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The nature of positive post-diagnostic support as experienced by people with young onset dementia
Get PDFObjectives: Studies on service needs of people with young onset dementia have taken a problem-oriented approach with resulting recommendations focusing on reducing service shortcomings. This study aimed to build on ‘what works’ in real-life practice by exploring the nature of post-diagnostic support services that were perceived positively by younger people with dementia and carers.
Method: Positive examples of support were gathered between August 2017 and September 2018, via a national survey. Inductive thematic analysis was employed to explore the nature of positively experienced services provided for younger people with dementia, including analysis of what was provided by positively experienced services.
Results: Two hundred and thirty-three respondents reported 856 positive experiences of support. Data analysis yielded eight themes regarding the objectives of positive services: Specialist Advice and Information on Young Onset Dementia, Access to Age-appropriate Services, Interventions for Physical and Mental Health, Opportunities for Social Participation, Opportunities to Have a Voice, Enablement of Independence while Managing Risk, Enablement of Financial Stability, and Support Interventions for family relationships.
Conclusion: The study findings (a) suggest that positive services may collectively create an enabling-protective circle that supports YPD to re-establish and maintain a positive identity in the face of young onset dementia, and (b) provide a basis from which future good practice can be developed
Neuromorphic robotic platform with visual input, processor and actuator, based on spiking neural networks
Get PDFThis paper describes the design and modus of operation of a neuromorphic robotic platform based on SpiNNaker, and its implementation on the goalkeeper task. The robotic system utilises an address event representation (AER) type of camera (dynamic vision sensor (DVS)) to capture features of a moving ball, and a servo motor to position the goalkeeper to intercept the incoming ball. At the backbone of the system is a microcontroller (Arduino Due) which facilitates communication and control between different robot parts. A spiking neuronal network (SNN), which is running on SpiNNaker, predicts the location of arrival of the moving ball and decides where to place the goalkeeper. In our setup, the maximum data transmission speed of the closed-loop system is approximately 3000 packets per second for both uplink and downlink, and the robot can intercept balls whose speed is up to 1 m/s starting from the distance of about 0.8 m. The interception accuracy is up to 85%, the response latency is 6.5 ms and the maximum power consumption is 7.15W. This is better than previous implementations based on PC. Here, a simplified version of an SNN has been developed for the ‘interception of a moving object’ task, for the purpose of demonstrating the platform, however a generalised SNN for this problem is a nontrivial problem. A demo video of the robot goalie is available on YouTube
Reverse-time migration for evaluating the internal structure of tree-trunks using ground-penetrating radar
Get PDFModern socioeconomic factors such as global timber trade and international travelling have contributed to the rapid increase of Emerging Infectious Diseases (EIDs) of trees with devastating effects to the European forests and woodlands. To that extent, numerous non-destructive methodologies have been suggested as diagnostic tools in order to effectively monitor and maintain potential outbreaks. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is an appealing method for tree monitoring as it provides with a trivially deployable and efficient detection tool, suitable for large-scale forestry applications. Nonetheless, traditional GPR approaches are tuned for surface measurements and they are not compatible with the unique measurement configurations associated with forestry applications. Within that context, we present a novel-processing framework, which is capable of addressing features with irregular measurements on closed surfaces. A positioning method is described that exploits a wheel-measuring device in order to accurately associate each A-Scan with its corresponding coordinates. In addition, a processing pipeline is presented that aims at eliminating the ringing noise due to the layered nature of the trees. Lastly, a reverse-time migration is applied to the processed B-Scan in order to effectively map the reflectors present within the trunk. The suggested scheme is successfully tested in both numerical and real-field experiments, indicating the validity of the current approach
Assessing the internal structure of hollow trees using GPR and microwave tomography
Get PDFTrees and woodlands are nowadays threatened by variety of aggressive diseases and fungal infections. As a result, internal decays in trees, can lead to the creation of cavities and large holes inside the trunks, which in turn can seriously undermine the stability and the integrity of the tree. In this regard, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) has recently proven to be an effective non-destructive testing (NDT) method, with the potential of providing information about the internal structure of trees. However, the particular shape of tree trunks prevents the use of traditional data processing techniques, and only limited information can be collected for tree health assessment purposes. This study shows the potential of GPR enhanced by a microwave tomography inversion approach in detecting tree cavities and hollows. A hollow tree was investigated by performing a set of circular GPR scans, and the internal structure of the trunk was reconstructed via tomographic imaging. The achieved results were validated by way of comparison with real sections cut from the tree and prove the validity of the proposed methodology in identifying the dimension and shape of cavities and hollows in tree trunks
Educating engineering students in Egypt: a stakeholders’ perspective, using narrative qualitative approach
Get PDFThis is part of a series of three papers in a research project examining engineering education in Egypt. After concerns from several stakeholders about the graduates’ knowledge and skills, a fresh look at the phenomenon is attempted. In this manuscript the views of stakeholders, using narrative approach and analysis was carried out. The methodology followed a narrative approach, conducting stakeholder’s analysis with relevant and related people to engineering education (Coulter and Smith 2009; Sfard and Prusak, 2005). The sample included students & fresh graduates, engineers with several years of experience, others with long experiences, academics, parents and administrative staff, were elicited. The responses were collected by asking two questions via social media. The aim was to obtain a quick idea on how stakeholders perceive engineering education in Egypt, and the enhancements they would like to see. Importance of the study comes from both linking with three papers in series exploring engineering education in Egypt, and the in-depth narrative reflections and insights of stakeholders’ point of view. Four clear requests became evident from the stakeholders responses: the application of modern innovative teaching methods; soft skills training; modern software applications training; and practical technical or industrial training
