A capability approach to cultural diversity in school-to-work transitions : Amartya Sen and young adult's diversely different education and work communities

The effects of a global financial crisis, technological advances, political instabilities and ongoing environmental issues are impacting young adults’ transitions from secondary school education to work. This chapter interrogates recent case study research findings in this area through Amartya Sen’s (1992, 1999) capability approach, in which educators are challenged to provide culturally respectful school to work transitions for young Indigenous adults. It exposes some elusive practicalities of the conceptual foundations of the capability approach with its emphasis on individual well-being; while seeking systems-level responses to making cultural diversity strengthen, rather than diminish, transitions from school to working life. Transitions research has identified that geographical location, gender, socio-economic status, cultural and linguistic backgrounds are among a range of factors that impact on the nature of school to work transitions (UNESCO 2001 & 2009). Engaging transitions within the broader frameworks of institutions and systems provides a way of examining large-scale innovations through culturally diverse work-life trajectories (OECD 2000; Sweet 2009 & 2010). Accordingly, both conceptual and contextual engagement with the “wider disparities in the distribution of power, wealth and opportunity” that reflect policy-driven “unfair distribution of life changes” (UNESCO 2009: 6) is timely. This view is first explored conceptually through an analysis of the challenges and opportunities offered through taking a capability approach (Nussbaum 2003 & 2011; Sen 1992, 1993 & 2006) to investigating the ways in which young adults’ school-to-work transitions may be shaped structurally as they adapt to culturally diverse learning and work environments

Feng-shui and computational fluid dynamics (CFD): Analyzing natural ventilation and human comfort

The paper explores the analogies between Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Feng-Shui by undertaking an analysis of natural ventilation in Jiangmen city, Southern China. Feng-Shui has been used to inform the orientation, layout, and design of buildings in China for thousands of years. The research questions if these concepts are still valid for contemporary building design. Noting that computational simulation methods such as CFD allow architects to analyse the natural ventilation of buildings, this paper provides a novel study that examines if Feng-Shui principles can be reconciled against contemporary design processes. The research simulates 'community', 'block', and 'single courtyard' via CFD study to confirm the scientifically measurable concepts of Feng-Shui have concerning natural ventilation. We conclude that Feng-Shui concepts enhance natural ventilation and subsequently makes a positive contribution to sustainable building and design

Joint beamforming and compressed sensing for uplink grant-free access

Compressed sensing (CS)-based techniques havebeen widely applied in the grant-free non-orthogonal multipleaccess (NOMA) to a single-antenna base station (BS). In thispaper, we consider the multi-antenna reception at the BS foruplink grant-free access for the massive machine type communi-cation (mMTC) with limited channel resources. To enhance theoverloading performance of the BS, we develop a general frame-work for the synergistic amalgamation of the spatial divisionmultiple access (SDMA) technique with the CS-based grant-freeNOMA. We derive a closed-form statistical beamforming and adynamic beamforming scheme for the inter-cluster interferencesuppression when applying SDMA. Based on this, we furtherdevelop a joint adaptive beamforming and subspace pursuit (J-ABF-SP) algorithm for the multiuser detection and data recovery,with a novel sparsity level decision method without the accurateknowledge of the noise level. To further improve the datarecovery performance, we propose an interference cancellation-based J-ABF-SP scheme (J-ABF-SP-IC) by using the initial signalestimates generated from the J-ABF-SP algorithm. Illustrativesimulations verify the superior user detection and signal recoveryperformance of our proposed algorithms in comparison withexisting CS-based grant-free NOMA techniques.</p

Joint beamforming and compressed sensing for uplink grant-free access

Compressed sensing (CS)-based techniques havebeen widely applied in the grant-free non-orthogonal multipleaccess (NOMA) to a single-antenna base station (BS). In thispaper, we consider the multi-antenna reception at the BS foruplink grant-free access for the massive machine type communi-cation (mMTC) with limited channel resources. To enhance theoverloading performance of the BS, we develop a general frame-work for the synergistic amalgamation of the spatial divisionmultiple access (SDMA) technique with the CS-based grant-freeNOMA. We derive a closed-form statistical beamforming and adynamic beamforming scheme for the inter-cluster interferencesuppression when applying SDMA. Based on this, we furtherdevelop a joint adaptive beamforming and subspace pursuit (J-ABF-SP) algorithm for the multiuser detection and data recovery,with a novel sparsity level decision method without the accurateknowledge of the noise level. To further improve the datarecovery performance, we propose an interference cancellation-based J-ABF-SP scheme (J-ABF-SP-IC) by using the initial signalestimates generated from the J-ABF-SP algorithm. Illustrativesimulations verify the superior user detection and signal recoveryperformance of our proposed algorithms in comparison withexisting CS-based grant-free NOMA techniques.</p

