Extending Continuum Models for Atom Probe Simulation

This work describes extensions to existing level-set algorithms developed for application within the field of Atom Probe Tomography (APT). We present a new simulation tool for the simulation of 3D tomographic volumes, using advanced level set methods. By combining narrow-band, B-Tree and particle-tracing approaches from level-set methods, we demonstrate a practical tool for simulating shape changes to APT samples under applied electrostatic fields, in three dimensions. This work builds upon our previous studies by allowing for non-axially symmetric solutions, with minimal loss in computational speed, whilst retaining numerical accuracy

In Service CO2 and NOX Emissions of Euro 6/VI Cars, Light- and Heavy- dutygoods Vehicles in Real London driving: Taking the Road into the Laboratory

Driving on-the-road has more frequent and prompt acceleration/decelerations than in the type-approval light-duty test conditions (NEDC), with Real Driving Emissions (RDE) of CO2 and NOX known to be considerably higher. Despite permissible limits of NOX emissions at type approval reducing significantly, in-service emissions from diesel vehicles have, in reality, not reduced at all through the Euro 1–5 / I–V emission standards. TfL commissioned a programme of laboratory testing to better understand the in-service emission performance of Euro 6/VI vehicles over the TfL London Drive Cycle (LDC). This cycle was constructed from instrumented car data making repeated circuits of a set route at different times of day. Twelve Euro 6 passenger cars were tested over the entire 140 kms of the LDC from a warm-start. Three HGVs were tested over the suburban sub-cycle (40kms) in laden and un-laden condition. NOX emissions from the petrol cars were at a low level and below, or at, their type approval limit of 0.06 g.km-1. Only one SCR equipped diesel car achieved NOX emissions close to their 0.08 g.km-1 type approval limit. NOX emissions from diesel cars with only LNT NOX controls were between 3 and 13 times higher than their type approval limit (conformity factors). A diesel supermini was emitting NOX at the same level as the fully laden 40T artic HGV tested

Do electrical stimulation enhance pressure ulcer healing in people living with spinal cord injuries: a meta-analysis and systematic review of randomised and non-randomised controlled trials

Aim: To quantitatively analyse the effect of ES on PrU healing compared with standard wound care (SWC) and/or sham stimulation. Method: Review was limited to peer-reviewed studies published in English from 1970 to May 2014. Studies included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs. Methodological quality was assessed using established instruments. Pooled analyses were performed to calculate mean difference (MD) for continuous data, odds ratio (OR) for dichotomous data. Results / Discussion: Eight prospective controlled studies were reviewed, five studies were RCTs, and three studies were non-RCTs. Pooled analyses of eight trials showed ES significantly improved daily healing rate (MD 0.89, 95% CI 0.23-1.55, p=0.008) with significant heterogeneity. Pulsed current ES significantly improved daily healing rates compared with constant direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) in two trials (MD 1.50, 95% CI 0.62, 2.39, p=0.0009, I2=81%). Pooled analysis of two trials showed significant higher numbers of ulcer healed (OR 2.95, 95% CI 1.69–5.17, p=0.0002, I2=0%) with ES treatment. There was a trend towards less number of ulcer worsened with ES treatment (OR 0.38, 95% CI 0.12–1.24, p=0.11, I2=18%).intervals (CI). Conclusion: ES can significantly enhance PrU healing in SCI according to limited level I evidence. Pulsed current ES may confer better benefit on PrU healing than DC or AC. Electrodes placed on wound bed maybe superior to those applied on the intact skin

A quantitative, pooled analysis and systematic review of controlled trials on the impact of electrical stimulation settings and placement on pressure ulcer healing rates in persons with spinal cord injuries

