3,215 results on '"Aspinall A"'
Search Results
2. Seladelpar efficacy and safety at 3 months in patients with primary biliary cholangitis: ENHANCE, a phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled study.
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Hirschfield, Gideon M, Shiffman, Mitchell L, Gulamhusein, Aliya, Kowdley, Kris V, Vierling, John M, Levy, Cynthia, Kremer, Andreas E, Zigmond, Ehud, Andreone, Pietro, Gordon, Stuart C, Bowlus, Christopher L, Lawitz, Eric J, Aspinall, Richard J, Pratt, Daniel S, Raikhelson, Karina, Gonzalez-Huezo, Maria S, Heneghan, Michael A, Jeong, Sook-Hyang, Ladrón de Guevara, Alma L, Mayo, Marlyn J, Dalekos, George N, Drenth, Joost PH, Janczewska, Ewa, Leggett, Barbara A, Nevens, Frederik, Vargas, Victor, Zuckerman, Eli, Corpechot, Christophe, Fassio, Eduardo, Hinrichsen, Holger, Invernizzi, Pietro, Trivedi, Palak J, Forman, Lisa, Jones, David EJ, Ryder, Stephen D, Swain, Mark G, Steinberg, Alexandra, Boudes, Pol F, Choi, Yun-Jung, McWherter, Charles A, and ENHANCE Study Group*
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ENHANCE Study Group* ,Humans ,Liver Cirrhosis ,Biliary ,Pruritus ,Acetates ,Ursodeoxycholic Acid ,Alkaline Phosphatase ,Cholagogues and Choleretics ,Digestive Diseases ,Liver Disease ,Rare Diseases ,Clinical Trials and Supportive Activities ,Clinical Research ,Evaluation of treatments and therapeutic interventions ,6.1 Pharmaceuticals ,Medical Biochemistry and Metabolomics ,Clinical Sciences ,Immunology ,Gastroenterology & Hepatology - Abstract
Background and aimsENHANCE was a phase 3 study that evaluated efficacy and safety of seladelpar, a selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-δ (PPAR) agonist, versus placebo in patients with primary biliary cholangitis with inadequate response or intolerance to ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA).Approach and resultsPatients were randomized 1:1:1 to oral seladelpar 5 mg (n=89), 10 mg (n=89), placebo (n=87) daily (with UDCA, as appropriate). Primary end point was a composite biochemical response [alkaline phosphatase (ALP) < 1.67×upper limit of normal (ULN), ≥15% ALP decrease from baseline, and total bilirubin ≤ ULN] at month 12. Key secondary end points were ALP normalization at month 12 and change in pruritus numerical rating scale (NRS) at month 6 in patients with baseline score ≥4. Aminotransferases were assessed. ENHANCE was terminated early following an erroneous safety signal in a concurrent, NASH trial. While blinded, primary and secondary efficacy end points were amended to month 3. Significantly more patients receiving seladelpar met the primary end point (seladelpar 5 mg: 57.1%, 10 mg: 78.2%) versus placebo (12.5%) ( p < 0.0001). ALP normalization occurred in 5.4% ( p =0.08) and 27.3% ( p < 0.0001) of patients receiving 5 and 10 mg seladelpar, respectively, versus 0% receiving placebo. Seladelpar 10 mg significantly reduced mean pruritus NRS versus placebo [10 mg: -3.14 ( p =0.02); placebo: -1.55]. Alanine aminotransferase decreased significantly with seladelpar versus placebo [5 mg: 23.4% ( p =0.0008); 10 mg: 16.7% ( p =0.03); placebo: 4%]. There were no serious treatment-related adverse events.ConclusionsPatients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) with inadequate response or intolerance to UDCA who were treated with seladelpar 10 mg had significant improvements in liver biochemistry and pruritus. Seladelpar appeared safe and well tolerated.
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- 2023
3. The impact of magnesium content on lithium-magnesium alloy electrode performance with argyrodite solid electrolyte
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Aspinall, Jack, Sada, Krishnakanth, Guo, Hua, Kotakadi, Souhardh, Narayanan, Sudarshan, Chart, Yvonne, Jagger, Ben, Milan, Emily, Brassart, Laurence, Armstrong, David, and Pasta, Mauro
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- 2024
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4. Waste not, want not: call to action for spinal manipulative therapy researchers
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Aspinall, Sasha L, Nim, Casper, Hartvigsen, Jan, Cook, Chad E, Skillgate, Eva, Vogel, Steven, Hohenschurz-Schmidt, David, Underwood, Martin, and Rubinstein, Sidney M
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- 2024
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5. A new ground level neutron monitor for space weather assessment
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Aspinall, Michael D., Alton, Tilly L., Binnersley, Cory L., Bradnam, Steven C., Croft, Stephen, Joyce, Malcolm J., Mashao, Dakalo, Packer, Lee W., Turner, Tony, and Wild, James A.
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- 2024
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6. Safety and efficacy of pyronaridine–artesunate paediatric granules in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in children: insights from randomized clinical trials and a real-world study
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Ramharter, Michael, Djimde, Abdoulaye A., Borghini-Fuhrer, Isabelle, Miller, Robert, Shin, Jangsik, Aspinall, Adam, Richardson, Naomi, Wibberg, Martina, Fleckenstein, Lawrence, Arbe-Barnes, Sarah, and Duparc, Stephan
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- 2024
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7. The impact of magnesium content on lithium-magnesium alloy electrode performance with argyrodite solid electrolyte
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Jack Aspinall, Krishnakanth Sada, Hua Guo, Souhardh Kotakadi, Sudarshan Narayanan, Yvonne Chart, Ben Jagger, Emily Milan, Laurence Brassart, David Armstrong, and Mauro Pasta
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Science - Abstract
Abstract Solid-state lithium-based batteries offer higher energy density than their Li-ion counterparts. Yet they are limited in terms of negative electrode discharge performance and require high stack pressure during operation. To circumvent these issues, we propose the use of lithium-rich magnesium alloys as suitable negative electrodes in combination with Li6PS5Cl solid-state electrolyte. We synthesise and characterise lithium-rich magnesium alloys, quantifying the changes in mechanical properties, transport, and surface chemistry that impact electrochemical performance. Increases in hardness, stiffness, adhesion, and resistance to creep are quantified by nanoindentation as a function of magnesium content. A decrease in diffusivity is quantified with 6Li pulsed field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance, and only a small increase in interfacial impedance due to the presence of magnesium is identified by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy which is correlated with x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The addition of magnesium aids contact retention on discharge, but this must be balanced against a decrease in lithium diffusivity. We demonstrate via electrochemical testing of symmetric cells at 2.5 MPa and 30∘C that 1% magnesium content in the alloy increases the stripping capacity compared to both pure lithium and higher magnesium content alloys by balancing these effects.
