922017 research outputs found
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How do we meaningfully involve people in primary care research from marginalised communities?
No full textCounter-Example Guided Neural Network Compression Refinement (CEG4N)
No full textNeural networks are essential components of learning-basedsoftware systems. However, their high compute, memory, and power requirements make using them in low resources domains challenging. For this reason, neural networks are often compressed before deployment. Existing compression techniques tend to degrade the network accuracy.We propose Counter-Example Guided Neural Network Compression Refinement (CEG4N). This technique combines search-based quantization and equivalence verification: the former minimizes the computational requirements, while the latter guarantees that the network’s output does not change after compression. We evaluate CEG4N on a diverse set of benchmarks that include large and small networks. Our technique was successful at compressing the networks in our evaluation while producing models with up to 72% better accuracy than state-of-the-art techniques
Current insights into skin lipids and their roles in cutaneous health and disease
No full textPurpose of review: The unique and complex array of cutaneous lipids include essential components of the skin structure and signalling molecules mediating homeostasis and inflammation. Understanding skin lipid biology and metabolism can support our comprehension of health and disease, including systemic conditions with cutaneous involvement. Recent findings: Lipids found on the skin surface, produced by both the host and resident microbes, maintain and regulate the skin microbiome and the epidermal barrier, whilst altered contributions from either source can be detrimental to skin health. The unique lipid composition of the epidermal barrier is essential for its function, and recent studies have expanded our understanding of epidermal ceramide production. This has been supported by improved models available for skin research, including organotypic skin models enabling in vitro production of complex acylceramides for the first time, and model systems facilitating in silico exploration of the lipid profile changes observed in clinical samples. Studies have revealed further involvement of lipid mediators such as eicosanoids in cutaneous inflammation, as well as immune regulation in both healthy and diseased skin.Summary: Skin lipids offer exciting opportunities as therapeutic targets for many conditions, whether through topical interventions or nutritional supplementation.<br/
Guideline adherence predicts Survival of Candidemia in Europe: Results from the ECMM Candida III multinational European Cohort Study
No full textBackgroundThe European Confederation of Medical Mycology (ECMM) collected data on epidemiology, risk factors, treatment, and outcomes of culture proven candidemia across Europe in order to assess how adherence to guideline recommendations correlate with outcomes.MethodsEach participating hospital (number of eligible hospitals per country determined by population size) included the first ~10 culture proven candidemia cases after 01-July-2018 and entered data into the ECMM Candida III database on the FungiScope® platform. EQUAL Candida Scores reflecting adherence to recommendations of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) and Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA) Guidelines were assessed.FindingsA total of 632 candidemia cases were included from 60 institutions in 20 European countries. Overall mortality was 46.4% (286/617), and older age, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and rare Candida spp. as causative pathogens were independent predictors of mortality in Cox regression analysis. EQUAL Candida Score was evaluable for 589 cases with candidemia and remained an independent predictor of mortality in the multivariable Cox regression analyses after adjusting for age, ICU admission and rare Candida spp. (adjusted hazard ratios between 1.074 and 1.087 per 1 point decrease; pInterpretationWhile overall mortality of candidemia was 46%, our study indicates that adherence to clinical guideline recommendations, reflected by higher EQUAL Candida Scores, may increase survival. Echinocandin treatment was associated with increased overall survival, but also longer duration of hospitalization (hospitalization was prolonged only for completing treatment in 16%).<br/
Acceptability of reducing sedentariness using a mobile-phone application based on ‘if then’ plans for people with psychosis: a focus-group study conducted in the North West of the UK
No full textObjective: To understand the acceptability of (a) reducing sedentary-behaviour in people with psychosis using ‘if-then’ plans and (b) the proposed app content.Design: Qualitative acceptability study. Method: Three structured focus-groups and an interview were conducted with eight participants who had experience of a psychotic episode. They discussed sedentary-behaviour, being more active, critical situations in which they may be tempted to be sedentary and solutions to these (the if-then plans), and a mock-up of the mobile application. The Theoretical Framework of Acceptability (TFA) was used to analyse qualitatively the transcripts.Results: All TFA constructs were coded in each of the transcripts. The idea of reducing sedentary-behaviour was acceptable to people with psychosis, participants knew the importance of being more active, however it is not always their main priority. Likewise, the proposed content of the app was found to be acceptable, with participants already using some of the proposed solutions.Conclusion: This was the first study to use the TFA framework to assess the acceptability of an app that uses critical situations and solutions (“if-then plans”) to help reduce sedentary behaviour for people with psychosis. In this sample (male, English speaking mainly white people), participants understood the benefits of being more active. However, reducing sedentary-behaviour is not the main priority of this population and being sedentary has benefits when their mental-health is bad.<br/
Trends and projections in sexually transmitted infections in people aged 45 and older in England: analysis of national surveillance data
