Synthesis of graphene platelets

Graphene, a single-layer of graphite, is frequently termed a ‘wonder material’ due to the wide range of extraordinary properties it possesses and the potential it has for uses in a broad variety of different applications. Key to the realisation of graphene’s use in applications is the ability to produce large scale quantities of graphene with consistent quality, which remains a challenge to the field. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the synthesis of graphene via a number of different methodologies in order to develop novel techniques that are suitable to scale and that provide graphene materials that are useful in different applications. To this aim, four studies were carried out; two involving the ‘top-down’ synthesis of graphene from graphite and two involving the ‘bottom-up’ synthesis of graphene from molecular precursors. In the first study a series of intermediate materials between graphene oxide (GO) and reduced GO (rGO) were successfully produced using a well-controlled reduction reaction, and the trend in their properties was explored, while in the second study rGO was successfully produced using a novel method that is simple, scalable and environmentally friendly. In both these studies a novel method of handling GO was used that eliminated the requirement for the final, time consuming purification step of GO synthesis. In the third study bulk graphene platelets were successfully produced using a novel chemical vapour deposition (CVD) method, and in the final study the templated growth of graphene via CVD over metal microcrystals was investigated. The work builds on some relatively new concepts for graphene synthesis; including tailoring the graphene product to the particular application and size/shape control for bulk scale graphene platelets, and also presents an interesting case study on carbon growth on copper which may provide new insights into carbon synthesis in these systems

A partnership in Nebraska with the Humane Society

Perhaps service-learning continues to grow as an effective pedagogy in colleges of education because it offers everyone involved an opportunity to put words into action. With the news full of stories of bullying and school shootings, teachers and teacher candidates look for someone to help them make sense of what feels to be a growing trend of cruelty. Perhaps it is a natural reaction for teachers to want to do something positive in the face of brutality. Perhaps our wanting to be proactive corresponds to whatever drew us to education in the first place. Regardless of the cause, four literacy professors used the vehicle of service-learning to challenge their graduate and undergraduate students to consider issues of bullying, brutality and cruelty

Let's talk early labour: The L-TEL randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Women without complications have lower obstetric intervention if they remain at home in early labour but many women report dissatisfaction in doing this. Using self-efficacy theory as an underpinning framework, a web-based intervention was co-created with women who had previously used maternity services. The intervention provides early labour advice, alongside the videoed, real experiences of women. METHOD: The pragmatic, randomised control trial aimed to evaluate the impact of the web-based intervention on women's self-reported experiences of early labour. Low-risk, nulliparous, pregnant women (140) were randomised. The intervention group (69) received the web-based intervention antenatally to use at their own convenience and the control group (71) received usual care. Data were collected at 7-28 days postnatally using an online version of the Early Labour Experience Questionnaire (ELEQ). The primary outcome was the ELEQ score. Secondary, clinical outcomes such as labour onset, augmentation and mode of birth were collected from the existing hospital system. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in the ELEQ scores between trial arms. Women in the intervention group were significantly more likely to progress spontaneously in labour without the need for labour augmentation (39.1 %) compared to the control group (21.1 %) (OR 2.41, CI 95 %; 1.14-5.11). CONCLUSION: Although the L-TEL Trial found no statistically significant differences in the primary outcome, the innovative intervention to support women during latent phase labour was positively received by women. Web-based resources are a cost effective, user-friendly and accessible way to provide women with education. A larger trial is needed to detect differences in clinical outcomes

Improvements in the 8-Dimensions of the Parkinson’s Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire after 8-weeks of Resistance Training with Instability and/or Cadence Walking in Persons with Mild to Moderate Parkinson’s Disease

