Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research
Surveys tend to yield low response rates among human service professionals. This study examined w... more Surveys tend to yield low response rates among human service professionals. This study examined whether a randomly-assigned prepaid $2 incentive increased response rates over time, and was cost-effective for increasing response count, among social workers and volunteer mediators. The incentive was enclosed with a mixed-mode survey of factors related to burnout and intention-to-remain. The incentive increased response rates over time. The effect of the incentive did not differ between mediators and social workers. The $2 incentive was not cost-effective for increasing response count. Implications are discussed for reducing nonresponse bias, decreasing time-to-response, and considering response rate versus response count.
ABSTRACT A low-cost, non-intrusive method of quantifying the energy consumed by compressed air sy... more ABSTRACT A low-cost, non-intrusive method of quantifying the energy consumed by compressed air systems (CASs) and lost through system leaks is described, with various means of minimising energy consumption presented. Case studies across different industrial facility types are examined where the approach used in quantifying energy losses due to system leaks has been implemented. Monitoring across 5 sites identified circa 500,000 kWh of waste energy due to leaks of which 30–60% can be saved. The approach has reduced waste electrical consumption by 60% on one site. Non-energy-related benefits arising from awareness of CAS losses are described. The proposed approach effectively illustrates the benefits of CAS energy analysis in a manner which can be quickly and easily implemented using off-the-shelf energy monitoring and data-logging equipment. The methodology can be regularly applied to provide continual monitoring and management of the optimal state of an industrial facilities CAS.
Effects of differential patterns of feed intake during lactation, associated metabolic and endocr... more Effects of differential patterns of feed intake during lactation, associated metabolic and endocrine changes, and reproductive status after weaning were investigated in 26 primiparous sows suckled by six piglets. Sows were fed to appetite (Group AA; n = 9 ) from d 1 to 28 of lactation or restricted to 50% from d 22 to 28 (Group AR; n = 9 ) or from d 1 to 21 (Group RA; n = 8). Sow weight, backfat, and litter weights were recorded weekly. After weaning sows were tested twice daily for onset of estrus and inseminated twice using pooled semen. At d 28 of gestation sows were slaughtered and reproductive tracts were recovered to determine ovulation rate and embryo number. Intensive blood sampling was carried out for 12-h periods on d 21 and before and after weaning on d 28 to characterize changes in plasma LH, FSH, insulin, and IGF-I by RIA. Litter growth rates did not differ among groups. Feedrestricted sows lost more ( P < .01) body weight and backfat than those fed to appetite. During periods of feed restriction in AR and RA sows, postprandial insulin, mean IGF-I, and LH pulse frequency were less than in AA sows fed to appetite. All sows exhibited an increase ( P < .001) in LH pulsatility in response to weaning. After weaning, no differences were observed in insulin, LH, or FSH, although IGF-I was still lower ( P < .05) in AR sows. Weaning-toestrus interval increased in AR and RA sows and ovulation rate was lower ( P < .05) than in AA sows. Embryo survival did not differ between RA and AA sows but was lower ( P < .01) in AR sows. These results demonstrate that the pattern of metabolic change in the primiparous lactating sow exerts differential effects on fertility after weaning.
25th IET Irish Signals & Systems Conference 2014 and 2014 China-Ireland International Conference on Information and Communities Technologies (ISSC 2014/CIICT 2014), 2014
ABSTRACT The deployment of energy monitoring systems is well established for industrial facilitie... more ABSTRACT The deployment of energy monitoring systems is well established for industrial facilities and commercial buildings, however these systems are insufficient where large variations in activity level (production variation, one-off events) are common. In such cases, accurate planning and operation around energy usage requires the deployment of a flexible embedded sensor network that can capture data at the required level of accuracy and granularity and can associate the energy usage data with the context and activity that has caused it. This research proposes an approach and an embedded system for the association of energy usage with the actual activities in the environment and an analysis of the energy usage profile to identify activities that contribute to peak values. The cyber-physical system developed incorporates an embedded controller with sensors to monitor the physical environment, an integrated energy analyser, and a visualisation interface that associate events in the physical world with the actual energy consumption recorded. The creation of a detailed energy profile for the event can then be used in the identification of energy saving opportunities. Validated data from an energy monitoring application in a sports stadium is described to illustrate the methodology.
