Is occupational asbestos exposure an under-recognised cause of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis?

The question of whether occupational asbestos exposure is an under- recognized cause of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis arises because it is clinically and epidemiologically plausible, and consistent with fibre studies, case-control, and toxicological data. This thesis examines the question by means of a literature review and a novel hospital based case-control study, the idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis job exposures study (IPFJES). In a literature review and meta-analysis of studies reporting on occupational exposures in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) I found significant associ- ations with metal, wood, and stone dust, but not asbestos. However, there was considerable heterogeneity and confidence in the meta-analysis result is tempered by a high risk of bias arising from selection, lack of blinding, exposure misclassification, incomplete exposure data, and selective report- ing of exposures. In a mortality analysis I found that the UK incidence of IPF continues to rise and appears to be correlated with mesothelioma mor- tality. I did not find clear evidence of an association between IPF, pleural mesothelioma, and asbestosis at a regional level. In a critical review of methods for assessing occupational asbestos exposure I found support for the use of a job exposure matrix based on proportional mortality rates for mesothelioma and validated by quantification of asbestos fibre lung burden. I also found support for using a structured interview tool to provide a quantitative estimate of previous exposure which was validated using historic and simulated exposure data. In a review of MUC5b and IPF I found evidence supporting a common MUC5b driven pulmonary fibrosis endotype and a candidate mechanism for 3occupational asbestos exposure contributing to this; alveolar macrophage NLRP3 inflammasome activation resulting in increased IL-1 β driven airway MUC5b expression. Occupational asbestos exposure alone was not associated with IPF in IPF- JES. It was associated with dyspnoea independent of smoking and case status. It was associated with IPF in participants who also had smoking exposure and the strength of this association was greatest for participants with the minor allele of the MUC5b promoter variant rs3505950 and when a stricter case definition (definite UIP rather than definite UIP or possible UIP) was used. These studies suggest that occupational asbestos exposure in smokers, cou- pled with genetic susceptibility factors, may be an important cause of IPF.Open Acces

Rheological behaviour of polymer melts and its relationship with underlying structure and topology

This thesis contains a detailed study of the relationship between the rheological properties of polymers and their underlying structure. Starting from model polymer systems, rheological complexity has been built up to enable predictions for industrially complex mixtures relevant to tyre processing and manufacture. Polymers which are representative of the tyre industry have been used (e.g. polyisoprene, polybutadiene, polystyrene). Small amplitude oscillatory shear (SAOS) tests have been reported for a range of polymers of different molecular weight and architecture. Combining this with molecular modelling, in particular using branch-on-branch theory, is shown to allow predictions of polymer topology. Extensional rheometry is also reported using a variety of techniques (Sentmanat extensional rheometry, capillary breakup extensional rheometry, falling weight rheometry) and is shown to be sensitive to multiple branch points in the sample. Complex flow has been examined using the multi-pass rheometer apparatus and the study of stress decays using a well-defined contraction-expansion geometry is reported, including a novel method of extracting of relaxation times. Cross-slot geometries are used to obtain steady state extensional measurements, not attainable using other techniques. Large and medium amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS and MAOS) have been explored with regards to elucidating polymer structure. Well-controlled amplitude sweeps are reported and analysed by Fourier transform and are shown to be sensitive to polymer structure. Frequency sweeps are also performed in the MAOS region, reporting phases and magnitudes, and results related to molecular models. By study of a range of linear polymers, stars and blends, the results are shown to relate to Rouse behaviour of the polymers. The results detailed show that rheology is a multi-faceted technique that has great potential for identifying polymer structure. It is a key technique that should form part of the suite of analysis techniques available to the synthetic chemist in order to best characterise polymers produced

Constitutional Law—Right of Married High School Students to Engage in Extracurricular Activities.

Davis v. Meek, 344 F. Supp. 298 (N.D. Ohio 1972)

Smart feedback and the challenges of virtualisation

The use of audio feedback is becoming more prevalent and it would be possible to use avatars for this purpose. When audio feedback is recorded by a human tutor, the recording contains not only the text of the feedback, but also additional information associated with the intonation and manner of delivery of the voice. Experiments were conducted to investigate student’s responses to the use of audio in comparison with other forms of feedback. Students were generally positive about audio feedback; results also indicated that the conveyed emotion or intent is significant and that it is perceived by the student as an important part of the feedback. We also explore this in the context of strategies for the deployment of virtual agents in the provision of feedback

A survey of the benefits and issues arising from the deployment of physical artefacts in computer science teaching

This paper describes the introduction of the use of physical artefacts in the teaching of the curriculum in the Department of Computer Science at Middlesex University. The rationale for the change is discussed, together with a description of the various technologies and the areas in which they were deployed. We conclude with a discussion of the outcomes of the work and the conclusions reached, prime amongst which are that the policy has been successful in motivating and engaging students, with a resultant improvement in student progression. In addition to their value in the taught part of the curriculum, these technologies have enabled students to become involved in real-world projects, interacting with external organizations and producing products of value in diverse areas such as the arts and assistive technologies

Gonococcal peritonitis diagnosed post laparotomy in a 38-year-old woman: a case report

A 38-year-old South African lady with a background history of cervical intra-epithelial neoplasia and recent colposcopy presented to the emergency department with severe abdominal pain. Initial investigations were non-diagnostic and despite empirical antibiotic therapy the patient developed peritonism. Post-laprotomy the diagnosis of severe pelvic inflammatory disease and peritonitis secondary to infection with Neisseria Gonorrhoea was made

Longer Than a Telephone Wire - Voice Firewalls to Counter Ubiquitous Lie Detection

Mobile computing and communication devices are open to surreptitious privacy attacks using emotion detection techniques; largely utilising work carried out in the area of voice stress analysis (VSA). This paper extends some work in the area of removing emotion cues in the voice, specifically focusing on lie detection and presents the results of a pilot study indicating that the use of mobile phones in situations of stress is common and that awareness of VSA is low. Existing strategies for the removal or modification of emotion cues, based on models of synthesis are considered and weaknesses are identified