No full textAimsWe describe the epidemiology of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV in people aged ≥45 years in England and provide future projections about the burden of STIs in this age group.MethodsAnalysis of national surveillance data in England from 2014 to 2019 for chlamydia, gonorrhoea, herpes, syphilis, anogenital warts and HIV. Time trends were assessed by Poisson regression and reported using incidence rate ratios (IRR). Two scenarios were modelled to predict the number of new STI diagnoses and associated costs in 2040.Results In 2019, there were 37,692 new STI diagnoses in people ≥45 years in England. Between 2014-2019 there was a significant increase in the rate of new STI diagnoses in men (IRR 1.05, p=0.05) and those aged 45-64 (IRR 1.04, p= 0.05). Absolute numbers of new STI diagnosis in men who have sex with men increased by 76% between 2014 and 2019 (IRR 1.15, p<0.001). In adults aged ≥50 the number of episodes of care for HIV increased over time (age 50-64 IRR 1.10; 65+ IRR 1.13; p<0.001). The modelled scenarios predicted an increase in STI diagnoses and costs in older people by 2040.ConclusionsSTI rates in England are increasing in people aged ≥45 years. The population is ageing and older people will contribute an increasing burden to STI costs if this trend continues. The reasons for this trend are not fully understood and further longitudinal epidemiological research is needed. Sexual health promotion campaigns and healthcare interventions targeted at older people should be prioritised.<br/
How is the NHS Low-Calorie Diet Programme expected to produce behavioural change to support diabetes remission: An examination of underpinning theory
No full textBackground: In 2020, the National Health Service Low-Calorie Diet Programme (NHS-LCD) was launched, piloting a Total Diet Replacement intervention with behaviour change support for people living with Type 2 Diabetes and excess weight. Four independent service providers were commissioned to design and deliver theoretically grounded programmes in localities across England. Aims: To (1) develop a logic model detailing how the NHS-LCD programme is expected to produce changes in health behaviour, and (2) analyse and evaluate the use of behaviour change theory in providers’ NHS-LCD Programme designs. Methods: A documentary review was conducted. Information was extracted from the NHS-LCD service specification documents on how the programme expected to produce outcomes. The Theory Coding Scheme was used to analyse theory use in providers’ programme designs documents. Results: The NHS-LCD logic model included techniques aimed at enhancing positive outcome expectations of programme participation and beliefs about social approval of behaviour change to facilitate programme uptake and behaviour change intentions. This was followed by techniques aimed at shaping knowledge and enhancing the ability of participants to self-regulate their health behaviours, alongside a supportive social environment and person-centred approach. Application and type of behaviour change theory within providers’ programme designs varied: One provider explicitly linked theory to programme content; two providers linked 63% and 70% of intervention techniques to theory; and there was limited underpinning theory identified in the programme design documents for one of the providers. Conclusions: The nature and extent of theory use underpinning the NHS-LCD varied greatly amongst service providers, with some but not all intervention techniques explicitly linked to theory. How this relates to outcomes across providers should be evaluated. It is recommended that explicit theory use in programme design and evidence of its implementation becomes a requirement of future NHS commissioning processes.<br/
Understanding the Effect of Water Chemistry and Surface Grinding on the Stress Corrosion Cracking Initiation of Filler Metal 82
No full textStress corrosion cracking (SCC) initiation of specimens extracted from filler metal (FM) 82 weldments was investigated in high purity 288˚C water. Accelerated autoclave slow strain rate tensile (SSRT) tests were conducted at different electrochemical corrosion potentials (ECPs) by varying the water chemistry through adjusting the concentration of dissolved hydrogen and oxygen in the recirculating water. The effect of surface preparation was also investigated. Statistical characterization of SCC initiation results showed that the ground surfaces (using P600 grit) of FM 82 appeared to be more resistant to SCC initiation than the surfaces polished via oxide polishing suspension (OPS). The effect of ECP on the SCC initiation susceptibility is also discussed through statistical characterization of the observed IG cracks
A scoping review of the literature on prosodic elements related to emotional speech in human-robot interaction
No full textBackground: Sentiment expression and detection are crucial for effective and empathetic human-robot interaction. Previous work in this field often focuses on non-verbal emotion expression, such as facial expressions and gestures. Less is known about which specific prosodic speech elements are required in human-robot interaction. Our research question was: what prosodic elements are related to emotional speech in human-computer/robot interaction?Methods: The scoping review was conducted in alignment with the Arksey and O’Malley methods. Literature was identified from the SCOPUS, IEEE Xplore, ACM Digital Library and PsycINFO databases in May 2021. After screening and de-duplication, data were extracted into an Excel coding sheet and summarised.Results: Thirteen papers, published from 2012 to 2020 were included in the review. The most commonly used prosodic elements were tone/pitch (n=8), loudness/volume (n=6) speech speed (n=4) and pauses (n=3). Non-linguistic vocalisations (n=1) were less frequently used. The prosodic elements were generally effective in helping to convey or detect emotion, but were less effective for negative sentiment (e.g., anger, fear, frustration, sadness and disgust).Discussion: Future research should explore the effectiveness of commonly used prosodic elements (tone, loudness, speed and pauses) in emotional speech, using larger sample sizes and real-life interaction scenarios. The success of prosody in conveying negative sentiment to humans may be improved with additional non-verbal cues (e.g., coloured light or motion). More research is needed to determine how these may be combined with prosody and which combination is most effective in human-robot affective interaction.Keywords: affective computing; speech; HRI; robotics; social robots; sentiment<br/