Addressing the Racial Disparity in Birth Outcomes: Implications for Maternal Racial Identity on Birthweight

Background: As a widely used marker of health, birthweight has been a persistent racialized disparity with the low birthweight rate of Blacks in Alabama nearly doubling the national average. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of racial identity and acculturation on birthweight in a sample of Black women living in Alabama. Methods: Black women (n=72) in West Alabama were surveyed about the birthweight of their first born child. Correlation and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted. Results: Racial identity was the only significant predictor of birthweight. Mothers with a strong racial identity reported having low birthweight babies less often than those who scored lower on racial identity. Further exploration of racial identity revealed self-image as the essential element that predicted birthweight. Birthweight increased 4.2 ounces for each additional degree of self-image. Results also indicated that birthweight decreased as mothers’ age increased, within the widely accepted optimal maternal age range 21 to 35. Conclusions: Results add to the existing body of literature in support of the positive effects racial identity has on health. Findings on age are congruent with the weathering hypothesis which states that the health of Black women may begin to deteriorate in early adulthood possibly due to the strain of racism

‘Future Bathroom’, What to make? Or How to Make? Challenges in meeting sustainable needs.

This paper is a case study that describes a design research programme, ‘the future bathroom’, undertaken by the authors which illuminates both challenges and solutions for inclusive and sustainable design. A co-design research methodology was adopted and engaged older users and community lay researchers to help overcome the barriers of developing a comprehensive understanding of the issues related to highly personal, private and intimate activities. We adopt the term co-design to describe an approach to design that encourages both user involvement and interdisciplinary design. Our challenge has been to provide an environment where an exchange of ideas between stakeholders could take place and to foster what Manzini (1) has referred to as a ‘creative community’. From the project emerged both insight and understanding of age related disability and bathroom use and potential design solutions to support these needs. Adopting an inclusive approach to design research we have developed flexible, durable and sustainable solutions that meet the diverse and changing needs of bathroom usage The paper discusses how sustainability in the context of inclusive design might need to consider more ‘what we should make’ rather than ‘how we should make’

Future bathroom: A study of user-centred design principles affecting usability, safety and satisfaction in bathrooms for people living with disabilities

Research and development work relating to assistive technology 2010-11 (Department of Health) Presented to Parliament pursuant to Section 22 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 197

Assessment of automated technologies in Texas for pavement distress identification, texture, and cross slope measurement

textAutomated technologies can be beneficial for collecting data on the condition of pavements. As opposed to a traditional manual survey of the road, automated data collection can provide a safer alternative that is objective, repeatable, and consistent, while traveling at highway speeds. Though the automated method is preferred, it still needs to be reliable enough to accurately model the current pavement performance. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) initiated a project to allow an independent assessment of the accuracy and repeatability of new automated distress data measurements. In this study, 20 550-ft. pavement sections were tested with automated data collection technologies. The sections were located in Austin and Waco Districts. The accuracy and repeatability was evaluated for cracking and other distress measurements, cross slope measurements, and texture measurements. Known manual methods were used as a reference, and a 3D system developed by TxDOT was compared with three systems of other vendors (Dynatest, Fugro, and Waylink-OSU). With the data provided for the texture and cross slope, an additional investigation was done to evaluate hydroplaning potential. This thesis reports in the latter investigation.Civil, Architectural, and Environmental Engineerin

Activity monitoring in patients with depression : A systematic review

Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Peer reviewedPreprin

Immobilization of DNA Aptamers on Polyester Cloth for Antigen Detection by Dot Blot Immunoenzymatic Assay (Aptablot)

A simple dot blot immunoenzymatic assay system was developed using polyester cloth coated with an oligo-DNA aptamer to provide a high-affinity macroporous surface for the efficient capture of a model protein analyte (thrombin) in complex sample matrices such as foods. Bound thrombin was detected immunoenzymatically using a peroxidase-linked antithrombin antibody and a chromogenic substrate. A unique feature of this approach, which we have termed “aptablot,” is the facile immobilization of DNA aptamers on the polyester surface by cross-linking with a brief exposure to ultraviolet light, and the simple assay format obviating the need for specialized instruments. The assay principle described herein should be broadly applicable to many situations where analytes must be detected in complex samples, with the main limiting factor being the availability of suitable DNA aptamers

