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Enhanced TOA Estimation Using OFDM over Wide-Band Transmission Based on a Simulated Model
Get PDFYesThis paper presents the advantages of using a wideband spectrum adopting multi-carrier to improve targets localization within a simulated indoor environment using the Time of Arrival (TOA) technique. The study investigates the effect of using various spectrum bandwidths and a different number of carriers on localization accuracy. Also, the paper considers the influence of the transmitters' positions in line-of-sight (LOS) and non-LOS propagation scenarios. It was found that the accuracy of the proposed method depends on the number of sub-carriers, the allocated bandwidth (BW), and the number of access points (AP). In the case of using large BW with a large number of subcarriers, the algorithm was effective to reduce localization errors compared to the conventional TOA technique. The performance degrades and becomes similar to the conventional TOA technique while using a small BW and a low number of subcarriers
Sex and age differences in attitudes and intention to adopt personalised nutrition in a UK sample
Get PDFYesThere has been an increase in development of technologies that can deliver personalised dietary advice. Devising healthy, sustainable dietary plans will mean taking consideration of extrinsic factors such as individual social circumstances. The aim of this study was to identify societal groups more or less receptive to and likely to engage with digitally delivered personalised nutrition initiatives.
Sample and Methods: Volunteers were recruited via a social research agency from within the UK. The resultant sample (N=1061) was 49% female, aged 18-65 years.
Results: MANOVA (Tukey HSD applied) indicated that females and younger people (aged 18-29 years) had more favourable attitudes and were more likely to intend to adopt personalised nutrition. There were no differences in attitude toward or intention to adopt personalised nutrition between different education levels, income brackets or occupational groups.
Conclusion: These results imply that females and younger people may be most likely to adopt personalised nutrition in the future. Initiatives to promote personalised nutrition should target males and older people
Et-moone and marketing relationship governance: The effect of digital transformation and ICT during the COVID-19 pandemic
Get PDFYesThis study aims to examine the drivers and impact of et-moone on relational governance within B2B relationships in the Arab Asian region. Building on commitment and trust theory, this study proposes how et-moone could be driven by IT-enabled interactions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected using an online questionnaire survey from the food, pharmaceutical, detergent and sterilizer industries in Jordan and Saudi Arabia. A two-stage structural equation modelling approach was used to test the model. The results largely support the significant impact of et-moone predictors. A strong and significant relationship was also found between et-moone and relational governance. This study expands the theoretical horizon of et-moone by considering a new driver (i.e., IT-enabled interactions) and its consequences in terms of relational governance. The outcomes of the current study also make contributions for both practitioners and researchers who are interested in socio-cultural values (i.e., et-Moone) in Arabic countries. An in-depth discussion on the above is presented in the subsections on theoretical and practical implications
Simulated Annealing-based Multilink Selection Algorithm in SDN-enabled Avionic Networks
Get PDFYesIn this paper, a novel multilink selection framework is developed for different applications with various quality of service (QoS) requirements in avionic systems, based on the multi-attribute decisionmaking model. Two metaheuristic algorithms are proposed to solve this model while optimizing the multilink selection performances. Multilink configuration and multi-homing capabilities are generally required for aircrafts operating in a heterogeneous wireless network environment. The first algorithm, called Analytic Hierarchy Process and Simulated Annealing (AHP-SA), utilises a two-phase process. In Phase one, an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is used to choose the decision weight factors. Then, in Phase two, a simulated annealing process is applied to select suitable networks, for various service requests, based on the weights obtained from first phase. Further, to improve customer satisfaction, Simulated Annealing algorithm for Simultaneous Weights and Network Selection Optimisation (SA-SWNO) is developed, in which a simulated annealing algorithm is applied to dynamically optimise weight factors of objective functions and the request-to-network assignment matrix. Simulation results demonstrates that both proposed algorithms outperform the commonly used price-based or QoS-based network selection scheme with much higher averaged satisfaction degree and lower computational complexity.Cockpit NetwOrk CoMmunications Environment Testing (COMET) Project under the European Commission's Program Clean Sky2 in partnership with the European Aeronautical Industry
Investigating the compatibility of nickel coated carbon nanotubes and cementitious composites through experimental evidence and theoretical calculations
