Assessing options for the measurement of movement behaviours of pre-school children at scale

A recent paradigm shift suggests that the components of movement behaviour (physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep) of pre-school children, which are important for child health, should be examined collectively rather than in isolation. Furthermore, there is evidence of inequalities of these behaviours, which in turn impacts on inequalities in child health. The validity, reliability, and feasibility of existing measurement tools for assessing movement behaviour in pre-school children is unclear. The aim of this doctoral research was to develop a measurement tool for public health purposes (thus a proxy reported tool) which assesses the movement behaviours of pre-school aged children. Critical reviews of the existing literature found that there are currently no valid, reliable, and feasible measurement tools to assess movement behaviours in pre-school children. These reviews highlighted the need to address this gap in knowledge by developing a novel proxy reported measurement tool that is feasible and acceptable, as well as valid and reliable, for assessing movement behaviours of pre-school aged children. Focus groups with parents and carers of pre-school children from deprived areas in the UK provided qualitative insights on the acceptability and feasibility of existing measurement tools, including their views on the presentation of proxy reported tools (e.g. age appropriate activities, preference for real-time recording over recall). These parents and carers also co-developed a novel measurement tool ‘Movement Measurement in the Early Years’ (MoveMEY), alongside input from topic expert researchers. Working with a different group of pre-school children and their parents and carers, MoveMEY was pilot tested to determine the content validity of the tool. The tool was found to comprise of relevant items, be comprehensive of children’s movement behaviours, and understandable to parents. MoveMEY is a promising tool for the measurement of all components of movement behaviours in pre-school children and is ready for further validation

“I thought I’m better off just trying to put this behind me” – a contemporary approach to understanding why women decide not to report sexual violence

Sexual offence disclosures are on the rise, thought to be the result of growing numbers of prosecutions brought against well-known public figures and mobilisation of movements such as #MeToo. Despite this, data continue to indicate that most victim-survivors will never report their abuse. This study aimed to explore why women continue to decide not to report sexual assault to the police. Secondary data were collated and analysed, pertaining to survivor accounts of sexual assault, posted in response to a prominent online video entitled ‘Women Tell Us Why They Didn’t Report Their Sexual Assault’. Thematic analysis revealed three main themes regarding why women chose not to report: (1) Lack of faith in the Criminal Justice System (encompassing two sub-themes, no evidence and traumatisation of reporting), (2) Self-blame, and (3) Knowing the perpetrator. Practical applications and reforms concerning empathic police responses and CJS improvements surrounding timeliness, case progression, and conviction rates are discussed

Modeling and mechanical perturbations reveal how spatially regulated anchorage gives rise to spatially distinct mechanics across the mammalian spindle

During cell division, the spindle generates force to move chromosomes. In mammals, microtubule bundles called kinetochore-fibers (k-fibers) attach to and segregate chromosomes. To do so, k-fibers must be robustly anchored to the dynamic spindle. We previously developed microneedle manipulation to mechanically challenge k-fiber anchorage, and observed spatially distinct response features revealing the presence of heterogeneous anchorage (Suresh et al. 2020). How anchorage is precisely spatially regulated, and what forces are necessary and sufficient to recapitulate the k-fiber's response to force remain unclear. Here, we develop a coarse-grained k-fiber model and combine with manipulation experiments to infer underlying anchorage using shape analysis. By systematically testing different anchorage schemes, we find that forces solely at k-fiber ends are sufficient to recapitulate unmanipulated k-fiber shapes, but not manipulated ones for which lateral anchorage over a 3 $\mu$m length scale near chromosomes is also essential. Such anchorage robustly preserves k-fiber orientation near chromosomes while allowing pivoting around poles. Anchorage over a shorter length scale cannot robustly restrict pivoting near chromosomes, while anchorage throughout the spindle obstructs pivoting at poles. Together, this work reveals how spatially regulated anchorage gives rise to spatially distinct mechanics in the mammalian spindle, which we propose are key for function

