The Impact of Hospital Transfers on Surgical Delay and Associated Postoperative Outcomes for Hip Fracture Patients in Scotland : A Cohort Study

Acknowledgments: We are grateful to the Lorraine Donaldson and Kirsty Ward at the Scottish Hip Fracture Audit for assistance in obtaining the relevant data and necessary approvals. We are also grateful to the Local Audit Coordinators who collect SHFA data on behalf of Public Health Scotland, and to the patients whose data was utilized in the study.Peer reviewe

Development of small form factor packaged single-mode semiconductor laser for spectroscopic applications at 689nm

We report on the development of a compact packaged semiconductor laser capable of spectroscopy applications at 689 nm. The key component is an optical isolator that is small enough to fit inside a package that is compatible with standard 14-pin butterfly packages. We present a threshold current of 33 mA, a forward voltage of 2.5 V at 50 mA, long term reliability study for over 12,500 hours, a relative intensity noise below -145 dBc/Hz, and a linewidth of 2 MHz. The relative intensity noise and the frequency noise spectra verify continuous-wave lasing and frequency stability of the packaged laser

Integrated care pathways for airway diseases (AIRWAYS-ICPs)

The objective of Integrated Care Pathways for Airway Diseases (AIRWAYS-ICPs) is to launch a collaboration to develop multi-sectoral care pathways for chronic respiratory diseases in European countries and regions. AIRWAYS-ICPs has strategic relevance to the European Union Health Strategy and will add value to existing public health knowledge by: 1) proposing a common framework of care pathways for chronic respiratory diseases, which will facilitate comparability and trans-national initiatives; 2) informing cost-effective policy development, strengthening in particular those on smoking and environmental exposure; 3) aiding risk stratification in chronic disease patients, using a common strategy; 4) having a significant impact on the health of citizens in the short term (reduction of morbidity, improvement of education in children and of work in adults) and in the long-term (healthy ageing); 5) proposing a common simulation tool to assist physicians; and 6) ultimately reducing the healthcare burden (emergency visits, avoidable hospitalisations, disability and costs) while improving quality of life. In the longer term, the incidence of disease may be reduced by innovative prevention strategies. AIRWAYSICPs was initiated by Area 5 of the Action Plan B3 of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing. All stakeholders are involved (health and social care, patients, and policy makers)