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.

The biology of hair diversity

Abstract: Hair diversity, its style, colour, shape and growth pattern is one of our most defining characteristics. The natural versus temporary style is influenced by what happens to our hair during our lifetime, such as genetic hair loss, sudden hair shedding, greying and pathological hair loss in the various forms of alopecia because of genetics, illness or medication. Despite the size and global value of the hair care market, our knowledge of what controls the innate and within-lifetime characteristics of hair diversity remains poorly understood. In the last decade, drivers of knowledge have moved into the arena of genetics where hair traits are obvious and measurable and genetic polymorphisms are being found that raise valuable questions about the biology of hair growth. The recent discovery that the gene for trichohyalin contributes to hair shape comes as no surprise to the hair biologists who have believed for 100 years that hair shape is linked to the structure and function of the inner root sheath. Further conundrums awaiting elucidation include the polymorphisms in the androgen receptor (AR) described in male pattern alopecia whose location on the X chromosome places this genetic contributor into the female line. The genetics of female hair loss is less clear with polymorphisms in the AR not associated with female pattern hair loss. Lifestyle choices are also implicated in hair diversity. Greying, which also has a strong genetic component, is often suggested to have a lifestyle (stress) influence and hair follicle melanocytes show declining antioxidant protection with age and lowered resistance to stress. It is likely that hair research will undergo a renaissance on the back of the rising information from genetic studies as well as the latest contributions from the field of epigenetics.

Can music lessons increase the performance of preschool children in IQ tests

Abstract: The impact of music on human cognition has a distinguished history as a research topic in psychology. The focus of the present study was on investigating the effects of music instruction on the cognitive development of preschool children. From a sample of 154 preschool children of Tehran kindergartens, 60 children aged between 5 and 6 were randomly assigned to two groups, one receiving music lessons and the other (matched for sex, age and mother's educational level) not taking part in any music classes. Children were tested before the start of the course of music lessons and at its end with 4 subtests of the Tehran-Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale (TSB). The experimental group participated in twelve 75-min weekly music lessons. Statistical analysis showed significant IQ increase in participants receiving music lessons, specifically on the TSB verbal reasoning and short-term memory subtests. The numerical and visual/abstract reasoning abilities did not differ for the two groups after lessons. These data support studies that found similar skills enhancements in preschool children, despite vast differences in the setting in which the instruction occurred. These findings appear to be consistent with some neuroimaging and neurological observations which are discussed in the paper.

Method of making gas permeable membranes for amperometric gas electrodes

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a gas-permeable membrane for an amperometric gas electrode comprising demetallizing areas of a metallized film to obtain a regular array of gas-permeable micropores.

Disinfectant testing: use of the Bioscreen Microbiological Growth Analyser for laboratory biocide screening

Abstract: A new method is described for screening potential biocides based on the traditional suspension test using the Bioscreen optical plate reader. This new method is rapid, reproducible, quantitative and cost effective. Data obtained by this new method are not directly equivalent to the log reduction normally quoted, but give a measurement of the total effect of the biocide on the microbe population, measuring the effect of injury as well as death (non-viability). The method allows for the routine examination of disinfection kinetics, the study of which leads to greater scientific insight into disinfection than that achieved by the standard 5 min, one-point, disinfection tests currently employed.

Catching, handling and loading of poultry for road transportation

Abstract: Manual catching, handling and loading of poultry prior to transportation to slaughter have been identified as major sources of stress and trauma to the birds. Whilst extensive but generalized legis...