Data and data illustrations supporting the analysis of transcripts from interviews exploring the views and experiences of young men and their parents/guardians regarding testicular health

Abstract Evidence shows young men have poor outcomes from testicular torsion directly attributable to delay in presentation to hospital [1]. Only a third to a half of adolescents present within 6 h with testicular pain, [2,3] There is poor understanding of why adolescents delay in presenting with testicular pain. The authors started without an a-priori hypothesis and designed a thematic qualitative research protocol to explore the phenomena is a naturalistic setting [4,5] . Sixteen young men (11–19 years) and their parents or guardians underwent semi-structured interviews, directed by a topic guide which evolved with subsequent interview findings. Young men were recruited from out of school clubs to minimise the bias associated with schools or hospital recruitment, and were naïve to testicular disease. Verbatim transcriptions were coded, categories and themes formed and final concepts derived utilising a framework methodology. The figure included shows the initial topic guide. The data tables presented show the emergent themes and the final code book. The authors have utilised the analysis to explore the factors impeding young men in presenting early to hospital with testicular pain [6]. The authors feel the data tables and raw data will be of interest to other researchers interested in adolescent health, health access, public health, linguistics and healthcare qualitative methodology

Responsible personalised medicine: Exploring the ethical, legal, social, political and economic issues of manufacturing, distribution, access and reimbursement. A Report of the Responsible Personalised Medicine Project, UCL Future Targeted Manufacturing in Healthcare Hub

This report provides an overview of the ethical, legal, social, political and economic (ELSPE) issues underpinning the “manufacturing, business and regulatory challenges” that confront the development and delivery of affordable and accessible new targeted biological medicines. We specifically focus on the evolving definitions and its implication for the public understanding of personalised medicine (section 1), issues of manufacturing and distribution of Personalised Therapies (section 2) and institutional readiness (section 3) specifically focusing on emerging regulatory and reimbursement pathways (section 3.2) and how these are shaping or being shaped by ‘real world evidence’ (section 3.3). This is followed by our reflection on the implications of and for the entangled, complex and contingent interrelationships between personalised medicine, society and responsibility (section 4). Finally we conclude with discussion of the gaps and priorities for future ELSPE research on manufacturing of advanced biotherapeutics in terms of access, reimbursement, skills and infrastructure, regulation, responsible research and innovation (RRI) and the international political economy of emerging personalised medicine markets (section 5). This is a necessarily narrower review of the spectrum of ELSPE issues that attend personalised medicine activities and reflects this report’s aims to focus on those aspects of personalised medicine addressed by the UCL’s Future Targeted Manufacturing in Healthcare Hub

Factors Influencing Cotton Farmers’ Perceptions about the Importance of Information Sources in Precision Farming Decisions

Information generated by precision farming technologies is of particular importance to producers. Precision farming technologies implies the ability to improve the management of production factors using site-specific information. This study examines factors influencing cotton farmers’ perceptions about the importance of crop consultants, farm input dealerships, Extension, other farmers, trade shows, the Internet and printed news/media for making precision farming decisions using a rank ordered logit model (ROLM). Results suggest that age, land tenure, income, percentage of income from farming, and location may affect farmers’ perceptions about the importance of different information sources when making decisions about precision farming technologies. Results suggest that regardless of farmer/farm business characteristics other farmers (OF) is one of the most important information sources when making precision farming decisions. Findings suggest that high income producers are more likely to prefer crop consultants, University/Extension, trade shows, and the Internet over OF as a source of information when making decisions about precision farming technologies. Findings also suggest that researchers need to be very careful when designing questions that ask respondents to rank alternatives so that they guarantee that individuals with different skills are able to precisely understand what is being asked. Decreasing the number of alternatives respondents must consider may be one strategy to reduce the complexity of ranking questions to minimize the probability of the respondents leaving alternatives unranked or ranking them randomly.Information-source preferences, Rank Ordered Logit Model, Precision Farming, Production Economics, Research Methods/ Statistical Methods, Q16, C25,