Utility of a heart failure treatment score (quad score) in predicting early outcomes in patients with heart failure and a reduced ejection fraction

Introduction: International guidelines recommend that the four pillars of heart failure drug therapy including an Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitor (ACEi) or Angiotensin Receptor Neprilysin Inhibitor (ARNI), Betablocker (BB), Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist (MRA) and Sodium Glucose co-transporter II inhibitor (SGLT2i) are prescribed to patients with heart failure and a reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) to improve symptoms and prognosis. The greatest benefit is derived with additional drug classes prescribed and at optimum dosing. Despite this, treatment inertia remains a recognized limitation to heart failure drug optimization and is associated with poor outcomes.</p

Enhancement of tensile ductility and stretch formability of AZ31 magnesium alloy sheet processed by cross-wavy bending

The microstructure and texture evolution in the sheets of AZ31 magnesium alloy was studied by means of cross-wavy bending for 4 passes at 673 K. The bended samples were examined by optical microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction analysis. Finite element analysis suggested an inhomogeneous deformation at each pass. Following cross-wavy bending, a fine-grained microstructure with an average grain size of ∼8 μm and a weak and random basal texture were achieved. Accumulative effective strain was almost equal in the whole sheet at the end. Different work softening mechanisms significantly affected the evolution of the microstructure. Dynamic recovery played an important role during the first three bending passes whereas, in contrast, dynamic recrystallization dominated the evident grain refinement during the last pass. The tensile ductility and stretch formability of the 4-pass sheet at room temperature were distinctly enhanced compared to the initial sheet (1.55 and 2 times larger, respectively). These prominent increases were mainly attributed to texture randomizing rather than texture weakening alone. © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

MDD-Enabled Two-Tier Terahertz Fronthaul in Indoor Industrial Cell-Free Massive MIMO

To liberate indoor industrial cell-free mas-sive multiple-input multiple-output (CF-mMIMO) net-works from wired fronthaul, this paper proposes amulticarrier-division duplex (MDD)-enabled two-tierterahertz (THz) fronthaul scheme. In our scheme, twolayers of fronthaul links rely on the mutually orthogonalsubcarrier sets in the same THz band, while accesslinks are implemented over sub-6G band. However, theproposed scheme leads to a complicated mixed-integernonconvex optimization problem incorporating accesspoint (AP) clustering, device selection, the assignmentof subcarrier sets and the resource allocation at boththe central processing unit (CPU) and APs. Hence, inorder to address the formulated problem, we first resortto the low-complexity but efficient heuristic methodsthereby relaxing the involved binary variables. Then,the overall end-to-end optimization is implementedby iteratively optimizing the assignment of subcarriersets and the number of AP clusters. Furthermore, anadvanced MDD frame structure consisting of three par-allel data streams is tailored for the proposed scheme.Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of theproposed dynamic AP clustering approach in dealingwith the networks of varying sizes. Moreover, benefit-ing from the well-designed frame structure, MDD iscapable of outperforming TDD in the two-tier fronthaulnetworks. Additionally, the effect of the THz band-width on system performance is analyzed, and it isshown that empowered by sufficient bandwidth, ourproposed two-tier fully-wireless fronthaul scheme canachieve a comparable performance to the fiber-opticbased systems. Finally, the superiority of the proposedMDD-enabled fronthaul scheme is verified in a practicalscenario with realistic ray-tracing simulations.</p

Long term outcomes of patients receiving Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators in a contemporary implant population in the Essex region of the UK

