Catalogue Search | MBRL
Are you sure you want to remove the book from the shelf?
{{itemTitle}}
292
result(s) for
"Haynes, Emily"
Sort by:
Excitation-Dependent pKa Extends the Sensing Range of Fluorescence Lifetime pH Sensors
Biological activity is strongly dependent on pH, which fluctuates within a variety of neutral, alkaline, and acidic local environments. The heterogeneity of tissue and subcellular pH has driven the development of sensors with different pKa values, and a huge assortment of fluorescent sensors have been created to measure and visualize pH in living cells and tissues. In particular, sensors that report based on fluorescence lifetime are advantageous for quantitation. Here, we apply a theoretical framework to derive how the apparent pKa of lifetime-based pH sensors depends on fluorescence excitation wavelength. We demonstrate that theory predicts the behavior of two different fluorescent protein-based pH sensors in solution as proofs-of-concept. Furthermore, we show that this behavior has great practical value in living cells because it extends the sensing range of a single sensor by simply choosing appropriate detection parameters to match the physiological pH range of interest. More broadly, our results show that the versatility of a single lifetime-based sensor has been significantly underappreciated, and our approach provides a means to use a single sensor across a range of pH environments.
Journal Article
Designing with Pixar : 45 activities to create your own characters, worlds, and stories
\"Creativity abounds in this one-of-a-kind activity book from Pixar Animation Studios. Inspired by behind-the-scenes work of Pixar's animators, it encourages fans and artists to explore their own imaginations through Pixar's favorite characters and iconic scenes. Prompts from films such as Toy Story, Cars, Brave, Inside Out, and more invite discoveries about color, shape, character design, and scene setting--and how all of these interact to tell a visual story.\"--Amazon.com.
Book
Gender and active travel: a qualitative data synthesis informed by machine learning
Background
Innovative approaches are required to move beyond individual approaches to behaviour change and develop more appropriate insights for the complex challenge of increasing population levels of activity. Recent research has drawn on social practice theory to describe the recursive and relational character of active living but to date most evidence is limited to small-scale qualitative research studies. To ‘upscale’ insights from individual contexts, we pooled data from five qualitative studies and used machine learning software to explore gendered patterns in the context of active travel.
Methods
We drew on 280 transcripts from five research projects conducted in the UK, including studies of a range of populations, travel modes and settings, to conduct unsupervised ‘topic modelling analysis’. Text analytics software, Leximancer, was used in the first phase of the analysis to produce inter-topic distance maps to illustrate inter-related ‘concepts’. The outputs from this first phase guided a second researcher-led interpretive analysis of text excerpts to infer meaning from the computer-generated outputs.
Results
Guided by social practice theory, we identified ‘interrelated’ and ‘relating’ practices across the pooled datasets. For this study we particularly focused on respondents’ commutes, travelling to and from work, and on differentiated experiences by gender. Women largely described their commute as multifunctional journeys that included the school run or shopping, whereas men described relatively linear journeys from A to B but highlighted ‘relating’ practices resulting from or due to their choice of commute mode or journey such as showering or relaxing. Secondly, we identify a difference in discourses about practices across the included datasets. Women spoke more about ‘subjective’, internal feelings of safety (‘I feel unsafe’), whereas men spoke more about external conditions (‘it is a dangerous road’).
Conclusion
This rare application of machine learning to qualitative social science research has helped to identify potentially important differences in
co-occurrence of practices
and
discourses about practice
between men’s and women’s accounts of travel across diverse contexts. These findings can inform future research and policy decisions for promoting travel-related social practices associated with increased physical activity that are appropriate across genders.
Journal Article
Obesity prevention advocacy in Australia: an analysis of policy impact on autonomy
To explore obesity policy options recommended by stakeholders and identify their impact on individual autotomy.
Qualitative and quantitative methods were used. A content analysis of submissions to the Australian Government's Inquiry into Obesity was conducted. Each recommendation was categorised by its impact on autonomy, according to existing frameworks. Chi‐square test for independence was used to explore the association between autonomy and stakeholder support defined as frequency of recommendation.
The extent of support for a policy option was significantly associated with impact on autonomy (p<0.001). Options that reduce autonomy were least frequently recommended in every setting; but more likely in schools (27%) than other settings (<1%). Recommendations to provide incentives (9%) were more common than disincentives (2%) or restrictions (3%), and those that enhance autonomy were most widely recommended (46%).
