University of Bedfordshire Repository
https://uobrep.openrepository.com:443
The DSpace digital repository system captures, stores, indexes, preserves, and distributes digital research material.2024-03-27T04:43:52ZHigh resolution temperature evolution maps of Bangladesh via data-driven learning
http://hdl.handle.net/10547/626208
High resolution temperature evolution maps of Bangladesh via data-driven learning
Wu, Yichen; Yang, Jiaxin; Zhang, Zhihua; Das, Lipon Chandra; Crabbe, M. James C.
As a developing country with an agricultural economy as a pillar, Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to adverse effects of climate change, so the generation of high-resolution temperature maps is of great value for Bangladesh to achieve agricultural sustainable development. However, Bangladesh’s weak economy and sparse meteorological stations make it difficult to obtain such maps. In this study, by mining internal features and links inside observed data, we developed an efficient data-driven downscaling technique to generate high spatial-resolution temperature distribution maps of Bangladesh directly from observed temperature data at 34 meteorological stations with irregular distribution. Based on these high-resolution historical temperature maps, we further explored a data-driven forecast technique to generate high-resolution temperature maps of Bangladesh for the period 2025–2035. Since the proposed techniques are very low-cost and fully mine internal links inside irregular-distributed observations, they can support relevant departments of Bangladesh to formulate policies to mitigate and adapt to climate change in a timely manner.
2024-03-21T00:00:00ZRealising participation and protection rights when working with groups of young survivors of childhood sexual violence: a decade of learning
http://hdl.handle.net/10547/626207
Realising participation and protection rights when working with groups of young survivors of childhood sexual violence: a decade of learning
Cody, Claire; Bovarnick, Silvie; Soares, Claire
Childhood sexual violence is a global problem that has far-reaching impacts on children, families and communities. Whilst there has been significant commitment and action to tackle this issue, research with young people consistently draws attention to gaps and limitations. Emerging research, and practice-based evidence, tells us that young survivors of childhood sexual violence hold essential knowledge and expertise about the impacts of, and solutions for addressing, this form of violence. Yet, despite widespread recognition that children and young people have a right to ‘be heard’, in practice there are limited examples where young survivors come together collectively to collaborate with professionals to inform and influence research, policy or practice interventions in this field. This discussion paper begins by reflecting on barriers to, and opportunities for, participatory engagement with young survivors. The article draws on a decade long international programme of work and shares three key elements that have helped ‘scaffold’ our participatory work with young survivors: forming the right partnerships; weighing up the potential risks and benefits of engagement; and putting in place support for all involved. In conclusion, we present potential ways forward, underscoring the importance of addressing structural barriers, the need for creativity, and the significance of support and training for those accompanying young people and facilitating their engagement in the future.
2024-03-18T00:00:00ZEffectiveness of postnatal maternal or caregiver interventions on outcomes among infants under six months with growth faltering: a systematic review
http://hdl.handle.net/10547/626206
Effectiveness of postnatal maternal or caregiver interventions on outcomes among infants under six months with growth faltering: a systematic review
Rana, Ritu; Sirwani, Barkha; Mohandas, Saranya; Kirubakaran, Richard; Puthussery, Shuby; Lelijveld, Natasha; Kerac, Marko
The care of infants at risk of poor growth and development is a global priority. To inform new WHO guidelines update on prevention and management of growth faltering among infants under six months, we examined the effectiveness of postnatal maternal or caregiver interventions on outcomes among infants between 0 and 6 months. We searched nine electronic databases from January 2000 to August 2021, included interventional studies, evaluated the quality of evidence for seven outcome domains (anthropometric recovery, child development, anthropometric outcomes, mortality, readmission, relapse, and non-response) and followed the GRADE approach for certainty of evidence. We identified thirteen studies with preterm and/or low birth weight infants assessing effects of breastfeeding counselling or education (n = 8), maternal nutrition supplementation (n = 2), mental health (n = 1), relaxation therapy (n = 1), and cash transfer (n = 1) interventions. The evidence from these studies had serious indirectness and high risk of bias. Evidence suggests breastfeeding counselling or education compared to standard care may increase infant weight at one month, weight at two months and length at one month; however, the evidence is very uncertain (very low quality). Maternal nutrition supplementation compared to standard care may not increase infant weight at 36 weeks postmenstrual age and may not reduce infant mortality by 36 weeks post-menstrual age (low quality). Evidence on the effectiveness of postnatal maternal or caregiver interventions on outcomes among infants under six months with growth faltering is limited and of ‘low’ to ‘very low’ quality. This emphasizes the urgent need for future research. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42022309001).
2024-03-14T00:00:00ZMicroplastics in human urine: characterisation using μFTIR and sampling challenges using healthy donors and endometriosis participants
http://hdl.handle.net/10547/626205
Microplastics in human urine: characterisation using μFTIR and sampling challenges using healthy donors and endometriosis participants
Rotchell, Jeanette M.; Austin, Chloe; Chapman, Emma; Atherall, Charlotte A.; Liddle, Catriona R.; Dunstan, Timothy S.; Blackburn, Ben; Mead, Andrew; Filart, Kate; Beeby, Ellie; Cunningham, Keith; Allen, Jane; Draper, Hannah; Guinn, Barbara-Ann
Microplastics (MPs) are found in all environments, within the human food chain, and have been recently detected in several human tissues. The objective herein was to undertake an analysis of MP contamination in human urine samples, from healthy individuals and participants with endometriosis, with respect to their presence, levels, and the characteristics of any particles identified. A total of 38 human urine samples and 15 procedural blanks were analysed. MPs were characterised using μFTIR spectroscopy (size limitation of 5 μm) and SEM-EDX. In total, 123 MP particles consisting of 22 MP polymer types were identified within 17/29 of the healthy donor (10 mL) urine samples, compared with 232 MP particles of differing 16 MP polymer types in 12/19 urine samples from participants with endometriosis. Healthy donors presented an unadjusted average of 2589 ± 2931 MP/L and participants with endometriosis presented 4724 ± 9710 MP/L. Polyethylene (PE)(27%), polystyrene (PS)(16%), resin and polypropylene (PP)(both 12%) polymer types were most abundant in healthy donor samples, compared with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) (59%), and PE (16%) in samples from endometriosis participants. The MP levels within healthy and endometriosis participant samples were not significantly different. However, the predominant polymer types varied, and the MPs from the metal catheter-derived endometriosis participant samples and healthy donors were significantly smaller than those observed in the procedural blanks. The procedural blank samples comprised 62 MP particles of 10 MP polymer types, mainly PP (27%), PE (21%), and PS (15%) with a mean ± SD of 17 ± 18, highlighting the unavoidable contamination inherent in measurement of MPs from donors. This is the first evidence of MP contamination in human urine with polymer characterisation and accounting for procedural blanks. These results support the phenomenon of transport of MPs within humans, specifically to the bladder, and their characterisation of types, shapes and size ranges identified therein.
2024-03-14T00:00:00Z