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- 2024
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8. Waste not, want not: call to action for spinal manipulative therapy researchers
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Sasha L Aspinall, Casper Nim, Jan Hartvigsen, Chad E Cook, Eva Skillgate, Steven Vogel, David Hohenschurz-Schmidt, Martin Underwood, and Sidney M Rubinstein
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Spinal manipulative therapy ,Research waste ,Methodology ,Chiropractic ,RZ201-275 ,Diseases of the musculoskeletal system ,RC925-935 - Abstract
Abstract Background Research waste is defined as research outcomes with no or minimal societal benefits. It is a widespread problem in the healthcare field. Four primary sources of research waste have been defined: (1) irrelevant or low priority research questions, (2) poor design or methodology, (3) lack of publication, and (4) biased or inadequate reporting. This commentary, which was developed by a multidisciplinary group of researchers with spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) research expertise, discusses waste in SMT research and provides suggestions to improve future research. Main text This commentary examines common sources of waste in SMT research, focusing on design and methodological issues, by drawing on prior research and examples from clinical and mechanistic SMT studies. Clinical research is dominated by small studies and studies with a high risk of bias. This problem is compounded by systematic reviews that pool heterogenous data from varying populations, settings, and application of SMT. Research focusing on the mechanisms of SMT often fails to address the clinical relevance of mechanisms, relies on very short follow-up periods, and has inadequate control for contextual factors. Conclusions This call to action is directed to researchers in the field of SMT. It is critical that the SMT research community act to improve the way research is designed, conducted, and disseminated. We present specific key action points and resources, which should enhance the quality and usefulness of future SMT research.
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- 2024
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9. Five-Year Post-Housing Outcomes for a Housing First Cohort in Aotearoa, New Zealand
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Jenny Ombler, Terence Jiang, Brodie Fraser, Julie Nelson, Carole McMinn, Kerry Hawkes, Polly Atatoa Carr, Tiria Pehi, Clare Aspinall, Sarah Bierre, Kate Schick, Philippa Howden-Chapman, and Nevil Pierse
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housing first ,homelessness ,wellbeing ,health ,māori ,welfare ,integrated data ,justice ,aotearoa ,new zealand ,Societies: secret, benevolent, etc. ,HS1-3371 ,Communities. Classes. Races ,HT51-1595 ,Sociology (General) ,HM401-1281 - Abstract
This paper presents outcomes for a Housing First (HF) cohort in Aotearoa, New Zealand. Using integrated governmental administrative data, we analysed outcomes for a cohort of 357 people, comparing health, justice, income, and social welfare indicators the year prior to HF and five years after being housed. In the fifth year after being housed, improved outcomes across each of these sectors were noted, with particularly impressive improvements found in income levels (+38%) and mental health. These results demonstrate the efficacy of this HF programme in improving well-being. Despite such notable improvements, there is room for HF to have a greater impact in the context of wider system changes that support overall well-being, as well as the goal of making homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring.
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- 2024
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10. Study protocol for a Randomised controlled trial of EArly transjugular intrahepatiC porTosystemic stent–shunt in Acute Variceal Bleeding (REACT-AVB trial)
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Faisal Khan, Simon Travis, Dhiraj Tripathi, Sue Jowett, Gemma Slinn, Steven Masson, Andrew King, Imran Patanwala, Ameet Dhar, Ruairi Lynch, Adrian Stanley, Hamish Ireland, Peter Hayes, Robert Driver, Laura Harrison, Tom Pembroke, David Patch, Dominic Yu, Janisha Patel, James Maurice, Matthew Armstrong, Joanna Leithead, Matthew J Armstrong, Nicholas Roslund, Mandy Lomax, Homoyon Mehrzad, Richard J Aspinall, Teik Choon See, Fidan Yousuf, Naaventhan Palaniyappan, Elizabeth Brettell, Jeremy Cobbold, Roger McCorry, Emily Lam, Jayshri Shah, Evangelia Fatourou, Edward Britton, Jude Morris, Catherine Moakes, Alisha Maher, Sukhwant Sehmi, Syed Alam, Victoria J Appleby, and Jagadish Nagaraj
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Diseases of the digestive system. Gastroenterology ,RC799-869 - Abstract
Introduction In liver cirrhosis, acute variceal bleeding (AVB) is associated with a 1-year mortality rate of up to 40%. Data on early or pre-emptive transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic stent–shunt (TIPSS) in AVB is inconclusive and may not reflect current management strategies. Randomised controlled trial of EArly transjugular intrahepatiC porTosystemic stent–shunt in AVB (REACT-AVB) aims to investigate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of early TIPSS in patients with cirrhosis and AVB after initial bleeding control.Methods and analysis REACT-AVB is a multicentre, randomised controlled, open-label, superiority, two-arm, parallel-group trial with an internal pilot. The two interventions allocated randomly 1:1 are early TIPSS within 4 days of diagnostic endoscopy or secondary prophylaxis with endoscopic therapy in combination with non-selective beta blockers. Patients aged ≥18 years with cirrhosis and Child-Pugh Score 7–13 presenting with AVB with endoscopic haemostasis are eligible for inclusion. The primary outcome is transplant-free survival at 1 year post randomisation. Secondary endpoints include transplant-free survival at 6 weeks, rebleeding, serious adverse events, other complications of cirrhosis, Child-Pugh and Model For End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) scores at 6 and 12 months, health-related quality of life, use of healthcare resources, cost-effectiveness and use of cross-over therapies. The sample size is 294 patients over a 4-year recruitment period, across 30 hospitals in the UK.Ethics and dissemination Research ethics committee of National Health Service has approved REACT-AVB (reference number: 23/WM/0085). The results will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. A lay summary will also be emailed or posted to participants before publication.Trial registration number ISRCTN85274829; protocol version 3.0, 1 July 2023.
