Professional skills development for mathematics undergraduates

Purpose To describe the design and development of a final year undergraduate mathematics module designed to address professional skills development at a UK university, including via input to curriculum and assessment from employers. To investigate student acquisition of skills from this module. Design/methodology/approach Literature on skills development in mathematics informs module design and development. Students optionally completed Likert-style competency questionnaires before and after the taught module content, and reflected on skills development via an end of module questionnaire. Data collection took place over three academic years. Findings Several key competencies exhibit median increases over the course of the module in each academic year, indicating a perceived skills development. Problem solving and presentation skills are particularly highlighted. Research limitations/implications Numbers of students were small, though the study is repeated with three different cohorts. Some students study mathematics jointly with another discipline and hence may have experience in skills development from the other subject. Practical implications This study indicates that innovations in teaching style and assessment in mathematics modules can enhance student confidence and competence with key professional skills. Originality/value Undergraduate modules in mathematics which have a focus on professional skills development are still fairly rare in UK universities. Often such modules do not embed the professional skills development activities with subject specific technical tasks and projects as this module does. There are few formal studies of the effectiveness of this style of module, especially longitudinal studies covering several academic years

Prime ideals in quantum algebras

The central objects of study in this thesis are quantized coordinate algebras. These algebras originated in the 1980s in the work of Drinfeld and Jumbo and are noncommutative analogues of coordinate rings of algebraic varieties. The organic nature by which these algebras arose is of great interest to algebraists. In particular, investigating ring theoretic properties of these noncommutative algebras in comparison to the properties already known about their classical (commutative) counterparts proves to be a fruitful process. The prime spectrum of an algebra has always been seen as an important key to understanding its fundamental structure. The search for prime spectra is a central focus of this thesis. Our focus is mainly on Quantum Grassmannian subalgebras of quantized coordinate rings of Matrices of size m x n (denoted Oq(Mm;n)). Quantum Grassmannians of size m x n are denoted Gq(m; n) and are the subalgebras generated by the maximal quantum minors of Oq(Mm;n). In Chapter 2 we look at the simplest interesting case, namely the 2 x 4 Quantum Grassmannian (Gq(2; 4)), and we identify the H-primes and automorphism group of this algebra. Chapter 3 begins with a very important result concerning the dehomogenisation isomorphism linking Gq(m; n) and Oq(Mm;n¡m). This result is applied to help to identify H-prime spectra of Quantum Grassmannians. Chapter 4 focuses on identifying the number of H-prime ideals in the 2xn Quan- tum Grassmannian. We show the link between Cauchon fillings of subpartitions and H-prime ideals. In Chapter 5, we look at methods of ordering the generating elements of Quantum Grassmannians and prove the result that Quantum Grassmannians are Quantum Graded Algebras with a Straightening Law is maintained on using one of these alternative orderings. Chapter 6 looks at the Poisson structure on the commutative coordinate ring, G(2; 4) encoded by the noncommutative quantized algebra Gq(2; 4). We describe the symplectic ideals of G(2; 4) based on this structure. Finally in Chapter 7, we present an analysis of the 2 x 2 Reflection Equation Algebra and its primes. This algebra is obtained from the quantized coordinate ring of 2 x 2 matrices, Oq(M2;2)

Queensland's high risk foot database: tracking the length and width of Queensland's foot ulcers [Conference Abstract]

Background Foot ulcers are a leading cause of avoidable hospital admissions and lower extremity amputations. However, large clinical studies describing foot ulcer presentations in the ambulatory setting are limited. The aim of this descriptive observational paper is to report the characteristics of ambulatory foot ulcer patients managed across 13 of 17 Queensland Health & Hospital Services. Methods Data on all foot ulcer patients registered with a Queensland High Risk Foot Form (QHRFF) was collected at their first consult in 2012. Data is automatically extracted from each QHRFF into a Queensland high risk foot database. Descriptive statistics display age, sex, ulcer types and co-morbidities. Statewide clinical indicators of foot ulcer management are also reported. Results Overall, 2,034 people presented with a foot ulcer in 2012. Mean age was 63(±14) years and 67.8% were male. Co-morbidities included 85% had diabetes, 49.7% hypertension, 39.2% dyslipidaemia, 25.6% cardiovascular disease, 13.7% kidney disease and 12.2% smoking. Foot ulcer types included 51.6% neuropathic, 17.8% neuro-ischaemic, 7.2% ischaemic, 6.6% post-surgical and 16.8% other; whilst 31% were infected. Clinical indicator results revealed 98% had their wound categorised, 51% received non-removable offloading, median ulcer healing time was 6-weeks and 37% had ulcer recurrence. Conclusion This paper details the largest foot ulcer database reported in Australia. People presenting with foot ulcers appear predominantly older, male with several co-morbidities. Encouragingly it appears most patients are receiving best practice care. These results may be a factor in the significant reduction of Queensland diabetes foot-related hospitalisations and amputations recently reported