Physical activity helps slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Resistance training with iPhysical activity helps slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Resistance training with instability (RTI) and cadence walking (CW) add an additional skill (compared to resistance training and walking alone) to improve neuromuscular connections and blood flow to the brain during exercise. A cross-training exercise regimen, combining both resistance training and walking (RTI+CW), has not been studied to determine its effect on the progression of Parkinson’s disease. PURPOSE: to examine the changes in the 8-dimensions of the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ39) (mobility, activities of daily living (ADL), emotional well-being, stigma, social support, cognition, communication and bodily discomfort) after 8-weeks of RTI, CW and RTI+CW in individuals with mild to moderate PD. METHODS: individuals diagnosed with mild to moderate PD (N=18 ( 6 female, 12 males); MHY stage=1.53 + 0.50; age = 63.67 + 7.23 y; BMI = 27.38 + 3.88 kg/m2) were randomized into RTI, CW or RTI+CW exercise groups for 8-weeks. RTI and CW were performed 3 days/week and RTI+CW was performed 4 days/week (2 days RTI and 2 days CW). RTI included full-body machine and free-weight exercises with volume (reps and sets) and instability progressions. CW included volume (time) and intensity (speed) progressions for 8-weeks. The PDQ39 questionnaire was given at pre- and post-assessments. RESULTS: improvements in the PDQ39 questionnaire were seen across all groups in all 8 dimensions of mobility, activities of daily living, emotional well-being, stigma, social support, cognition, communication and bodily discomfort. A significant time effect was observed for dimensions of mobility (17.33 + 7.30 and 15.94 + 7.6, p=0.043), stigma (7.12 + 3.50 and 6.12 + 2.75, p=0.02) and bodily discomfort (7.34 + 1.97 and 6.05 + 2.46, p=0.005). A significant group x time effect was observed for mobility and bodily discomfort. A Tukey’s post hoc analysis revealed significant differences between RTI+CW and CW for mobility (RTI+CW 16.00 + 6.54 and 13.83 + 5.42 and CW 18.00 + 6.48 and 17.33 + 10.39, p=0.04) and RTI and CW for bodily Physical activity helps slow the progression of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Resistance training with instability (RTI) and cadence walking (CW) add an additional skill (compared to resistance training and walking alone) to improve neuromuscular connections and blood flow to the brain during exercise. A cross-training exercise regimen, combining both resistance training and walking (RTI+CW), has not been studied to determine its effect on the progression of Parkinson’s disease. PURPOSE: to examine the changes in the 8-dimensions of the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ39) (mobility, activities of daily living (ADL), emotional well-being, stigma, social support, cognition, communication and bodily discomfort) after 8-weeks of RTI, CW and RTI+CW in individuals with mild to moderate PD. METHODS: individuals diagnosed with mild to moderate PD (N=18 ( 6 female, 12 males); MHY stage=1.53 + 0.50; age = 63.67 + 7.23 y; BMI = 27.38 + 3.88 kg/m2) were randomized into RTI, CW or RTI+CW exercise groups for 8-weeks. RTI and CW were performed 3 days/week and RTI+CW was performed 4 days/week (2 days RTI and 2 days CW). RTI included full-body machine and free-weight exercises with volume (reps and sets) and instability progressions. CW included volume (time) and intensity (speed) progressions for 8-weeks. The PDQ39 questionnaire was given at pre- and post-assessments. RESULTS: improvements in the PDQ39 questionnaire were seen across all groups in all 8 dimensions of mobility, activities of daily living, emotional well-being, stigma, social support, cognition, communication and bodily discomfort. A significant time effect was observed for dimensions of mobility (17.33 + 7.30 and 15.94 + 7.6, p=0.043), stigma (7.12 + 3.50 and 6.12 + 2.75, p=0.02) and bodily discomfort (7.34 + 1.97 and 6.05 + 2.46, p=0.005). A significant group x time effect was observed for mobility and bodily discomfort. A Tukey’s post hoc analysis revealed significant differences between RTI+CW and CW for mobility (RTI+CW 16.00 + 6.54 and 13.83 + 5.42 and CW 18.00 + 6.48 and 17.33 + 10.39, p=0.04) and RTI and CW for bodily discomfort (RTI 7.33 + 1.97 and 5.67 + 2.16; CW 7.33 + 1.63 and 6.50 + 1.97). CONCLUSION: All exercise groups improved in scores for all 8-dimensions of the PDQ39 questionnaire. Significant time effects were observed for mobility, stigma and bodily discomfort. RTI+CW improved mobility more than CW alone. RTI improved bodily discomfort more than CW alone. (RTI 7.33 + 1.97 and 5.67 + 2.16; CW 7.33 + 1.63 and 6.50 + 1.97). CONCLUSION: All exercise groups improved in scores for all 8-dimensions of the PDQ39 questionnaire. Significant time effects were observed for mobility, stigma and bodily discomfort. RTI+CW improved mobility more than CW alone. RTI improved bodily discomfort more than CW alone.nstability (RTI) and cadence walking (CW) add an additional skill (compared to resistance training and walking alone) to improve neuromuscular connections and blood flow to the brain during exercise. A cross-training exercise regimen, combining both resistance training and walking (RTI+CW), has not been studied to determine its effect on the progression of Parkinson’s disease. PURPOSE: to examine the changes in the 8-dimensions of the Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire (PDQ39) (mobility, activities of daily living (ADL), emotional well-being, stigma, social support, cognition, communication and bodily discomfort) after 8-weeks of RTI, CW and RTI+CW in individuals with mild to moderate PD. METHODS: individuals diagnosed with mild to moderate PD (N=18 ( 6 female, 12 males); MHY stage=1.53 + 0.50; age = 63.67 + 7.23 y; BMI = 27.38 + 3.88 kg/m2) were randomized into RTI, CW or RTI+CW exercise groups for 8-weeks. RTI and CW were performed 3 days/week and RTI+CW was performed 4 days/week (2 days RTI and 2 days CW). RTI included full-body machine and free-weight exercises with volume (reps and sets) and instability progressions. CW included volume (time) and intensity (speed) progressions for 8-weeks. The PDQ39 questionnaire was given at pre- and post-assessments. RESULTS: improvements in the PDQ39 questionnaire were seen across all groups in all 8 dimensions of mobility, activities of daily living, emotional well-being, stigma, social support, cognition, communication and bodily discomfort. A significant time effect was observed for dimensions of mobility (17.33 + 7.30 and 15.94 + 7.6, p=0.043), stigma (7.12 + 3.50 and 6.12 + 2.75, p=0.02) and bodily discomfort (7.34 + 1.97 and 6.05 + 2.46, p=0.005). A significant group x time effect was observed for mobility and bodily discomfort. A Tukey’s post hoc analysis revealed significant differences between RTI+CW and CW for mobility (RTI+CW 16.00 + 6.54 and 13.83 + 5.42 and CW 18.00 + 6.48 and 17.33 + 10.39, p=0.04) and RTI and CW for bodily discomfort (RTI 7.33 + 1.97 and 5.67 + 2.16; CW 7.33 + 1.63 and 6.50 + 1.97). CONCLUSION: All exercise groups improved in scores for all 8-dimensions of the PDQ39 questionnaire. Significant time effects were observed for mobility, stigma and bodily discomfort. RTI+CW improved mobility more than CW alone. RTI improved bodily discomfort more than CW alone

