Risk and protective factors for meningococcal disease in adolescents: matched cohort study

Objective: To examine biological and social risk factors for meningococcal disease in adolescents. Design: Prospective, population based, matched cohort study with controls matched for age and sex in 1:1 matching. Controls were sought from the general practitioner. Setting: Six contiguous regions of England, which represent some 65% of the country’s population. Participants: 15-19 year olds with meningococcal disease recruited at hospital admission in six regions (representing 65% of the population of England) from January 1999 to June 2000, and their matched controls. Methods: Blood samples and pernasal and throat swabs were taken from case patients at admission to hospital and from cases and matched controls at interview. Data on potential risk factors were gathered by confidential interview. Data were analysed by using univariate and multivariate conditional logistic regression. Results: 144 case control pairs were recruited (74 male (51%); median age 17.6). 114 cases (79%) were confirmed microbiologically. Significant independent risk factors for meningococcal disease were history of preceding illness (matched odds ratio 2.9, 95% confidence interval 1.4 to 5.9), intimate kissing with multiple partners (3.7, 1.7 to 8.1), being a university student (3.4, 1.2 to 10) and preterm birth (3.7, 1.0 to 13.5). Religious observance (0.09, 0.02 to 0.6) and meningococcal vaccination (0.12, 0.04 to 0.4) were associated with protection. Conclusions: Activities and events increasing risk for meningococcal disease in adolescence are different from in childhood. Students are at higher risk. Altering personal behaviours could moderate the risk. However, the development of further effective meningococcal vaccines remains a key public health priority

Pathways from pilot to demonstration : how can research advance CO2 geological storage deployment?

An international workshop was hosted by the British Geological Survey (BGS), supported by the United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), from the 1st to the 3rd of March 2016 at the BGS offices in Keyworth, Nottingham, United Kingdom. The workshop objectives were to: Examine how pilot, field laboratory and laboratory projects can inform and advance large-scale CO2 storage and low-carbon geo-energy resources. Reinforce the importance of advancing CCS through practical experience at varied relevant scales: pilots/field labs (testing concepts) and demonstrations (deploy technologies and identify new technical questions for pilots to examine) Strengthening international links between field lab, pilot, demonstration and large scale project operators to make it easier to share lessons learned Exchange research learning between CCS and other geo-energy disciplines The workshop outcomes were intended to identify of opportunities for collaboration and development of outline proposals to advance CCS and geo-energy research through practical experience and demonstrations. Workshop invitees included policy makers, demonstration project representatives, academics and pilot project operators. A total of 75 delegates attended, who represented 46 organisations including research institutions, industry (national, multinational and suppliers), global and national CCS networks and trade associations (see attached delegate list – Appendix 1), and a government representative from UK DECC. Delegates were from 13 countries worldwide

Application of Waste Glass Powder as a Partial Cement Substitute towards more Sustainable Concrete Production

Use of waste materials in concrete is now a global trend for efficient waste management so as to achieve a sustainable green environment and with the added advantages of preserving the natural resources as well as producing a better performing concrete. This study examined the properties of concrete containing ground waste glass powder (GP) as partial replacement for cement. The waste glass was finely grounded into powder and the morphology imagery of the powder materials was carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Moreover, the chemical composition of the glass powdered material was determined using X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Laboratory tests were carried out to determine the strength activity index, workability, split tensile and compressive strength properties of the concrete with 0%, 15%, 18%, 21%, 24%, 27% and 30% partial replacement of cement with the ground waste glass powder. The results showed that the oxides composition of the glass powder meets the requirements for pozzolanic material, while the SEM morphology shows materials of amorphous flaky solid masses, and based on the 28-day strength activity index, concrete containing 21% cement replacement shows a higher strength index above the recommended 75%. It was also observed that workability of the concrete reduced with increase in percentage glass content while significant improvement of the compressive strength of the concrete was achieved at 21% cement replacement, after which a decrease in strength with increasing percentage glass content was observed. The revealed results were confirmed by the microstructural examination using SEM showing a denser concrete at 21% cement replacement but increase porosity as the glass content increases. However, a decrease in split tensile strength was observed with increasing glass content. The results clearly showed that it is possible to produce moderate strength sustainable concrete for structural application using 20% glass powder as cement replacement