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- 2024
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11. The effect of therapeutic and non-therapeutic interventions on the health trajectory of individuals with cystic fibrosis
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Aspinall, Sean, McNarry, Melitta, and Mackintosh, Kelly
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Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a lethal autosomal recessive disease caused by mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR), resulting in a build-up of viscous mucus and multi-organ dysfunction. Advances in treatment have decreased the burden of CF and increased survival age. However, clinicians and researchers must continue to look for areas that contribute to improved quantity and quality of life for individuals with CF. The aim of this thesis was to explore the effects of nutritional status, aerobic capacity, and modulator therapy on clinical outcomes within CF patients. Study 1 demonstrated the minimal effective dose of exercise needed to elicit change in aerobic capacity. Safety and efficacy of this protocol was evidenced with increases in aerobic capacity akin to that seen in the general population. Study 2 observed the longitudinal effect nutritional status had on pulmonary function. Female pulmonary function evidenced an increased sensitivity to change in body mass index when compared to males. Study 3 evaluated the lived experience of CFTR treatment, highlighting despite clinically relevant benefits, benefits do not come in the absence of negative physical and psychological challenges. Study 4 demonstrated increased incidence of overweight/obesity following implementation of CFTR treatment Introduction of CFTR treatment has rapidly changed the outlook of CF care. As landscape of the disease changes there is a need to adapt to new individual needs in what is a familiar disease with a new face. Whilst diet and exercise represented significant cornerstones of care in the past 30 years, as disease burden decreases, there is a need to view diet and exercise as means of enhancing physical and psychological health, rather than tools to manage the symptoms of the disease. Whilst this thesis is unable to quantify the effect of CFTR therapy on health, the future has never looked brighter for CF patients.
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- 2023
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12. 'You're there to support someone regardless' : a thematic analysis of staff experiences of working in homeless hostels
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Aspinall, Peter, Pawson, Chris, and Hadjiosif, Miltos
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Background: Homeless hostels sit outside of statutory services yet they often support individuals with experience of severe and multiple disadvantages who are not able to access support elsewhere. These experiences can profoundly affect these individuals and can leave them struggling with multiple concurrent issues such as drug and alcohol misuse and mental health difficulties. Hostel staff work with those individuals who have experienced multiple exclusions over a lifetime and can often encounter residents who seem disinterested in support or who are hostile towards staff who offer it. This challenging work is undertaken within the context of increasing pressure on hostels and the care sector more generally. Both of these factors impact how hostel staff view their work and the hostel sector. This complex series of interconnected issues makes providing support in homeless hostels highly challenging. Aims: This qualitative study aims to explore how hostel staff manage these different aspects of their work. How do they build supportive relationships with difficult to reach residents at a time when services are having to work with less. Methods: Qualitative data was collected via six semi-structured interviews conducted over the phone or via Skype with managers and support workers working in homeless hostels in London. The data was then analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: Four main themes were identified. The first theme centres on how hostel staff find meaning in their work especially when their role as carer meets with resistance from hostel residents. Theme two considers the ways in which hostel work is impeded by wider systemic issues within the hostel sector. The third theme describes how hostel staff engaged with their work with residents and its attendant challenges. The final theme describes what staff felt was needed to improve hostels and the role that psychological frameworks play. Conclusions: The thesis begins to illuminate some of the challenges that hostel staff encounter from a counselling psychology perspective. This involves a recognition of a central interpersonal dilemma within hostel work that can be fruitfully explored via further research. This dilemma is examined without obscuring the systemic drivers and lack of material resources that are clearly implicated when considering how to deliver ethical and effective care in hostels. Understanding the nature of the relationships between hostel staff and residents is an important part of understanding how to better support staff and improve services.
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- 2023
13. Embodied Transgender Interactions: Exploring Dyadic Interpersonal Coordination and Decision Making in Virtual Reality
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Crone, Cassandra L., Patil, Gaurav, Chamberlin, Grace, Aspinall, Kyle, Richardson, Michael J, and Kallen, Rachel W.
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Psychology ,Decision making ,Embodied Cognition ,Interactive behavior ,Social cognition - Abstract
Social cognition is shaped by cultural and social-psychological contexts. Depending on the social cues displayed, the cognitive processes that emerge during embodied social interactions can vary. This study explored the influence of gender diverse social cues on interpersonal coordination and decision-making during dyadic interaction in virtual reality. Participants embodied either a transgender or cisgender avatar and interacted with a transgender confederate (human-controlled virtual agent). Results suggest that transgender embodied women and men displayed more interpersonal affiliation, via their coordination dynamics with the confederate, after an explicit gender identity disclosure. Additionally, cognitive flexibility for ambiguous decisions was influenced by attributions of responsibility made toward the confederate. However, cisgender embodied men did not substantially change their decision-making behaviours or increase their coordination with the confederate. Viscerally taking on the perspective and appearance of a transgender person, achieved through virtual embodiment and interaction, may support positive interactions between cisgender and transgender communities.
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- 2023
14. Towards Interdependent Safety Security Assessments using Bowties
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Arnaboldi, Luca and Aspinall, David
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Computer Science - Cryptography and Security ,Computer Science - Software Engineering - Abstract
We present a way to combine security and safety assessments using Bowtie Diagrams. Bowties model both the causes leading up to a central failure event and consequences which arise from that event, as well as barriers which impede events. Bowties have previously been used separately for security and safety assessments, but we suggest that a unified treatment in a single model can elegantly capture safety-security interdependencies of several kinds. We showcase our approach with the example of the October 2021 Facebook DNS shutdown, examining the chains of events and the interplay between the security and safety barriers which caused the outage.
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- 2022
15. A new ground level neutron monitor for space weather assessment
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Michael D. Aspinall, Tilly L. Alton, Cory L. Binnersley, Steven C. Bradnam, Stephen Croft, Malcolm J. Joyce, Dakalo Mashao, Lee W. Packer, Tony Turner, and James A. Wild
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Medicine ,Science - Abstract
Abstract We report on a new ground-level neutron monitor design for studying cosmic rays and fluxes of solar energetic particles at the Earth’s surface. The first-of-its-kind instrument, named the NM-2023 after the year it was standardised and following convention, will be installed at a United Kingdom Meteorological Office observatory (expected completion mid 2024) and will reintroduce such monitoring in the UK for the first time since ca. 1984. Monte Carlo radiation transport code is used for the development and application of parameterised models to investigate alternative neutron detectors, their location and bulk material geometry in a realistic cosmic ray neutron field. Benchmarked against a model of the current and most widespread design standardised in 1964 (the NM-64), two main parameterisation studies are conducted; a simplified standard model and a concept slab parameterisation. We show that the NM-64 standard is well optimised for the intended large-diameter boron trifluoride (BF $$_3$$ 3 ) proportional counters but not for multiple smaller diameter counters. The new design (based on a novel slab arrangement) produces comparable counting efficiencies to an NM-64 with six BF $$_3$$ 3 counters and has the added advantage of being more compact, lower cost and avoids the use of highly toxic BF $$_3$$ 3 .