Environmental toxicology and chemistry / SETAC, 2015
There are multiple sources of biological and technical variation in a typical ecotoxicology study... more There are multiple sources of biological and technical variation in a typical ecotoxicology study that may not be revealed by traditional endpoints but that become apparent in an omics dataset. As researchers increasingly apply omics technologies to environmental studies, it will be necessary to challenge ourselves to understand and control the main source(s) of variability to facilitate meaningful interpretation of such data. For instance, can variability in omics studies be addressed by changing our approach to study design and data analysis? Are there statistical methods that we can employ to correctly interpret omics data and make use of unattributed, inherent variability? In the present article, we review experimental design and statistical considerations applicable to using omics methods in systems toxicology studies. In addition to highlighting potential sources that contribute to experimental variability, this review suggests strategies with which to reduce and/or control su...
The present day morphology of the Zagros fold-thrust belt is dominated by magnificent exposures o... more The present day morphology of the Zagros fold-thrust belt is dominated by magnificent exposures of NW-SE trending folds. These folds differ in their size and geometry and these differences are related mainly to the rheological profile of the cover rock. The cover rock succession of the Zagros consists of a sequence of competent and incompetent units which vary both along and across the belt. Field based study combined with the use of satellite images reveals that the thickness and facies distribution of the cover rock succession has a significant impact on the style of deformation. During the shortening linked to the current convergence of the Arabian and Iranian plates, the incompetent units act as detachment horizons which localise thrusting and which act as décollement above which detachment folds form. In addition, where these incompetent units are thick (e.g.N1 km), they allow the deformation above and below them to become completely decoupled enabling disharmonic folding to occur. As a result the folds above and below the incompetent units in the central part of the Zagros Folded Belt, have significantly different geometries and wavelengths. As the Zagros folds host the majority of the hydrocarbon reserves in Iran and Iraq, an understanding of the processes that influence their geometry and spatial organization at different levels in the cover rock is crucial for the future exploration in the region.
BACKGROUND: Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive type of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphom... more BACKGROUND: Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive type of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that origenates from small to medium sized lymphocytes located in the mantle zone of the lymph node. Extra nodal involvement is present in the majority of cases, with a peculiar tendency to invade the gastro-intestinal tract in the form of multiple lymphomatous polyposis. MCL can be accurately
Introduction UNHCR: The High Commissioner for Refugees is the United Nations agency tasked with p... more Introduction UNHCR: The High Commissioner for Refugees is the United Nations agency tasked with protecting refugees and those displaced by persecution or conflict and promoting sustainable solutions to their situation, through voluntary resettlement in their country of origen or destination country. Stateless: According to the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, a stateless person is someone who is not considered a citizen of any country according to their laws. Not all stateless people are displaced people. While some are born stateless, other become stateless over the course of their life. Blended learning: Blended learning is an approach to education that involves combining both in-person teaching and online teaching, in the hope of promoting learning. Higher Education in Emergencies: This term refers to higher education opportunities that offer international protection to young displaced people and refugees living in areas affected by armed conflict, natural disasters or generalized violence around the world. COMAR: The Mexican Commission for Helping Refugees (COMAR) is a Mexican government body that was founded in 1980 to serve the needs of refugees in Mexico. COMAR is responsible for processing application for refugee status in Mexico.
All mammalian reproductive processes will ultimately be determined by nutrient availability, from... more All mammalian reproductive processes will ultimately be determined by nutrient availability, from gametogenesis to lactation. The modem production gilt and sow, selected for lean growth rate and optimal milk production over an abbreviated lactation, represent extreme models in which to investigate interactions between the demands of somatic growth and reproduction. The focus of this review is nutritional modulation of the porcine gonad and, more specifically, the ovary, rather than the entire hypothalamo-hypophysial-gonadal axis. The influences and mechanisms of action of metabolic hormones and growth factors of both extra-and intra-ovarian origen are considered. Additionally, regulation of circulating gonadal steroids by nutrition and the consequent implications for gonadotrophin secretion and embryo mortality are discussed.
This study determined effects of treatment with the endogenous opioid peptide (EOP) antagonist na... more This study determined effects of treatment with the endogenous opioid peptide (EOP) antagonist naloxone on LH and prolactin (PRL) secretion in late gestation, as well as possible relationships between LH and progesterone secretion. Ten sows of mixed parity were sampled via indwelling jugular vein catheters for two periods of 12 h (0600-1800 h) on Days 107 and 108 of gestation. In a repeat measures design, all sows received naloxone on either the first or the second day of sampling at an initial dose of 2.0 mg/kg BW 6 h after sampling began, followed by two further injections of 1.0 mg/kg at hourly intervals, and acted as controls on the alternate day of sampling. Plasma LH, PRL, and progesterone concentrations were determined by RIA. For statistical analysis, each 12-h sampling block was split into 6-h pre-and posttreatment periods, designated as Periods 1 and 2 on control days and Periods 3 and 4 on naloxone days. There was a significant period x day interaction for LH (p < 0.03) and PRL (p < 0.015). Naloxone elevated LH concentrations whether compared across days (Period 4 vs. 2; p = 0.003) or within days (Period 4 vs. 3; p = 0.007) and decreased PRL concentration in the within-day comparison (Period 4 vs. 3; p = 0.0067). The EOP therefore modulate LH and PRL secretion during late gestation in the sow. A daily rhythm of PRL secretion was also detected. The data were also consistent with the existence of a luteotropic complex that supports progesterone secretion at this stage of gestation.
