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Electrochemiluminescent detection of donepezil
Get PDFThe move towards personalized precision medicine, requires monitoring of drug therapies as well as progression makers. Indeed, the monitoring of drug therapies is essential for the continuing evolution of precision medicine in conjunction with drug development and targeted treatment strategies. This study presents the feasibility of electrochemiluminescence (ECL) for the detection of donepezil hydrochloride (DZ) as a proof-of-concept for point-of-care applications within human pooled serum and artificial urine. ECL has the potential to be an easily understood point-of-care sensor increasing its potential for translation as the intensity of the emitted light is proportional to the target analyte concentration. This proof-of-concept demonstrated its ability to detect DZ over the clinically relevant concentration range of 0.5 to 1000 μM, and was effective at detecting 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 7.5 μM spiked into human pooled serum and artificial urine. While more development is still needed, this highlights the applicability of electrochemical sensors, including ECL based sensors, for point-of-care devices with the reduction of sample preparations improving its feasibility for clinical and point-of-care applications
A step towards ultrasonic guided wave monitoring for resin infusion front position estimation in composites manufacturing
Get PDFResin infusion paired with Out of Autoclave (OoA) curing offers an alternative to infrastructure-heavy autoclave-based manufacturing. However, lower fibre volume fractions and increased porosity from uneven resin flow limit the adoption of OoA processes in safety-critical applications. Consequently, there is demand for in-situ monitoring tools to track resin progression and ensure full permeation. Prior methods, including optical fibres and electromagnetic sensors, can infer front position but are intrusive or hard to scale. This research investigates leaky Lamb waves generated by ultrasonic transducers embedded in the top lid of an infusion mould. To isolate wave-fluid interactions, liquid-only measurements in a 2.0 mm thick infusion box are collected, removing laminate heterogeneity and enabling acquisition of controllable consecutive measurements, enabling the development and validation of predictive models under well-defined conditions. Attenuation of the fundamental antisymmetric mode (A0) as resin reaches the sensing region was demonstrated through theoretical and simulation-based analysis, highlighting the potential of Ultrasonic Guided Waves (UGW) for real-time fluid tracking. A custom experimental setup enabled consistent repeatable measurements of an advancing liquid front. A parametric study investigated the effects of geometry and fluid on signal amplitude, determining sensor spacing for sensitivity and areal coverage. Ultrasonic measurements were correlated with time-stamped images of the resin front through a machine-vision algorithm. Several functional approximation methods were applied to estimate liquid position from ultrasonic data, capturing the general trends in flow behaviour. The models yielded robust predictions, with mean errors of 5-7% of the sensor spacing, despite environmental variations and system nonlinearities contributing to data variability
N-Heterocyclic carbene stabilized aluminium alkyls and their reactivity towards NHC-alanes
Get PDFHerein, we report the synthesis of several new NHC-stabilized aluminium alkyl species [NHCAlR3] (for NHC = ICy, R = Me, iBu; NHC = IMes and IDip, R = iBu) via coordination of the respective free carbene to AlMe3 or AliBu3. Attempts to access Al-Al bonded species (dialumanes) via reactions with the respective NHCAlH3 complexes did not yield the desired Al(II) complexes via R-H elimination, instead yielding the R/H ligand scrambled complexes NHCAlR2H and NHCAlRH2, respectively. These mixed ligand species were characterized by 1H, 13C{1H} and multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, with select cases characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies
Enhancing transient performance of hybrid distribution transformer using event-triggered proportional-integral repetitive controller
Get PDFA proportional–integral repetitive controller (PIRC) can be employed in hybrid distribution transformers (HDTs) to control voltages and currents across multiple frequencies for the steady-state performance improvement. However, the transient performance of a PIRC under grid faults or step change conditions deteriorates due to the coupling effect between its proportional and repetitive components. Based on the derived transfer function of the PIRC in relation to the HDT, this article reveals that the mismatched dynamic response speeds between the PI and RC loops are the primary cause of the control coupling effect. This mismatch leads to the accumulation of step tracking errors into the next fundamental frequency cycle in the RC loop. To address this issue, a novel event-triggered PIRC (ET-PIRC) scheme is proposed to eliminate the control coupling effect and enhance the HDT’s transient performance. The main contribution of this article is the adoption of an event-triggered control based on the principle of dynamically adjusting the control efforts of the PI and RC loops in response to the step tracking errors, thereby mitigating the inherent coupling between them. During step changes, this approach accelerates the transient response of the PI loop while driving the step tracking error in the RC loop to zero, effectively decoupling the two control loops. The robustness and stability of the ET-PIRC are also examined. Comparative simulation and experimental results validate the feasibility of the proposed control method and its superior transient response performance
Beyond gestational diabetes : maternal and offspring health and lifestyle 3 years postnatally in a secondary analysis of the UPBEAT trial cohort
Get PDFBackground - Gestational diabetes (GDM) is associated with increased future obesity risk in affected mothers and children. Objective - We assessed if dietary behaviours learnt during a GDM pregnancy positively impact maternal and child health 3 years postpartum. Method - In a secondary analysis, we included women with obesity recruited to the UPBEAT randomised controlled trial with 3-year follow-up postnatally (n = 441). Maternal and offspring anthropometry and dietary data were recorded antenatally and at follow-up. Data were assessed using linear/logistic regression, adjusting for confounders. Results - Women with GDM (22%) had higher BMI (median 35.6 vs. 34.2 kg/m2; p = 0.049) and energy intake (1738.2 vs. 1551.6 kcal/day; p = 0.005) at ~16 weeks' gestation compared to unaffected women, but lower gestational weight gain (4.5 kg vs. 6.6 kg; p 0.5). GDM-exposed infants had a higher birthweight (55.4 vs. 45.9th centile; p = 0.008) than unexposed infants and at 3 years of age were more likely to be overweight/obese (International Obesity Task Force, IOTF, standards; OR 2.32; 95% CI 1.38, 3.91) but with similar skinfold thicknesses and dietary patterns. Conclusion - Women with GDM demonstrated reduced gestational weight gain, and despite a higher BMI than women without GDM in early pregnancy, this difference was not evident at 3 years postpartum. However, while maternal and offspring dietary behaviours were comparable between groups, exposed offspring were at increased risk of overweight/obesity at 3 years of age
