388 research outputs found
Investigating the effects of bistatic SAR phenomenology on feature extraction
Interest in bistatic radar has fluctuated since its first demonstration. Modern multistatic and MIMO radar systems have prompted a resurgence in the field, particularly where imaging radar and automatic target recognition are concerned. The lack of openly-available bistatic imagery and corresponding analysis of the unique artefacts which occur within it is a significant barrier to developing automatic target recognition methods for such systems. This paper looks to address these issues by presenting an appropriate simulation methodology for obtaining bistatic synthetic aperture radar imagery of ground vehicle targets and investigating the features that occur within this imagery. In this paper, a number of effects unique to the bistatic case are presented, and the performance degradation of a classifier at several bistatic angles is empirically demonstrated. A version of the final database will be publicly released to promote wider research into this challenge
“Radar-A-Thon” Concept Paper: RAPHAEL COTS Radar
This paper presents a low-cost X-band FMCW radar system suitable for short range sensing in an indoor environment. The design is based on a PLL-VCO architecture, and is realised as a direct conversion receiver. It can achieve range resolutions of 30 cm or 10 cm in standard and ultra- wideband modes respectively. The system is capable of producing programmable linear sweeps over wide bandwidths, and is compliant with FCC Part 15
Erythrocyte hemolysis and hemoglobin oxidation promote ferric chloride-induced vascular injury,” The
Abstract The release of redox-active iron and heme into the blood-stream is toxic to the vasculature, contributing to the development of vascular diseases. How iron induces endothelial injury remains ill defined. To investigate this, we developed a novel ex vivo perfusion chamber that enables direct analysis of the effects of FeCl3 on the vasculature. We demonstrate that FeCl3 treatment of isolated mouse aorta, perfused with whole blood, was associated with endothelial denudation, collagen exposure, and occlusive thrombus formation. Strikingly exposing vessels to FeCl3 alone, in the absence of perfused blood, was associated with only minor vascular injury. Whole blood fractionation studies revealed that FeCl3-induced vascular injury was red blood cell (erythrocyte)-dependent, requiring erythrocyte hemolysis and hemoglobin oxidation for endothelial denudation
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Quantitative and qualitative analysis of individual experiences post botulinum toxin injection ‐ United Kingdom Survey
Data Availability Statement: Data available on request from the authors.Introduction:
In the United Kingdom (UK), complications that arise following the administration of Botulinum Toxin are reported to the Medicines and Health Regulatory Agency (MHRA) via the Yellow Card Reporting Scheme. Over the past decade, there has been a significant increase in the number of non-surgical aesthetic procedures. Concerns have been raised that the MHRA is not fully capturing complications in terms of volume and impact on patients.
Aim:
This novel study explores the lived experiences of individuals who have experienced an adverse event following administration of Botulinum Toxin for aesthetic purposes. Using a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies, this analysis evaluates data relating to long-lasting physical, psychological, emotional, and financial sequelae of complications arising from cosmetic Botulinum Toxin injections in the UK.
Methods:
A mixed method, qualitative and quantitative approach was adopted to gain comprehensive insights into patients' experiences. A focus group which comprised patient representatives, psychologists, and researchers reached a consensus on a 17-question survey which was disseminated via social media channels. Deductive thematic analysis was used to analyse coded themes. Furthermore, for secondary analysis, sentiment analysis was used computationally as an innovative approach to identify and categorise free text responses associated with sentiments using natural language processing (NLP).
Results:
In the study, 655 responses were received, with 287 (44%) of respondents completing all questions. The mean age of respondents was 42.6 years old. 94.1% of respondents identified as female. In the sample, 79% of respondents reported an adverse event following their procedure, with the most common event being reported as ‘anxiety’. Findings revealed that 69% of respondents reported long-lasting adverse effects. From the responses, 68.4% reported not having recovered physically, 63.5% of respondents stated that they had not recovered emotionally from complications, and 61.7% said that they have not recovered psychologically. In addition, 84% of respondents stated that they do not know who regulates the aesthetics industry. Furthermore, 92% of participants reported that their clinic or practitioner did not inform them about the Yellow Card Reporting Scheme. The sentiment analysis using the AFINN Lexicon yielded adjusted scores ranging from −3 to +2, with a mean value of −1.58.