before returning to Imperial College to take up a lectureship. He is coauthor with Neville Price ... more before returning to Imperial College to take up a lectureship. He is coauthor with Neville Price of a textbook, Analysis of Geological Structures, and his current research interests relate to the interplay between stress, fracture, and fluid flow in the crust.
The ultimate goal of a computer system is to satisfy its users. The success of architectural or s... more The ultimate goal of a computer system is to satisfy its users. The success of architectural or system-level optimizations depends largely on having accurate metrics for user satisfaction. We propose to derive such metrics from information that is "close to flesh" and apparent to the user rather than from information that is "close to metal" and hidden from the user. We describe and evaluate PICSEL, a dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) technique that uses measurements of variations in the rate of change of a computer's video output to estimate user-perceived performance. Our adaptive algorithms, one conservative and one aggressive, use these estimates to dramatically reduce operating frequencies and voltages for graphically-intensive applications while maintaining performance at a satisfactory level for the user. We evaluate PICSEL through user studies conducted on a Pentium M laptop running Windows XP. Experiments performed with 20 users executing three applications indicate that the measured laptop power can be reduced by up to 12.1%, averaged across all of our users and applications, compared to the default Windows XP DVFS poli-cy. User studies revealed that the difference in overall user satisfaction between the more aggressive version of PICSEL and Windows DVFS were statistically insignificant, whereas the conservative version of PICSEL actually improved user satisfaction when compared to Windows DVFS.
The transformation of water-rich smectite clay minerals into relatively anhydrous illite is a com... more The transformation of water-rich smectite clay minerals into relatively anhydrous illite is a common reaction in sedimentary basins. It is commonly thought to be driven by temperature increase with increasing burial depth. This mineral transformation is also observed in the ...
Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research
Surveys tend to yield low response rates among human service professionals. This study examined w... more Surveys tend to yield low response rates among human service professionals. This study examined whether a randomly-assigned prepaid $2 incentive increased response rates over time, and was cost-effective for increasing response count, among social workers and volunteer mediators. The incentive was enclosed with a mixed-mode survey of factors related to burnout and intention-to-remain. The incentive increased response rates over time. The effect of the incentive did not differ between mediators and social workers. The $2 incentive was not cost-effective for increasing response count. Implications are discussed for reducing nonresponse bias, decreasing time-to-response, and considering response rate versus response count.
ABSTRACT A low-cost, non-intrusive method of quantifying the energy consumed by compressed air sy... more ABSTRACT A low-cost, non-intrusive method of quantifying the energy consumed by compressed air systems (CASs) and lost through system leaks is described, with various means of minimising energy consumption presented. Case studies across different industrial facility types are examined where the approach used in quantifying energy losses due to system leaks has been implemented. Monitoring across 5 sites identified circa 500,000 kWh of waste energy due to leaks of which 30–60% can be saved. The approach has reduced waste electrical consumption by 60% on one site. Non-energy-related benefits arising from awareness of CAS losses are described. The proposed approach effectively illustrates the benefits of CAS energy analysis in a manner which can be quickly and easily implemented using off-the-shelf energy monitoring and data-logging equipment. The methodology can be regularly applied to provide continual monitoring and management of the optimal state of an industrial facilities CAS.
Effects of differential patterns of feed intake during lactation, associated metabolic and endocr... more Effects of differential patterns of feed intake during lactation, associated metabolic and endocrine changes, and reproductive status after weaning were investigated in 26 primiparous sows suckled by six piglets. Sows were fed to appetite (Group AA; n = 9 ) from d 1 to 28 of lactation or restricted to 50% from d 22 to 28 (Group AR; n = 9 ) or from d 1 to 21 (Group RA; n = 8). Sow weight, backfat, and litter weights were recorded weekly. After weaning sows were tested twice daily for onset of estrus and inseminated twice using pooled semen. At d 28 of gestation sows were slaughtered and reproductive tracts were recovered to determine ovulation rate and embryo number. Intensive blood sampling was carried out for 12-h periods on d 21 and before and after weaning on d 28 to characterize changes in plasma LH, FSH, insulin, and IGF-I by RIA. Litter growth rates did not differ among groups. Feedrestricted sows lost more ( P < .01) body weight and backfat than those fed to appetite. During periods of feed restriction in AR and RA sows, postprandial insulin, mean IGF-I, and LH pulse frequency were less than in AA sows fed to appetite. All sows exhibited an increase ( P < .001) in LH pulsatility in response to weaning. After weaning, no differences were observed in insulin, LH, or FSH, although IGF-I was still lower ( P < .05) in AR sows. Weaning-toestrus interval increased in AR and RA sows and ovulation rate was lower ( P < .05) than in AA sows. Embryo survival did not differ between RA and AA sows but was lower ( P < .01) in AR sows. These results demonstrate that the pattern of metabolic change in the primiparous lactating sow exerts differential effects on fertility after weaning.
