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Experimental investigation of the PCM-EG radiant floor heating driven by ASHP with advanced heat transfer enhancement
Get PDFRadiant floor heating systems (RFHSs) provide superior indoor thermal comfort environment compared to other exist heating methods. Recently the integration of phase change materials (PCMs) as thermal mass within underfloor heating structures has demonstrated potential to reduce operating costs and enhance thermal comfort by enabling a quicker heating response due to their excellent heat retention properties during the heating period. For domestic buildings, Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) recognised as a highly efficient heating technology, are increasingly adopted to meet heating and cooling demands while contributing to CO2 emissions reduction targets. This study focuses on leveraging ASHPs to supply heat for the PCM-enhanced RFHSs, introducing an improved heating method for residential buildings to address heat demand and reduce the power consumption of ASHPs. The research aims to advance scientific understanding and establish a foundation for future studies on sustainable and efficient heating technologies. This study investigates the development of a novel sustainable and highly efficient thermal energy retention system through laboratory engineered composite PCMs integrated into RFs powered by ASHPs. Such systems are crucial to addressing current and future heating demands in the UK. This work examines the impact of system configuration, constituent materials and design parameters on the thermal and energy performance of RF heating systems incorporating composite PCM with enhanced expanded graphite (PCM-EG). The study has shown that PCM-EG used as thermal mass in RFHSs can achieve 37 % higher heat retention capacity compared to systems utilising a metal mesh. Additionally, PCM-EG combined with copper powder maintains the floor surface temperature 0.7 °C higher than PCM-EG alone, further reducing the power consumption of the ASHP.<br/
Safety Evaluation of Repeated Application of Polymeric Microarray Patches in Miniature Pigs
Get PDFThe safety of repeated microarray patch (MAP) application is crucial for its development as an innovative drug delivery platform. This study is the first to assess the safety of repeated applications of hydrogel-forming, dissolving, and implantable MAPs over four weeks using miniature pigs, an industry-standard dermatological model with human-like skin structure and physiological responses. Uniform MAPs are successfully manufactured, with application forces of 32 N/array resulting in less than 15% needle height reduction. ≈80% of the needle length penetrated Parafilm layers, while 40–60% penetrated excised porcine skin. Repeated MAP applications do not compromise skin barrier function, as confirmed by transepidermal water loss measurements, and caused no adverse skin reactions per modified Draize test results. Systemic safety assessments revealed no significant immune responses, allergic reactions, infections, or inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IgE, IgG, CRP, and IL-1β) between day 0 and day 28. No weight loss, infection signs, kidney toxicity, or clinically relevant hematological or biochemical changes are observed. Histopathological evaluations confirmed the absence of lesions or adverse effects. These findings establish the safety of repeated hydrogel-forming, dissolving, and implantable MAP applications, supporting their potential for safe, effective drug delivery and facilitating their translation from preclinical models to human clinical trials
Estimating the Replicability of Sports and Exercise Science Research
Get PDFBackground: The replicability of sports and exercise research has not been assessed previously despite concerns about scientific practices within the field.Aim: This study aims to provide an initial estimate of the replicability of applied sports and exercise science research published in quartile 1 journals (SCImago journal ranking for 2019 in the Sports Science subject category; www. scima gojr.com) between 2016 and 2021.Methods: A formalised selection protocol for this replication project was previously published. Voluntary collaborators were recruited, and studies were allocated in a stratified and randomised manner on the basis of equipment and expertise. Original authors were contacted to provide deidentified raw data, to review preregistrations and to provide methodological clarifications. A multiple inferential strategy was employed to analyse the replication data. The same analysis (i.e. F test or t test) was used to determine whether the replication effect size was statistically significant and in the same direction as the original effect size. Z-tests were used to determine whether the original and replication effect size estimates were compatible or significantly different in magnitude.Results: In total, 25 replication studies were included for analysis. Of the 25, 10 replications used paired t tests, 1 used an independent t test and 14 used an analysis of variance (ANOVA) for the statistical analyses. In all, 7 (28%) studies demonstrated robust replicability, meeting all three validation criteria: achieving statistical significance (p < 0.05) in the same direction as the original study and showing compatible effect size magnitudes as per the Z test (p > 0.05).Conclusion: There was a substantial decrease in the published effect size estimate magnitudes when replicated; therefore, sports and exercise science researchers should consider effect size uncertainty when conducting subsequent power analyses. Additionally, there were many barriers to conducting the replication studies, e.g., original author communication and poor data and reporting transparency
