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The impact of Scotland’s minimum unit pricing for alcohol policy on people accessing services for alcohol dependence: a difference-in-difference structured interview study
No full textIntroduction: A minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol of £0.50 per unit (1 UK unit=10 mL/8 g alcohol) was introduced in Scotland in May 2018. Few previous studies have examined the impact of alcohol pricing policies on people who are alcohol dependent. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of MUP on people who are alcohol dependent including changes in alcohol consumption and health status, as well as potential unintended consequences. Methods: Three waves of cross-sectional data were collected in Scotland (intervention) and Northern England (control) at 0-6 months pre-implementation then 3-9 months and 18-22 months post-implementation. The sample was N=706 people receiving treatment related to their alcohol use. We collected structured interview data including recent drinking information via a 7-day timeline-follow-back (TLFB) drinking diary. Difference-in-difference analyses estimated change in indicators in Scotland compared to England at both post-implementation timepoints. Results: The proportion of participants consuming alcohol costing on average <£0.50 per unit in Scotland decreased from 60.6% at 0-6 months prior to MUP implementation to 6.3% at 3-9 months post-implementation (p<0.0004). There was no significant change in the indicators for alcohol consumption, severity of dependence, health status, other substance use, deprivation level or parenting. Discussion and Conclusions: The introduction of MUP in Scotland was associated with increases in the prices paid for alcohol by people with dependence and presenting to treatment services. There was no evidence of changes in their alcohol consumption or health status. There was also no evidence of harmful unintended consequences for this population
Numerical optimisation of air-cooled heat sink geometry to improve temperature gradient of power semiconductor modules
No full textThis paper discusses the numerical analysis and optimisation of a conventional air-cooled heat sink having an insignificant geometrical modification to reduce the temperature gradient of power semiconductors installed on the top surface of the heat sink. Using the numerical approach, the influence of the geometry modification on the thermal performance of the heat sink was thoroughly analysed. The geometry modification applied to the heat sink is based on the partial removal of the central fins at the air flow intake in the form of a triangle and the integration of a guide plate to provide a reduction in the temperature difference across the heat sink surface. These modifications do not expand the heat sink footprint or make the manufacturing process complicated. The optimised design exhibited a considerably reduced temperature gradient between the power electronic modules. The temperature difference between power semiconductors operating with a power loss of 100 W per module is reduced from 3.779°C (for the unmodified benchmark model) to 0.0018°C. The study findings contribute to the advancement of thermal solutions in power electronics by presenting a manufacturable, scalable, and efficient heat sink design that addresses the industry demand for sustainable thermal regulation
Reflecting/Absorbing Dual-Mode Textile Metasurface with AI-Driven Parametric Studies
Get PDFThis paper presents a textile-based reflecting/absorbing dual-mode metasurface, and emphasizes the role of AI-driven parametric studies in the designing process. The proposed textile metasurface can achieve a reflecting mode with the zero-degree refection phase centre at 2.4 GHz, and an absorbing mode at the same resonance frequency. The absorption and reflection band of the design are centered at the same frequency by applying a state-of-the-art AI-driven antenna design technique, self-adaptive Bayesian neural network surrogate model-assisted differential evolution for antenna optimization (SB-SADEA) method. The proposed design can also achieve polarization insensitivity and a certain level of incident angle insensitivity. The fabricated prototype of the design achieves a maximal absorption rate of 99.8% and maintains an absorption over 90% in the frequency range of 2.39 to 2.43 GHz. Moreover, a textile linear polarized monopole antenna was fabricated and tested along with the reflection metasurface. A 5 dB realized gain enhancement can be achieved with the metasurface applied. Both simulations and measurements verify the effectiveness of the proposed dual-mode textile metasurface design
A Novel Multilayer Antimicrobial Urinary Catheter Material with Antimicrobial Properties
No full textUrinary catheters are commonly used in medical practice to drain and monitor urine of patients. However, urinary catheterisation is associated with the risk of developing catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), which can result in life-threatening sepsis that requires antibiotics for treatment. Using the layer-by-layer (LbL) technique, we assembled a multilayer catheter comprising nine quadruple layers (9QL) of alginate, chlorhexidine (CHX), alginate and poly(β-amino ester) (PBAE) built upon an amino-functionalised silicone. The prepared catheter materials were tested for pre-packaged storage conditions and sterilisation techniques. The daily release of CHX was measured at pH 7.4 and pH 5 and simulated urine at 37 °C, which was used to determine the antimicrobial affect. CHX release was detected for a minimum of 14 days in PBS (pH 7.4), pH 5 release media, and simulated urine for the samples tested against storage conditions and sterilisation techniques. Incubation of the prepared material with bacterial cultures for 24 hours restricted bacterial growth compared to incubation with the standard material. The minimum inhibition concentration of CHX for clinically isolated urinary tract infection (UTI) bacterial strains was in the range of 19.4–77.4 µM, at which the released CHX could indirectly prevent bacterial growth for up to 14 days. Based on the daily CHX release from the samples, the hydrolysis of PBAE at pH 5 was gradual, resulting in a greater number of days of preventing bacterial growth, followed by pH 7.4 and then simulated urine. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the use of PBAE in association with a urinary catheter material for the release of an antimicrobial drug
AI-Driven Design of a Quasi-Digitally-Coded Wideband Microstrip Patch Antenna Array