Get PDFYesNickel coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (NiMCNTs) are favorable reinforcing nanofillers for modifying cementitious composites due to their preeminent mechanical properties, electrical conductivity, thermal properties and dispersibility. This paper investigates the mechanical properties and compatibility of NiMCNTs filled cementitious composites, having two different types of cement, two water to cement ratios, and two dosages of five types of NiMCNTs. The results show that 0.06 vol.% NiMCNTs with small aspect ratios can significantly enhance the mechanical properties of cementitious composites, while NiMCNTs with large aspect ratios play a better strengthening effect at 0.03 vol.%. The flexural strength/toughness of cementitious composites containing 0.06 vol.% NiMCNTs with an aspect ratio of 200 can be increased by 19.65%/116.78%. Adding 0.03 vol.% NiMCNTs with an aspect ratio of 1000 enhances the compressive strength/toughness of composites by 18.61%/47.44%. Besides, NiMCNTs have preferable compatibility to cementitious composites prepared by P·O 42.5R cement with a water to cement ratio of 0.3. The enhancement mechanism is related to the denser microstructure and effective suppression of microcracks in the cementitious matrix by NiMCNTs with filling, bridging and pull-out effects, as well as the high interface bond strength between NiMCNTs and matrix. A strength prediction model for NiMCNTs reinforced cementitious composites is also established to estimate the mechanical strength of cementitious composites containing NiMCNTs with different aspect ratios/contents, showing a small relative error within ±6%/±13% for predicted flexural/compressive strength values in comparison with the experimental results.National Science Foundation of China (51908103 and 51978127), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (DUT21RC(3)039)
Targeted microbubbles carrying lipid-oil-nanodroplets for ultrasound-triggered delivery of the hydrophobic drug, Combretastatin A4
Get PDFYesThe hydrophobicity of a drug can be a major challenge in its development and prevents the clinical translation of highly potent anti-cancer agents. We have used a lipid-based nanoemulsion termed Lipid-Oil-Nanodroplets (LONDs) for the encapsulation and in vivo delivery of the poorly bioavailable Combretastatin A4 (CA4). Drug delivery with CA4 LONDs was assessed in a xenograft model of colorectal cancer. LC-MS/MS analysis revealed that CA4 LONDs, administered at a drug dose four times lower than drug control, achieved equivalent concentrations of CA4 intratumorally. We then attached CA4 LONDs to microbubbles (MBs) and targeted this construct to VEGFR2. A reduction in tumor perfusion was observed in CA4 LONDs-MBs treated tumors. A combination study with irinotecan demonstrated a greater reduction in tumor growth and perfusion (P = 0.01) compared to irinotecan alone. This study suggests that LONDs, either alone or attached to targeted MBs, have the potential to significantly enhance tumor-specific hydrophobic drug delivery.The work was funded by the Medical Research Council (grant number: MR/L01629X MRC Medical Bioinformatics Centre) and the EPSRC (grant number EP/P023266/1 Health Impact Partnership). EPSRC (EP/I000623/1, EP/K023845/1). Laura E. McVeigh was funded by an EPSRC PhD Studentship (EP/L504993/1)
Advanced Practice: Research Report
Get PDFYesThe Health Care and Professions Council (HCPC) regulates fifteen different professions; some of
these are large groups like Physiotherapists and some are much smaller such as Speech
and Language Therapists (SLT). Most of the people registered by the HCPC work within their own
areas of clinical expertise and defined professional scope of practice. However, an increasing
number of registrants are undertaking new or additional roles beyond the traditional scope of
practice for the defined profession. These roles are often shared with other medical or health
professionals and persons undertaking these roles are often, but not consistently, referred to
as Advanced Practitioners.
Advanced Practitioners are employed within the NHS across all four countries of the UK and are
also employed by private healthcare providers. The roles they undertake vary from the highly
specialised (e.g. an advanced podiatrist might specialise in biomechanics) to more general roles with
greater professional autonomy and decision-making (e.g. a paramedic working in a GP
Practice assessing patients with undifferentiated acute problems). As a result, there is currently no
consistency in role title, scope of advanced practice, necessary underpinning education
or professional accreditation across the HCPC registered professions. This study was undertaken to
explore these issues and seek opinion on the need for additional regulatory measures for persons
working at an advanced practice level.
NB: For the purposes of this study, advanced practice was considered to encompass all roles,
regardless of role title, where the level of practice undertaken was considered to be advanced.
Method
Three approaches to data collection were undertaken to ensure the differing opinions across all
HCPC registered professions, different stakeholders and the four nations of the UK were collected.
Data were collected through:
1. A UK wide survey of HCPC registered healthcare professionals;
2. A UK wide survey of organisations delivering AHP & scientific advanced practice education;
3. A series of focus groups and interviews across a range of stakeholder groups.
Findings
The concept of advanced level practice was not consistently understood or interpreted across the
different stakeholder groups. Those participants identifying as working at an advanced practice level
undertook a range of activities both within and out with the traditional scope of practice of the
registered profession adding a further layer of complexity. Educational support and availability for
advanced level practice varied across professional groups and inequity of accessibility and
appropriateness of content were raised as concerns. There is no consensus across participant groups
on the need for regulation of advanced level practice. Perceived advantages to additional regulation
were the consistent and equal educational and employer governance expectations, particularly
where multiple professional groups are undertaking the same role, all be it with a differing
professional educational foundation and lens. However, while some voices across the participant
groups felt regulation was essential to assure practice standards and reduce risk of role title misuse,
there was equally a lack of appetite for regulation that inhibited agility to respond to, and reflect,
the rapidly changing healthcare environment and evolving scope of advanced level practice.
