Development of the health and economic consequences of smoking interactive model

Objective-To describe the health and economic consequences of smoking model, a user friendly, web based tool, designed to estimate the health and economic outcomes associated with smoking and the benefits of smoking cessation. Results-An overview of the development of the model equations and user interface is given, and data from the UK are presented as an example of the model outputs. These results show that a typical smoking cessation strategy costs approximately pound 1200 per life year saved and pound 22 000 per death averted. Conclusions-The model successfully captures the complexity required to model smoking behaviour and associated mortality, morbidity, and health care costs. Furthermore, the interface provides the results in a simple and flexible way so as to be useful to a variety of audiences and to simulate a variety of smoking cessation methods

Extremely sharp carbon nanocone probes for atomic force microscopy imaging

A simple and reliable catalyst patterning technique combined with electric-field-guided growth is utilized to synthesize a sharp and high-aspect-ratio carbon nanocone probe on a tipless cantilever for atomic force microscopy. A single carbon nanodot produced by an electron-beam-induced deposition serves as a convenient chemical etch mask for catalyst patterning, thus eliminating the need for complicated, resist-based, electron-beam lithography for a nanoprobe fabrication. A gradual, sputtering-induced size reduction and eventual removal of the catalyst particle at the probe tip during electric-field-guided growth creates a sharp probe with a tip radius of only a few nanometers. These fabrication processes are amenable for the wafer-scale synthesis of multiple probes. High resolution imaging of three-dimensional features and deep trenches, and mechanical durability enabling continuous operation for many hours without noticeable image deterioration have been demonstrated

Dynamic performance modelling of tidal stream turbines in ocean waves.

The primary aim of this work is to develop a tool to predict the lifetime performance of a tidal stream turbine. This involves the experimental validation of Blade Element Momentum Theory (BEMT) and implementation of an extended model to optimise blade design and predict performance over the operating range. Time varying non-linear upstream flows, such as wave action and velocity gradients are considered and the model is extended into the time domain to obtain the dynamic response of the rotor. In addition, to rationalise the environmental conditions that a device will encounter in its lifetime, representative sea-states and occurrences must be defined. A 1m diameter turbine is tow tested in the River Tawe. It is monitored and controlled such that the performance can be analysed over the operating range. An automated electrical control system is also tested. The results are compared to BEMT. The BEMT is numerically implemented and examined to determine its limitations. Off-optimum performance is considered. The model is extended to incorporate a time dependent flow field with additional velocity and acceleration terms to allow the consideration of wave kinematics. Resultant forces are defined and calculated for particular environmental conditions. Finally the results are interpreted to allow the estimation of lifetime loadings including peak loads and fatigue. The model is validated and a good correlation is found relative to standard BEMT. It is concluded that both a velocity gradient and a wave action may significantly reduce power output whilst increasing the loads on a system. It is also concluded that a 3 bladed rotor encounters far lower loadings than a 2 bladed equivalent over the device lifetime. It is also the intention of this study to compare and contrast various tidal stream turbine support structure concepts in terms of the suitability of each to withstand the lifetime loadings at reasonable cost. A number of support structure concepts are investigated from an impartial perspective. In conclusion there is not one concept which clearly surpasses the others in all areas

Calcium phosphate nanoparticles as intrinsic inorganic antimicrobials: In search of the key particle property

One of the main goals of materials science in the 21st century is the development of materials with rationally designed properties as substitutes for traditional pharmacotherapies. At the same time, there is a lack of understanding of the exact material properties that induce therapeutic effects in biological systems, which limits their rational optimization for the related medical applications. This study sets the foundation for a general approach for elucidating nanoparticle properties as determinants of antibacterial activity, with a particular focus on calcium phosphate nanoparticles. To that end, nine physicochemical effects were studied and a number of them were refuted, thus putting an end to frequently erred hypotheses in the literature. Rather than having one key particle property responsible for eliciting the antibacterial effect, a complex synergy of factors is shown to be at work, including (a) nanoscopic size; (b) elevated intracellular free calcium levels due to nanoparticle solubility; (c) diffusivity and favorable electrostatic properties of the nanoparticle surface, primarily low net charge and high charge density; and (d) the dynamics of perpetual exchange of ultrafine clusters across the particle/solution interface. On the positive side, this multifaceted mechanism is less prone to induce bacterial resistance to the therapy and can be a gateway to the sphere of personalized medicine. On a more problematic side, it implies a less intense effect compared to single-target molecular therapies and a difficulty of elucidating the exact mechanisms of action, while also making the rational design of theirs for this type of medical application a challenge

