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Linear low-density polyethylene enriched with graphene: effects on its rotational molding and properties
No full textGraphene (GP) belongs to a class of structured carbon compounds with outstanding properties that address its application in energy storage devices, water filtration, biomedical fields, and so on. To take advantage of its high thermal conductivity, this work was thought to study the effect of GP on the rotational molding and properties of linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE). First, the better molding conditions were determined by different internal peak air temperatures. Once chosen, LLDPE was enriched with a masterbatch containing GP at different contents. Significant energy savings in the rotational process were achieved by addition of GP to LLDPE. Through the drop dart impact test, the presence of GP improved the impact strength. This finding was endorsed by the calorimetric measurement, which revealed a decrease in the LLDPE degree of crystallinity. The melt flow rate showed a slight variation with the GP content. The presence of the GP did not change the rheologic behavior of the composites. Even in very low content, WAXD and Raman spectroscopy revealed the presence of GP in the composites. Thermal conductivity of the composites increased when GP was added to LLDPE which could explain the energy savings in the composites’ processing and their impact property. As a consequence, the increment of thermal conduction affected the cooling rate of LLDPE chains, leading to some extent to the amorphization of the polymer matrix
A lightweight and hardware-efficient NTT FPGA accelerator for FHE applications
No full textThe Number Theoretic Transform (NTT) and its inverse (INTT) are pivotal operations in Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE) schemes to facilitate efficient polynomial multiplication over modular rings. We propose a compact and hardware-efficient NTT/INTT architecture for FHE systems with a novel twiddle factor generator (TFG) for Radix-2 multi-path delay commutator (MDC) designs, saving up to 97.2% of on-chip memory by storing the twiddle factors (TF) for the initial 11 stages (for log2(N) = 15 to 17) and only the TF bases for on-the-fly generation in the remaining stages. DSP-efficient multipliers via non-standard tiling are designed to reduce DSP utilization as compared to standard tiling, without sacrificing performance. Benchmarking on comparable Xilinx FPGAs reveals that our design is the most compact, along with a significant efficiency advantage with up to 2.72× reduction in average area-time product (ATP) and up to 2.57× increase in throughput-per-equivalent-LUT (TPE) compared to state-of-the-art NTT designs. In various configurations, the architecture maintains lower BRAM and DSP utilization, and better overall efficiency, making it a scalable and efficient solution for real-world FHE deployments.<br/
Subnational constitutional space and ethnic accommodation: a comparative analysis of Ethiopian regions
No full textSubnational constitutional space is increasingly recognised as a mechanism of managing diversity in multiethnic federations. Yet comparative analyses remain limited. This article examines Ethiopia’s regional constitutions to assess how they structure ethnic empowerment, self-rule, and representation. Findings reveal significant variation across regions. In regions where one nationality forms a supermajority, constitutions entrench dominant-group self-governance while marginalising others. In contrast, multiethnic regions cluster diverse groups into local governments, creating both opportunities for inclusion and new exclusions. By transforming some ethnic minorities into local political majorities, regional constitutions illuminate both the potential and the pitfalls of subnational constitutionalism in ethnically diverse federations.<br/
Skin melanoma survival is improving in Europe but regional differences persist: Results of the EUROCARE-6 study
No full textBACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to update previous EUROCARE survival estimates for skin melanoma (SM) monitoring trends and survival differences between European regions.METHODS: 1-year, 5-year, and 5-year/1-year conditional age-standardised relative survival (ASRS) and geographical comparisons were estimated on 280,498 patients participating in the EUROCARE-6 project (>=15 years old) with invasive SM (diagnosed 2008-2013; followed-up till 2014), applying a complete cohort approach. Survival time trends during 2003-2011 were analysed using the period approach for 306,715 patients. Survival analysis was estimated by age, gender, anatomical sub-sites and morphology subgroups.RESULTS: Among European patients 5-year ASRS estimate was 87.9 % (95 % confidence interval, CI 87.7-88.1 %). The highest values were measured in Central Europe (91.2 %; 90.9-91.6 %), Northern Europe (90.3 %; 89.7-90.9 %), Ireland and United Kingdom (89.2 %; 88.9-89.6 %), followed by Southern Europe (85.7 %; 85.2-86.2 %), while the lowest survival value was observed in Eastern Europe (75.0 %; 74.2-75.7 %). Within regions, the intercountry absolute difference in 5-year ASRS percentage points varied from 2.9 % (Northern Europe) to 24.7 % (Eastern Europe). Five-year RS was higher in women than men and decreased with patients' advancing age. Differences emerged in terms of SM morphology and skin sub-sites. Survival slightly increased from 2003 to 2011, with a small improvement in Northern and the most pronounced one in Eastern Europe.DISCUSSION: In Europe SM survival is high and still increasing. The gap between European average survival value and Eastern European countries is still present and has not diminished significantly yet. Improvements are needed in the whole SM clinical path, from diagnosis to therapy, to overcome differences across countries.</p
Protocol for the development of an intervention to improve the use of Point-of-caRE DiagnostICs in the management of respiraTOry tRact infectionS in primary care (the PREDICTORS study)
