60419 research outputs found
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Team Processes in Canadian Primary HealthCare : A Realist Review Protocol
No full textTo provide effective, comprehensive care to increasingly complex patients in Canadian communities, healthcare providers are shifting from solo providers of primary care to interprofessional, team-based primary healthcare services. Team-based care is considered one of the most effective means of caring for complex patients, including frail elders and individuals with chronic illness, mental health issues and addictions. Team-based care relies on effective team processes, the social or relational processes that enhance team collaboration and decision making. This realist review will highlight the team processes associated with high-performing teams and provide team development and sustainment strategies for providers and healthcare decision makers
5G Radio Access Network Architecture for Terrestrial Broadcast Services
No full textThe 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has defined based on the Long Term Evolution (LTE) enhanced Multicast Broadcast Multimedia Service (eMBMS) a set of new features to support the distribution of Terrestrial Broadcast services in Release 14. On the other hand, a new 5 th Generation (5G) system architecture and radio access technology, 5G New Radio (NR), are being standardized from Release 15 onwards, which so far have only focused on unicast connectivity. This may change in Release 17 given a new Work Item set to specify basic Radio Access Network (RAN) functionalities for the provision of multicast/broadcast communications for NR. This work initially excludes some of the functionalities originally supported for Terrestrial Broadcast services under LTE, e.g., free to air, receive-only mode, large-area single frequency networks, etc. This paper proposes an enhanced Next Generation RAN architecture based on 3GPP Release 15 with a series of architectural and functional enhancements, to support an efficient, flexible and dynamic selection between unicast and multicast/broadcast transmission modes and also the delivery of Terrestrial Broadcast services. The paper elaborates on the Cloud-RAN based architecture and proposes new concepts such as the RAN Broadcast/Multicast Areas that allows a more flexible deployment in comparison to eMBMS. High-level assessment methodologies including complexity analysis and inspection are used to evaluate the feasibility of the proposed architecture design and compare it with the 3GPP architectural requirements
Purely organic 4HCB single crystals exhibiting high hole mobility for direct detection of ultralow-dose X-radiation
No full textPrecise detection of low-dose X-radiation using purely organic direct detectors is vital for tissue-equivalent dosimeters and safety control in medical radiation treatment, but it still remains a challenge. Here, we report a promising organic radiation detector based on 4-hydroxycyanobenzene (4HCB, C7H5NO) single crystals. Plate-like 4HCB single crystals up to 18 × 15 × 1.2 mm3 in size are obtained by an optimized solvent evaporation method, thanks to the clarification of the two-dimensional nucleation growth mechanism. After post surface treatment, the leakage current of the 4HCB detector is no larger than 0.1 pA under an electric field of 600 V cm−1. The fabricated detectors show a capability of detecting 241Am 5.49 MeV α particles with a well resolved full energy peak. The calculated hole mobility (μh) and hole mobility lifetime product (μτ)h are 3.40 cm2 V−1 s−1 and 8.50 × 10−5 cm2 V−1, respectively. Simultaneously, under a 50 kVp X-ray beam, a detection limit as low as 0.29 μGyair s−1 with a high sensitivity of 10 μC Gyair−1 cm−2 is achieved in the bias range of 40–100 V, contributing to a superior X-ray imaging capability with a spatial resolution of 0.9 lp mm−1 at a low-dose rate (below 150 μGyair s−1) of exposure
Mhealth for remote monitoring and management of Parkinson’s disease: determinants of compliance and validation of a tremor evaluation method
No full textBackground: mhealth, predominantly wearable technology and mobile apps, have been considered in Parkinson’s Disease to provide valuable ecological data between face to face visits and improve monitoring of motor symptoms remotely.
Objective: In this study we explore the feasibility of using a technology based mhealth platform comprising a smartphone in combination with a smartwatch and a pair of smart insoles, described in the present study as the PD_manager system, to collect clinically meaningful data. We also explore outcomes and disease related factors which are important determinants to establish feasibility. Finally, we further validate a tremor evaluation method with data collected while patients perform their daily activities.
Methods: PD_manager trial was an open label parallel group randomized study. The mheath platform consists of a wristband, a pair of sensor insoles, a smartphone (with dedicated mobile Android apps and a knowledge platform) serving as the cloud backend. The compliance was assessed with statistical analysis and the factors affecting it using appropriate regression analysis. The correlation of the scores of our previous algorithm for tremor evaluation and the respective UPDRS estimations by clinicians were explored.