Safetxt: a pilot randomised controlled trial of an intervention delivered by mobile phone to increase safer sex behaviours in young people.

OBJECTIVE: To test the procedures proposed for a main trial of a safer sex intervention for young people delivered by mobile phone text message ('safetxt'). DESIGN AND SETTING: Pilot randomised controlled trial. Participants were recruited through sexual health services in the UK. An independent online randomisation system allocated participants to receive the safetxt intervention or to receive the control text messages (monthly messages about participation in the study). Texting software delivered the messages in accordance with a predetermined schedule. PARTICIPANTS: Residents of England aged 16-24 who had received either a positive chlamydia test result or reported unsafe sex in the last year (defined as more than 1 partner and at least 1 occasion of sex without a condom). INTERVENTION: The safetxt intervention is designed to reduce sexually transmitted infection in young people by supporting them in using condoms, telling a partner about an infection and testing before unprotected sex with a new partner. Safetxt was developed drawing on: behavioural science; face-to-face interventions; the factors known to influence safer sex behaviours and the views of young people. OUTCOMES: The coprimary outcomes of the pilot trial were the recruitment rate and completeness of follow-up. RESULTS: We recruited 200 participants within our target of 3 months and we achieved 81% (162/200) follow-up response for the proposed primary outcome of the main trial, cumulative incidence of chlamydia at 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Recruitment, randomisation, intervention delivery and follow-up were successful and a randomised controlled trial of the safetxt intervention is feasible. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN02304709; Results

Safetxt: a safer sex intervention delivered by mobile phone messaging on sexually transmitted infections (STI) among young people in the UK - protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Young people aged 16 to 24 have the highest prevalence of genital chlamydia and gonorrhoea compared with other age groups and re-infection rates following treatment are high. Long-term adverse health effects include subfertility and ectopic pregnancy, particularly among those with repeated infections. We developed the safetxt intervention delivered by text message to reduce sexually transmitted infection (STI) by increasing partner notification, condom use and (STI) testing among young people in the UK. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A single-blind randomised trial to reliably establish the effect of the safetxt intervention on chlamydia and gonorrhoea infection at 1 year. We will recruit 6250 people aged 16 to 24 years who have recently been diagnosed with chlamydia, gonorrhoea or non-specific urethritis from health services in the UK. Participants will be allocated to receive the safetxt intervention (text messages designed to promote safer sexual health behaviours) or to receive the control text messages (monthly messages asking participants about changes in contact details) by an automated remote online randomisation system. The primary outcome will be the cumulative incidence of chlamydia and gonorrhoea infection at 1 year assessed by nucleic acid amplification tests. Secondary outcomes include partner notification, correct treatment of infection, condom use and STI testing prior to sex with new partners. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval was obtained from NHS Health Research Authority - London - Riverside Research Ethics Committee (REC reference: 15/LO/1665) and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. We will submit the results of the trial for publication in peer-reviewed journals. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: International Standard Randomised Controlled Trials Number: ISRCTN64390461. Registered on 17th March 2016. WHO trial registration data set available at: http://apps.who.int/trialsearch/Trial2.aspx?TrialID=ISRCTN64390461. TRIAL PROTOCOL VERSION: 12, 19th July 2018

