Proposed reference models for atomic oxygen in the terrestrial atmosphere

A provisional Atomic Oxygen Reference model was derived from average monthly ozone profiles and the MSIS-86 reference model atmosphere. The concentrations are presented in tabular form for the altitude range 40 to 130 km

Randomised controlled trial of homoeopathy versus placebo in perennial allergic rhinitis with overview of four trial series

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that homoeopathy is a placebo by examining its effect in patients with allergic rhinitis and so contest the evidence from three previous trials in this series. Design: Randomised, double blind, placebo controlled, parallel group, multicentre study. SETTING: Four general practices and a hospital ear, nose, and throat outpatient department. PARTICIPANTS: 51 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. Intervention: Random assignment to an oral 30c homoeopathic preparation of principal inhalant allergen or to placebo. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes from baseline in nasal inspiratory peak flow and symptom visual analogue scale score over third and fourth weeks after randomisation. RESULTS: Fifty patients completed the study. The homoeopathy group had a significant objective improvement in nasal airflow compared with the placebo group (mean difference 19.8 l/min, 95% confidence interval 10.4 to 29.1, P=0.0001). Both groups reported improvement in symptoms, with patients taking homoeopathy reporting more improvement in all but one of the centres, which had more patients with aggravations. On average no significant difference between the groups was seen on visual analogue scale scores. Initial aggravations of rhinitis symptoms were more common with homoeopathy than placebo (7 (30%) v 2 (7%), P=0.04). Addition of these results to those of three previous trials (n=253) showed a mean symptom reduction on visual analogue scores of 28% (10.9 mm) for homoeopathy compared with 3% (1.1 mm) for placebo (95% confidence interval 4.2 to 15.4, P=0.0007). CONCLUSION: The objective results reinforce earlier evidence that homoeopathic dilutions differ from placebo

Will I? won't I? Why do men who have sex with men present for post-exposure prophylaxis for sexual exposures?

Background: Failures of post-exposure prophylaxis following sexual exposure (PEPSE) to prevent seroconversion have been reported and are often associated with ongoing risk exposure. Understanding why men who have sex with men (MSM) access PEPSE on some occasions and not others may lead to more effective health promotion and disease prevention strategies Methods: A qualitative study design using semi-structured interviews of 15 MSM within 6 months of them initiating PEPSE treatment at an HIV outpatient service in Brighton, UK. Results: PEPSE seeking was motivated by a number of factors: an episode that related to a particular sexual partner and their behaviour; the characteristics of the venue where the risk occurred; the respondent’s state of mind and influences of alcohol and recreational drug use; and their perceived beliefs on the effectiveness of PEPSE. Help was sought in the light of a “one-off” or “unusual” event. Many respondents felt they were less likely to behave in a risky manner following PEPSE. Conclusion: If PEPSE is to be effective as a public health measure, at risk individuals need to be empowered to make improved risk calculations from an increased perception that they could be exposed to HIV if they continue their current behaviour patterns. The concern is that PEPSE was sought by a low number of MSM implying that a greater number are not using the service based on failure to make accurate risk calculations or recognise high-risk scenario

Unmasking quality: exploring meanings of health by doing art

This paper arises from a presentation at the ‘Quality in Healthcare’ symposium at Cumberland Lodge, England, in 2013. MK, CR and SH conceived the paper and led the writing of the manuscript. JF, JL-D, AC, DE contributed substantially to the intellectual content of the paper through providing critical commentary and interpretation. All authors read and approved the final manuscript

Trapping of Pd, Au, and Cu by implantation-induced nanocavities and dislocations in Si

The gettering of metallic impurities by nanocavities formed in Si is a topic of both scientific importance and technological significance. Metallic precipitates observed in the regions where nanocavities were formed have been considered the result of the metal filling the nanocavities, either as elemental metal or a silicide phase. However, our transmission electron microscopy observations demonstrate that many of these precipitates are concentrated along dislocations, rather than randomly distributed as expected for precipitates formed by the filling of nanocavities. Consequently, the gettering contribution of dislocations in the lattice caused by nanocavity formation must be considered. For Pd, dislocations are the preferred sites for the precipitation of the metal silicide. We compare results of gettering by nanocavities and dislocations for Pd, Au, and Cu to determine which structure is the dominant influence for the formation of precipitates of these metals and/or their silicides

The effects of acute inflammation on cognitive functioning and emotional processing in humans: A systematic review of experimental studies