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- 2024
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16. Treatment Patterns, Effectiveness, and Safety of Originator Insulin Glargine versus Insulin Glargine-yfgn within the Veterans Health Administration
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Samantha Walczuk, Francesca E. Cunningham, Xinhua Zhao, Diane Dong, Peter A. Glassman, Donald R. Miller, Deborah Khachikian, Anthony Au, Cedric Salone, Kelly Bryan, Qoua Her, and Sherrie L. Aspinall
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insulin glargine ,biosimilar pharmaceuticals ,drug safety ,Therapeutics. Pharmacology ,RM1-950 ,Other systems of medicine ,RZ201-999 ,Public aspects of medicine ,RA1-1270 - Abstract
We described insulin glargine (originator) and insulin glargine-yfgn (biosimilar) treatment patterns, assessed effectiveness and safety outcomes, and identified reasons for switching back to the originator product from the biosimilar. This retrospective study included 328,463 Veterans 18 years of age and older who received one or more outpatient prescriptions for insulin glargine and/or insulin glargine-yfgn between 1 June 2021 and 31 December 2022. Patients were assigned to subgroups based on the initial prescription during the study period, prevalent versus incident use for originator insulin glargine, and prior versus no prior use of the originator before the biosimilar (i.e., prevalent originator non-switcher (n = 189,734), originator switch to biosimilar (n = 81,010), incident originator non-switcher (n = 49,401), and incident biosimilar (n = 8318)). There were no differences in the outcome of mean HbA1c (7.9% for all subgroups). There were also no differences in the unadjusted rates of hospitalization and/or emergency room visits for hyper- and hypoglycemia between the prevalent originator non-switcher and originator switched to biosimilar subgroups (p = 0.09 and 0.38, respectively) or the incident originator non-switcher and incident biosimilar subgroups (p = 0.054 and 0.61, respectively). Finally, none of the HbA1c or hyperglycemia outcomes adjusted for baseline characteristics were statistically different. Adjusted analyses for rates of hospitalization and/or emergency room visits for hypoglycemia could not be performed due to the low number of events. Overall, patients who received insulin glargine-yfgn had similar effectiveness and safety outcomes as patients who received the originator.
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- 2024
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17. Safety and efficacy of pyronaridine–artesunate paediatric granules in the treatment of uncomplicated malaria in children: insights from randomized clinical trials and a real-world study
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Michael Ramharter, Abdoulaye A. Djimde, Isabelle Borghini-Fuhrer, Robert Miller, Jangsik Shin, Adam Aspinall, Naomi Richardson, Martina Wibberg, Lawrence Fleckenstein, Sarah Arbe-Barnes, and Stephan Duparc
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Malaria ,Plasmodium falciparum ,Pyronaridine–artesunate ,Paediatric ,Anti-malarial ,Granule formulation ,Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine ,RC955-962 ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
Abstract Background Children are particularly at risk of malaria. This analysis consolidates the clinical data for pyronaridine–artesunate (PA) paediatric granules in children from three randomized clinical trials and a real-world study (CANTAM). Methods An integrated safety analysis of individual patient data from three randomized clinical trials included patients with microscopically-confirmed Plasmodium falciparum, body weight ≥ 5 kg to
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- 2024
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18. Parties, Patronage and COVID-19 Vaccination Distribution in Indonesia
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SARI, LILA, ASPINALL, EDWARD, HARYANTO, and ARMUNANTO, ANDI ALI
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- 2023
19. A Digital Cognitive-Physical Intervention for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Randomized Controlled Trial
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Licong Zhao, Heather Agazzi, Yasong Du, Hongdao Meng, Renya Maku, Ke Li, Peter Aspinall, Cynthia Wilson Garvan, and Shuanfeng Fang
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Computer applications to medicine. Medical informatics ,R858-859.7 ,Public aspects of medicine ,RA1-1270 - Abstract
BackgroundAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders among children. Pharmacotherapy has been the primary treatment for ADHD, supplemented by behavioral interventions. Digital and exercise interventions are promising nonpharmacologic approaches for enhancing the physical and psychological health of children with ADHD. However, the combined impact of digital and exercise therapies remains unclear. ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine whether BrainFit, a novel digital intervention combining gamified cognitive and exercise training, is efficacious in reducing ADHD symptoms and executive function (EF) among school-aged children with ADHD. MethodsThis 4-week prospective randomized controlled trial included 90 children (6-12 years old) who visited the ADHD outpatient clinic and met the diagnostic criteria for ADHD. The participants were randomized (1:1) to the BrainFit intervention (n=44) or a waitlist control (n=46) between March and August 2022. The intervention consisted of 12 30-minute sessions delivered on an iPad over 4 weeks with 3 sessions per week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday after school) under the supervision of trained staff. The primary outcomes were parent-rated symptoms of attention and hyperactivity assessed according to the Swanson, Nolan, and Pelham questionnaire (SNAP-IV) rating scale and EF skills assessed by the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) scale, evaluated pre and post intervention. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed on 80 children after attrition. A nonparametric resampling-based permutation test was used for hypothesis testing of intervention effects. ResultsAmong the 145 children who met the inclusion criteria, 90 consented and were randomized; ultimately, 80 (88.9%) children completed the study and were included in the analysis. The participants’ average age was 8.4 (SD 1.3) years, including 63 (78.8%) male participants. The most common ADHD subtype was hyperactive/impulsive (54/80, 68%) and 23 (29%) children had severe symptoms. At the endpoint of the study, the BrainFit intervention group had a significantly larger improvement in total ADHD symptoms (SNAP-IV total score) as compared to those in the control group (β=–12.203, 95% CI –17.882 to –6.523; P
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- 2024
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20. Quantifying the thermomechanical behaviour of carbon fibre reinforced polymer materials exposed to fire conditions
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Aspinall, Timothy J., Hadden, Rory, and McCarthy, Edward
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carbon fibre reinforced polymer ,CFRP materials ,fire conditions ,load-bearing ,unidirectional carbon fibres ,transient thermomechanical behaviour - Abstract
Carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) materials are engineered materials consisting of carbon fibres arranged in layers of alternating directions and bonded with a resin matrix. At present, they are the most widely used material in the construction of new aircraft structures and are becoming increasingly popular across other industrial sectors. CFRP materials possess high specific strength and stiffness, excellent resistance to impact, and reduced maintenance costs compared to metallic alloys. However, due to the fire response behaviour of CFRP materials, which includes glass transition, a combustible polymer matrix, fibre oxidation and loss of load-bearing capacity, concerns have been raised with respect to their fire safety. Whilst a significant body of research exists for other common aviation materials, such as aluminium and titanium alloys, it is currently unknown if this knowledge can be applied directly to CFRP materials to help predict their thermomechanical behaviour. This knowledge is unknown because CFRP materials are often utilised differently from traditional aviation materials due to differences arising from the carbon fibre orientation. So far, quantifying the thermomechanical behaviour of CFRP materials has been mainly carried out using uncoupled (or post-fire) approaches, whereby the residual mechanical properties are used to assess the CFRP material's performance during a fire. Because of this, current knowledge of CFRP material's thermomechanical load-bearing behaviour when different fibre orientations are used in the manufacture of the composites during a fire remains poorly understood, with currently unknown implications for its load-bearing behaviour. Five separate experimental studies have therefore been undertaken to investigate and quantify the thermomechanical response of four CFRP materials containing a carbon fibre reinforcement and an epoxy resin matrix. Each CFRP material contains a unique fibre orientation and has been produced solely by the author of this thesis using carbon reinforcement and epoxy resin matrix sourced from different suppliers. The first study has been carried out to identify the main solid-phase thermal response characteristics of the four CFRP materials, neat epoxy resin and carbon fibre, in a kinetically-dominated heating regime. In this study, the glass transition, pyrolysis and oxidation temperatures of the CFRP materials have been quantified using different analysis techniques. The data from this chapter is critical for the following chapters as it identifies the temperatures that result in a loss of mechanical properties. The results from this study show that the solid-phase thermal response reactions of CFRP materials are complex, often consisting of several overlapping and competing physico-chemical processes. The second study investigates the burning behaviour of three CFRP materials in a heat-transfer-dominated heating regime. The motivation for this study is the lack of knowledge on the burning behaviour of CFRP materials containing common fibre orientations when different materials are placed adjacent to their unexposed rear surface boundary. Each CFRP material in this study has undergone cone calorimeter experiments to quantify the influence of fibre orientation and rear surface boundary conditions on the mass (loss) and heat release rate during separate flaming and non-flaming scenarios. The first rear surface boundary condition is a highly conductive aluminium heat sink, whilst the second contains low thermal conductivity ceramic insulation. These two rear surface boundary materials represent actual conditions that occur in aircraft structures where highly conductive and insulation materials are positioned in close proximity to fuel storage areas that have a risk of catching fire. The result from this study shows that CFRP materials exhibit distinct burning behaviours when the fibre orientation and rear surface boundary condition changes. The third study investigates and quantifies the influence of carbon fibre orientation on the post-fire (residual) three-point bending and tensile behaviour of three CFRP materials. In this study, the CFRP materials are first exposed to different thermal intensities using a cone calorimeter chosen to represent critical temperatures required to induce the physico-chemical processes most associated with the loss of mechanical properties in CFRP materials (i.e. glass transition of the epoxy resin, pyrolysis of the epoxy resin and the oxidation of the carbon fibre reinforcement). After this, the CFRP materials are left to cool and then mechanical tested to obtain post-fire mechanical data and compare results. The results of this study show that the post-fire mechanical response of the CFRP materials changes depending on the level of thermal intensity and the carbon fibre orientation. The fourth study presents a state-of-the-art approach for quantifying the thermomechanical bending behaviour of a CFRP material and an opportunity to investigate specific behaviours such as displacement, time-to-failure and failure modes. The motivation of this study is a lack of fundamental knowledge on the mechanical response of a loaded CFRP material as it undergoes heating. The data produced from this study is important to aircraft manufacturers and aerospace and defence contractors who use CFRP materials in hazardous areas of aircraft (adjoining or in close proximity to fuel tanks) or in military applications where a chance of fire is always possible due to munitions fragments during combat operations. Drawing on material flammability, the thermal irradiance is induced using an electric coil heater allowing a systematic evaluation of the material response. By manipulating the applied heat flux, the process causing failure is shown to vary. At low heat fluxes, the failure is elastic and is dominated by a large proportion of the specimen reaching the glass transition temperature. Whereas, at higher heat fluxes, the failure is dominated by the pyrolysis of the epoxy resin at the locally exposed surface, resulting in a more brittle failure. Because the developed apparatus allows the systematic variation of the thermal and mechanical load, it is possible to utilise it to replace conventional uncoupled approaches where residual mechanical properties are often used to assess the performance of materials exposed to thermal loads. The final study describes a series of experiments using the approach described in the fourth study and describes the setup, execution, results, and analysis of thermomechanical experiments performed on the four CFRP materials using a novel 'rig'. The proposed test rig allows the thermomechanical behaviour, relating the mechanical performance degradation with particular surface temperature and temperature gradient inside the CFRP materials to be investigated. The motivation of this study is to understand the mechanical response of loaded CFRP materials containing unique fibre orientations as they undergo heating. Experiments have been performed on specimens produced from four unique CFRP materials to study their behaviour under three-point bending when exposed to different heat fluxes. Failure times, displacement and temperature distribution data are recorded from specimens produced from each unique CFRP material, whilst failure modes and degradation mechanisms have also been investigated using high-definition videography. The data produced in this study has shown that the carbon fibre orientation and heat flux influence the thermomechanical load-bearing response of CFRP laminates. It is generally observed that laminates containing unidirectional [90°] fibres demonstrate the worst overall load-bearing response to thermomechanical loading conditions. In contrast, woven bi-directional [0°, 90°] fibres demonstrate the best. Unidirectional [0°] fibres and unwoven multidirectional [0°, 45°, 90°] fibres present a modest overall load-bearing response to thermomechanical loading conditions. It should also be added that specimen thickness and boundary conditions also govern the thermal response of the CFRP materials, as shown in Chapters 4 and 5. Overall, the contribution to knowledge that the work in this thesis presents are original and have significant potential for engineers and designers to understand the fire safety of CFRP materials in load-bearing applications.