Pilots flying with insulin-treated diabetes

People with diabetes treated with insulin have often faced blanket bans from safety-critical occupations largely because of fear of incapacitation due to hypoglycaemia. Recent advances in insulin therapies, modes of administration, monitoring, and non-invasive monitoring techniques have allowed stereotypical views to be challenged. The aviation sector has led the way in allowing pilots to fly on insulin. Recently countries that have traditionally been opposed have changed their minds largely due to the increasing evidence of safety. The purpose of this review was to gather all available information to update clinicans. The physiology and pathophysiology underpinning glucose regulation and the management of diabetes in the air allowing certain insulin-treated pilots to fly are discussed

Ambient Observations of Sub-1.0 Hygroscopic Growth Factor and F(RH) Values: Case Studies from Surface and Airborne Measurements

This study reports on the first set of ambient observations of sub-1.0 hygroscopicity values (i.e., growth factor, ratio of humidified-to-dry diameter, GF=Dp,wet/Dp,dry and f(RH), ratio of humidified-to-dry scattering coefficients, less than 1) with consistency across different instruments, regions, and platforms. We utilized data from a shipboard humidified tandem differential mobility analyzer (HTDMA) during Eastern Pacific Emitted Aerosol Cloud Experiment (E-PEACE) in 2011, multiple instruments on the DC-8 aircraft during Studies of Emissions, Atmospheric Composition, Clouds and Climate Coupling by Regional Surveys (SEAC4RS) in 2013, as well as the Differential Aerosol Sizing and Hygroscopicity Spectrometer Probe (DASH-SP) during measurement intensives during Summer 2014 and Winter 2015 in Tucson, Arizona. Sub-1.0 GFs were observed across the range of relative humidity (RH) investigated (75-95%), and did not show a RH-dependent trend in value below 1.0 or frequency of occurrence. A commonality between suppressed hygroscopicity in these experiments, including sub-1.0 GF, was the presence of smoke. Evidence of externally mixed aerosol, and thus multiple GFs, was observed during smoke periods resulting in at least one mode with GF < 1. Time periods during which the DASH-SP detected externally mixed aerosol coincide with sub-1.0 f(RH) observations. Mechanisms responsible for sub-1.0 hygroscopicity are discussed and include refractive index (RI) modifications due to aqueous processing, particle restructuring, and volatilization effects. To further investigate ambient observations of sub-1.0 GFs, f(RH), and particle restructuring, modifying hygroscopicity instruments with pre-humidification modules is recommended

Prospective genomic surveillance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) associated with bloodstream infection, England, 1 October 2012 to 30 September 2013.

