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Summary: Previous work has found adverse mental health symptomology in women living with obesity, compared with those of healthy weight, around the time of pregnancy. This meta‐analysis aimed to explore the association between anxiety, depression, and weight status in women living with obesity before, during, and after pregnancy. Bibliographic databases were systematically searched, and 14 studies were included, which aimed to assess the association between excess weight and anxiety or depression outcomes in women before, during, or after pregnancy. Data were analyzed via narrative synthesis and random effects multi‐level meta‐analyses. Scores on mental health indices were significantly greater (indicative of worse anxiety/depression) in women with obesity compared to women of a healthy weight, around the time of pregnancy (SMD = 0.21 [95% CI: 0.11–0.31; 95% prediction intervals: 0.13–0.56], I2 = 73%, p < 0.01). Depressive symptoms were greater during and after pregnancy (SMD = 0.23 [95% CI: 0.13–0.34; 95% prediction intervals: −0.12 to 0.59], I2 = 75.0%, p < 0.01), and trait anxiety symptoms were greater during pregnancy (SMD = 0.24 [95% CI: 0.01–0.47; 95% prediction intervals: −0.25 to 0.72], I2 = 83.7%, p = 0.039) in women living with obesity, compared to those of healthy weight. Narrative evidence suggests that socioeconomic status and ethnicity may modify the relationship between obesity and mental health symptomology. The findings indicate that maternal obesity is associated with greater anxiety and depression symptoms. These findings may inform the design of maternal weight management interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A design for overlapping electrodes for use with thin-film nonlinear optical polymer waveguides is analyzed. The suggested electrode structure serves both to pole birefringent waveguides in a polymer film and to apply rf modulation to the waveguide thus defined. This structure is also designed to mi capacitance, to maximize electro-optic overlap, and to not require a conducting substrate or surface coating of the substrate. A figure-of-merit is developed to optimize both the longitudinal and the transverse geometry of this electrode structure. A fabrication approach to this general design is pr Optical characterization data are presented for prototype optical phase modulators fabricated by thi design. Fiber coupling losses, propagation losses, and dependence of propagation losses upon claddin thicknesses, composition, and electrode composition are presented. Key words: Nonlinear optical polymers, optical modulators, modulator electrode designs., A new overlapping-electrode configuration for the design of nonlinear optical waveguides made from polymer thin films is introduced. The new geometry results in enhanced channel waveguide poling and radio frequency modulation while optimizing electro-optic overlap and doing away with a conducting substrate. A fabrication procedure based on photolithography is also given for the design presented.

The question on the importance of 'reproduction' in feminist theory and research is revisited in context of postmodern feminist theorising of women and of the allegedly 'post-feminist realities' of women's lives. The issues arising from the place and displacement of 'reproduction' both in women's lives and in feminist theory and research are analyzed.

The article offers updates of the public health guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) during November 2013 to February 2014. These updates include acute, maternity and mental health services of smoking cessation, approaches of behavior change, and how services can respond effectively on domestic violence and abuse.