Stakeholders advocated policy options that enhance individual autonomy to a greater extent than those that diminish autonomy.
Targeting obesity policy options that enhance rather than diminish autonomy may be more politically acceptable across most settings, with the exception of schools where more restrictive policy options are appropriate. Re‐framing options accordingly may improve leadership by government in obesity policy.
Journal Article
Differences in income, farm size and nutritional status between female and male farmers in a region of Haiti
IntroductionHaiti is the poorest country in the Americas and has the highest levels of gender inequality. It has high burdens of malnutrition and food insecurity. Our aim in this study was to investigate differences between female and male heads of farms in their farm's size and income and in their nutritional status.MethodsWe conducted a mixed-method study with a quantitative survey with 28 female and 80 male farmers and qualitative semi-structured interviews with seven women and 11 men, in nine rural communities, Plateau de Rochelois, Nippes, Haïti.ResultsWe found that significant inequalities existed between female and male heads of farms in this region of Haiti. Farm income was associated with farm size, with female farmers having on average smaller farms, and markedly lower farm incomes compared to male farmers, even after adjusting for the fact that their farms were smaller. Male farmers also had more access to seeds, financing and transportation to market. In addition, female farmers had markedly higher levels of overweight and obesity. In both male and female heads of farms around 1 in 20 were underweight.DiscussionThese findings complement those from other settings, showing that female farmers in low- and middle- income countries typically face severe challenges in accessing resources such as land, credit, and inputs, which can limit their productivity and income-generating potential. Gender sensitive interventions to promote farmer health, well-being and productivity are required.
Journal Article
Interventions designed to promote the consumption of locally produced foods: a scoping review
IntroductionFood system transformation is required for planetary health. Localizing food systems and applying agroecological principles to food production and supply have been suggested to support a resilient and sustainable food system. This scoping review aimed to map the implementation of interventions designed to promote the consumption of locally produced food, their application of agroecological principles and the outcomes evaluated, across Global North and Global South countries.MethodsSearches were conducted systematically in 15 databases. Screening was conducted against criteria to identify eligible studies and data extracted in REDCap and EPPI Reviewer. Data were narratively synthesized, and results displayed as tables, figures and an interactive evidence gap map.ResultsWe found 147 eligible studies describing interventions to promote the consumption of locally produced food. Only two studies reported the impact of intervention on local versus non-local food procurement and we identified a lack of a standard framework for assessing the impact of changing food source practice. Most studies reported dietary outcomes, mainly fruit and vegetable intake, and less used metrics for dietary diversity, particularly in the Global North. A small proportion (5%) reported ecosystem related outcomes. All home growing interventions were conducted in the Global South and most school-based growing interventions were conducted in the Global North. Agroecological principles were applied to Global North and Global South interventions, but a greater proportion of the Global South studies applied agroecological practices (GS 30%; GN 4%).DiscussionThis map of experimental research on local food interventions identifies key differences in intervention types and agroecological principles and practices applied in Global South and Global North countries, potential learnings between settings, and gaps in the evidence. We call for greater coherence in the development, evaluation and reporting of local food interventions to enable synthesis on their effectiveness and to strengthen evidence on local food approaches aiming to improve human nutrition and planetary health.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42023428104, identifier [CRD42023428104].
Journal Article
Interventions in Small Island Developing States to improve diet, with a focus on the consumption of local, nutritious foods: a systematic review
IntroductionFood security in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) is an international policy priority. SIDS have high rates of nutrition-related non-communicable diseases, including obesity and type 2 diabetes, micronutrient deficiencies and, in many, persistent childhood stunting. This is associated with an increasing reliance on imported processed food of poor nutritional quality. Calls have been made for strengthening local food systems, resilient to climate change, to increase the consumption of nutritious locally produced food. We aimed to systematically review interventions intended to improve diet in SIDS, and specifically explore whether these interventions applied a local food approach.MethodsThe search strategy was applied to 11 databases, including in health, social science and agriculture. Screening of titles, abstracts and data extraction was undertaken in duplicate. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane tools. Narrative synthesis of the results was undertaken. The study protocol was registered (PROSPERO registration number: 2020CRD42020201274).ResultsFrom 26 062 records, 154 full texts were reviewed and 24 were eligible. Included studies were from the Caribbean, Pacific, Mauritius and Singapore. Five were a randomised study design, one an interrupted time series analysis, eight controlled and ten uncontrolled pre-test and post-test. Nine studies included some aspect of a local food approach. Most interventions (n=15) included nutrition education, with evidence of effectiveness largely limited to those that also included practical skills training, such as vegetable gardening or food preparation. Three studies were considered low risk of bias, with the majority (n=13) of moderate risk.ConclusionThere is a lack of robust evidence on interventions to improve diet in SIDS. The evidence suggests that multifaceted approaches are likely to be the most effective, and local food approaches may promote effectiveness, through mechanisms of cultural and contextual relevance. Further development and evaluation of interventions is urgently required to increase the comparability of these studies, to help guide policy on improving nutrition in SIDS.