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- 2022
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21. Transmission electron microscopy studies on the recombination states of PhiC31 integrase
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Aspinall, Louie
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615.8 - Published
- 2022
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22. Genetic and developmental mechanisms of hybrid dysfunction in house mice (Mus musculus musculus and M. m. domesticus)
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Aspinall, Paigan, Turner, Leslie, and Wolf, Jason
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Spermatogenesis ,Speciation ,imprinting - Abstract
It is one hundred and sixty-two years on from the first publication of Darwin's 'On the Origin of Species' and the mechanisms through which new species arise are still not fully understood. One of the key steps in the process of speciation is reproductive isolation, and an important reproductive barrier is postzygotic isolation. This occurs when hybrid offspring are less fit or less healthy than the parental species, leaving them unable to compete. Whilst many writings have been dedicated to how postzygotic isolation occurs, there remain many fundamental questions about the mechanisms at play. Here we aim to further our understanding of intrinsic postzygotic isolation mechanisms using the house mouse hybrid zone as a model system. The house mouse (Mus musculus) forms a stable hybrid zone in central Europe, where two subspecies (M. m. domesticus and M. m. musculus) meet and interbreed. This thesis explores the mechanisms that underlie reproductive isolation phenotypes observed in the hybrids of these two subspecies. There is a specific focus on hybrid male sterility, a commonly observed phenotype in the hybrid zone, and imprinting imbalances, an as-yet undocumented mechanism of isolation in this hybrid system. In a genome-wide association study using wild-derived inbred lines, we identify novel regions associated with male fertility phenotypes, as well as further validating previously identified regions. We also observe the progression of spermatogenesis, from the onset of meiosis in a range of mouse strains that represent different states of hybrid fertility and identify key time points at which break down occurs, as well as identifying chromosomal regions likely to harbour hybrid male sterility genes. Finally, we provide the first evidence of a role for imprinting imbalances in the segregation occurring in the house mouse hybrid zone, through the identifying parent-of-origin growth effects in embryos and placentae.
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- 2022
23. Presenters at chiropractic research conferences 2010–2019: is there a gender equity problem?
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Aspinall, Sasha L, Nim, Casper Glissmann, Harsted, Steen, Miller, Amy, Øverås, Cecilie K, Roseen, Eric J, Young, James J, Søgaard, Karen, Kawchuk, Greg, and Hartvigsen, Jan
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- 2023
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24. Aso volcano, Japan: assessing the 100-year probability of a new caldera-forming eruption based on expert judgements with Bayes Net and Importance Sampling uncertainty analysis
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Aspinall, Willy, Sparks, R. Stephen J., Hill, Brittain E., Costa, Antonio, Connor, Charles, Inakura, Hirohito, Hasenaka, Toshiaki, Miyoshi, Masaya, Kiyosugi, Koji, Tsuji, Tomohiro, and Ushioda, Masashi
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- 2023
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25. The effectiveness of spinal manipulative therapy procedures for spine pain: protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis
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Nim, Casper G., Aspinall, Sasha L., Cook, Chad E., Corrêa, Leticia A., Donaldson, Megan, Downie, Aron S., Harsted, Steen, Hartvigsen, Jan, Jenkins, Hazel J., McNaughton, David, Nyirö, Luana, Perle, Stephen M., Roseen, Eric J., Young, James J., Young, Anika, Zhao, Gong-He, and Juhl, Carsten B.
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- 2023
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26. Critical shortfalls in the management of PBC: Results of a UK-wide, population-based evaluation of care delivery
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Nadir Abbas, Rachel Smith, Steven Flack, Vikram Bains, Richard J. Aspinall, Rebecca L. Jones, Laura Burke, Douglas Thorburn, Michael Heneghan, Andrew Yeoman, Joanna Leithead, Conor Braniff, Andrew Robertson, Chris Mitchell, Collette Thain, Robert Mitchell-Thain, David Jones, Palak J. Trivedi, George F. Mells, and Laith Alrubaiy
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Adherence ,Autoimmune liver disease ,Bezafibrate ,Fenofibrate ,Guideline ,Liver transplantation ,Diseases of the digestive system. Gastroenterology ,RC799-869 - Abstract
Background & Aims: Guidelines for the management of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) were published by the British Society of Gastroenterology in 2018. In this study, we assessed adherence to these guidelines in the UK National Health Service (NHS). Methods: All NHS acute trusts were invited to contribute data between 1 January 2021 and 31 March 2022, assessing clinical care delivered to patients with PBC in the UK. Results: We obtained data for 8,968 patients with PBC and identified substantial gaps in care across all guideline domains. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) was used as first-line treatment in 88% of patients (n = 7,864) but was under-dosed in one-third (n = 1,964). Twenty percent of patients who were UDCA-untreated (202/998) and 50% of patients with inadequate UDCA response (1,074/2,102) received second-line treatment. More than one-third of patients were not assessed for fatigue (43%; n = 3,885) or pruritus (38%; n = 3,415) in the previous 2 years. Fifty percent of all patients with evidence of hepatic decompensation were discussed with a liver transplant centre (222/443). Appropriate use of second-line treatment and referral for liver transplantation was significantly better in specialist PBC treatment centres compared with non-specialist centres (p
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- 2024
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27. Presenters at chiropractic research conferences 2010–2019: is there a gender equity problem?
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Sasha L Aspinall, Casper Glissmann Nim, Steen Harsted, Amy Miller, Cecilie K Øverås, Eric J Roseen, James J Young, Karen Søgaard, Greg Kawchuk, and Jan Hartvigsen
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Chiropractic ,Academia ,Gender ,Diversity ,Disparity ,Equity ,RZ201-275 ,Diseases of the musculoskeletal system ,RC925-935 - Abstract
Abstract Background Presenting at professional and scientific conferences can be an important part of an individual’s career advancement, especially for researchers communicating scientific findings, and can signal expertise and leadership. Generally, women presenting at conferences are underrepresented in various science disciplines. We aimed to evaluate the gender of presenters at research-oriented chiropractic conferences from 2010 to 2019. Methods We investigated the gender of presenters at conferences hosted by chiropractic organisations from 2010 to 2019 that utilised an abstract submission process. Gender classification was performed by two independent reviewers. The gender distribution of presenters over the ten-year period was analysed with linear regression. The association of conference factors with the gender distribution of presenters was also assessed with linear regression, including the gender of organising committees and abstract peer reviewers, and the geographic region where the conference was hosted. Results From 39 conferences, we identified 4,340 unique presentations. Women gave 1,528 (35%) of the presentations. No presenters were classified as gender diverse. Overall, the proportion of women presenters was 30% in 2010 and 42% in 2019, with linear regression demonstrating a 1% increase in women presenting per year (95% CI = 0.4–1.6%). Invited/keynote speakers had the lowest proportion of women (21%) and the most stagnant trajectory over time. The gender of conference organisers and abstract peer reviewers were not significantly associated with the gender of presenters. Oceanic conferences had a lower proportion of women presenting compared to North America (27% vs. 36%). Conclusions Overall, women gave approximately one-third of presentations at the included conferences, which gradually increased from 2010 to 2019. However, the disparity widens for the most prestigious class of keynote/invited presenters. We make several recommendations to support the goal of gender equity, including monitoring and reporting on gender diversity at future conferences.
