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Determination of energy resolution for YSO:Ce detector modelled with FLUKA code
Get PDFData Access Statement: Supplementary data to this article can be found online at DOI URL: https://doi.org10.6084/m9.figshare.20521047 .In this paper, a 5×5×5 mm 3 YSO:Ce scintillator detector was modelled with FLUKA code, and calculations for the determination of energy resolution are reported using energies of 59.5, 81, 356, and 661.7 keV. We measured the energy resolution of the scintillator detector in the photon energy range of 59.5 to 661.7 keV using radioactive Am-241, Ba-133, and Cs-137 sources and compared the results with the computed energy resolution obtained using FLUKA, the comparison between simulated and measured resolution showing good agreement. This study shows that the FLUKA code can be used to determine the expected energy resolution successfully, saving both financial cost and time in the development of new scintillators and radiation sensors.This work was performed as a part of Ph.D. project under EPSRC DTP grant EP/T518116/1 and the authors would like to thank EPSRC for financial support, and Brunel University London for facilitating this research
Carbon source competition within the wound microenvironment can significantly influence infection progression.
Get PDFData availability:
The RNA-seq datasets produced in this study are available at the National Center for Biotechnology Information Gene Expression Omnibus public database under accession number GSE236405.It is becoming increasingly apparent that commensal skin bacteria have an important role in wound healing and infection progression. However, the precise mechanisms underpinning many of these probiotic interactions remain to be fully uncovered. In this work, we demonstrate that the common skin commensal Cutibacterium acnes can limit the pathogenicity of the prevalent wound pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa in vivo. We show that this impact on pathogenicity is independent of any effect on growth, but occurs through a significant downregulation of the Type Three Secretion System (T3SS), the primary toxin secretion system utilised by P. aeruginosa in eukaryotic infection. We also show a downregulation in glucose acquisition systems, a known regulator of the T3SS, suggesting that glucose availability in a wound can influence infection progression. C. acnes is well known as a glucose fermenting organism, and we demonstrate that topically supplementing a wound with glucose reverses the probiotic effects of C. acnes. This suggests that introducing carbon source competition within the wound microenvironment may be an effective way to prevent or limit wound infection.R.R.M.C. is supported by the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy BSAC-2018-0095. R.R.M.C. and E.M. are supported by the NC3Rs PhD Studentship NC/V001582/1. R.R.M.C. is supported by a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council New Investigator Award BB/V007823/1 and Medical Research Council Grant MR/Y001354/1. R.R.M.C. is also supported by the Academy of Medical Sciences/the Wellcome Trust/the Government Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy/the British Heart Foundation/Diabetes UK Springboard Award [SBF006\1040]
Large-Eddy Simulation of Structured Porous Coatings
Get PDFPorous coated cylinders have the potential to reduce the vortex shedding tonal noise as well as broadband noise compared to an uncoated cylinder, although the mechanism of noise reduction is not fully understood. Recent studies show that such benefits can be obtained for both randomised porous coatings as well as structured porous coatings. These coatings have been gaining interest due to their potential application in various fields, such as landing gear struts, wind turbine structures and heat exchangers. The current study presents the first fully resolved Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) of a Structured Porous Coated Cylinder (SPCC). High-fidelity LES data is presented modelling a spanwise section at Re = 73,000
(based on outer diameter). Wake profiles of streamwise mean and RMS velocity profiles are presented and compared with an uncoated cylinder and forms a basis to inform and improve Darcy-Forchheimer porous modelling. Boundary layer development on the inner cylinder and shear layer trajectory is also presented. Unsteady data is recorded using a novel solver-independent HDF5-based I/O library developed by Upstream CFD GmbH.We are grateful to the UK Materials and Molecular Modelling Hub for com-
putational resources, which is partially funded by EPSRC (EP/P020194/1 and EP/T022213/1). As a consortium partner, access to these resources was provided by Brunel University London. The authors would like to thank EPSRC for the computational time made available on the UK supercomputing facility ARCHER/ARCHER2 via the UK Turbulence Consortium (EP/R029326/1)
The relationship between playing musical instruments and cognitive trajectories: Analysis from a UK ageing cohort
Get PDFData availability statement: The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Background:
The accumulation of age-associated cognitive deficits can lead to Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and dementia. This is a major public health issue for the modern ageing population, as it impairs health, independence and overall quality of life. Keeping the brain active during life has been associated with an increased cognitive reserve, therefore reducing the risk of cognitive impairment in older age. Previous research has identified a potential relationship between musicality and cognition.
