University of Westminster

About: University of Westminster 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 2944 authors who have published 8426 publications receiving 200236 citations. The organization is also known as: Westminster University & Royal Polytechnic Institution.

The relationship between secretory immunity, mood and life-events

Abstract: Twelve subjects volunteered to take part in a short trial involving daily life-event and mood recording over a period of up to two weeks. On each day subjects also provided timed saliva samples. Aggregated data across the trial period revealed that unstimulated secretion rate of secretory immunoglobulin A from whole saliva correlated strongly and significantly with net desirable event reporting, defined as a subject's tendency to report relatively frequent desirable events and relatively infrequent undesirable events. Correlations with positive and negative mood were insignificant, although the pattern of results was in line with hypotheses. Within-subject analyses revealed a totally contrary pattern of results. In particular, negative mood was significantly associated with higher sIgA secretion rate. Analyses involving total sIgA concentration paralleled those using secretion rate. Results are discussed in relation to psychoneuroimmunological models of illness vulnerability, particularly upper respiratory infection, and previous findings in regard to secretory immunity.

Transformation of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol by free and immobilized fungal laccase.

Abstract: Laccase from the white rot fungus Coriolus versicolor was immobilized on Celite R-637 by covalent binding with glutaraldehyde. After a sharp primary decline in activity (up to 50%), the retained enzyme activity was stable over a storage period of 33 days at 4°C. A comparative study of soluble and immobilized laccases revealed the increased resistance of immobilized enzyme to the unfavourable effects of alkaline pH, high temperature and the action of inhibitors. A combination of these properties of immobilized laccase resulted in the ability to oxidize 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-TCP) at 50°C at pH 7.0. The reactions of soluble and immobilized laccase with 2,4,6-TCP were examined in the presence and absence of redox mediators. 3,5-Dichlorocatechol, 2,6-dichloro-1,4-benzoquinone and 2,6-dichloro-1,4-hydroquinone were found to be the primary products of 2,4,6-TCP oxidation by laccase; oligo- and polymeric compounds were also found.

Impacts of an active travel intervention with a cycling focus in a suburban context: One-year findings from an evaluation of London’s in-progress mini-Hollands programme

Abstract: © 2018 The Authors Background: More evidence is needed on the impacts of building infrastructure for walking and cycling. A knowledge gap and an implementation gap have been mutually reinforcing. This paper reports on a longitudinal study examining the impacts of the still in progress ‘mini-Hollands programme’, which seeks to transform local environments for walking and cycling, in three Outer London boroughs. Compared to Inner London, Outer London has low levels of cycling and low levels of walking, and is relatively car dependent. Methods: We conducted a longitudinal study of 1712 individuals sampled from households in mini-Holland boroughs (intervention sample) and from non mini-Holland Outer London boroughs (control sample). The intervention sample was further divided, a priori, into those living in “high-dose neighbourhoods”, where substantial changes to the local walking and cycling infrastructure had been implemented, versus “low-dose neighbourhoods” where such improvements had not (yet) been made. At both baseline (2016) and one-year follow-up (2017), we administered an online survey of travel behaviour and attitudes to transport and the local environment. Results: One year's worth of interventions was associated with an increase in active travel among those living in areas defined as ‘high-dose’ neighbourhoods. Specifically, those in high-dose areas were 24% more likely to have done any past-week cycling at follow-up, compared to those living in non mini-Holland areas (95% CI, 2% to 52%). The mid-point estimate for increase in active travel (walking plus cycling) time for the same group was an additional 41.0 min (95% CI 7.0, 75.0 min). Positive changes in views about local environments were recorded in intervention areas, driven by a perceived improvement in cycling-related items. Controversy related to the interventions is expressed in a growth in perceptions that ‘too much’ money is spent on cycling in intervention areas. However, intervention areas also saw a reduction in perceptions that ‘too little’ money is spent (the latter view being common both at baseline and Wave 1 in control areas). Conclusion: Overall, the findings here suggest that programme interventions, while controversial, are having a measurable and early impact on active travel behaviour and perceptions of the local cycling environment.

The Wilderness Expedition An Effective Life Course Intervention to Improve Young People’s Well-Being and Connectedness to Nature

Abstract: It is well understood that wilderness expeditions improve well-being; however, there is little supporting quantitative data. The aim of this study was to measure the impact of wilderness expeditions on self-esteem (SE) and connectedness to nature (CN) and assess whether benefits varied according to participant and expedition characteristics. SE and CN were assessed pre– and post–wilderness expeditions in 130 adolescents using Rosenberg’s SE scale and the state CN scale. Two-way ANOVA revealed significant increases in SE and CN (p < .001) as a result of single expeditions. There was also an interaction effect of expedition and gender on SE (p < .05). Males had a higher SE at the start but female SE increased most. Linear regression revealed that living environment, gender, and the length and location of the expedition did not contribute to changes in SE and CN. Regular contact with natural environments will improve adolescent well-being, with the largest improvements in females.

Beyond regulation: risk pricing and responsible innovation.

Abstract: Harnessing the potential for the insurance industry to drive responsible technological innovation.