Establishing Priorities for Clinical Education Research: Exploring the Views of UK Professional and Public Stakeholders
Get PDFIntroduction: High quality clinical education research is required to ensure optimal education and training of healthcare professionals. Such research should address stakeholder needs and have a clear route to achieving benefit. We conducted the first UK‐wide priority setting exercise for clinical education research to identify research priorities and how they are determined. Methods: We used a two‐stage process, derived from similar studies, to identify the research priorities of stakeholders including funders, regulators, educators and public representatives. Stage one consisted of two rounds of online surveys, gathering free‐text suggestions of priorities and rating the resulting statements. A public engagement author advised on wording. Stage two used a stakeholder workshop to discuss principles and processes for operationalising priorities and maximising impact. Results: Round 1 survey respondents (n = 256) provided 1819 suggestions, from which content analysis synthesised 46 statements describing disparate research priorities. Distributions of ratings in Round 2 (n = 199) indicated that all were perceived as important by most respondents, although professionals and members of the public differed in their rating of some items. Workshop participants (n = 70) considered priorities to be dynamic and contextually dependent and linked to expected impact. Discussion: The study identifies broad priorities for clinical education research, but recognises that simple prioritisation is insufficient, and develops understanding of how priorities arise, including differences between stakeholder groups, and changes over time. Recognising an integrated ‘system of impact’ may maximise opportunities for stakeholders—researchers, policy actors, knowledge users and funders—to effectively communicate and optimise research impact in the short and longer term
FG layers' effect on nonlinear free vibrations of sandwich auxetic cylinders
Get PDFThis study develops a novel semi-analytical framework to investigate the nonlinear free vibration behavior of functionally graded (FG) auxetic cylinders, which are increasingly used in aerospace, automotive, and biomedical applications for their potential in weight reduction and enhanced dynamic performance. The cylinder consists of one auxetic core layer and two inner and outer FG layers, with material properties varying continuously through the thickness. Utilizing the First-order Shear Deformation Theory (FSDT) and von Kármán strain relations, a system of four coupled nonlinear partial differential equations is derived using the Hamilton principle, and they are solved using the multiple-scale method for general boundary conditions. The key contributions of this work include: the integration of auxetic behavior and material gradation into a unified nonlinear vibration model, the derivation of a closed-form semi-analytical solution that captures the effects of transverse shear deformation and geometric nonlinearity, and the detailed exploration of frequency-amplitude relationships and nonlinear vibration characteristics. The results offer a valuable tool for designing lightweight and high-performance cylindrical structures with optimized dynamic characteristics. To evaluate the accuracy of the semi-analytical model, the results are compared with other literature results
The MyRelief Digital Educational Self-Management Program for Persistent Low Back Pain: Feasibility Uncontrolled Trial
Get PDFBackground: Low back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of work absence globally. Digital interventions have the potential to increase access to self-management support for individuals with persistent LBP. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, usability, and acceptability of a digital educational program (MyRelief) designed to support self-management strategies for people with persistent LBP. Methods: A prospective uncontrolled feasibility study was conducted across 4 countries (Italy, Portugal, Sweden, and the United Kingdom) between 2020 and 2021. Adults in employment with nonspecific persistent LBP (>3 mo) with access to the internet were eligible to participate. Participants were given access to MyRelief, an 8-unit evidence-based educational self-management program. The feasibility of the MyRelief program was assessed using recruitment rates, an a priori success threshold of >70% of the target sample (50 participants), and a retention <35% dropout rate. Pre- and postintervention measures of functional disability were assessed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and health-related quality of life using the 5-level EuroQol questionnaire. Additional postintervention measures included the Patient Enablement Instrument and the System Usability Scale. