University of Bedfordshire

About: University of Bedfordshire is a education organization based out in Luton, Bedford, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Social work. The organization has 3860 authors who have published 6079 publications receiving 143448 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Luton.

Behavioural responses of pigs to atmospheric ammonia in a chronic choice test

Abstract: The behaviour of two groups offour pigs in concentrations of ammonia gas that are frequently recorded in piggeries (0, 10, 20 and 40 p.p.m.), was continuously observed for 14 days each in a choice test. An octagonally shaped (annular), eight compartment preference chamber was built to house the pigs. Each compartment supplied the pigs with ample food, water and bedding material but differed in the level of atmospheric contamination. Adjacent compartments were separated by plastic curtains, allowing the pigs free access to neighbouring compartments while reducing cross-contamination of the pollutant. The position of the contamination was changed weekly to eliminate positional preferences. The location of the pigs was scan sampled every 15 min and their behaviour at this time was instantaneously recorded. A significantly greater proportion of their time was spent in the unpolluted compartments (53·4%) than in the 10 p.p.m. (26·9%), 20 p.p.m. (7·1%) or 40 p.p.m. (5·1%) compartments (P 0·05). The occupancy pattern was resumed following the rotation of the ammonia concentrations and/or following cleaning (P > 0·05). Higher concentrations of ammonia were visited less often (P = 0·005) and once there, the pigs stayed for a comparatively shorter time (P = 0·003) for approximately 35 min. As the aversion was not immediate, it is suggested that aversion was not due to the odour of ammonia initially experienced on entry. Instead the insidious aversion may be due to a sense of malaise that may develop while a pig is in a polluted atmosphere. The pigs chose to rest (P = 0·002), sit (P = 0·007), feed (P = 0·007) and forage (P = 0·013) more in the unpolluted compartments. Overall more feeding behaviour was observed in the fresh air and more food was consumed in these compartments of the chamber (P = 0·002).

Generation of orbital angular momentum (OAM) radio beams with phased patch array

Abstract: This paper describes the design of an 8-element circular phased patch array antenna which can generate radio beams carrying orbital angular momentum at 10 GHz. Realistic antenna design issues are discussed, including mutual coupling and the array performance when operating in different OAM states.

Serum testosterone, testosterone replacement therapy and all‐cause mortality in men with type 2 diabetes: retrospective consideration of the impact of PDE5 inhibitors and statins

Abstract: SummaryBackground Low testosterone levels occur in over 40% of men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and have been associated with increased mortality. Testosterone replacement together with statins and phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5I) are widely used in men with T2DM. Purpose To determine the impact of testosterone and testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) on mortality and assess the independence of this effect by adjusting statistical models for statin and PDE5I use. Methods We studied 857 men with T2DM screened from five primary care practices during April 2007–April 2009. Of the 857 men, 175/637 men with serum total testosterone ≤ 12 nmol/l or free testosterone (FT) ≤ 0.25 nmol/l received TU for a mean of 3.8 ± 1.2 (SD) years. PDE5I and statins were prescribed to 175/857 and 662/857 men respectively. All-cause mortality was the primary end-point. Cox regression models were used to compare survival in the three testosterone level/treatment groups, the analysis adjusted for age, statin and PDE5I use, BMI, blood pressure and lipids. Results Compared with the Low T/untreated group, mortality in the Normal T/untreated (HR: 0.62, CI: 0.41–0.94) or Low T/treated (HR: 0.38, CI: 0.16–0.90) groups was significantly reduced. PDE5I use was significantly associated with reduced mortality (HR: 0.21, CI: 0.066–0.68). After repeating the Cox regression in the 682 men not given a PDE5I, mortality in the Normal T/untreated and Low T/treated groups was significantly lower than that in the reference Low T/untreated group. Mortality in the PDE5I/treated was significantly reduced compared with the PDE5I/untreated group (OR: 0.06, CI: 0.009–0.47). Conclusions Testosterone replacement therapy is independently associated with reduced mortality in men with T2DM. PDE5I use, included as a confounding factor, was associated with decreased mortality in all patients and, those not on TRT, suggesting independence of effect. The impact of PDE5I treatment on mortality (both HR and OR < 0.25) needs confirmation by independent studies.

Teacher identity in TESOL : A frames perspective

Abstract: This chapter describes the different aspects of teacher identity in Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) in terms of a frames model, building on related prior applications of the notion of framing to English language teaching and to program development and management. It discusses the two categories of the model: Practice-centered/Contextual Frames of Teacher Identity in TESOL. The first set of frames represents teacher identity in TESOL in terms of different orientations to the practices involved in TESOL work. The global facet of TESOL teacher identity connects to content and pedagogical knowledge, as it requires the teacher to be knowledgeable about different varieties of English and conscious of what variety of English is being taught and how it is being taught. The different framings of TESOL work offer different perspectives from which both future teachers and those already teaching can examine aspects of their work-related identity and map a course for change and career development.