Pressure ulcers (PrUs) are among the most common secondary complications following spinal cord injury (SCI). External electrical current applied to a wound is believed to mimic the body's natural bioelectricity and to restart and stimulate endogenous electrical fields to promote wound healing. A systematic review was conducted to critically appraise and synthesize updated evidence on the impact of electrical stimulation (ES) versus standard wound care (comprising cleansing, dressing, nutrition, and debridement as necessary) and/or sham stimulation on PrU healing rates in persons with SCIs. Medline, Embase, the Cumulative Index for Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PsycINFO, and Cochrane Central were searched using the terms spinal cord injury, electrical stimulation, and pressure ulcer in free text and MESH terms. Publications were limited to peer-reviewed, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs (CCTs) published in English from 1985 to 2014. The methodological quality of the RCTs was evaluated using the Jadad scale; CCTs were assessed using the Downs and Black tool. Pooled analyses were performed to calculate the mean difference (MD) for continuous data, odds ratio (OR) for dichotomous data, and 95% confidence intervals (CI). A total of 8 trials were reviewed - 6 RCTs and 2 CCTs included a total of 517 SCI participants who had at least 1 PrU. The number of patients per study ranged from 7 to 150 and the number of wounds from 7 to 192. Comparison models included ES irrespective of current type and placement of electrodes against sham/no ES (7 trials), ES delivered by electrodes overlaid on the ulcer versus sham/no ES (4 trials), ES delivered by electrodes placed on intact skin around the ulcer versus sham/no ES (4 trials), ES delivered by electrodes overlaid on the wound bed versus placed on intact skin around the ulcer (1 trial), ES with pulsed current versus sham/no ES (6 trials), ES with constant current versus sham/no ES (2 trials), pulsed current ES versus constant current ES (1 trial), number of PrUs closed (2 trials), and incidence of PrU worsened by ES versus sham/no ES (2 trials). The overall quality of studies was moderate; 2 trials were rated as good quality, 2 were poor quality, and 4 were moderate. Evidence showed ES increased the rate of PrU healing in patients with SCI (MD 4.97, 95% CI 1.97-7.98, P = 0.00; N = 7 studies and 559 ulcers), and a higher proportion of ulcers healed (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.17-6.14, P = 0.02; N = 2 studies and 226 ulcers). The data suggest pulsed current ES increased the healing rate (MD 6.27, 95% CI 2.77-9.78, P = 0.0005; N = 6 studies and 509 ulcers) more than constant current (MD 4.50, 95% CI 1.19-10.18, P = 0.12; N = 2 studies and 200 ulcers). In addition, wounds with electrodes overlaying the wound bed seemed to heal ulcer faster than wounds with electrodes placed on intact skin around the ulcer. Future preclinical, in vivo models and clinical trials examining the impact of electrodes configuration for PrU healing are warranted

Six types of E−E-functions of the Lie groups O(5) and G(2)

New families of $E$-functions are described in the context of the compact simple Lie groups O(5) and G(2). These functions of two real variables generalize the common exponential functions and for each group, only one family is currently found in the literature. All the families are fully characterized, their most important properties are described, namely their continuous and discrete orthogonalities and decompositions of their products.Comment: 25 pages, 13 figure

The rings of n-dimensional polytopes

Points of an orbit of a finite Coxeter group G, generated by n reflections starting from a single seed point, are considered as vertices of a polytope (G-polytope) centered at the origin of a real n-dimensional Euclidean space. A general efficient method is recalled for the geometric description of G- polytopes, their faces of all dimensions and their adjacencies. Products and symmetrized powers of G-polytopes are introduced and their decomposition into the sums of G-polytopes is described. Several invariants of G-polytopes are found, namely the analogs of Dynkin indices of degrees 2 and 4, anomaly numbers and congruence classes of the polytopes. The definitions apply to crystallographic and non-crystallographic Coxeter groups. Examples and applications are shown.Comment: 24 page

Impaired Glucose Metabolism among Those with and without Diagnosed Diabetes and Mortality: A Cohort Study Using Health Survey for England Data.

The extent that controlled diabetes impacts upon mortality, compared with uncontrolled diabetes, and how pre-diabetes alters mortality risk remain issues requiring clarification

Perfection of materials technology for producing improved Gunn-effect devices

Chemical vapor deposition system for improved Gunn effect devices using arsenic chloride 3 metho

How model sets can be determined by their two-point and three-point correlations

We show that real model sets with real internal spaces are determined, up to translation and changes of density zero by their two- and three-point correlations. We also show that there exist pairs of real (even one dimensional) aperiodic model sets with internal spaces that are products of real spaces and finite cyclic groups whose two- and three-point correlations are identical but which are not related by either translation or inversion of their windows. All these examples are pure point diffractive. Placed in the context of ergodic uniformly discrete point processes, the result is that real point processes of model sets based on real internal windows are determined by their second and third moments.Comment: 19 page

Neuroendocrinology and resistance training in adult males

An understanding of the neuroendocrine system will assist the Strength and Conditioning coach in the design of progressive strength training programmes by allowing them to manipulate acute training variables according to hormone release profiles. For muscle hypertrophy, training programmes should utilise 3 sets of 10 repetitions at 10RM loads, with short rest periods of no longer than 1 minute. This will ensure the accumulation and maintenance of lactate and hydrogen ions, to which anabolic hormone release is correlated. For strength adaptations without concomitant muscle hypertrophy, the training load and the length of rest periods should be increased, (>85% 1RM and >2mins respectively), and body parts should be rotated (e.g. upper body to lower body or agonist to antagonist). Finally, catabolic hormones and neurohormones significantly affect training adaptations. Therefore the strength and conditioning coach should be cognisant of the specific exercise programming and psychological interventions that manipulate their release