Voice Enabled Indoor Localisation

The ability to track objects in real time offers a wide range of beneficial applications that include safety, security and the supply chain. The problem with location based systems is that they can be inconvenient and time-consuming to locate an object. A user has to access a computer and log onto a location system to locate an object. There are several problems with current location determination interfaces. Firstly a user has to log on to a computer; this can be inconvenient and time consuming as the user may have to locate a computer (which may be in another area of a building) and then log onto the system. The user has to look at a map that is displayed on screen to see where the object is located; the problem with this is that the user could make a mistake by looking at the wrong object or the wrong area of the building. Incorporating a voice control function into the system can solve interaction problems with some location based systems. This paper provides an overview of integrating voiceXML with an indoor location positioning system to locate objects through voice commands

Histological phenotypic subtypes predict recurrence risk and response to adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with stage III colorectal cancer

Histological ‘phenotypic subtypes’ that classify patients into four groups (immune, canonical, latent and stromal) have previously been demonstrated to stratify survival in a stage I–III colorectal cancer (CRC) pilot cohort. However, clinical utility has not yet been validated. Therefore, this study assessed prognostic value of these subtypes in additional patient cohorts along with associations with risk of recurrence and response to chemotherapy. Two independent stage I–III CRC patient cohorts (internal and external cohort) were utilised to investigate phenotypic subtypes. The primary endpoint was disease‐free survival (DFS) and the secondary endpoint was recurrence risk (RR). Stage II–III patients, from the SCOT adjuvant chemotherapy trial, were utilised to further validate prognostic value and for exploratory analysis assessing associations with adjuvant chemotherapy. In an 893‐patient internal cohort, phenotypic subtype independently associated with DFS (p = 0.025) and this was attenuated in stage III patients (p = 0.020). Phenotypic subtype also independently associated with RR (p < 0.001) in these patients. In a 146‐patient external cohort, phenotypic subtype independently stratified patients by DFS (p = 0.028), validating their prognostic value. In 1343 SCOT trial patients, the effect of treatment type significantly depended on phenotypic subtype (pinteraction = 0.011). Phenotypic subtype independently associated with DFS in stage III patients receiving FOLFOX (p = 0.028). Furthermore, the immune subtype significantly associated with better response to FOLFOX compared to CAPOX adjuvant chemotherapy in stage III patients (p = 0.013). In conclusion, histological phenotypic subtypes are an effective prognostic classification in patients with stage III CRC that associates with risk of recurrence and response to FOLFOX adjuvant chemotherapy

Evaluation of the Safetynet Methadone Programme pilot at the Dublin Simon Emergency Shelter,

The Dublin Simon Emergency Shelter provides up to six months accommodation to 30 residents. Hostel admission is largely restricted to persons living on the streets and referrals usually come through the through the Simon Rough Sleeper team. Most of the homeless persons accepted are high risk intravenous heroin users who are not in treatment. The level of risk has meant a high rate of hospital admissions for drug related conditions. The health and resource implications of neglecting to treat residents’ opiate addiction are high. This internal evaluation of the Safetynet methadone programme in the Dublin Simon Emergency Shelter was undertaken after six months of programme implementation in order to evaluate its impact. Methods included interviews with staff and clients of the shelter, assessment of drug use and social functioning before and after commencing treatment and an analysis of quantitative Shelter and nursing data

Storing methadone in babies’ bottles puts young children at risk

This study investigated the extent to which babies' bottles are used to measure and store methadone. Nine general practitioners participated in the study, and 186 consecutive patients were surveyed, 48 of whom had used a baby's bottle to measure methadone in the previous month. The authors conclude that the use of a baby's bottle to measure and store methadone seems to be common among patients prescribed the drug in Dublin, and recommend that a measuring device be issued with each instalment of methadone dispensed

Managing drug misuse in general practice.

This handbook is based on text from a group of general practitioners in Edinburgh and has been adapted to the Irish context by Dublin general practitioners. It provides simple, accessible information on how to work with drug misusers in general practice with sections on assessment of patients, prescription methadone, drug reduction counselling and medical management of drug users

Problem alcohol use among problem drug users : development of clinical guidelines for general practice

Abstract for presentation at AUDGPI Annual Scientific Meeting, Dublin, Ireland, 9th March 2012Introduction: Problem alcohol use is common and associated with considerable adverse health and social outcomes among patients who attend GPs in Ireland and other European countries for opioid substitution treatment. This paper aims to describe the development and content of clinical guidelines for the management of problem alcohol use among current or former opioid users attending general practice for methadone treatment. Methods: The guidelines were developed in several stages: i) identification of key stakeholders; ii) development of evidence-based draft guidelines, and iii)determination of a modified ‘Delphi-facilitated’ consensus among the group members. These guidelines were informed by a review of scientific evidence and a qualitative study, results of which will be presented also at this conference. Results: The guidelines incorporate advice for GPs on all aspects of care of this problem, including i) definition of problem alcohol use among problem drug users, ii) screening / identification of problem alcohol use, iii) interventions for treatment and management of problem alcohol use, iv) referral to secondary services and v) role of GPs in the management of persistent problem alcohol use and on-going care. Conclusions: General practice has an important role to play in the care of problem alcohol use among problem drug users, especially patients who attend for methadone treatment. Further research on strategies to inform the implementation of this study is a priority.Health Research Boardau, ti, ke - TS 24.04.1