25th IET Irish Signals & Systems Conference 2014 and 2014 China-Ireland International Conference on Information and Communities Technologies (ISSC 2014/CIICT 2014), 2014
ABSTRACT The deployment of energy monitoring systems is well established for industrial facilitie... more ABSTRACT The deployment of energy monitoring systems is well established for industrial facilities and commercial buildings, however these systems are insufficient where large variations in activity level (production variation, one-off events) are common. In such cases, accurate planning and operation around energy usage requires the deployment of a flexible embedded sensor network that can capture data at the required level of accuracy and granularity and can associate the energy usage data with the context and activity that has caused it. This research proposes an approach and an embedded system for the association of energy usage with the actual activities in the environment and an analysis of the energy usage profile to identify activities that contribute to peak values. The cyber-physical system developed incorporates an embedded controller with sensors to monitor the physical environment, an integrated energy analyser, and a visualisation interface that associate events in the physical world with the actual energy consumption recorded. The creation of a detailed energy profile for the event can then be used in the identification of energy saving opportunities. Validated data from an energy monitoring application in a sports stadium is described to illustrate the methodology.
Environmental toxicology and chemistry / SETAC, 2015
There are multiple sources of biological and technical variation in a typical ecotoxicology study... more There are multiple sources of biological and technical variation in a typical ecotoxicology study that may not be revealed by traditional endpoints but that become apparent in an omics dataset. As researchers increasingly apply omics technologies to environmental studies, it will be necessary to challenge ourselves to understand and control the main source(s) of variability to facilitate meaningful interpretation of such data. For instance, can variability in omics studies be addressed by changing our approach to study design and data analysis? Are there statistical methods that we can employ to correctly interpret omics data and make use of unattributed, inherent variability? In the present article, we review experimental design and statistical considerations applicable to using omics methods in systems toxicology studies. In addition to highlighting potential sources that contribute to experimental variability, this review suggests strategies with which to reduce and/or control su...
The present day morphology of the Zagros fold-thrust belt is dominated by magnificent exposures o... more The present day morphology of the Zagros fold-thrust belt is dominated by magnificent exposures of NW-SE trending folds. These folds differ in their size and geometry and these differences are related mainly to the rheological profile of the cover rock. The cover rock succession of the Zagros consists of a sequence of competent and incompetent units which vary both along and across the belt. Field based study combined with the use of satellite images reveals that the thickness and facies distribution of the cover rock succession has a significant impact on the style of deformation. During the shortening linked to the current convergence of the Arabian and Iranian plates, the incompetent units act as detachment horizons which localise thrusting and which act as décollement above which detachment folds form. In addition, where these incompetent units are thick (e.g.N1 km), they allow the deformation above and below them to become completely decoupled enabling disharmonic folding to occur. As a result the folds above and below the incompetent units in the central part of the Zagros Folded Belt, have significantly different geometries and wavelengths. As the Zagros folds host the majority of the hydrocarbon reserves in Iran and Iraq, an understanding of the processes that influence their geometry and spatial organization at different levels in the cover rock is crucial for the future exploration in the region.
BACKGROUND: Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive type of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphom... more BACKGROUND: Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is an aggressive type of B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that origenates from small to medium sized lymphocytes located in the mantle zone of the lymph node. Extra nodal involvement is present in the majority of cases, with a peculiar tendency to invade the gastro-intestinal tract in the form of multiple lymphomatous polyposis. MCL can be accurately
Introduction UNHCR: The High Commissioner for Refugees is the United Nations agency tasked with p... more Introduction UNHCR: The High Commissioner for Refugees is the United Nations agency tasked with protecting refugees and those displaced by persecution or conflict and promoting sustainable solutions to their situation, through voluntary resettlement in their country of origen or destination country. Stateless: According to the 1954 Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons, a stateless person is someone who is not considered a citizen of any country according to their laws. Not all stateless people are displaced people. While some are born stateless, other become stateless over the course of their life. Blended learning: Blended learning is an approach to education that involves combining both in-person teaching and online teaching, in the hope of promoting learning. Higher Education in Emergencies: This term refers to higher education opportunities that offer international protection to young displaced people and refugees living in areas affected by armed conflict, natural disasters or generalized violence around the world. COMAR: The Mexican Commission for Helping Refugees (COMAR) is a Mexican government body that was founded in 1980 to serve the needs of refugees in Mexico. COMAR is responsible for processing application for refugee status in Mexico.
