic complexes, and substantial enhancements in NLO response are achieved when compared with one-dimensional (1D) and 2D monometallic Ru^(II) ammine complexes reported previously

Self-organised droplet flow patterns in microchannels

This paper was presented at the 2nd Micro and Nano Flows Conference (MNF2009), which was held at Brunel University, West London, UK. The conference was organised by Brunel University and supported by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, IPEM, the Italian Union of Thermofluid dynamics, the Process Intensification Network, HEXAG - the Heat Exchange Action Group and the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications.In this work, we have investigated the generation and behaviour of self-organised droplet flow patterns in microchannels. The water droplets, which are generated at a T-junction where the carrier is oil, move into an expanded channel and are self reorganised into various flow patterns: single-profile, double-helix-profile, triple-helix-profile, and more. We find that increasing water/oil flow rate ratio and Capillary number lead to more densely packed droplet flow patterns. The channel geometry also plays an essential role where the 300-μm-deep expansion channel can form multiple layers of droplets while only single layer of droplets can be observed in the 200-μm-deep expansion channel

Choosing which ear to implant in adult candidates with functional residual hearing

This study examined whether audiologists consider the potential benefits of contralateral hearing aid use following cochlear implantation when recommending which ear to implant in UK adult candidates with residual hearing. Thirty-four audiologists from providers of adult implantation services completed a decision-choice experiment. Clinicians were willing to consider recommending that the poorer ear be implanted, provided it had been aided continuously, suggesting that their decision making seeks to preserve access to residual hearing in the non-implanted ear where possible. Future approaches to determining candidacy should therefore consider that a sub-set of patients may obtain additional benefit from this residual hearing following implantation