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively, and qualitative feedback was analyzed using a reflexive analytical approach. Results: The recruitment feasibility threshold was met, and 40/50 (80%) participants (19 male and 21 female; mean age 57 years) were enrolled in the study. A total of 17 participants (11 male and 6 female) completed both the baseline and 12-week follow-up questionnaires. This represented a retention rate of 42.5% (17/40) and a dropout rate of 57.5%, which did not meet the a priori criteria of <35% dropouts. Approximately half of the participants presented with low baseline disability scores (mean ODI 24.0; 95% CI 18‐31) with no significant change at follow-up (mean ODI 23.9; 95% CI 16‐31). The 5-level EuroQol questionnaire scores improved from 0.68 (95% CI 0.608‐0.76) to 0.72 (95% CI 0.66‐0.79), indicating a clinically significant change. Patient Enablement Instrument scores postintervention were high (mean 5.31), indicating good perceived enablement. The mean System Usability Scale score was 72.4 (95% CI 67.5‐73.3), indicating a good level of perceived ease-of-use. Overall, the quality of outcome measure completion was high (100%). Qualitative feedback indicated areas for improvement relating to challenges around access and navigation within the website. Conclusions: The MyRelief study demonstrated feasibility in terms of recruitment but not retention. However, low baseline disability levels are not representative of the wider persistent LBP population. Future studies should broaden recruitment strategies, in particular, by recruiting from health care settings to improve representativeness. Although usability met industry standards, qualitative feedback suggests that navigation and accessibility require further optimization to better align with end user preferences for digital health interventions.</p
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist in myocardial infarction and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk reduction: a comprehensive meta-analysis of number needed to treat, efficacy and safety
Get PDFBackground: Glucagon like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) use in individuals with high atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk reduces major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). However, its clinical impact, in terms of numbers needed to treat (NNT), efficacy and safety profile in reducing the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) and the individual ASCVD constituents remain unclear. Methods: Electronic databases, Medline and Embase were reviewed for randomized trials from inception to 29 May 2025. Risk-reduction effect of GLP-1RA were pooled using pairwise meta-analysis with random-effects model. The primary outcome was MI, and secondary outcomes were the individual ASCVD constituents. Results: 109,846 patients from 25 unique studies were included. Over a follow-up duration of 3.48 ± 1.51 (1.55 to 5.47) years, GLP-1RA reduced the risk of total MI (RR: 0.86, p < 0.01), with numbers needed to benefit (NNTB) of 207 to prevent one event of MI. Higher body mass index was associated with greater MI risk reduction (β: -0.09, p = 0.03) in GLP-1RA users. GLP-1RA reduced cardiovascular mortality (RR: 0.87, p < 0.01, NNTB 170), MACE (RR: 0.87, p < 0.01, NNTB 67) and stroke (RR: 0.88, p < 0.01, NNTB 335) compared to placebo. GLP-1RA commonly resulted in gastrointestinal side-effects amongst other systems (RR: 1.55, p < 0.01, NNTH 9). Conclusion: GLP-1RA reduced the risk of MI, stroke, cardiovascular mortality and MACE in a broad range of patients with and without T2DM and/or prior ASCVD, supporting its role in ASCVD prevention, especially in the cohort with high BMI. Trial registration: Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/7VXN5).</p
Prospects of Gels for Food Applications from Marine Sources: Exploring Microalgae
Get PDFThe growing demand for sustainable, functional ingredients in the food industry has driven interest in marine-derived biopolymers. Among marine sources, microalgae represent a promising yet underexplored reservoir of bioactive gel-forming compounds, particularly extracellular polysaccharides (EPSs), both sulfated and non-sulfated, as well as proteins that exhibit unique gelling, emulsifying, and stabilizing properties. This study focuses on microalgal species with demonstrated potential to produce viscoelastic, shear-thinning gels, making them suitable for applications in food stabilization, texture modification, and nutraceutical delivery. Recent advances in biotechnology and cultivation methods have improved access to high-value strains, which exhibit promising physicochemical properties for the development of novel food textures, structured formulations, and sustainable food packaging materials. Furthermore, these microalgae-derived gels offer additional health benefits, such as antioxidant and prebiotic activities, aligning with current trends toward functional foods containing prebiotic materials. Key challenges in large-scale production, including low EPS productivity, high processing costs, and lack of regulatory frameworks, are critically discussed. Despite these barriers, advances in cultivation technologies and biorefinery approaches offer new avenues for commercial application. Overall, microalgal gels hold significant promise as sustainable, multifunctional ingredients for clean-label food formulations
Live Demonstration: Smart Watchdog Mechanism for Real-time Fault Detection in RISC-V
Get PDFThis live demonstration relates to our paper titled "Smart Watchdog Mechanism for Fault Detection in RISC-V" also published at ISCAS 2025. Spiking neural networks (SNNs) can realise low power and area implementations compared to traditional neural network models. We present an interactive demonstration of a SNN-based smart watchdog circuit capable of real-time monitoring and detection of errors during program execution in a modern RISC-V processor. The smart watchdogs performance is demonstrated by monitoring the RISC-V core running a control task resembling a safety-critical application, where demo-attendees can inject faults into the program counter register and witness the detection of errors and how control flow errors impacts the motor operation. The demo permits various fault injection patterns, i.e. bit flips and stuck at zero/one faults