The early impact of Brighton and Hove's school admission reforms

We analyse the initial impact of a major school admission reform in Brighton and Hove. The new system incorporated a lottery for oversubscribed places and new catchment areas. We examine the post-reform changes in school composition. We locate the major winners and losers in terms of the quality of school attended. We match similar cities and conduct a difference-in-difference analysis of the policy change. We see no significant change in student sorting: if anything, the point estimates suggest a rise in socio-economic segregation. We do see a significant weakening of the dependence of school attended on student’s prior attainment.school lottery, segregation, school admissions reforms

Co-design of health literacy interventions to improve understanding, access and use of health services

This study examined the relationship between health literacy and use of hospital services. Having both low and high health literacy resulted in higher use of hospital services. An established relationship with a health professional may act as a potential mediator and prevent avoidable emergency department presentations and hospital admissions

Research Exemplars from an Interdisciplinary Healthcare Genetics Program

The first chapter of this dissertation provides an overview of the interdisciplinary Healthcare Genetics model, the framework for the studies described in Chapters Two, Three and Four. The model is comprised of five core constructs: Research, Environment, Clinical Practice, Ethical/Legal/Social Implications (ELSI) and Education. Each construct is defined. Chapter One also presents a brief overview of subsequent chapters. Chapter Two details a biophysical approach to the phenotypic classification of mutations in the 7-dehydroxycholesterol reductase (DHCR7) gene, involved in Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome. This study utilized computer modeling to determine the biophysical effects of each mutation on structure and function of the DHCR7 protein. The third chapter is a narrative review of the role of the cytokine interleukin 17 (IL-17) in the gynecological condition endometriosis. This review discusses the incidence, etiology and pathogenesis of endometriosis and outlines general guidelines for diagnosis and treatment are outlined. Finally, potential IL-17-targeted therapies are explored. Chapter Four presents original bench research that evaluated the effects of the phyto-cannabinoid beta-caryophyllene (BCP) on a cell culture model of endometriosis. The effects of BCP on markers of inflammation such as cell proliferation and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) production were assessed. The final chapter, Chapter Five, summarizes the findings from Chapters Two, Three and Four. The significance and limitations of these studies are discussed. Finally, Chapter Five provides recommendations for future research

Online Education of Public Participants in the Data Collection Process for the Monitoring of Giant Hogweed in Latvia

Utilization of Public Participation with Geographic Information Sciences is a method intended to document the locations and spread of poisonous, invasive Giant Hogweed in Latvia. To reach students in an international setting, a website and tutorials trained participants about the characteristics and dangers of the plant, GPS concepts, and the data collection process. To ensure safe and accurate data collection, students were tested on their mastery of educational materials, evaluated on their ability to collect data in the field, and were questioned about their experience with the project. The results determined that students who take the online tutorial become better research partners, while also exploring issues with the educational and instructional components and overall flow of the project

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Training of First Responders

This study aimed to address the gap in the mental health training of first responders. Mental health issues have increased and continue to increase each year and is leading to more emergency calls being made about individuals with mental illnesses or in a mental health crisis. With this increase in calls related to mental health, first responders are not prepared to handle these calls. This study examined the effectiveness of a mental health training program, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), on first responders’ knowledge, stigmas, comfort level, confidence level, ability to identify mental health symptoms, and benefits for first responders and those with a mental illness that they help. This study used a mixed method of both qualitative and quantitative data and pre-post surveys. A total of 21 firefighters, EMTs/EMS, or dual trained first responders that worked in VA and had not taken any MHFA training before participated. The findings of the study highlight the importance of MHFA training for first responders, the benefits of the training on first responders and those they help, and bring awareness to the gap in their training