Journal Article
Responding to the intersecting challenges of non-communicable diseases, food insecurity, and climate change in small island states: the Global Community Food and Health Project
Small island countries of the Caribbean, South-east Asia, and the Pacific are increasingly dependent on food imports, typically of low nutritional quality. This dependence is associated with a decline in local food production and a high burden of nutrition related non-communicable diseases. This paper outlines the rationale, settings, methodology, and theories of change (ToC) of the Global Community Food and Health Project. The project has partnered with communities and stakeholders in Fiji, Palawan (Philippines), St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and St. Lucia to address the question: how can promoting increased community-based food production (CFP) based on agroecological principles improve household diets, nutrition, and food security, while also reducing the incidence of nutrition-related diseases? A further key question being addressed is: what is the environmental, economic and social sustainability of this approach? Our approach engages local stakeholders in food system mapping and co-creation, with “Living Labs” in which setting-specific interventions and ToC with measurable outcomes are designed in each of the four settings. Stakeholders are from local communities, government, local businesses, and civil society. Systematic evidence reviews were conducted and baseline data on household diet and growing practices were collected with locally adapted quantitative and qualitative tools. Interventions, now being implemented, promote environmentally sustainable, and resilient food production based on agroecological principles, while also providing communities with the knowledge and skills to better use local produce. Interventions also include the processing and marketing of produce. The interventions are being evaluated using mixed methods, including an assessment of participant engagement. Our interdisciplinary project provides approaches to engaging with communities and stakeholders to co-create system-wide and complementary interventions that navigate the challenges of improving both population nutrition and sustainable food production. Key to the future success of this work will be learning from and responding to the evaluation of the current interventions, in particular understanding where there are synergies and trade-offs and their implications for ensuring the continuing engagement of, and ownership by, local communities and stakeholders.
Journal Article
Trends in food supply, diet, and the risk of non-communicable diseases in three Small Island Developing States: implications for policy and research
IntroductionSmall island developing states (SIDS) are a diverse group of coastal and tropical island countries primarily located in the Caribbean and Pacific. SIDS share unique social, economic, and environmental vulnerabilities, high dependency on food imports, and susceptibility to inadequate, unhealthy diets, with high burdens of two or more types of malnutrition. Our objective was to examine trends in food availability, imports, local production, and risks of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in three SIDS: Haiti, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and Fiji.MethodsData on food availability, imports, exports, and production was extracted from the Food and Agriculture Organization Database (FAOSTAT), and on overweight, obesity and diabetes prevalence from the NCD Risk Factor Collaboration database (NCD-RisC) from 1980 to 2018. Data were collated, graphed, and used to calculate import dependency ratios (IDRs) using Excel and R software.ResultsBetween 1980 and 2018, the availability of calories per capita per day has risen in Fiji and SVG by over 500, to around 3000. In Haiti, the increase is around 200, to a level of 2,200 in 2018, and in all three settings, > 10% of calories in 2018 came from sugar. In Fiji and Haiti, the availability of fruit and vegetables is <400 g per person per day (the minimum intake recommended by WHO). Between 1980 and 2010, both Fiji and SVG experienced high IDRs: around 80% (Fiji) and 65% (SVG). In Haiti, IDR has more than doubled since 1980, to around 30%. The prevalence of obesity (BMI > 30 Kg/m2) has increased since 1980 (by 126% to 800%) and is substantially higher in women. In the most recent data for Fiji, an estimated 35% of women are obese (24% men); in SVG, 30% women (15% men); and in Haiti, 26% women (15% men).ConclusionThe increase in per capita availability of calories, which has taken place since 1980, is concurrent with an increase in IDR, a loss of local food, and increases in obesity prevalence. These findings highlight the importance of further research to understand the drivers of food supply transformations, and to influence improving nutrition, through production, availability, and consumption of nutritious local foods.
Journal Article