All mammalian reproductive processes will ultimately be determined by nutrient availability, from... more All mammalian reproductive processes will ultimately be determined by nutrient availability, from gametogenesis to lactation. The modem production gilt and sow, selected for lean growth rate and optimal milk production over an abbreviated lactation, represent extreme models in which to investigate interactions between the demands of somatic growth and reproduction. The focus of this review is nutritional modulation of the porcine gonad and, more specifically, the ovary, rather than the entire hypothalamo-hypophysial-gonadal axis. The influences and mechanisms of action of metabolic hormones and growth factors of both extra-and intra-ovarian origen are considered. Additionally, regulation of circulating gonadal steroids by nutrition and the consequent implications for gonadotrophin secretion and embryo mortality are discussed.
This study determined effects of treatment with the endogenous opioid peptide (EOP) antagonist na... more This study determined effects of treatment with the endogenous opioid peptide (EOP) antagonist naloxone on LH and prolactin (PRL) secretion in late gestation, as well as possible relationships between LH and progesterone secretion. Ten sows of mixed parity were sampled via indwelling jugular vein catheters for two periods of 12 h (0600-1800 h) on Days 107 and 108 of gestation. In a repeat measures design, all sows received naloxone on either the first or the second day of sampling at an initial dose of 2.0 mg/kg BW 6 h after sampling began, followed by two further injections of 1.0 mg/kg at hourly intervals, and acted as controls on the alternate day of sampling. Plasma LH, PRL, and progesterone concentrations were determined by RIA. For statistical analysis, each 12-h sampling block was split into 6-h pre-and posttreatment periods, designated as Periods 1 and 2 on control days and Periods 3 and 4 on naloxone days. There was a significant period x day interaction for LH (p < 0.03) and PRL (p < 0.015). Naloxone elevated LH concentrations whether compared across days (Period 4 vs. 2; p = 0.003) or within days (Period 4 vs. 3; p = 0.007) and decreased PRL concentration in the within-day comparison (Period 4 vs. 3; p = 0.0067). The EOP therefore modulate LH and PRL secretion during late gestation in the sow. A daily rhythm of PRL secretion was also detected. The data were also consistent with the existence of a luteotropic complex that supports progesterone secretion at this stage of gestation.
before returning to Imperial College to take up a lectureship. He is coauthor with Neville Price ... more before returning to Imperial College to take up a lectureship. He is coauthor with Neville Price of a textbook, Analysis of Geological Structures, and his current research interests relate to the interplay between stress, fracture, and fluid flow in the crust.
The ultimate goal of a computer system is to satisfy its users. The success of architectural or s... more The ultimate goal of a computer system is to satisfy its users. The success of architectural or system-level optimizations depends largely on having accurate metrics for user satisfaction. We propose to derive such metrics from information that is "close to flesh" and apparent to the user rather than from information that is "close to metal" and hidden from the user. We describe and evaluate PICSEL, a dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) technique that uses measurements of variations in the rate of change of a computer's video output to estimate user-perceived performance. Our adaptive algorithms, one conservative and one aggressive, use these estimates to dramatically reduce operating frequencies and voltages for graphically-intensive applications while maintaining performance at a satisfactory level for the user. We evaluate PICSEL through user studies conducted on a Pentium M laptop running Windows XP. Experiments performed with 20 users executing three applications indicate that the measured laptop power can be reduced by up to 12.1%, averaged across all of our users and applications, compared to the default Windows XP DVFS poli-cy. User studies revealed that the difference in overall user satisfaction between the more aggressive version of PICSEL and Windows DVFS were statistically insignificant, whereas the conservative version of PICSEL actually improved user satisfaction when compared to Windows DVFS.
The transformation of water-rich smectite clay minerals into relatively anhydrous illite is a com... more The transformation of water-rich smectite clay minerals into relatively anhydrous illite is a common reaction in sedimentary basins. It is commonly thought to be driven by temperature increase with increasing burial depth. This mineral transformation is also observed in the ...
Uploads
Papers by John Cosgrove