Conclusion:
This is the largest survey in the UK completed by patients who experienced an adverse outcome following the aesthetic administration of Botulinum Toxin. Our study highlights the extent of the challenges faced by patients who experience an adverse event from physical, emotional, psychological, and financial perspectives. The lack of awareness of MHRA reporting structures and the lack of regulation within the UK's cosmetic injectables sector represent a significant public health challenge.The work was supported by a research grant from QUAD A, a not-for-profit organisation in the United States that works to standardize and improve the provision of healthcare facilities and care quality
Assessing the role of collaboration in the process of museum innovation
The relationship between collaboration and innovation in cultural organisations is an emerging topic that has drawn particular attention from scholars and practitioners. The main aim of this study is to assess the role of collaboration in the process of innovation in museum organisations. To achieve this aim, first, we develop a four-domain analytical framework by matching innovation types to cultural production processes to reflect the peculiarities of museum innovation. By applying this framework to the multiple case studies from four Spanish museums, we identify three main motivations (supplementing manpower, compensating for the scarcity of knowledge, improving demand-driven innovation) and four forms of collaboration (teamwork, outsourcing, consortium and conversation) and summarise the different modes of collaboration involved in various domains of production and innovation. An assessment is conducted subsequently to evaluate the effectiveness of existing collaborations in achieving technological and cultural innovation in museums. Finally, a list of implications for museums' innovation management is presented
Glomerulonephritis and autoimmune vasculitis are independent of P2RX7 but may depend on alternative inflammasome pathways
P2RX7, an ionotropic receptor for extracellular ATP, is expressed on immune cells, including macrophages, monocytes and dendritic cells and is up-regulated on non-immune cells following injury. P2RX7 plays a role in many biological processes, including production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β via the canonical inflammasome pathway. P2RX7 has been shown to be important in inflammation and fibrosis and may also play a role in autoimmunity. We have developed and phenotyped a novel P2RX7 knock-out (KO) inbred rat strain and taking advantage of the human-resembling unique histopathological features of rat models of glomerulonephritis, we induced three models of disease: nephrotoxic nephritis, experimental autoimmune glomerulonephritis, and experimental autoimmune vasculitis. We found that deletion of P2RX7 does not protect rats from models of experimental glomerulonephritis or the development of autoimmunity. Notably, treatment with A-438079, a P2RX7 antagonist, was equally protective in WKY WT and P2RX7 KO rats, revealing its 'off-target' properties. We identify a novel ATP/P2RX7/K+ efflux-independent and caspase-1/8-dependent pathway for production of IL-1β in rat dendritic cells, which was absent in macrophages. Taken together, these results comprehensively establish that inflammation and autoimmunity in glomerulonephritis is independent of P2RX7 and reveals the off-target properties of drugs previously known as selective P2RX7 antagonists. Rat mononuclear phagocytes may be able to utilise an 'alternative inflammasome' pathway to produce IL-1β independently of P2RX7, which may account for the susceptibility of P2RX7 KO rats to inflammation and autoimmunity in glomerulonephritis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
Comparison of the Airtraq® and Truview® laryngoscopes to the Macintosh laryngoscope for use by Advanced Paramedics in easy and simulated difficult intubation in manikins
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Paramedics are frequently required to perform tracheal intubation, a potentially life-saving manoeuvre in severely ill patients, in the prehospital setting. However, direct laryngoscopy is often more difficult in this environment, and failed tracheal intubation constitutes an important cause of morbidity. Novel indirect laryngoscopes, such as the Airtraq<sup>® </sup>and Truview<sup>® </sup>laryngoscopes may reduce this risk.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We compared the efficacy of these devices to the Macintosh laryngoscope when used by 21 Paramedics proficient in direct laryngoscopy, in a randomized, controlled, manikin study. Following brief didactic instruction with the Airtraq<sup>® </sup>and Truview<sup>® </sup>laryngoscopes, each participant took turns performing laryngoscopy and intubation with each device, in an easy intubation scenario and following placement of a hard cervical collar, in a SimMan<sup>® </sup>manikin.