Importantly, no evidence was presented from any participant group that advanced level practice
within HCPC regulated professions presents a risk to the public.
Conclusion
The study data presented in this report reflect the complexity of the concept of advanced practice
within the HCPC regulated professions. Much of this is a consequence of the differing speeds of
professional role development across healthcare organisations and professional groups, often
related to service capacity gaps and locally developed education to support local initiatives. Despite
this, there is no clear evidence, based on the findings of this research, that additional regulation of
advanced level practice is needed, or desired, to protect the public. However, as the HCPC is one of
the few organisations with a UK wide remit, it may have a central role in achieving unification across
the 4 nations in relation to the future role expectations, educational standards, and governance of
advanced level practice
Effects of Chemical and Radiation Sterilisation on the Biological and Biomechanical Properties of Decellularised Porcine Peripheral Nerves
Get PDFYesThere is a clinical need for novel graft materials for the repair of peripheral nerve defects. A decellularisation process has been developed for porcine peripheral nerves, yielding a material with potentially significant advantages over other devices currently being used clinically (such as autografts and nerve guidance conduits). Grafts derived from xenogeneic tissues should undergo sterilisation prior to clinical use. It has been reported that sterilisation methods may adversely affect the properties of decellularised tissues, and therefore potentially negatively impact on the ability to promote tissue regeneration. In this study, decellularised nerves were produced and sterilised by treatment with 0.1% (v/v) PAA, gamma radiation (25-28 kGy) or E Beam (33-37 kGy). The effect of sterilisation on the decellularised nerves was determined by cytotoxicity testing, histological staining, hydroxyproline assays, uniaxial tensile testing, antibody labelling for collagen type IV, laminin and fibronectin in the basal lamina, and differential scanning calorimetry. This study concluded that decellularised nerves retained biocompatibility following sterilisation. However, sterilisation affected the mechanical properties (PAA, gamma radiation), endoneurial structure and basement membrane composition (PAA) of decellularised nerves. No such alterations were observed following E Beam treatment, suggesting that this method may be preferable for the sterilisation of decellularised porcine peripheral nerves
A New No Equilibrium Fractional Order Chaotic System, Dynamical Investigation, Synchronization and Its Digital Implementation
Get PDFYesIn this paper, a new fractional order chaotic system without equilibrium is proposed, analyti-cally and numerically investigated, and numerically and experimentally tested. The analytical and numerical investigation were used to describe the system dynamical behaviors including, the system equilibria, the chaotic attractors, the bifurcation diagrams and the Lyapunov expo-nents. Based on the obtained dynamical behaviors, the system can excite hidden chaotic attrac-tors since it has no equilibrium. Then, a synchronization mechanism based on the adaptive con-trol theory has been developed between two identical new systems (master and slave). The adaptive control laws are derived based on synchronization error dynamics of the state varia-bles for the master and slave. Consequently, the update laws of the slave parameters are ob-tained, where the slave parameters are assumed to be uncertain and estimate corresponding to the master parameters by the synchronization process. Furthermore, Arduino Due boards were used to implement the proposed system in order to demonstrate its practicality in real-world applications. The simulation experimental results are obtained by MATLAB and the Arduino Due boards respectively, where a good consistent between the simulation results and the ex-perimental results. indicating that the new fractional order chaotic system is capable of being employed in real-world applications
Investigation of Effect of Aluminium Oxide Nanoparticles on the Thermal Properties of Water-Based Fluids in a Double Tube Heat Exchanger
Get PDFYesThe thermal behavior of aluminium oxide-water nanofluid in a double pipe carbon steel heat
exchanger was investigated in the present study. The overall heat transfer coefficient, Nusselt, and heat
transfer coefficient of nanofluid were compared with the base fluid. The volume fraction of the
nanoparticles was 1%. By adding nanoparticles to the fluid, the thermal properties of the base fluid
improved significantly. The hot and cold fluid flow was considered counter-current, and the nanofluid
was pumped into the inner tube and once into the outer tube, and the flow rate of each fluid was 0.05
kg/s. The convective heat transfer and the overall heat transfer coefficient enhanced 94% and 253% for
the hot fluid flow in the outer tube and 308 % and 144% for the hot fluid flow in the inner tube,
respectively. The pressure drop calculations also showed that the pressure drop would not change
significantly when using nanofluid