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- 2023
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28. Aso volcano, Japan: assessing the 100-year probability of a new caldera-forming eruption based on expert judgements with Bayes Net and Importance Sampling uncertainty analysis
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Willy Aspinall, R. Stephen J. Sparks, Brittain E. Hill, Antonio Costa, Charles Connor, Hirohito Inakura, Toshiaki Hasenaka, Masaya Miyoshi, Koji Kiyosugi, Tomohiro Tsuji, and Masashi Ushioda
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Aso volcano ,Japan ,Probabilistic volcanic hazard assessment ,Super-eruption probability ,100-year forecast ,Expert elicitation ,Environmental protection ,TD169-171.8 ,Disasters and engineering ,TA495 - Abstract
Abstract The Aso-4 explosive eruption on Kyushu, Japan, 89,500 years ago was one of the biggest eruptions in the last one hundred millennia, with a magnitude of approximately M8. Modern society requires the likelihood of natural events with potentially disastrous consequences to be evaluated, even if probabilities of occurrence are diminishingly small. For some situations, it is not satisfactory to assert an event scenario probability is “negligible” or can be “ignored”. Judicial hearings or litigation may require risk levels to be quantified, in which case, statements of scientific confidence could be decisive. Internationally, e.g., for nuclear site safety evaluations, event likelihoods on order of 10–7/year are often considered for quantitative assessment. At such hazard levels, this might include evaluating the proposition that a particular volcano can deliver a future super-eruption, a supposition that could be attached to Aso volcano. But, simplistically taking the average recurrence interval between past caldera-forming eruptions at a given volcano is an unreliable guide to the likelihood of a future repeat: each past event represented a unique set of tectonic and magmatic conditions within a continually evolving volcanic system. Such processes are not temporally stationary nor statistically uniform. To evaluate the probability of a new M8 event at Aso, within the next 100 years, we performed a comprehensive stochastic probability uncertainty analysis using a model implemented with advanced computational Bayes Net (BN) software. Our eruption process model is informed by multiple strands of evidence from volcanology, petrology, geochemistry and geophysics, together with estimates of epistemic (knowledge) uncertainty, adduced from reviews of published data, modelling and from expert judgement elicitation. Several lines of evidence characterise the likely structure, magmatic composition and eruptive state of the present-day Aso volcano, which has had numerous smaller eruptions since Aso-4. To calculate the probability of another M8 eruption of Aso, we implemented probabilistic ‘Importance Sampling’ in our model. With this approach, we find the chance of an Aso-4 scale eruption (characterised by mean volume 500 km3 DRE and approximate 90% credible interval [210 ‥ 1200] km3 DRE) is less than 1–in–1 billion in the next 100 years (i.e.,
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- 2023
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29. Critical shortfalls in the management of PBC: Results of a UK-wide, population-based evaluation of care delivery
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Abbas, Nadir, Smith, Rachel, Flack, Steven, Bains, Vikram, Aspinall, Richard J., Jones, Rebecca L., Burke, Laura, Thorburn, Douglas, Heneghan, Michael, Yeoman, Andrew, Leithead, Joanna, Braniff, Conor, Robertson, Andrew, Mitchell, Chris, Thain, Collette, Mitchell-Thain, Robert, Jones, David, Trivedi, Palak J., Mells, George F., and Alrubaiy, Laith
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- 2024
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30. Evaluation of Segmentation, Rotation, and Geographic Delivery Approaches for Deployment of Multiple First-Line Treatment (MFT) to Respond to Antimalarial Drug Resistance in Africa: A Qualitative Study in Seven Sub-Sahara Countries
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Celine Audibert, Adam Aspinall, Andre-Marie Tchouatieu, and Pierre Hugo
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uncomplicated malaria ,malaria drug resistance ,multiple first-line treatment ,sub-Saharan Africa ,qualitative survey ,Medicine - Abstract
Background: Several studies recently confirmed the emergence of resistance to antimalarial drugs in sub-Saharan Africa. Multiple first-line treatment (MFT) is one of the measures envisaged to respond to the emergence and spread of this resistance. The aim of this study was to identify the perceived advantages and disadvantages of several MFT deployment strategies and to better understand potential implementation drivers and barriers. Methods: A qualitative survey was conducted in seven sub-Saharan countries amongst key opinion leaders, national decision makers, and end users. A total of 200 individual interviews were conducted and findings were analyzed following a thematic inductive approach. Results: From a policy perspective, the new MFT intervention would require endorsement at the global, national, and regional levels to ensure its inclusion in guidelines. Funding of the MFT intervention could be a bottleneck due to costs associated with additional training of healthcare workers, adaptation of drug delivery mechanisms, and higher costs of drugs. Concerning the MFT deployment strategies, a slight preference for the segmentation strategy was expressed over the rotation and geographic approaches, due to the perception that a segmentation approach is already in place at country level. Conclusions: The findings highlighted the need for a collective approach to MFT deployment through the engagement of stakeholders at all levels of malaria management.