Human sperm accumulation near surfaces: a simulation study

A hybrid boundary integral/slender body algorithm for modelling flagellar cell motility is presented. The algorithm uses the boundary element method to represent the ‘wedge-shaped’ head of the human sperm cell and a slender body theory representation of the flagellum. The head morphology is specified carefully due to its significant effect on the force and torque balance and hence movement of the free-swimming cell. The technique is used to investigate the mechanisms for the accumulation of human spermatozoa near surfaces. Sperm swimming in an infinite fluid, and near a plane boundary, with prescribed planar and three-dimensional flagellar waveforms are simulated. Both planar and ‘elliptical helicoid’ beating cells are predicted to accumulate at distances of approximately 8.5–22 μm from surfaces, for flagellar beating with angular wavenumber of 3π to 4π. Planar beating cells with wavenumber of approximately 2.4π or greater are predicted to accumulate at a finite distance, while cells with wavenumber of approximately 2π or less are predicted to escape from the surface, likely due to the breakdown of the stable swimming configuration. In the stable swimming trajectory the cell has a small angle of inclination away from the surface, no greater than approximately 0.5°. The trapping effect need not depend on specialized non-planar components of the flagellar beat but rather is a consequence of force and torque balance and the physical effect of the image systems in a no-slip plane boundary. The effect is relatively weak, so that a cell initially one body length from the surface and inclined at an angle of 4°–6° towards the surface will not be trapped but will rather be deflected from the surface. Cells performing rolling motility, where the flagellum sweeps out a ‘conical envelope’, are predicted to align with the surface provided that they approach with sufficiently steep angle. However simulation of cells swimming against a surface in such a configuration is not possible in the present framework. Simulated human sperm cells performing a planar beat with inclination between the beat plane and the plane-of-flattening of the head were not predicted to glide along surfaces, as has been observed in mouse sperm. Instead, cells initially with the head approximately 1.5–3 μm from the surface were predicted to turn away and escape. The simulation model was also used to examine rolling motility due to elliptical helicoid flagellar beating. The head was found to rotate by approximately 240° over one beat cycle and due to the time-varying torques associated with the flagellar beat was found to exhibit ‘looping’ as has been observed in cells swimming against coverslips

Chapter 9: Model Systems for Formation and Dissolution of Calcium Phosphate Minerals

Calcium phosphates are the mineral component of bones and teeth. As such there is great interest in understanding the physical mechanisms that underlie their growth, dissolution, and phase stability. Control is often achieved at the cellular level by the manipulation of solution states and the use of crystal growth modulators such as peptides or other organic molecules. This chapter begins with a discussion of solution speciation in body fluids and relates this to important crystal growth parameters such as the supersaturation, pH, ionic strength and the ratio of calcium to phosphate activities. We then discuss the use of scanning probe microscopy as a tool to measure surface kinetics of mineral surfaces evolving in simplified solutions. The two primary themes that we will touch on are the use of microenvironments that temporally evolve the solution state to control growth and dissolution; and the use of various growth modifiers that interact with the solution species or with mineral surfaces to shift growth away from the lowest energy facetted forms. The study of synthetic minerals in simplified solution lays the foundation for understand mineralization process in more complex environments found in the body

Dynamic Changes in LSM Nanoparticles on YSZ: A Model System for Non-Stationary SOFC Cathode Behavior

The interaction between nanoparticles of strontium-doped lanthanum manganite (LSM) and single-crystal yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) was investigated using atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Nanoparticles of LSM were deposited directly onto single-crystal YSZ (100) substrates using an ultrasonic spray nozzle. As samples were annealed from 850 to 1250 degrees C, nanoparticles gradually decreased in height and eventually disappeared completely. Subsequent reduction in H-2/H2O at 700 degrees C resulted in the reappearance of nanoparticles. Studies were carried out on identical regions of the sample, allowing the same nanoparticles to be characterized at different temperatures. Morphological changes indicate the formation of a thin layer of LSM, and XPS results support the observation by indicating an increase in signal from the La and Sr and a decrease in signal from the Y and Zr with increasing temperature. SEM/EDX was used to verify that the nanoparticles in the reduced sample contained La. The changes in the LSM/YSZ morphology may be important in explaining the nonstationary behavior observed in operating solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The thin layer of LSM initially results in poor cathode performance; reducing conditions then lead to film disruptions, indicating nano/microporosity, that increase oxygen ion diffusion and performance

The Use Of Scanning Probe Microscopy To Investigate Crystal-Fluid Interfaces

Over the past decade there has been a natural drive to extend the investigation of dynamic surfaces in fluid environments to higher resolution characterization tools. Various aspects of solution crystal growth have been directly visualized for the first time. These include island nucleation and growth using transmission electron microscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy; elemental step motion using scanning probe microscopy; and the time evolution of interfacial atomic structure using various diffraction techniques. In this lecture we will discuss the use of one such in situ method, scanning probe microscopy, as a means of measuring surface dynamics during crystal growth and dissolution. We will cover both practical aspects of imaging such as environmental control, fluid flow, and electrochemical manipulation, as well as the types of physical measurements that can be made. Measurements such as step motion, critical lengths, nucleation density, and step fluctuations, will be put in context of the information they provide about mechanistic processes at surfaces using examples from metal and mineral crystal growth

Atlas versus range maps: robustness of chorological relationships to distribution data types in European mammals

Aim Chorological relationships describe the patterns of distributional overlap among species. In addition to revealing biogeographical structure, the resulting clusters of species with similar geographical distributions can serve as natural units in conservation planning. Here, we assess the extent to which temporal, methodological and taxonomical differences in the source of species’ distribution data can affect the relationships that are found