Microtubule End-Clustering Maintains a Steady-State Spindle Shape

Each time a cell divides, the microtubule cytoskeleton self-organizes into the metaphase spindle: an ellipsoidal steady-state structure that holds its stereotyped geometry despite microtubule turnover and internal stresses [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. Regulation of microtubule dynamics, motor proteins, microtubule crosslinking, and chromatid cohesion can modulate spindle size and shape, and yet modulated spindles reach and hold a new steady state [7, 8, 9, 10, 11]. Here, we ask what maintains any spindle steady-state geometry. We report that clustering of microtubule ends by dynein and NuMA is essential for mammalian spindles to hold a steady-state shape. After dynein or NuMA deletion, the mitotic microtubule network is “turbulent”; microtubule bundles extend and bend against the cell cortex, constantly remodeling network shape. We find that spindle turbulence is driven by the homotetrameric kinesin-5 Eg5, and that acute Eg5 inhibition in turbulent spindles recovers spindle geometry and stability. Inspired by in vitro work on active turbulent gels of microtubules and kinesin [12, 13], we explore the kinematics of this in vivo turbulent network. We find that turbulent spindles display decreased nematic order and that motile asters distort the nematic director field. Finally, we see that turbulent spindles can drive both flow of cytoplasmic organelles and whole-cell movement—analogous to the autonomous motility displayed by droplet-encapsulated turbulent gels [12]. Thus, end-clustering by dynein and NuMA is required for mammalian spindles to reach a steady-state geometry, and in their absence Eg5 powers a turbulent microtubule network inside mitotic cells

Co-design and content validity of the movement measurement in the early years (MoveMEY) tool for assessing movement behaviour of pre-school aged children

Abstract Background Movement behaviours (physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep) are important for pre-school children’s health and development. Currently, no tools with appropriate content validity exist that concurrently capture these movement behaviours in young children. The aim of this study was to co-design and assess the content validity of a novel tool to concurrently measure movement behaviours in pre-school aged children (aged 3–4 years). Methods We followed four distinct steps to develop and assess the content validity of Movement Measurement in the Early Years (MoveMEY): (1) We conducted an extensive literature search, to identify pre-existing proxy measurement tools (questionnaires and diaries) to inform the design of a novel tool, which aimed to effectively capture movement behaviour guidelines of pre-school aged children. (2) We facilitated focus group discussions with parents and carers of pre-school aged children (n = 11) and (3) a qualitative survey with free text responses was completed by topic relevant researchers (n = 6), to co-design the measurement tool. (4) We assessed the content validity of the developed tool, MoveMEY, through interviews with parents of pre-school aged children (n = 12) following piloting of the tool. Results We developed an initial version of MoveMEY based on the format of an existing questionnaire and by mapping the content of questions to the guidelines. Co-design of MoveMEY resulted in changes to the format (e.g. short questionnaire to a seven-day diary) and content (e.g. inclusion of ‘general information’ questions on illness, disabilities and sleep disturbances; question on screen time before bed). Content validity assessment demonstrated that the items of MoveMEY were relevant and comprehensive for the assessment of children’s movement behaviours. MoveMEY was felt to be comprehensible, however, parental suggestions were implemented to finalise and improve MoveMEY (e.g. adding examples to questions aiming to detect moderate to vigorous physical activity). Conclusion MoveMEY is the first co-designed measurement tool that has relevance for assessing the movement behaviour guidelines of pre-school aged children. Parent/carer and topic relevant researcher involvement throughout the development process resulted in a seven-day daily reported activity diary that is comprehensive of children’s movement behaviours and comprehensible to parents and carers

Tweeting From the Moon

Lunar Communications Pathfinder is planned to enable small and large satellites and landers to carry out data intensive missions around the moon, without the need for complex and costly on-board communication equipment and access to global ground networks. From the middle of this decade there are expected to be 5 to 15 active space missions on or around the moon, generating several GBytes of data per day. Lunar Communications Pathfinder is a commercial initiative with ESA and NASA as anchor tenants. The 300kg class small spacecraft is currently in manufacture for launch in 2025, and is aimed at alleviating pressure on the Deep Space Network. It will provide a commercial high speed communications service that will enable landers, orbiters, and even CubeSats to operate around the moon without requiring direct line of sight with the Earth. A small user terminal is in development as part of the service package, and a mission builder tool has been made available for planning purposes for prospective users. LCP provides a high speed intersatellite link back to Earth for a planned 8 year mission. The system is planned to be extended further with additional spacecraft, opening up the potential to provide a more comprehensive communications and navigation service. Building on LCP, the ESA Moonlight initiative has contracted a study phase in order to develop the plans for the full constellation service beyond this initial spacecraft. LCP demonstrates how small satellites can provide innovative commercial services, and enable the ability for other small satellites and landers to carry out data intensive missions. This paper will detail the spacecraft, the system design trades, and how the service is expected to evolve