Results: There were 65 of the 75 study participants (87%) who completed the protocol. They used the PD_manager system for a median 11.57 days (Std. dev. 3.15). The regression analysis suggests that the main factor associated with high usage was caregivers’ burden. Motor Aspects of Experiences of Daily Living and patients’ self-rated health status also influence the system’s usage. Our algorithm provided clinically meaningful data for the detection and evaluation of tremor.
Conclusions: We found that PD patients, regardless of their demographics and disease characteristics, used the system for 11-14 days. The study further supports that mhealth can be an effective tool for the ecologically valid, passive, unobtrusive monitoring and evaluation of symptoms. Future studies will be required to demonstrate that an mhealth platform can improve disease management and care.</p
Length scales in turbulent free shear flows
No full textWe address the important point of the proportionality between the longitudinal integral lengthscale (L) and the characteristic mean flow width (δ) using experimental data of an axisymmetric wake and a turbulent planar jet. This is a fundamental hypothesis when deriving the self-similar scaling laws in free shear flow. We show that L/δ is indeed constant, at least in a range of streamwise distances between 15 and 50 times the characteristic inlet dimension. We revisit turbulence closure models such as the Prandtl mixing length and the eddy viscosity in the light of the non-equilibrium dissipation scaling. We show that the mixing length model does not comply with the scalings stemming from the non-equilibrium version of the theory even if it does comply with the theory's equilibrium version. Similarly, the eddy viscosity model holds in the case of the non-equilibrium version of the theory provided that the eddy viscosity is constant everywhere. We conclude by comparing the results of the different models with each other and with experimental data and with an improved model (following Townsend) that corrects for the eddy viscosity by considering the intermittency of the flow
Approximate filtering of conditional intensity process for Poisson count data: Application to urban crime
No full textThe primary focus is a sequential data assimilation method for count data modelled by an inhomogeneous Poisson process. In particular, a quadratic approximation technique similar to the extended Kalman filter is applied to develop a sub-optimal, discrete-time, filtering algorithm, called the extended Poisson-Kalman filter (ExPKF), where only the mean and covariance are sequentially updated using count data via the Poisson likelihood function. The performance of ExPKF is investigated in several synthetic experiments where the true solution is known. In numerical examples, ExPKF provides a good estimate of the “true” posterior mean, which can be well-approximated by the particle filter (PF) algorithm in the very large sample size limit. In addition, the experiments demonstrates that the ExPKF algorithm can be conveniently used to track parameter changes; on the other hand, a non-filtering framework such as a maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) would require a statistical test for change points or implement time-varying parameters. Finally, to demonstrate the model on real-world data, the ExPKF is used to approximate the uncertainty of urban crime intensity and parameters for self-exciting crime models. The Chicago Police Department’s CLEAR (Citizen Law Enforcement Analysis and Reporting) system data is used as a case study for both univariate and multivariate Hawkes models. An improved goodness of fit measured by the Kolomogrov-Smirnov (KS) statistics is achieved by the filtered intensity. The potential of using filtered intensity to improve police patrolling prioritisation is also tested. By comparing with the prioritisation based on MLE-derived intensity and historical frequency, the result suggests an insignificant difference between them. While the filter is developed and tested in the context of urban crime, it has the potential to make a contribution to data assimilation in other application areas
Low Temperature Growth of Carbon Nanotubes – A Review
No full textCarbon nanotubes (CNTs) have gained much interest from academia and industry due to their unique properties that include high electrical and thermal conductivity, high mechanical strength, high aspect ratio, high surface area and chemical resistance. Although composite structures containing CNTs are probably the most commercially advanced applications in the market, the area that holds most promise is in electronic applications. Low temperature CVD growth of high quality CNTs can be utilized in many applications particularly next generation IoTs, wearable electronic devices, TSVs, interconnects, and sensors. CNT growth temperature generally reported in literature ranges from 600 – 1000oC, which is not suitable for temperature sensitive substrates. However, there is ongoing research to achieve CNT growth at low temperatures, with a number reporting the growth below 550oC. In this review, we examine and discuss various techniques and approaches adopted to achieve growth of carbon nanotubes at low temperatures and its effect on various parameters of CNTs
