Comparison of EXT4 and NTFS filesystem performance

The aim of this article is to compare the two most popular and competing file systems – EXT4 and NTFS in Ubutnu with the use of SSD disk.. At the beginning of this article, a critical description of the literature was made, explaining the purposefulness of the research undertaken. Additionally, the basics of the operation of both discussed file systems are explained. The research consisted of copying files between two partitions and measuring the time of this operation using a specially developed system shell script in the bash language. The conducted research has shown that the EXT4 system is more effective than the NTFS system

From drug discovery to coronaviruses: why restoring natural habitats is good for human health.

Peninah Murage and colleagues argue that biodiversity is the cornerstone of healthy natural habitats. Its preservation is vital to human health and should therefore be embedded into medical and healthcare studies

FDG-PET imaging, EEG and sleep phenotypes as translational biomarkers for research in Alzheimer's disease

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Unlocking Data to Inform Public Health Policy and Practice: The Report

Background In England, many services that are paid for using taxpayers’ money are decided on and funded by local commissioners such as Local Authorities (LAs) and Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs); although, CCGs are set to be replaced by Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) within 2022. LAs are responsible for publicly funded social care (e.g. home-based services) and some public health services (e.g. sexual health services). CCGs are responsible for funding most healthcare services in local areas. All local decision makers aim to fund services for public benefit; for example, promoting and protecting health and preventing ill-health, while ensuring ‘value for money’ for taxpayers. Such services and local decision makers often collect data to inform their processes. This data is used to support the services provided for individuals, but also for administrative reasons. This data could be used more often to help inform improvements to current services and funding of new services, but also to support research by universities. However, as this data could include potentially personal and sensitive information, it is important that it is protected and only shared in circumstances when there is a clear and legal reason that would benefit the public. What did we aim to achieve? We set out to understand: (1) what data is available to local decision makers; (2) how they currently use it; (3) how data can be used and potentially shared with parties who want to use it for public benefit. Furthermore, we aimed to explain how to best use and share data legally with clear reasons for its use. An example would be helping local decision makers calculate which services are considered ‘value for money’ or not, to allow local decision makers to best use money available to them. How did we do it? We first identified examples of when data has been used and legally shared to inform local decision making. We then produced a detailed list of what data these local decision makers have available. These examples and data were discussed with people who work within two LAs and a CCG, within three universities, and members of the public. This allowed us to further explore what is important to consider when using such data to inform local decision making or research purposes, and how the use of such information could be made more transparent and understandable for the public. Patient and the public involvement in the project A lay co-applicant (KS) helped with every aspect of the research project. We additionally set up a public advisory group to advise on the public workshops, interpretation of the findings, and co-design study outputs. What did we discover? Local commissioners are using and sharing data in various ways to benefit the public, such as identifying if certain people may be at-risk of a bad event; for example, older people at-risk of falling who would then require hospital and perhaps social care. However, local commissioners are not always clear in how they report the use of such data, who has control or is using such data, and if any public benefit was ever achieved from recording this data. We attempted to develop an understanding of what data was available for adult social care services. However, we were unable to achieve this aim because of issues to do with the amount of time, effort, and types of staff available within the relevant local commissioners to understand the data available. By discussing the need and use of data with LA and CCG staff, and members of the public, we identified a variety of areas to improve the responsible use of data. One thing discussed was the need for trust and understanding between everyone involved about how and when data is being used, what data is used (for example, if it reflects an individual or group), but also the public benefit of using such data. When analysing data, researchers and local commissioners need to communicate better and come to a joint understanding of how such data can be accessed and used for public benefit. This includes information about what services are considered value for money and who may be paying for what aspects associated with the services across CCGs and LAs, and if there is any chance spending may not remain within budget. Overall, there are ways to responsibly use data which protects the public and could provide public benefit such as treating or avoiding ill-health; however, clearer communication and building trust is needed. How will this research change health and social care? We believe our research could start to change and improve how researchers and local decision makers use locally available data to decide which services to fund to benefit communities. This includes suggested information to be made clearer to the public.</p

Is sleep disruption a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease?

Sleep disturbances are routinely encountered in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and affect about 25–40% of patients in the mild-to-moderate stages of the disease. In many, sleep pathology may represent a symptom of the underlying neurodegeneration. However, a history of sleep disruption occurring years prior to onset of cognitive symptoms could represent a potential risk factor for AD. The aim of the present narrative review was to evaluate current evidence linking sleep disturbances with AD development and to understand the mechanisms that may contribute to this. Although the mechanisms by which poor sleep may contribute to AD genesis is not fully understood, emerging evidence linking disturbances in the sleep wake cycle with Aβ deposition is shedding light on the relationship between sleep pathology and the subsequent development of AD. Aβ burden appears to be enhanced by sleep-wake cycle disruptions and is suspected as being an important mechanism by which sleep disruptions contribute in AD development. Other mechanisms triggered by sleep disruption may also be involved in AD development, such as brain hypoxia, oxidative stress, circadian activity rhythms disturbances, overexpression of orexins, and blood-brain barrier impairment. Further understanding of the link between sleep disturbances and future development of AD is still needed before sleep disturbances are clearly marked as a preventable risk factor for AD. In these circumstances, early lifestyle interventions to help increase the quantity and quality of sleep may have a favorable outcome on decreasing the incidence of AD and this needs to be investigated further

Enhancement of photic shifts with 5HT1A partial antagonist NAN-190: intra SCN pathway

Bibliography: p. 132-165Some pages are in colour

An examination of the functional role of gastrin-releasing neuropeptide within the circadian clock

Bibliography: p. 186-222A few pages are in colour.Includes copies of animal protocol approval and copyright permission. Original copies with original Partial Copyright Licence

Methods of assessment and selection of suppliers

The main aim of this article is to present methods for selection and assessment suppliers that ensure the proper functioning of the company. Appropriate choice of procedures and criteria for choosing suppliers and subsequent assessment of the cooperation with them determines the quality of manufactured product, as well as the purchasing effectiveness. In case of procedure selection, it contains these main steps: updating the list of material groups, the selection of tenders, preparing or updating the list of qualified suppliers, periodic assessment and verification of suppliers list. Each company selects assessment criteria depending on the type of running business. In the case of production company takes into account, for example: quality, price, timeliness and completeness of supply, the level of service, or payment terms. An integral part of selection and assessment suppliers is also a risk assessment of cooperation with the supplier, at which we should take into consideration the type of purchased product and its importance for the company. Following these assessments it is easier to determine, which suppliers are the best to work with, which actions put to attitude towards suppliers in a situation of enhanced monitoring, or decide to end or extend the cooperation

Problems of using haptic feedback to control manipulator tools

The paper reviews the machine operators support technologies used in carrying out work tasks. The limitations of the current design solutions have been identified. The construction of control systems using haptic feedback was discussed and the research carried out on this technology was reviewed. The concept of hydraulic manipulator tool and its haptic feedback control system for monitoring loads during working movements is presented. The concept of the test stand for testing haptic feedback control systems and the preliminary experiment plan are presented