City University London

About: City University London is a education organization based out in London, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 5735 authors who have published 17285 publications receiving 453290 citations.

Transmission loss reduction based on FACTS and bacteria foraging algorithm

Abstract: An optimal location and parameters of an UPFC along with values of OLTC taps are tuned with a view to minimize the real power losses of a mesh power network. This issue is formulated as a non-linear equality and inequality constrained optimization problem with an objective function incorporating power loss. A new evolutionary algorithm known as Bacteria Foraging is applied for solving, the optimum location and the amount of series injected voltage for the UPFC, and the best values of the taps present in the system. The same problem is also solved with Interior Point Successive Linearization technique using the LINPROG command of MATLAB. A comparison between the two suggests the superiority of the proposed algorithm.

Prehension deficits in amblyopia.

Abstract: PURPOSE. Visual defects associated with amblyopia have been extensively studied, but their impact on the performance of everyday visuomotor tasks is unclear. This study evaluates eye- hand coordination (prehension) skills in adult amblyopes compared with normal subjects. METHODS. Twenty amblyopes (10 strabismic, 10 nonstrabismic) with different degrees of visual acuity loss (mild, moderate, or severe) and stereodeficiency (reduced or undetectable) participated, along with 20 matched control subjects. Subjects reached, precision grasped, and lifted cylindrical household objects (two sizes, four locations) using binocular vision or just the dominant or amblyopic (nondominant) eye, while the actions of the preferred hand were recorded. Various indices of prehension planning and online control were quantified for all trials (n = 48) performed under each viewing condition. RESULTS. Initial reaching behavior and grip shaping before object contact, which result from movement programming, were relatively normal in the amblyopic subjects, despite their vision losses. By contrast, they exhibited a range of deficits under both binocular and nondominant eye conditions in their final approach to the object (terminal reach) and when closing and applying a grasp. These impairments included prolonged execution times and more errors compared with control subjects, the extents of which covaried with the existing depth of amblyopia, although not with its underlying cause. CONCLUSIONS. Visuomotor adaptations in amblyopes are relatively minor and limited to aspects of movement planning. Their deficits in movement execution should benefit, however, from treatments that restore spatial acuity and binocularity to progressively normal levels and so deserve more explicit consideration when assessing therapeutic outcomes.

Parenting infants conceived by gamete donation.

Abstract: In recent years, concerns have been raised regarding the potentially negative consequences of gamete donation for parent-child relationships. Findings are presented of a study of families with an infant conceived by gamete donation. Fifty donor insemination families and 51 egg donation families were compared with 80 natural conception families on standardized interview and questionnaire measures of the psychological well-being of the parents, the quality of parent-child relationships, and infant temperament. The differences that were identified indicated more positive parent-child relationships among the gamete donation than the natural conception parents, accompanied by greater emotional involvement with the child. Comparisons were also carried out between the donor insemination and the egg donation parents on their experiences of gamete donation. In contrast to the findings of earlier investigations, the donor insemination and egg donation parents appeared to be more open toward disclosing the donor conception to the child. It was concluded that infants conceived by egg or sperm donation did not appear to be at risk for parenting difficulties.

Reflective and Automatic Processes in Health Care Professional Behaviour: a Dual Process Model Tested Across Multiple Behaviours

Abstract: Clinicians’ behaviours require deliberate decision-making in complex contexts and may involve both impulsive (automatic) and reflective (motivational and volitional) processes. The purpose of this study was to test a dual process model applied to clinician behaviours in their management of type 2 diabetes. The design used six nested prospective correlational studies. Questionnaires were sent to general practitioners and nurses in 99 UK primary care practices, measuring reflective (intention, action planning and coping planning) and impulsive (automaticity) predictors for six guideline-recommended behaviours: blood pressure prescribing (N = 335), prescribing for glycemic control (N = 288), providing diabetes-related education (N = 346), providing weight advice (N = 417), providing self-management advice (N = 332) and examining the feet (N = 218). Respondent retention was high. A dual process model was supported for prescribing behaviours, weight advice, and examining the feet. A sequential reflective process was supported for blood pressure prescribing, self-management and weight advice, and diabetes-related education. Reflective and impulsive processes predict behaviour. Quality improvement interventions should consider both reflective and impulsive approaches to behaviour change.