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via the DOI in this record Objective The cognitive neuropsychological model of depression proposes that negative biases in the processing of emotionally salient information have a central role in the development and maintenance of depression. We have conducted a systematic review to determine whether acute experimental inflammation is associated with changes to cognitive and emotional processing that are thought to cause and maintain depression. Methods We identified experimental studies in which healthy individuals were administered an acute inflammatory challenge (bacterial endotoxin/vaccination) and standardised tests of cognitive function were performed. Results Fourteen references were identified, reporting findings from 12 independent studies on 345 participants. Methodological quality was rated strong or moderate for 11 studies. Acute experimental inflammation was triggered using a variety of agents (including endotoxin from E. coli, S. typhi, S. abortus Equi and Hepatitis B vaccine) and cognition was assessed over hours to months, using cognitive tests of i) attention/executive functioning, ii) memory and iii) social/emotional processing. Studies found mixed evidence that acute experimental inflammation caused changes to attention/executive functioning (2 of 6 studies showed improvements in attention executive function compared to control), changes in memory (3 of 5 studies; improved reaction time: reduced memory for object proximity: poorer immediate and delayed memory) and changes to social/emotional processing (4 of 5 studies; reduced perception of emotions, increased avoidance of punishment/loss experiences, and increased social disconnectedness). Conclusions Acute experimental inflammation causes negative biases in social and emotional processing that could explain observed associations between inflammation and depression.National Institute for Health Research (NIHR

Men who have sex with men who do not access sexual health clinics nor disclose sexual orientation are unlikely to receive the HPV vaccine in the UK

Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are recommended the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination due to their higher risk of genital warts and anal cancer. Purpose: To examine HPV vaccine acceptability amongst MSM in the UK. Methods: Using advertisements via Facebook, MSM were recruited to an online survey measuring motivations for HPV vaccination. Logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of HPV vaccine acceptability. Results: Out of 1508 MSM (median age = 22, range: 14–63 years) only 19% had good knowledge of HPV. Overall, 55% of MSM were willing to ask for the HPV vaccine and 89% would accept it if offered by a healthcare professional (HCP). Access to sexual health clinics (SHCs) [OR = 1.82, 95% CI 1.29–2.89], the disclosure of sexual orientation to a HCP [OR = 2.02, CI 1.39–3.14] and HIV-positive status [OR = 1.96, CI 1.09–3.53] positively predicted HPV vaccine acceptability. After receiving information about HPV, perceptions of HPV risk [OR = 1.31, CI 1.05–1.63], HPV infection severity [OR = 1.89, CI 1.16–3.01), HPV vaccination benefits [OR = 1.61, CI 1.14–3.01], HPV vaccine effectiveness [OR = 1.54, CI 1.14–2.08], and the lack of perceived barriers to HPV vaccination [OR = 4.46, CI 2.95–6.73] were also associated with acceptability. Conclusions: Although nearly half of MSM would not actively pursue HPV vaccination, the vast majority would accept the vaccine if recommended by HCPs. In order to achieve optimal uptake, vaccine promotion campaigns should focus on MSM who do not access SHCs and those unwilling to disclose their sexual orientation

A User-Centred Approach to Reducing Sedentary Behaviour

The use of digital technologies in the administration of healthcare is growing at a rapid rate. However, such platforms are often expensive. As people are living longer, the strain placed on hospitals is increasing. It is evident that a usercentric approach is needed, which aims to prevent illness before a hospital visit is required. As such, with the levels of obesity rising, preventing this illness before such resources are required has the potential to save an enormous amount of time and money, whilst promoting a healthier lifestyle. New and novel approaches are needed, which are inexpensive and pervasive in nature. One such approach is to use human digital memories. This outlet provides visual lifelogs, composed of a variety of data, which can be used to identify periods of inactivity. This paper explores how the DigMem system is used to successfully recognise activity and create temporal memory boxes of human experiences, which can be used to monitor sedentary behaviour

Capturing and Sharing Human Digital Memories with the Aid of Ubiquitous Peer– to–Peer Mobile Services

The explosion of mobile computing and the sharing of content ubiquitously has enabled users to create and share memories instantly. Access to different data sources, such as location, movement, and physiology, has helped to create a data rich society where new and enhanced memories will form part of everyday life. Peer–to–Peer (P2P) systems have also increased in popularity over the years, due to their ad hoc and decentralized nature. Mobile devices are “smarter” and are increasingly becoming part of P2P systems; opening up a whole new dimension for capturing, sharing and interacting with enhanced human digital memories. This will require original and novel platforms that automatically compose data sources from ubiquitous ad-hoc services that are prevalent within the environments we occupy. This is important for a number of reasons. Firstly, it will allow digital memories to be created that include richer information, such as how you felt when the memory was created and how you made others feel. Secondly, it provides a set of core services that can more easily manage and incorporate new sources as and when you are available. In this way memories created in the same location, and time are not necessarily similar – it depends on the data sources that are accessible. This paper presents DigMem, the initial prototype that is being developed to utilize distributed mobile services. DigMem captures and shares human digital memories, in a ubiquitous P2P environment. We present a case study to validate the implementation and evaluate the applicability of the approach