Black hole boundaries

Classical black holes and event horizons are highly non-local objects, defined in relation to the causal past of future null infinity. Alternative, quasilocal characterizations of black holes are often used in mathematical, quantum, and numerical relativity. These include apparent, killing, trapping, isolated, dynamical, and slowly evolving horizons. All of these are closely associated with two-surfaces of zero outward null expansion. This paper reviews the traditional definition of black holes and provides an overview of some of the more recent work on alternative horizons.Comment: 27 pages, 8 figures, invited Einstein Centennial Review Article for CJP, final version to appear in journal - glossary of terms added, typos correcte

The “realist search”: a systematic scoping review of current practice and reporting

The requirement that literature searches that identify studies for inclusion in systematic reviews should be systematic, explicit and reproducible extends, at least by implication, to other types of literature review. However, realist reviews commonly require literature searches which challenge systematic reporting; searches are iterative and involve multiple search strategies and approaches. Notwithstanding these challenges, reporting of the “realist search” can be structured to be transparent and to facilitate identification of innovative retrieval practices. Our six‐component search framework, consolidates and extends the structure advanced by Pawson, one of the originators of realist review: formulating the question, conducting the background search, searching for programme theory, searching for empirical studies, searching to refine programme theory and identify relevant mid‐range theory, and documenting and reporting the search process. This study reviews reports of search methods in 34 realist reviews published within the calendar year of 2016. Data from all eligible reviews were extracted against the search framework. Realist search reports poorly differentiate between the different search components. Review teams often conduct a single “big bang” multi‐purpose search to fulfil multiple functions within the review. However, it is acknowledged that realist searches are likely to be iterative and responsive to emergent data. Overall the search for empirical studies appears most comprehensive in conduct and reporting detail. In contrast, searches to identify and refine programme theory are poorly conducted, if at all, and poorly reported. Use of this framework offers greater transparency in conduct and reporting while preserving flexibility and methodological innovation

A Planarity Test via Construction Sequences

Optimal linear-time algorithms for testing the planarity of a graph are well-known for over 35 years. However, these algorithms are quite involved and recent publications still try to give simpler linear-time tests. We give a simple reduction from planarity testing to the problem of computing a certain construction of a 3-connected graph. The approach is different from previous planarity tests; as key concept, we maintain a planar embedding that is 3-connected at each point in time. The algorithm runs in linear time and computes a planar embedding if the input graph is planar and a Kuratowski-subdivision otherwise

A solution for improved simulation efficiency of a multi-domain marine power system model

Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) marine power systems offer increased design flexibility and operational economy by supplying ship propulsion and service loads from a common electrical system. Predicting the behaviour of IFEP systems through simulation is important in reducing the design risk. However, the prevalence of power electronics and the potential for interaction between large electrical and mechanical systems introduce significant simulation challenges. This paper presents an integrated simulation tool, which brings together electrical, mechanical, thermal and hydrodynamic models, facilitating a holistic simulation capability. Approaches adopted for model validation and computational efficiency together with two case studies are discussed

Narrowband UVB phototherapy for clinically isolated syndrome: A trial to deliver the benefits of Vitamin D and other UVB-Induced molecules

Low vitamin D and insufficient sun exposure are additive independent risk factors for the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). The usual measure of vitamin D status, serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D], is also a marker of recent exposure to the UVB rays of sunshine. The main evidence for a protective effect for MS development of higher 25(OH)D comes from observational studies, but this study design cannot separate out whether 25(OH)D is acting as a marker of vitamin D status, sun exposure, or both. In light of a lack of definitive outcomes in MS patients after trials of vitamin D supplementation and the ability of narrowband UVB to induce vitamin D, as well as other immune-regulatory molecules in skin, the Phototherapy for Clinically Isolated Syndrome (PhoCIS) trial was established to investigate the benefits of narrowband UVB, in addition to supplemented vitamin D, on MS development in individuals with Clinically Isolated Syndrome. We propose that the PhoCIS trial provides a fresh approach to re-defining the reported associations of 25(OH)D levels with MS development and progression

Correction to: “Constraining climate forecasts: The role of prior assumptions”

N/