Objectives:
Explore the relationship between musicality and cognitive function in a large cohort of older adults.
Methods:
This was a nested study within the PROTECT-UK cohort, which collects longitudinal computerised assessments of cognitive function in adults over 40. Participants were invited to complete the validated Edinburgh Lifetime Musical Experience Questionnaire (ELMEQ) to assess their musical experience and lifetime exposure to music. Linear regression analysis was performed using cognitive data from PROTECT-UK.
Results:
Analysis identified an association between musicality and cognition in this cohort. Playing a musical instrument was associated with significantly better performance in working memory and executive function. Significant associations were also found between singing and executive function, and between overall musical ability and working memory.
Conclusions:
Our findings confirm previous literature, highlighting the potential value of education and engagement in musical activities throughout life as a means of harnessing cognitive reserve as part of a protective lifestyle for brain health.NIHR Exeter BRC;
NIHR Maudsley Biomedical Research Centre;
National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration South West Peninsula
Rehabilitation via HOMe Based gaming exercise for the Upper-limb post Stroke (RHOMBUS): a qualitative analysis of participants’ experience
Get PDFObjective To report participants’ experiences of trial processes and use of the Neurofenix platform for home-based rehabilitation following stroke. The platform, consisting of the NeuroBall device and Neurofenix app, is a non-immersive virtual reality tool to facilitate upper limb rehabilitation following stroke. The platform has recently been evaluated and demonstrated to be safe and effective through a non-randomised feasibility trial (RHOMBUS).
Design Qualitative approach using semistructured interviews. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using the framework method.
Setting Participants’ homes, South-East England.
Participants Purposeful sample of 18 adults (≥18 years), minimum 12 weeks following stroke, not receiving upper limb rehabilitation prior to the RHOMBUS trial, scoring 9–25 on the Motricity Index (elbow and shoulder), with sufficient cognitive and communicative abilities to participate.
Results Five themes were developed which explored both trial processes and experiences of using the platform. Factors that influenced participant’s decision to take part in the trial, their perceptions of support provided during the trial and communication with the research team were found to be important contextual factors effecting participants’ overall experience. Specific themes around usability and comfort of the NeuroBall device, factors motivating persistence and perceived effectiveness of the intervention were highlighted as being central to the usability and acceptability of the platform.
Conclusion This study demonstrated the overall acceptability of the platform and identified areas for enhancement which have since been implemented by Neurofenix. The findings add to the developing literature on the interface between virtual reality systems and user experience.