The mechanism of chlorogenic acid inhibits lipid oxidation: An investigation using multi-spectroscopic methods and molecular docking
Get PDFEndogenous lipase and lipoxygenase play important roles in accelerating lipid oxidation. Polyphenols are a series of commonly used chemicals for preserving fish and seafood products, due to their positive inhibitory effects on lipid oxidation. However, the mechanism involved is still unknown. The inhibitory effects of chlorogenic acid (CGA) on lipase and lipoxygenase were investigated and explored with multi- spectroscopic and molecular docking approaches. Results showed that CGA could inhibit the activities of lipase and lipoxygenase with concentration increased in a highly dose-dependent manner. CGA quenched intrinsic fluorescence intensities of enzymes by static quenching and binding with CGA which led to changes in 3D structures of enzymes. Results of the molecular docking confirmed binding modes, binding sites and major interaction forces between CGA and enzymes, which reduced the corresponding activity. Thus, this study could provide basic mechanisms of the inhibitory effects of polyphenols on lipid oxidation during food preservation
Dealing children a helping hand with ‘Book of Beasties’: The Mental Wellness card game
No full textThe wellbeing of students and teachers is now an educational policy priority. Increasingly, teachers are held responsible for the wellbeing of their students and school managers are expected to support the wellbeing of staff. The ongoing Covid-19 crisis threatens the wellbeing of students and teachers and the onus of wellbeing support has become both more vital and more challenging. This online event will include three presentations. Michelle Jayman and Annita Ventouris of the University of West London will describe research to support primary pupil wellbeing through a mental wellness card game. Emma Clarke and Aimee Quickfall of Bishop Grosseteste University will report their research into wellbeing in primary initial teacher education. Finally, Alex Manning, Richard Brock and Emma Towers of King’s College London will report research that has examined English primary and secondary teachers’ perceptions of the wellbeing support offered in their schools. The presentations will be followed by a panel discussion
Antibiotic resistance and molecular characteristics of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis recovered from hospital personnel in China
Get PDFObjectives
Staphylococcus epidermidis is a major nosocomial pathogen predominantly associated with indwelling medical device infections. Studies reporting on S. epidermidis recovered from hospital personnel in China are scarce. The aim of this study was to evaluate the carriage and antibiotic resistance of S. epidermidis among the hospital personnel in Tianjin, China and provide insights into their genetic diversity.
Methods
One hundred and seven S. epidermidis isolates were recovered from 68 hospital personnel in two public hospitals in Tianjin between March 2018 and May 2018. Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) types were determined by the combination of mec and ccr complexes. Multi-locus sequence typing was used to determine the sequence types (ST) of S. epidermidis isolates.
Results
Sixty-two (76.5%) isolates were determined to be methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE). Thirty-five (51%) of 68 hospital personnel carried S. epidermidis, of which 32 (91%) were carriers of MRSE. All 62 MRSE isolates had high levels of resistance to penicillin (90%) and cefoxitin (100%). Thirty-seven (60%) isolates carried SCCmec type IV, followed by 15 (24%) carrying SCCmec V, and 4 (6%) SCCmec II. Novel STs were assigned to four S. epidermidis isolates (ST832, ST833, ST834 and ST835).
Conclusions
In this study, the majority of MRSE belonged to cluster II domain of CC2. The ST59-IV was a dominant clone among isolates recovered from hospital personnel. Determination of new MLST types confirmed the genetic diversity of these isolates. These observations highlight the need to review the infection control strategies to reduce the carriage of MRSE among hospital personnel
Significance of root hairs for plant performance under contrasting field conditions and water deficit
Get PDFBackground and Aims
Previous laboratory studies have suggested selection for root hair traits in future crop breeding to improve resource use efficiency and stress tolerance. However, data on the interplay between root hairs and open-field systems, under contrasting soils and climate conditions, are limited. As such, this study aims to experimentally elucidate some of the impacts that root hairs have on plant performance on a field scale.
Methods
A field experiment was set up in Scotland for two consecutive years, under contrasting climate conditions and different soil textures (i.e. clay loam vs. sandy loam). Five barley (Hordeum vulgare) genotypes exhibiting variation in root hair length and density were used in the study. Root hair length, density and rhizosheath weight were measured at several growth stages, as well as shoot biomass, plant water status, shoot phosphorus (P) accumulation and grain yield.
Key Results
Measurements of root hair density, length and its correlation with rhizosheath weight highlighted trait robustness in the field under variable environmental conditions, although significant variations were found between soil textures as the growing season progressed. Root hairs did not confer a notable advantage to barley under optimal conditions, but under soil water deficit root hairs enhanced plant water status and stress tolerance resulting in a less negative leaf water potential and lower leaf abscisic acid concentration, while promoting shoot P accumulation. Furthermore, the presence of root hairs did not decrease yield under optimal conditions, while root hairs enhanced yield stability under drought.
Conclusions
Selecting for beneficial root hair traits can enhance yield stability without diminishing yield potential, overcoming the breeder’s dilemma of trying to simultaneously enhance both productivity and resilience. Therefore, the maintenance or enhancement of root hairs can represent a key trait for breeding the next generation of crops for improved drought tolerance in relation to climate change
Regulating physician associates (PAs) and anaesthesia associates (AAs): a rapid review
Get PDFA Physician Associate (PA) is a ‘new healthcare professional who, while not a doctor, works to the medical model, with the attitudes, skills and knowledge base to deliver holistic care and treatment within the general medical and/or general practice team under defined levels of supervision’ (Health Education England, 2012). While there are far fewer Anaesthesia Associates (AAs) (formerly known as Physician Assistants (Anaesthesia) until July 2019) this review also covers this role, distinguishing it where possible. AAs are defined as a separate profession ‘with a different set of competencies which enable them to work under the supervision of anaesthetists within the operating theatre environment’ (Royal College of Physicians)