BackgroundMandatory reporting of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream infections (BSI) has occurred in England for over 15years. Epidemiological information is recorded, but routine collection of isolates for characterisation has not been routinely undertaken. Ongoing developments in whole-genome sequencing (WGS) have demonstrated its value in outbreak investigations and for determining the spread of antimicrobial resistance and bacterial population structure. Benefits of adding genomics to routine epidemiological MRSA surveillance are unknown.AimTo determine feasibility and potential utility of adding genomics to epidemiological surveillance of MRSA.MethodsWe conducted an epidemiological and genomic survey of MRSA BSI in England over a 1-year period (1 October 2012--30 September 2013).ResultsDuring the study period, 903 cases of MRSA BSI were reported; 425 isolates were available for sequencing of which, 276 (65%) were clonal complex (CC) 22. Addition of 64 MRSA genomes from published outbreak investigations showed that the study genomes could provide context for outbreak isolates and supported cluster identification. Comparison to other MRSA genome collections demonstrated variation in clonal diversity achieved through different sampling strategies and identified potentially high-risk clones e.g. USA300 and local expansion of CC5 MRSA in South West England.ConclusionsWe demonstrate the potential utility of combined epidemiological and genomic MRSA BSI surveillance to determine the national population structure of MRSA, contextualise previous MRSA outbreaks, and detect potentially high-risk lineages. These findings support the integration of epidemiological and genomic surveillance for MRSA BSI as a step towards a comprehensive surveillance programme in England.This work was supported by grants from the UK Clinical Research Collaboration Translational Infection Research Initiative, and the Medical Research Council (Grant Number G1000803) with contributions to the Grant from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the National Institute for Health Research on behalf of the Department of Health, and the Chief Scientist Office of the Scottish Government Health Directorate (to Prof. Peacock); and the Wellcome Trust (to Prof. Parkhill [Grant 098051], Prof. Peacock). MST is a Wellcome Trust Clinical PhD Fellow at the University of Cambridge. MET is a Clinician Scientist Fellow, supported by the Academy of Medical Sciences and the Health Foundation, and by the National Institute for Health Research Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre. FC is supported by the Wellcome Trust (201344/Z/16/Z)

How Well Are Hand Hygiene Practices and Promotion Implemented in Sierra Leone? A Cross-Sectional Study in 13 Public Hospitals.

From Europe PMC via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: ppub 2022-03-01, epub 2022-03-23Publication status: PublishedFunder: World Health Organization; Grant(s): 001Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) result in millions of avoidable deaths or prolonged lengths of stay in hospitals and cause huge economic loss to health systems and communities. Primarily, HAIs spread through the hands of healthcare workers, so improving hand hygiene can reduce their spread. We evaluated hand hygiene practices and promotion across 13 public health hospitals (six secondary and seven tertiary hospitals) in the Western Area of Sierra Leone in a cross-sectional study using the WHO hand hygiene self-Assessment framework in May 2021. The mean score for all hospitals was 273 ± 46, indicating an intermediate level of hand hygiene. Nine hospitals achieved an intermediate level and four a basic level. More secondary hospitals 5 (83%) were at the intermediate level, compared to tertiary hospitals 4 (57%). Tertiary hospitals were poorly rated in the reminders in workplace and institutional safety climate domains but excelled in training and education. Lack of budgets to support hand hygiene implementation is a priority gap underlying this poor performance. These gaps hinder hand hygiene practice and promotion, contributing to the continued spread of HAIs. Enhancing the distribution of hand hygiene resources and encouraging an embedded culture of hand hygiene practice in hospitals will reduce HAIs

Realtime monitoring of thrombus formation in vivo using a self-reporting vascular access graft

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 10% of the global population costing over a hundred billion dollars per annum and leading to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Many patients with CKD require regular haemodialyses. Synthetic arteriovenous grafts (AVG) are increasingly used to provide rapid vascular connection for dialysis. Initially, they have excellent patency rates but are critically limited by neointimal hyperplasia at the venous anastomosis, which drives subsequent thrombosis, graft failure and death. Methods: Here, we describe a system in which electrical impedance spectroscopy sensors are incorporated circumferentially into the wall of a synthetic arteriovenous graft. This is combined with an implantable radiotelemetry system for data transmission outside the patient. The system was tested using monolayers of endothelial and smooth muscle cells as well as swine blood and clots with explanted human carotid artery plaques. Sensor testing was then performed in vitro and the device was implanted in vivo in female swine. Results: The device can wirelessly report the accumulation of biological material, both cells and blood. Differences are also detected when comparing controls with pathological atheroma. In swine differences between blockage formation in a graft were remotely obtained and wireless reported. Conclusions: Combining electrical impedance spectroscopy and an implantable radiotelemetry system enables graft surveillance. This has the potential to be used for early detection of venous stenosis and blood clot formation in real-time in vivo. In principle, the concept could apply to other cardiovascular diseases and vascular implantable devices