A systematic review of the validity, reliability, and feasibility of measurement tools used to assess the physical activity and sedentary behaviour of pre-school aged children

Physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SB) of pre-school aged children are associated with important health and developmental outcomes. Accurate measurement of these behaviours in young children is critical for research and practice in this area. The aim of this review was to examine the validity, reliability, and feasibility of measurement tools used to assess PA and SB of pre-school aged children. Searches of electronic databases, and manual searching, were conducted to identify articles that examined the measurement properties (validity, reliability or feasibility) of measurement tools used to examine PA and/or SB of pre-school aged children (3–7 years old). Following screening, data were extracted and risk of bias assessment completed on all included articles. A total of 69 articles, describing 75 individual studies were included. Studies assessed measurement tools for PA (n = 27), SB (n = 5), and both PA and SB (n = 43). Outcome measures of PA and SB differed between studies (e.g. moderate to vigorous activity, step count, posture allocation). Most studies examined the measurement properties of one measurement tool only (n = 65). Measurement tools examined included: calorimetry, direct observation, combined heart rate and accelerometry, heart rate monitors, accelerometers, pedometers, and proxy report (parent, carer or teacher reported) measures (questionnaires or diaries). Studies most frequently assessed the validity (criterion and convergent) (n = 65), face and content validity (n = 2), test-retest reliability (n = 10) and intra-instrument reliability (n = 1) of the measurement tools. Feasibility data was abstracted from 41 studies. Multiple measurement tools used to measure PA and SB in pre-school aged children showed some degree of validity, reliability and feasibility, but often for different purposes. Accelerometers, including the Actigraph (in particular GT3X versions), Actical, ActivPAL and Fitbit (Flex and Zip), and proxy reported measurement tools used in combination may be useful for a range of outcome measures, to measure intensity alongside contextual information

Whole genome sequencing of Salmonella Typhimurium illuminates distinct outbreaks caused by an endemic multi-locus variable number tandem repeat analysis type in Australia, 2014

Phylogeny of the outbreak A and M strains in the context of national and international STM isolates. Genome data analysed in Octavia et al. representing five STM outbreaks in Australia [25]; Kingsley et al. representing ST313 outbreak in Malawi [30]; Leekitcharoenphon et al. representing six STM outbreaks in Denmark [15] and Hawkey et al. representing STM DT135a outbreak in Australia [21] were also included as comparisons and marked as the corresponding study/outbreak. Other branches that are not labelled are background isolates from the above studies; draft genomes from Pang et al. [29] which include five diverse Australian STM isolates; Fu et al. representing Salmonella reference collection A; [28] and other fully sequenced STM genomes available from GenBank including LT2 (Accession No. NC003197), 798 (Accession No. CP003386), DT2 (Accession No. HG326213), DT104 (Accession No. HF937208), 14028S (Accession No. CP001363), SL1344 (Accession No. FQ312003), UK-1 (Accession No. CP002614), T000240 (Accession No. AP011957), U288 (Accession No. CP003836) and ST4/74 (Accession No. CP002487). Bootstrap values if greater than 50 %, are presented on the internal branches. (PPTX 74 kb

Smoking and vaping patterns during pregnancy and the postpartum:a longitudinal UK cohort survey

Abstract:Introduction:There is limited information about longitudinal patterns of vaping during pregnancy and the postpartum. We describe the prevalence, frequency, and reasons for vaping throughout pregnancy and postpartum. We also describe temporal patterns in pregnant women’s vaping.Methods:A longitudinal cohort study across England and Scotland, with questionnaires in early pregnancy (8-24 weeks gestation), late pregnancy (34-38 weeks) and 3 months postpartum. A total of 750 women, aged 16 years or over, who were either current smokers, vapers or had smoked in the 3 months before pregnancy, were recruited between June and November 2017.<br/