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The Airtraq<sup>® </sup>reduced the number of optimization manoeuvres and reduced the potential for dental trauma when compared to the Macintosh, in both the normal and simulated difficult intubation scenarios. In contrast, the Truview<sup>® </sup>increased the duration of intubation attempts, and required a greater number of optimization manoeuvres, compared to both the Macintosh and Airtraq<sup>® </sup>devices.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The Airtraq<sup>® </sup>laryngoscope performed more favourably than the Macintosh and Truview<sup>® </sup>devices when used by Paramedics in this manikin study. Further studies are required to extend these findings to the clinical setting.</p
Comparison of the Airtraq® and Truview® laryngoscopes to the Macintosh laryngoscope for use by Advanced Paramedics in easy and simulated difficult intubation in manikins
<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Paramedics are frequently required to perform tracheal intubation, a potentially life-saving manoeuvre in severely ill patients, in the prehospital setting. However, direct laryngoscopy is often more difficult in this environment, and failed tracheal intubation constitutes an important cause of morbidity. Novel indirect laryngoscopes, such as the Airtraq<sup>® </sup>and Truview<sup>® </sup>laryngoscopes may reduce this risk.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We compared the efficacy of these devices to the Macintosh laryngoscope when used by 21 Paramedics proficient in direct laryngoscopy, in a randomized, controlled, manikin study. Following brief didactic instruction with the Airtraq<sup>® </sup>and Truview<sup>® </sup>laryngoscopes, each participant took turns performing laryngoscopy and intubation with each device, in an easy intubation scenario and following placement of a hard cervical collar, in a SimMan<sup>® </sup>manikin.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The Airtraq<sup>® </sup>reduced the number of optimization manoeuvres and reduced the potential for dental trauma when compared to the Macintosh, in both the normal and simulated difficult intubation scenarios. In contrast, the Truview<sup>® </sup>increased the duration of intubation attempts, and required a greater number of optimization manoeuvres, compared to both the Macintosh and Airtraq<sup>® </sup>devices.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The Airtraq<sup>® </sup>laryngoscope performed more favourably than the Macintosh and Truview<sup>® </sup>devices when used by Paramedics in this manikin study. Further studies are required to extend these findings to the clinical setting.</p
Discourses of student orientation to medical education programs
Background: Although medical students’ initial orientation is an important point of transition in medical education, there is a paucity of literature on the subject and major variations in the ways that different institutions orient incoming medical students to their programs. Methods: We conducted a discourse analysis of medical education orientation in the literature and on data from a survey of peer institutions’ approaches to orientation. Results: These two discourses of orientation had clear similarities, in particular, the critical role of ceremony and symbols, and the focus on developing professionalism and physician identities. There were also differences between them, in particular, in the way that the discourse in the literature focused on the symbolic and professional aspects of orientation; something we have called ‘cultural orientation’. Meanwhile, those who were responsible for orientation in their own institutions tended to focus on the practical and social dimensions. Conclusion: By examining how orientation has been described and discussed, we identify three domains of orientation: cultural, social, and practical. These domains are relatively distinct in terms of the activities associated with them, and in terms of who is involved in organizing and running these activities. We also describe orientation as a liminal activity system on the threshold of medical school where incoming students initially cross into the profession. Interestingly, this state of ambiguity also extends to the scholarship of orientation with only some of its aspects attracting formal enquiry, even though there is a growing interest in transitions in medical education as a whole. We hope, therefore, that this study can help to legitimize enquiry into orientation in all its forms and that it can begin to situate the role of orientation more firmly within the firmament of medical education practice and research
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