Get PDFArtificial intelligence (AI) is enabling the automated design of contemporary antennas for numerous applications. Specifically, the use of machine learning (ML)-assisted global optimization techniques for the efficient design of modern antennas is now fast becoming a popular method. In this work, we demonstrate for the first time, the ML-assisted global optimization of a high-dimensional non-uniform overlapping quasi-digitally coded microstrip patch antenna array using a new AI-driven antenna design technique, called TR-SADEA (the training cost-reduced surrogate model-assisted hybrid differential evolution for complex antenna optimization). The TR-SADEA-generated array showed very promising simulated frequency responses for potential wideband applications with a -10 dB impedance bandwidth of 5.75 GHz to 10 GHz, a minimum in-band realized gain of 5.82 dBi, and a minimum in-band total radiation efficiency of 87.84%
Fabrication and functional application of zein-based core-shell structures: A review
No full textCore-shell structures exhibit a number of distinct absorptive properties that make them attractive tools for use in a range of industrial contexts including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, cosmetics, and food/agriculture. Several recent studies have focused on the development and fabrication of zein-based core-shell structures for a range of functional material deliveries. However, no recent review article has evaluated the fabrication of such core-shell structures for food-based applications. In this paper, we therefore survey current approaches to fabricating different zein-based platforms including particles, fibers, films, and hydrogels that have appeared in a variety of functionally relevant applications. In addition, we highlight certain challenges and future research directions in this field, thereby providing a novel perspective on zein-based core-shell structures
Does post-graduate surgical simulation-based education correspond to transfer of skills to real life clinical practice? A systematic review
Get PDFBackground
The effectiveness of simulation training in improving practice in real life has been questioned by many because of lack of good quality evidence.
The purpose of this study was to undertake a systematic review of randomized trials in surgical simulation to find out if simulation-based education really leads to improvement in real life surgical practice.
Methods
Searched published literature between 2000 and 2020. Relevant papers scrutinized to identify work, which fulfilled the criteria for this systematic review. Of 157 abstracts, nineteen papers were selected. Project registration number was REG289 at Edgehill University.
Results
There was heterogeneity in methods of simulation training, outcome measures and assessment technique, making comparison difficult.
Mean error rates, surgical time, objective structured assessment of technical skills (OSATS) scores and Global Operative Assessment of Laparoscopic Skills (GOALS) scores were significantly better in simulation-trained group. Global Rating Scale scores were better in simulation trained group but the improvement was not significant. There was evidence of possible publication bias for some of the outcome measures.
Conclusion
Overall, there was evidence of improved competence in real life practice in the group who underwent targeted simulation-based education in comparison to control groups. Small sample size in majority of trials, variation in technique of simulation training, inconsistencies in assessment and heterogeneity of outcome measures made it difficult to compare results of trials included in this review
Inpatient detoxification for alcohol and other drug use: patients account of their relationships with staff
No full textBackground
The therapeutic alliance is an important predictor of treatment outcomes but people who use alcohol and other drugs report mixed views of treatment providers. We analysed patients’ accounts of inpatient detoxification staff to ascertain whether, and if so how, relationships with them, and thus the therapeutic alliance, might be improved.
Methods
Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted (in 2022/2023) with 20 people (14 males; 6 females) who had just completed inpatient detoxification in sixteen different facilities. Interviews were part of a larger longitudinal qualitative evaluation of an initiative to increase inpatient detoxification capacity across England.
Results
Patients described how treatment was delivered by professionals with diverse roles. They rated staff highly and appreciated their personal qualities; the standard of medical care and non-medical services they provided; their willingness to provide privacy, freedom and choice; the support given at key points in the treatment journey; and the positive impact staff relationships had on their substance use and lives more generally. Criticisms of staff were infrequent, mostly related to specific individuals or events, and potentially more common when detoxification occurred within general hospitals rather than within specialist services.
Conclusions
Patients’ accounts of staff in this study were more positive than documented in previous literature. However, the characteristics that patients appreciated (and disliked) were consistent with earlier research. There was scope to improve in some services and patient groups not interviewed may have held more negative views of staff. Overall, the holistic and patient-centred approach that staff adopted, and patients valued, appears to contribute to a good therapeutic alliance
Higher education’s role in shaping the future of policing through technology
No full textImmersive technologies such as virtual and augmented reality are increasingly important in society, as well as transforming how police forces train, adapt, and respond to challenges; Wrexham University Professional Policing Lecturer Darren Jacks – a former police officer with 30 years of experience – believes higher education institutions have a vital role to play in partnering with police to leverage the maximum benefits from these new technologies
The integration and implications of artificial intelligence in forensic science
No full textThis commentary explores the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in forensic science and its potential implications. The applications of AI in forensic disciplines such as medicine, forensic anthropology, digital forensics, and taphonomy have enhanced the accuracy and efficiency of identification processes and the analysis of digital evidence. However, this rapid advancement prompts critical considerations in privacy, data protection, bias and fairness, and the accuracy and reliability of AI systems. The inherent challenges of the “black box” nature of AI algorithms call for transparency and accountability to maintain trust and uphold the integrity of forensic investigations. Ethical use, legal compliance, interdisciplinary collaboration, education, data integrity, standardization, human oversight, and societal impact, along with sustainability are identified as pivotal areas requiring urgent attention. The discussion underscores the need for rigorous scrutiny, standardized operating procedures, and proactive dialogue to ensure the responsible advancement of AI in forensic science