No full textBackgroundAntimicrobial resistance is a significant global health challenge, exacerbated by inappropriate antibiotic prescribing, particularly in primary care where up to 50% of antibiotic prescriptions prescribed by general practitioners (GPs) and dispensed by community pharmacists (CPs) are deemed inappropriate. Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are among the most common conditions leading to GP consultations and subsequent antibiotic prescribing, much of which is inappropriate as most RTIs are viral in nature or self-limiting bacterial infections. Point-of-care tests (POCTs) have emerged as tools to improve the diagnosis and appropriate treatment of RTIs.ObjectiveThis study aims to develop and test an intervention to improve the use of POCTs in managing RTIs involving GPs and CPs in Irish primary care, following the UK’s Medical Research Council’s (MRC) framework for complex intervention development, involving five work-packages (WPs).MethodsWP1 involves creating best practice guidance for using POCT in managing RTIs, informed by a scoping review and validated with an expert Delphi panel. This guidance will be used to define target behaviour(s) for GPs and CPs related to POCT use. WP2 explores GP and CP perceived barriers and facilitators to these behaviours using the Theoretical Domains Framework, mapping influential domains to Behaviour Change Techniques to develop draft interventions. WP3 gathers patients’ perspectives on using POCTs for RTIs. In WP4, a task group will review and finalise the intervention(s). They will consider patients’ perspectives from WP3 and assess feasibility of the intervention(s). WP5 involves a proof-of-concept study to test the feasibility of the newly developed intervention(s).ConclusionA theoretically informed intervention(s) for using POCT(s) in the management of RTIs in primary care in Ireland will be developed and tested in a proof-of-concept study, following MRC guidance. Further refinement and larger studies will be needed to determine its effectiveness before widespread implementation.<br/
The pick of the plot: An evidence‐based approach for selecting and testing suitable plants to use in annual seed mixes to attract insect pollinators
No full textSocietal Impact Statement: Concern regarding wild pollinator declines has increased motivation to plant pollinator‐friendly plants in gardens and urban areas, but ‘plants for pollinators’ recommendations are often anecdotal and inaccurate. Here, we use a scientific evidence base to design and test annual flowering seed mixes for bees and hoverflies. Seed mixes combining non‐native and native plants had better establishment, flowered for longer, had more pollinator visits and were more aesthetically pleasing to the public. Using a scientific evidence base to design seed mixes has the potential to enhance their societal value, by increasing their attractiveness to insects and enhancing public well‐being. Summary: Annual seed mixes are frequently grown in gardens and urban areas because they are considered to be ‘pollinator‐friendly’, but choice of which plant species to include is often based on anecdotal evidence. Here, we build an evidence‐base for which plants to use in annual seed mixes to attract bumblebees, solitary bees and hoverflies. We conduct a systematic review of plant–insect interactions and use field trials to assess the attractiveness of different seed mixtures. We determined which annual plant species are attractive to bees and hoverflies using interaction data extracted from 447 peer‐reviewed articles. We then carried out field trials using four commercially available seed mixes to assess insect visitation. The plant list compiled from the literature and the results of the commercial trials were used to develop two novel experimental seed mixes that were assessed for insect visitation and aesthetic appeal. We found that seed mixes including non‐native, along with native flowering plants, had higher establishment, a longer flowering period, a greater number of pollinator visits and were more aesthetically pleasing to the public. A small number of key plant species were visited frequently in the seed mixes, and these differ between pollinator groups. Our findings can be used to provide evidence‐based guidance in the selection of plant species to be used in horticultural areas
Navigating the pancreatic cancer journey: exploring the lived experiences and support needs of family caregivers
No full textObjectives/ PurposeFamily caregivers to people with pancreatic cancer experience high levels of unmet need, poorer quality life and increased risk of various psychiatric disorders compared to caregivers of other cancers. Family caregivers frequently report feeling unprepared for their role and a lack of adequate support. This qualitative study aims to explore the lived experiences of family caregivers across the disease trajectory, focusing on their psychosocial adjustment and perceptions of support.Sample and SettingParticipants are family caregivers of people living with pancreatic cancer at any stage of the disease trajectory in Northern Ireland. Recruitment is ongoing through social media and local charity networks, with a target sample size of 12-15, guided by information power. To date, six participants have completed interviews, including four spouses, and two adult children. Participants are supporting people with pancreatic cancer at various disease stages including palliative care, living with treatable but not curable cancer and living well after cancer.ProcedureSemi-structured interviews are being conducted to explore family caregivers’ psychosocial and emotional experiences, and coping strategies. Interviews also explore the perceived availability, utilisation, and impact of support services. All interviews are audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsPreliminary analysis suggests family caregivers feel excluded from critical conversations, particularly around diagnosis and prognosis. They also experience feelings of uncertainty and isolation, especially during treatment breaks or discontinuation. Findings also indicate opportunities for connection and shared understanding, such as those provided by local charity communities, may offer valuable support. ConclusionEarly findings highlight communication and support gaps for family caregivers of people with pancreatic cancer, particularly during transitions in care. Enhanced signposting to peer and community support may help to reduce isolation and promote psychosocial wellbeing. Further research will increase understanding and inform the development of interventions to better support this population
Meeting Abstract: 10. Prediction of mature body weight for beef cattle: a prerequisite for the prediction of feed intake
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