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Maternal and Umbilical Cord Blood from Pregnant Hispanic Women Living in Brownsville, Texas

Venous blood was drawn from 35 pregnant Hispanic women living in Brownsville, Texas, and matched cord blood was collected at birth. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry was used to measure concentrations of 55 individual PAHs or groups of PAHs. Results indicate that these women and their fetuses were regularly exposed to multiple PAHs at comparatively low concentrations, with levels in cord blood generally exceeding levels in paired maternal blood. While the possibility of related adverse effects on the fetus is uncertain, these exposures in combination with socioeconomically-disadvantaged and environmentally-challenging living conditions raise legitimate public health concerns

Translational pharmacology of an inhaled small molecule αvβ6 integrin inhibitor for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

The αvβ6 integrin plays a key role in the activation of transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ), a pro-fibrotic mediator that is pivotal to the development of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). We identified a selective small molecule αvβ6 RGD-mimetic, GSK3008348, and profiled it in a range of disease relevant pre-clinical systems. To understand the relationship between target engagement and inhibition of fibrosis, we measured pharmacodynamic and diseaserelated end points. Here we report, GSK3008348 binds to αvβ6 with high affinity in human IPF lung and reduces downstream pro-fibrotic TGFβ signaling to normal levels. In human lung epithelial cells, GSK3008348 induces rapid internalization and lysosomal degradation of the αvβ6 integrin. In the murine bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis model, GSK3008348 engages αvβ6, induces prolonged inhibition of TGFβ signaling and reduces lung collagen deposition and serum C3M, a marker of IPF disease progression. These studies highlight the potential of inhaled GSK3008348 as an anti-fibrotic therapy

Effects of antiplatelet therapy on stroke risk by brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases: subgroup analyses of the RESTART randomised, open-label trial

Background Findings from the RESTART trial suggest that starting antiplatelet therapy might reduce the risk of recurrent symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage compared with avoiding antiplatelet therapy. Brain imaging features of intracerebral haemorrhage and cerebral small vessel diseases (such as cerebral microbleeds) are associated with greater risks of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage. We did subgroup analyses of the RESTART trial to explore whether these brain imaging features modify the effects of antiplatelet therapy

The quality of care delivered to residents in long-term care in Australia: an indicator-based review of resident records (CareTrack Aged study)

Background: This study estimated the prevalence of evidence-based care received by a population-based sample of Australian residents in long-term care (LTC) aged ≥ 65 years in 2021, measured by adherence to clinical practice guideline (CPG) recommendations. Methods: Sixteen conditions/processes of care amendable to estimating evidence-based care at a population level were identified from prevalence data and CPGs. Candidate recommendations (n = 5609) were extracted from 139 CPGs which were converted to indicators. National experts in each condition rated the indicators via the RAND-UCLA Delphi process. For the 16 conditions, 236 evidence-based care indicators were ratified. A multi-stage sampling of LTC facilities and residents was undertaken. Trained aged-care nurses then undertook manual structured record reviews of care delivered between 1 March and 31 May 2021 (our record review period) to assess adherence with the indicators. Results: Care received by 294 residents with 27,585 care encounters in 25 LTC facilities was evaluated. Residents received care for one to thirteen separate clinical conditions/processes of care (median = 10, mean = 9.7). Adherence to evidence-based care indicators was estimated at 53.2% (95% CI: 48.6, 57.7) ranging from a high of 81.3% (95% CI: 75.6, 86.3) for Bladder and Bowel to a low of 12.2% (95% CI: 1.6, 36.8) for Depression. Six conditions (skin integrity, end-of-life care, infection, sleep, medication, and depression) had less than 50% adherence with indicators. Conclusions: This is the first study of adherence to evidence-based care for people in LTC using multiple conditions and a standardised method. Vulnerable older people are not receiving evidence-based care for many physical problems, nor care to support their mental health nor for end-of-life care. The six conditions in which adherence with indicators was less than 50% could be the focus of improvement efforts