Abstract Introduction Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death in patients who are at risk and amongst among heart failure (HF) patients with a reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Objective The aim of this study was to determine the differences in outcomes amongst patients in a contemporary ICD implant population based on primary or secondary indications and an ischaemic or non-ischaemic aetiology. The primary outcome was death or appropriate device therapy for a ventricular arrhythmia. The secondary outcome was inappropriate shock therapy. Purpose The study cohort included consecutive patients who had an ICD or CRT-D implanted at a high-volume regional referral centre in Essex between 2014 and 2015. The censor point for follow up was 31/12/2018. Cumulative incidences were analysed by the method of Kaplan–Meier and compared using the log-rank test. In addition, the relationship between several clinical variables were tested in a multivariate Cox model to predict long-term mortality and this is described with hazard ratios (HR) and 95% CI. Results 407 patients who received ICD treatment were followed up for a mean of 50±4 months. 63% had an Ischaemic cardiomyopathy and 60% had a primary prevention indication. Majority were men (81.5%), mean LVEF was (31±11) and mean age (71±11). The incidence of appropriate ICD therapy at 1-year post ICD insertion was 6.8% in all patients. This was significantly higher in patients with a secondary prevention indication compared to primary prevention (11.7% v 3.6% p=0.015) but similar in ischaemic compared to non-ischaemic patients (7.8% v 5.2% p=0.46). 1.9% patients had an inappropriate shock at 1 year and between group rate was similar. Overall 8.1% of patients did not survive beyond 1-year post implant with a mean time to death of 5.6±3.6 months. The cumulative incidence of the primary end-point at 1 year was similar in ischaemic and non-Ischaemic patients (7.8% v 8.6%; HR: 1.04, 95% CI 0.7–1.5, p=0.83) but was significantly higher at the end of study period in patients with an ischaemic aetiology (32.4% v 21%; HR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.1–2.4, p=0.024) (Fig.1). In an adjusted Cox Hazard model, appropriate ICD therapy at 1 year (HR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.17–0.47, p<0.001) and a secondary indication for ICD treatment (HR: 0.47, 95% CI: 0.31–0.73, p=0.001) were strongly associated with long-term mortality. Figure 1 Conclusions Our study highlights outcomes in a long-term follow up of ICD patients and in light of the debate around the DANISH trial, we have shown that at 1 year, the benefit of ICD therapy is comparable in non-ischaemic compared to ischaemic cardiomyopathies. Moreover, patients who had an ICD implanted for secondary prevention had a 3-fold mortality benefit at 1 year and had a higher rate of death. Appropriate ICD therapy and a secondary prevention indication predicted long term mortality

The feasibility of a structured multidisciplinary team approach to palliative care in patients with heart failure

Introduction: Patients at advanced stages of the Heart Failure (HF) syndrome who are ineligible for advanced therapeutic options remain an underserved group of patients, who are not usually catered for in clinical pathways. We evaluated an integrated service for these patients through a collaboration led by the palliative care (PC) team at the local hospice, and the hospital and community HF teams, linked through a weekly multidisciplinary team (MDT) meeting.</p

Sex differences in stroke incidence, prevalence,mortality and disability-adjusted life years: Results from the global burden of disease study 2013

Background: Accurate information on stroke burden in men and women are important for evidence-based healthcare planning and resource allocation. Previously, limited research suggested that the absolute number of deaths from stroke in women was greater than in men, but the incidence and mortality rates were greater in men. However, sex differences in various metrics of stroke burden on a global scale have not been a subject of comprehensive and comparable assessment for most regions of the world, nor have sex differences in stroke burden been examined for trends over time. Methods: Stroke incidence, prevalence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and healthy years lost due to disability were estimated as part of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2013 Study. Data inputs included all available information on stroke incidence, prevalence and death and case fatality rates. Analysis was performed separately by sex and 5-year age categories for 188 countries. Statistical models were employed to produce globally comprehensive results over time. All rates were age-standardized to a global population and 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs) were computed. Findings: In 2013, global ischemic stroke (IS) and hemorrhagic stroke (HS) incidence (per 100,000) in men (IS 132.77 (95% UI 125.34-142.77); HS 64.89 (95% UI 59.82-68.85)) exceeded those of women (IS 98.85 (95% UI 92.11-106.62); HS 45.48 (95% UI 42.43-48.53)). IS incidence rates were lower in 2013 compared with 1990 rates for both sexes (1990 male IS incidence 147.40 (95% UI 137.87-157.66); 1990 female IS incidence 113.31 (95% UI 103.52-123.40)), but the only significant change in IS incidence was among women