Predicted 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease is influenced by the risk equation adopted: a cross-sectional analysis

Background Validated risk equations are currently recommended to assess individuals to determine those at ‘high risk’ of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, there is no longer a risk ‘equation of choice’. Aim This study examined the differences between four commonly-used CVD risk equations. Design and setting Cross-sectional analysis of individuals who participated in a workplace-based risk assessment in Carmarthenshire, south Wales. Method Analysis of 790 individuals (474 females, 316 males) with no prior diagnosis of CVD or diabetes. Ten-year CVD risk was predicted by entering the relevant variables into the QRISK2, Framingham Lipids, Framingham BMI, and JBS2 risk equations. Results The Framingham BMI and JBS2 risk equations predicted a higher absolute risk than the QRISK2 and Framingham Lipids equations, and CVD risk increased concomitantly with age irrespective of which risk equation was adopted. Only a small proportion of females (0–2.1%) were predicted to be at high risk of developing CVD using any of the risk algorithms. The proportion of males predicted at high risk ranged from 5.4% (QRISK2) to 20.3% (JBS2). After age stratification, few differences between isolated risk factors were observed in males, although a greater proportion of males aged ≥50 years were predicted to be at ‘high risk’ independent of risk equation used. Conclusions Different risk equations can influence the predicted 10-year CVD risk of individuals. More males were predicted at ‘high risk’ using the JBS2 or Framingham BMI equations. Consideration should also be given to the number of isolated risk factors, especially in younger adults when evaluating CVD risk

Normalised model-based processing diagrams for additive layer manufacture of engineering alloys

Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM) is becoming a more widely accepted method for the production of near net-shape products across a range of industries and alloys. Depending on the end application, a level of process substantiation is required for new parts or alloys. Prior knowledge of the likely process parameter ranges that will provide a target region for the process integrity can save valuable time and resource during initial ALM trials. In this paper, the parameters used during the powder bed ALM process have been taken from the literature and the present study to construct normalised process maps for the ALM process by building on an approach taken by Ion et al. in the early 1990's (J.C. Ion, H.R. Shercliff, M.F. Ashby, Acta Metallurgica et Materialia 40 (1992) 1539e1551). These process maps present isopleths of normalised equivalent energy density (E0*) and are designed to provide a practical framework for comparing a range of ALM platforms, alloys and process parameters and provide a priori information on microstructure. The diagrams provide a useful reference and methodology to aid in the selection of appropriate processing parameters during the early development stages. This paper also applies the methodology to worked examples of Tie6Ale4V depositions processed using different Electron Beam Melting parameters

Exclusive Photoproduction of the Cascade (Xi) Hyperons

We report on the first measurement of exclusive Xi-(1321) hyperon photoproduction in gamma p --> K+ K+ Xi- for 3.2 < E(gamma) < 3.9 GeV. The final state is identified by the missing mass in p(gamma,K+ K+)X measured with the CLAS detector at Jefferson Laboratory. We have detected a significant number of the ground-state Xi-(1321)1/2+, and have estimated the total cross section for its production. We have also observed the first excited state Xi-(1530)3/2+. Photoproduction provides a copious source of Xi's. We discuss the possibilities of a search for the recently proposed Xi5-- and Xi5+ pentaquarks.Comment: submitted to Phys. Rev.

A study of the reaction [pi][superscript -]p[right arrow]k[superscript �]^[superscript �] using a polarised proton target in a large magnet spectrometer

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Mechanisms of Triboelectric Charging of Insulators, a Coherent Scenario

Abstract: Whether electrons or ions are involved in triboelectric charging of insulators remains elusive. In keeping with the multidisciplinary nature of the problem, we designed polymers whose surface compositions (determined by XPS) differed from the bulk. Charging against insulators related to their topmost surface compositions, but against metals related to their bulk compositions. We propose the hypothesis that the former involves ion exchange between the topmost surfaces and the latter involves electron tunneling into the bulk, thus postulating a relationship between charging mechanism and charge penetration depth, which is supported by the fact that ions are known to adsorb to polymer surfaces and electrons are considered to penetrate into the bulk. Integration of this with the frequently conflicting evidence and hypotheses of others has, for the first time, led to a coherent overall understanding of brief contact charging mechanisms: ion exchange for insulator-insulator contacts, both electron and ion exchange for metal-insulator contacts, and electron exchange for metal-metal contacts, consistent with successively increasing &apos;electron availability&apos; at these interfaces. We suggest that this concept of relative surface &apos;availability&apos; of charge exchange agent also accounts for the predominance of mobile ion exchange over hydroxide ion and electron exchange when mobile ion containing organic salts or polymers are involved. Application of current surface analysis techniques to our polymer surface enrichment approach provides a clear opportunity for quantification of charge penetration depths which, according to our hypothesis, would result in definitive determination of charging mechanisms as a function of material composition, nature of the contacts, ambient conditions, etc