Beneficial bacteria activate type-I interferon production via the 1 intracellular cytosolic sensors STING and MAVS
No full textType-I interferon (IFN-I) cytokines are produced by immune cells in response to microbial infections, 2cancer and autoimmune diseases, and subsequently trigger cytoprotective and antiviral responses through the activation of IFN-I stimulated genes (ISGs). The ability of intestinal microbiota to modulate innate immune responses is well-known, but the mechanisms underlying such responses remain elusive. Here we report that the intracellular sensors stimulator of IFN genes (STING) and mitochondrial antiviral signalling (MAVS) are essential for the production of IFN-I in response to lactic acid bacteria (LAB), common gut commensal bacteria with beneficial properties. Using human macrophage cells we show that LAB strains that potently activate the inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB are poor inducers of IFN-I and conversely, those triggering significant amounts of IFN-I fail to activate NF-κB. This IFN-I response is also observed in human primary macrophages, which modulate CD64 and CD40 upon challenge with IFN-I-inducing LAB. Mechanistically, IFN-I inducers interact more intimately with phagocytes as compared to NF-κB-inducers, and fail to activate IFN-I in the presence of phagocytosis inhibitors. These bacteria are then sensed intracellularly by the cytoplasmic sensors STING and, to a lesser extent, MAVS. Accordingly, macrophages deficient for STING showed dramatically reduced phosphorylation of TANK-binding kinase (TBK)-1 and IFN-I activation, which resulted in lower expression of ISGs. Our findings demonstrate a major role for intracellular sensing and STING in the production of IFN-I by beneficial bacteria and the existence of bacteria-specific immune signatures, which can be exploited to promote cytoprotective responses and prevent overreactive NF-κB-dependent inflammation in the gut
Millimetre wave lens and transmitarray antennas for scan loss mitigation
No full textBeam steering impairments adversely affect antenna performance at wider steering angles. Scan loss degrades the antenna gain, and hence the link budget. To address this problem, antennas designs based on phased arrays, lenses, and transmitarrays are proposed. Millimetre wave beamforming within 5G cell sectors is considered as an application scenario. Feed networks for an 8-element phased array, operating at 28 GHz, were designed using unequal power dividers. A Taylor amplitude distribution was applied to reduce the sidelobe level to -15.2 dB at boresight. Prototypes were fabricated in microstrip, using meanders to steer the beam. Cascaded Fresnel lenses were placed around the array, to enhance the gain. By tilting the lenses to align with the steered beam, the lenses increased the gain by 3.19 dB at ±52°, and by a further 1.5 dB when repositioned in simulation. Asymmetric amplitude distributions were applied to the array to prevent the main lobe from splitting. Diffraction theory was used to analyse the focusing properties of the lens arrangement. The fabricated prototype exhibited a bandwidth of 1.75 GHz. Antennas were designed and simulated for line-of-sight MIMO scenarios. An envelope correlation coefficient below 0.0356 was maintained for both designs. 2D SISO beam steering was also simulated. Achievable data rates were estimated from the antenna parameters, and the effect of interference was evaluated. Scan loss was mitigated for the two antenna rows within the focal region. A conformal transmitarray was designed, using 1-bit unit cells based on crossed-slots. A unit cell placement rule was proposed to reduce the number of electronically reconfigurable cells by 59%. A measured gain of 12.5 dBi and a simulated total efficiency of 75% were obtained at boresight and the maximum steering angle of 53°. By combining reconfigurable lenses with phased arrays, the focusing directivity is able to mitigate scan loss
A novel Intrusion Detection System against spoofing attacks in connected Electric Vehicles
No full textThe Electric Vehicles (EVs) market has seen rapid growth recently despite the anxiety about driving range. Recent proposals have explored charging EVs on the move, using dynamic wireless charging that enables power exchange between the vehicle and the grid while the vehicle is moving. Specifically, part of the literature focuses on the intelligent routing of EVs in need of charging. Inter-Vehicle communications (IVC) play an integral role in intelligent routing of EVs around a static charging station or dynamic charging on the road network. However, IVC is vulnerable to a variety of cyber attacks such as spoofing. In this paper, a probabilistic cross-layer Intrusion Detection System (IDS), based on Machine Learning (ML) techniques, is introduced. The proposed IDS is capable of detecting spoofing attacks with more than 90% accuracy. The IDS uses a new metric, Position Verification using Relative Speed (PVRS), which seems to have a significant effect in classification results. PVRS compares the distance between two communicating nodes that is observed by On-Board Units (OBU) and their estimated distance using the relative speed value that is calculated using interchanged signals in the Physical (PHY) layer
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