An integrated multi-objective optimization framework for large-scale floating offshore wind turbine
Get PDFThis paper proposes a multi-objective optimization framework for large-scale floating offshore wind turbines, addressing the limitations of current optimization methods in handling motion performance interaction effects during the co-optimization of floating platforms and mooring systems. A multi-objective genetic algorithm was employed to minimize the cost of the floating platform and mooring system while ensuring motion performance and safety, accelerating the design cycle through an automated optimization workflow. The constraint functions are mainly established according to industry standards and requirements, then given adequate safety margins for motion through reference points. The optimization process conducts systematic feasibility verification through integrated calculations under multidirectional wave headings and coupled wind-wave load conditions, encompassing equilibrium analysis, intact stability evaluation, mooring line tension failure assessment, natural period computation, and frequency-domain RAO analysis. Time-domain simulation is used to verify the effectiveness of the optimal pareto front solutions concerning motion performance and mooring safety, demonstrating the reliability of the proposed multi-objective optimization framework. The proposed approach offers new insights into the efficient design optimization of large-scale FOWTs, providing an efficient and reliable tool for their commercial engineering design optimization
Changing our principles : a reply to 'Fault or need? The UK’s approach to disability benefits since the Second World War' by Gareth Millward
No full textSome of the most urgent voices issuing concerns about Basic Income (BI) have come from disabled people and the organisations representing them (DPOs – disabled people’s organisations). Many charge that BI will not provide a sufficient income for disabled people with significant and complex needs. They worry that an insufficient income will further marginalise disabled people and undermine their ability to have a fulfilling, meaningful life. Even if a Basic Income Plus (BI+) were introduced, providing additional funding for those who require it, there are fears that the testing regimes established to determine an individual’s level of support would not be based on need, but rather on a standardised medical model of impairment which is effectively geared towards cutting costs. The fact that BI has attracted libertarian admirers has undoubtedly sparked concerns that the policy could be used to whittle away at the welfare state even further, putting services that disabled people (and others) rely on in jeopardy
Analysis and implementation of DVB-S2 in the UHF band for STRATHcube downlink communications
No full textThis paper outlines the downlink system design for STRATHcube, a student-led CubeSat project at the University of Strathclyde. Performance and link analyses were conducted, analysing communication windows over the course of the mission and expected theoretical performance. The design was implemented in hardware using MathWorks HDL Coder and initial code developed for packet handling in software. Initial performance analysis was conducted in comparison to a reference implementation which uses Constant Coding and Modulation (CCM) and optimises for maximum availability. Our CubeSat downlink design showed a significant uplift in performance over the course of the mission compared to the reference, achieving 3.19× the data throughput. Additionally, resource analysis of the target FPGA SoC and the implemented design, as well as timing analysis, show that the system will be implementable in hardware
Specifying designers' empathy experiences in Virtual Reality : a literature review
No full textEmpathy is pivotal for designers in gaining insight into their users’ perspectives. However, its multifaceted nature can impede the design process, emphasizing the need for a more structured approach. This research leverages the perspective-taking and embodiment capabilities of Virtual Reality (VR) technology to examine ways to enhance designers’ empathy experiences toward users. This review synthesizes multidisciplinary literature from psychology, empathic design, and empathy in VR, to outline how empathy can be facilitated in VR. The outcome of this review is a unique specification that outlines elements embedded in a VR experience constructed to evoke designer empathy toward their users. The specification adopts a broad approach to empathy, valuing more-than-human perspectives, diversity in empathy responses, and a shared knowledge database of empathy outcomes. Future work will integrate the specification into an operational VR environment to empirically evaluate its effectiveness. This research lays the groundwork for evolving empathic design toward post-humanist design solutions that prioritize inclusivity, ecological and social value
Experimental motion and load comparison of rigidly and hinged connected very large floating platforms
Get PDFVery large floating structures (VLFS) could provide a new approach to floating wind foundations due to their capacity to host multiple wind turbines into a single platform. Nonetheless, further evidence of their motion and loading performance is needed. Among the existing options, very large hydroelastic platforms or hinged connected platforms with multiple pontoons can be deployed. However, a comparative experimental assessment of both type of platforms is missing in the literature. To this aim, we test the response of a laboratory scale rigidly and hinged connected VLFS subject to different regular wave conditions. The rigidly connected VLFS emulates a hydroelastic platform, whilst the hinged connected VLFS is built with two hinges. We demonstrate experimentally, an improved load alleviation of the hinged connected VLFS compared to the rigidly connected VLFS. Results are modelled numerically through a Discrete-Module-Beam (DMB) method. Our findings suggest that although both type of platforms can contribute to offshore survivability, hinged connected VLFS could have an edge due to an improved load alleviation. This work aims to contribute to the development of novel floating foundations and provides a benchmark experimental database for hydroelastic and hinged connected VLFS
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