Using a Participatory Research Model to Investigate the Friendship Experiences of Females with Autism or Social Communication Difficulties

There is an historical gender bias towards males in autism diagnosis rates. A recent survey showed that, in England, 1.8% of men and boys have a diagnosis of ASD versus only 0.2% of women and girls. However, the National Autistic Society (NAS) report an increasing number of girls and women being referred for ASD assessment. Theorists are beginning to challenge the notion that autism is a predominately male phenomenon, and are suggesting alternative explanations to the difference in diagnosis rates. As a result of this bias, few research studies have been conducted in the field of females with autism. Furthermore, studies that do exist largely focus on identifying differences in gender presentation, especially in regards to the diagnostic criteria. There is a lack of participant voice, or studies that consider how support might need to differ across gender. This project aimed to hear autistic female voices in regards to their experiences. It used a case study methodology to explore the friendship experiences of children and young people (ages 9-17 years) with autism or social communication difficulties attending a specialist education setting. Focus groups using a semi-structured interview approach were employed to collect qualitative data regarding the participants‘ views. This data was then analysed using the process of thematic analysis. The participants discussed their experiences of friendship and support within the school setting. The study highlighted themes including an understanding of friendship, feelings of belonging, and support that could be put in place to improve friendship experiences. The school hoped to put in place provision reflecting these lessons. This research was planned and delivered alongside a co-researcher, according to participatory principles. The co-researcher was recruited from the female population within the target educational setting and was a young person with autism

Biostratigraphy of the Cretaceous-Tertiary Pindos series of Crete

Imperial Users onl

Assessing statistical significance of periodogram peaks

The least-squares (or Lomb-Scargle) periodogram is a powerful tool which is used routinely in many branches of astronomy to search for periodicities in observational data. The problem of assessing statistical significance of candidate periodicities for different periodograms is considered. Based on results in extreme value theory, improved analytic estimations of false alarm probabilities are given. They include an upper limit to the false alarm probability (or a lower limit to the significance). These estimations are tested numerically in order to establish regions of their practical applicability.Comment: 7 pages, 6 figures, 1 table; To be published in MNRA

Specialist Nursing Improves Outcomes in Heart Failure

The paper, Specialist Nursing Improves Outcomes in Heart Failure considers the question What is Heart Failure? and examines the symptoms, global incidence and typical interventions alongside the emergent role of the Heart Failure Nurse Specialist and their positive impact on patient care. Three clinical case studies are explored examining the treatment and management of a patient with 1. Non-Ischaemic viral heart failure, 2. Non-Ischaemic alcohol related heart failure and 3. Ischaemic heart disease causing heart failure. The case studies illustrate the complex interventions made by specialist heart failure nurse specialist and provide 10 reasons why Heart Failure Nurse Specialists are an important and impactful addition to the nursing workforce

Dietary dairy product intake and incident type 2 diabetes: a prospective study using dietary data from a 7-day food diary

The consumption of specific dairy types may be beneficial for the prevention of diabetes. Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between total and types of dairy product intake and risk of developing incident type 2 diabetes, using a food diary. Methods: A nested case-cohort within the EPIC-Norfolk Study was examined, including a random subcohort (n=4,000) and cases of incident diabetes (n=892, including 143 cases in the subcohort) followed-up for 11 years. Diet was assessed using a prospective 7-day food diary. Total dairy intake (g/day) was estimated and categorised into high-fat (≥3.9%) and low-fat (<3.9% fat) dairy, and by subtype into yoghurt, cheese and milk. Combined fermented dairy product intake (yoghurt, cheese, sour cream) was estimated and categorised into high- and low-fat. Prentice-weighted Cox regression HRs were calculated. Results: Total dairy, high-fat dairy, milk, cheese and high-fat fermented dairy product intakes were not associated with the development of incident diabetes. Low-fat dairy intake was inversely associated with diabetes in age- and sex-adjusted analyses (tertile [T] 3 vs T1, HR 0.81 [95% CI 0.66, 0.98]), but further adjustment for anthropometric, dietary and diabetes risk factors attenuated this association. In addition, an inverse association was found between diabetes and low-fat fermented dairy product intake (T3 vs T1, HR 0.76 [95% CI 0.60, 0.99]; ptrend=0.049) and specifically with yoghurt intake (HR 0.72 [95% CI 0.55, 0.95]; ptrend=0.017) in multivariable adjusted analyses. Conclusions/interpretation: Greater low-fat fermented dairy product intake, largely driven by yoghurt intake, was associated with a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes development in prospective analyses. These findings suggest that the consumption of specific dairy types may be beneficial for the prevention of diabetes, highlighting the importance of food group subtypes for public health messages