Trial registration number ISRCTN60291412.Innovate UK (grant number: 104188
A Therapeutic Landscape for Some but Not for All: An Ethnographic Exploration of the Bethlem Royal Hospital Parkrun
Get PDFThis study sought to explore the experiences of those involved in the Bethlem parkrun. A mobile ethnography employing participant observation and informal discussion was conducted on the grounds of the hospital in London, United Kingdom. The findings focused on “what it is like” to participate in this parkrun and were organized into two themes: (a) Bethlem as a Shared Leisure Space and (b) Shared Leisure Space, But for Whom? Findings illustrated the emplaced and relational experiences of some participants in this “therapeutic landscape,” while highlighting that the events were exclusionary for others, namely service-users. These findings contrast the therapeutic landscapes literature, which largely assumes their benefits are experienced equally. This work may provide further understanding of the individual and collective experiences of parkrun
Biomonitoring Environmental Exposure in Syrian Refugees in Lebanon
Get PDFData Availability Statement:
Data underpinning this publication can be accessed from Brunel University London’s data repository, Figshare, here under a CCBY license: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.25360525.Over one million Syrian refugees have been residing in substandard living conditions in Lebanon for the past decade. Non-invasive biomonitoring of fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) as a pulmonary inflammation biomarker was conducted following and preceding indoor environmental assessments (which revealed elevated mould counts in informal tented settlements and non-residential shelters) to further evaluate effects of environmental exposure to indoor contaminants. Results of biomonitoring (n = 57) provided some insight regarding existing respiratory conditions and the possible implementation of minimally invasive methods to establish susceptibility profiles in Syrian refugees amid limited access to healthcare. The clinical interpretation of FeNO results suggested possible persistent exposure to allergens in addition to significant type 2 inflammation in some subjects. These findings warrant the need to expand this study, investigate other biomarkers, and attempt to correlate findings with environmental conditions to evaluate if a dose–response relationship exists.This study received no external funding
Practice Supervision and Assessment in Nursing, Health and Social Care
No full textThis is an essential guide for all health and social work practitioners supporting an increasing number of learners, trainees, apprentices and pre-registration students engaging in practice-based and work-based learning. Applying educational learning theory to underpin the role and practice of the contemporary practice supervisor, assessor and educator, this accessible book presents strategies for practice learning and personal development
Pressure Drop and Heat Transfer Characteristics in a Microchannel with Pin-Fins
Get PDFPin-fin heat sinks are now considered one of the possible solutions for the thermal management of small-scale devices requiring high heat dissipation rates. Pin-fins with fixed diameters, different heights and spacing were numerically investigated in the current study for a range of Re=200-1000. The micro-channel cross-section with pins at the bottom surface measures 55 mm in length and has a cross-sectional area of 1 mm x 1 mm. The fin height ranges from 0.2 to 0.8 mm and the distance between pin-fins ranges from 3-6 mm. The fins had a circular cross section 0.25 mm in diameter. The Box-Behknen method was used to determine the number of numerical runs based on the parametric range of pin height and spacing and the Re number. Input data and corresponding outputs were presented using the Genetic Aggregation Response Surface Methodology. An optimum pin height and spacing in terms of heat transfer rates was obtained. It has been observed that at the optimum design, considering the highest Performance Evaluation Criteria (PEC) value the microchannel with pin-fins, can provide an enhancement of 364% in heat transfer rates compared to the microchannel without pins, while the corresponding increase in pressure drop reaches up to 162%. Correlations are proposed for heat transfer and pressure drop calculations able to predict the numerical results mostly within 10%.Alişan Gönül acknowledges support through the TÜBİTAK BİDEB (2219 Programme) for this one-year fellowship for postdoctoral studies at Brunel University London. The research described in this paper relates to a grant to Brunel University London by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council of the UK (EP/T033045). Thanks are also due to Dr. Ali H. Al-Zaidi for his valuable comments on the draft copy of the paper
Performance of vacuum-insulated central pipes for deep borehole heat exchangers in geothermal systems
Get PDFGeothermal energy is considered a promising future energy prospect, with the geothermal well outlet temperature being one of the important parameters affecting possible utilization options. For ground source heat pump applications or direct district heating, using lower temperatures can be acceptable. However, efficient electricity production requires a higher enthalpy gradient, which cannot be achieved without high temperature at the wellhead. The selection of the dry co-axial close-loop deep borehole systems (DBHE) may be, in some cases, very beneficial. The operating performance of co-axial DBHE can be optimized if the undesired heat transfer between the central pipe and annular fluid zones is minimized. Therefore, the operational performance of such a system depends strongly on the high thermal resistance of the central pipe. The most common option would be a low thermal conductivity material, such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE). In addition, vacuum-insulated tubing (VIT) used as the central pipe could be considered. The article presents results from the study aimed at the comparison of the homogeneous central pipe made of HDPE material and the gap-insulated central pipe. In the study, various air pressure levels as well as variations of surface emissivity were examined to reveal the effect on the heat transfer between the fluid channels. The simulation has been performed using a new purposely developed WellTH simulation software. A coaxial heat exchanger system using a VIT outperforms significantly the heat exchanger with an HDPE for deep geothermal wells. However, this advantage diminishes for shallow wells and therefore this tendency should be considered in the design stage.None declared
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