An Ultra-High-Vacuum Rotating Sample Manipulator with Cryogenic Cooling

We report a homebuilt ultra-high-vacuum (UHV) rotating sample manipulator with cryogenic cooling. The sample holder is thermally anchored to a built-in cryogenic cold head through flexible copper beryllium strips, permitting continuous sample rotation. A similar contact mechanism is implemented for the electrical wiring to the sample holder for thermometry. The apparatus thus enables continuous sample rotation at regulated cryogenic temperatures in a UHV environment. We discuss the potential applications of this apparatus for cryogenic sputtering.Comment: Cryogenics, ultra-high vacuum, sample manipulato

Comparative study of selected indoor concentration from selective laser sintering process using virgin and recycled polyamide nylon (pa12)

Additive manufacturing (AM) stands out as one of the promising technologies that have huge potential towards manufacturing industry. The study on additive manufacturing impact on the environment and occupational exposure are attracting growing attention recently. However, most of the researcher focus on desktop and fused deposition modelling type and less attention given to the industrial type of AM. Usually, during the selective laser sintering process, recycle powder will be used again to reduce cost and waste. This article compares the PM 2.5, carbon dioxide (CO2) and total volatile organic compound (TVOC) concentration between virgin and recycles powder using polyamide-nylon (PA12) towards indoor concentration. Four phases of sampling involve during air sampling accordingly to the Industry Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality 2010 by DOSH Malaysia. It was found that PM 2.5 and CO2 concentration are mainly generated during the pre-printing process. The recycle powder tended to appear higher compared to virgin powder in terms of PM 2.5, and CO2. The peak value of PM 2.5 is 1452 μg/m3 and CO2 is 1218 ppm are obtained during the pre-printing process during 8 hours of sampling. TVOC concentration from recycling powder is slightly higher during the post- printing phase where confirm the influence of the powder cake and PA12 temperature from the printing process. In summary, this work proves that elective laser sintering (SLS) machine operators are exposed to a significant amount of exposure during the SLS printing process. Mitigation strategies and personal protective equipment are suggested to reduce occupational exposure

Risk-based inspection on highway assets with category 2 defects

This paper presents a study piloted on highway assets Category 2 defects. Imminent hazards on high-way road networks are significantly accelerated by structural deterioration of highway infrastructures. The inspection and maintenance strategy for highway infrastructure requires continuous improvements to reduce high occurrence of defective highway assets. Combined risk-based inspection (RBI) and stochastic (STOC) techniques is considered in this investigation to give an in-depth understanding of highway asset maintenance response. Appropriate data information is extracted from Network Maintenance Management System and complementary information elicited from maintenance experts as well as recommended standards. Safety inspections piloted within the period of 5 years is evaluated using the projected RBI-STOC approach. The RBI incorporates the consequences and likelihood of the defects and the combined STOC techniques utilised defines the actual maintenance interval operated. The RBI-STOC approach proposes reclassification of highway asset defect repair intervals, appropriate maintenance task response and efficient maintenance prioritisation of highway assets in equivalence with contribution to system average mean time to repair and downtime