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- 2024
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31. Traffic Generation using Containerization for Machine Learning
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Clausen, Henry, Flood, Robert, and Aspinall, David
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Computer Science - Cryptography and Security - Abstract
The design and evaluation of data-driven network intrusion detection methods are currently held back by a lack of adequate data, both in terms of benign and attack traffic. Existing datasets are mostly gathered in isolated lab environments containing virtual machines, to both offer more control over the computer interactions and prevent any malicious code from escaping. This procedure however leads to datasets that lack four core properties: heterogeneity, ground truth traffic labels, large data size, and contemporary content. Here, we present a novel data generation framework based on Docker containers that addresses these problems systematically. For this, we arrange suitable containers into relevant traffic communication scenarios and subscenarios, which are subject to appropriate input randomization as well as WAN emulation. By relying on process isolation through containerization, we can match traffic events with individual processes, and achieve scalability and modularity of individual traffic scenarios. We perform two experiments to assess the reproducability and traffic properties of our framework, and demonstrate the usefulness of our framework on a traffic classification example., Comment: This work was presented at the ACSAC DYNAMICS '19: DYnamic and Novel Advances in Machine Learning and Intelligent Cyber Security Workshop in December 09-10, 2019, San Juan, PR, and will be published in the corresponding workshop proceedings. This document version is specifically for publication on arXiv. 12 pages, 7 figures
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- 2020
32. Anticipated impacts of Brexit scenarios on UK food prices and implications for policies on poverty and health: a structured expert judgement update
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Barons, Martine J and Aspinall, Willy
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Economics - General Economics - Abstract
Food insecurity is associated with increased risk for several health conditions and with increased national burden of chronic disease. Key determinants for household food insecurity are income and food costs. Forecasts show household disposable income for 2020 expected to fall and for 2021 to rise only slightly. Prices are forecast to rise. Thus, future increased food prices would be a significant driver of greater food insecurity. Structured expert judgement elicitation, a well-established method for quantifying uncertainty, using experts. In July 2020, each expert estimated the median, 5th percentile and 95th percentile quantiles of changes in price to April 2022 for ten food categories under three end-2020 settlement Brexit scenarios: A: full WTO terms; B: a moderately disruptive trade agreement (better than WTO); C: a minimally disruptive trade agreement. When combined in proportions for calculate Consumer Prices Index food basket costs, the median food price change under full WTO terms is expected to be +17.9% [90% credible interval:+5.2%, +35.1%]; with moderately disruptive trade agreement: +13.2% [+2.6%, +26.4%] and with a minimally disruptive trade agreement +9.3% [+0.8%, +21.9%]. The number of households experiencing food insecurity and its severity are likely to increase because of expected sizeable increases in median food prices in the months after Brexit, whereas low income group spending on food is unlikely to increase, and may be further eroded by other factors not considered here (e.g. COVID-19). Higher increases are more likely than lower rises and towards the upper limits, these would entail severe impacts. Research showing a low food budget leads to increasingly poor diet suggests that demand for health services in both the short and longer term is likely to increase due to the effects of food insecurity on the incidence and management of diet-sensitive conditions., Comment: 6 pages one table
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- 2020
33. The effectiveness of spinal manipulative therapy procedures for spine pain: protocol for a systematic review and network meta-analysis
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Casper G. Nim, Sasha L. Aspinall, Chad E. Cook, Leticia A. Corrêa, Megan Donaldson, Aron S. Downie, Steen Harsted, Jan Hartvigsen, Hazel J. Jenkins, David McNaughton, Luana Nyirö, Stephen M. Perle, Eric J. Roseen, James J. Young, Anika Young, Gong-He Zhao, and Carsten B. Juhl
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Chiropractic ,RZ201-275 ,Diseases of the musculoskeletal system ,RC925-935 - Abstract
Abstract Background Spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) is a guideline-recommended treatment option for spinal pain. The recommendation is based on multiple systematic reviews. However, these reviews fail to consider that clinical effects may depend on SMT “application procedures” (i.e., how and where SMT is applied). Using network meta-analyses, we aim to investigate which SMT “application procedures” have the greatest magnitude of clinical effectiveness for reducing pain and disability, for any spinal complaint, at short-term and long-term follow-up. We will compare application procedural parameters by classifying the thrust application technique and the application site (patient positioning, assisted, vertebral target, region target, Technique name, forces, and vectors, application site selection approach and rationale) against: 1. Waiting list/no treatment; 2. Sham interventions not resembling SMT (e.g., detuned ultrasound); 3. Sham interventions resembling SMT; 4. Other therapies not recommended in clinical practice guidelines; and 5. Other therapies recommended in clinical practice guidelines. Secondly, we will examine how contextual elements, including procedural fidelity (whether the SMT was delivered as planned) and clinical applicability (whether the SMT is similar to clinical practice) of the SMT. Methods We will include randomized controlled trials (RCT) found through three search strategies, (i) exploratory, (ii) systematic, and (iii) other known sources. We define SMT as a high-velocity low-amplitude thrust or grade V mobilization. Eligibility is any RCT assessing SMT against any other type of SMT, any other active or sham intervention, or no treatment control on adult patients with pain in any spinal region. The RCTs must report on continuous pain intensity and/or disability outcomes. Two authors will independently review title and abstract screening, full-text screening, and data extraction. Spinal manipulative therapy techniques will be classified according to the technique application and choice of application sites. We will conduct a network-meta analysis using a frequentist approach and multiple subgroup and sensitivity analyses. Discussion This will be the most extensive review of thrust SMT to date, and will allow us to estimate the importance of different SMT application procedures used in clinical practice and taught across educational settings. Thus, the results are applicable to clinical practice, educational settings, and research studies. PROSPERO registration: CRD42022375836.
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- 2023
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34. Fuzzy c-Means Clustering for Persistence Diagrams
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Davies, Thomas, Aspinall, Jack, Wilder, Bryan, and Tran-Thanh, Long
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Computer Science - Machine Learning ,Statistics - Machine Learning - Abstract
Persistence diagrams concisely represent the topology of a point cloud whilst having strong theoretical guarantees, but the question of how to best integrate this information into machine learning workflows remains open. In this paper we extend the ubiquitous Fuzzy c-Means (FCM) clustering algorithm to the space of persistence diagrams, enabling unsupervised learning that automatically captures the topological structure of data without the topological prior knowledge or additional processing of persistence diagrams that many other techniques require. We give theoretical convergence guarantees that correspond to the Euclidean case, and empirically demonstrate the capability of our algorithm to capture topological information via the fuzzy RAND index. We end with experiments on two datasets that utilise both the topological and fuzzy nature of our algorithm: pre-trained model selection in machine learning and lattices structures from materials science. As pre-trained models can perform well on multiple tasks, selecting the best model is a naturally fuzzy problem; we show that fuzzy clustering persistence diagrams allows for model selection using the topology of decision boundaries. In materials science, we classify transformed lattice structure datasets for the first time, whilst the probabilistic membership values let us rank candidate lattices in a scenario where further investigation requires expensive laboratory time and expertise., Comment: Version 4
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- 2020
35. Epidemiological studies on the prevention of blood borne virus infection and disease among people who inject drugs
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Aspinall, Esther
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614.5 - Published
- 2021
36. Quality standards for the management of alcohol-related liver disease: consensus recommendations from the British Association for the Study of the Liver and British Society of Gastroenterology ARLD special interest group
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Paul Richardson, Steven Masson, Ashwin Dhanda, Ewan Forrest, Ankur Srivastava, Pauline Dundas, Lynsey Corless, Jennifer Towey, Neil Rajoriya, Christopher Oldroyd, Sarah Morgan, James Maurice, Richard Aspinall, Joanne McDonagh, Sara Bardell, Richard Parker, Vanessa Hebditch, Michael Allison, Ryan Buchanan, Robert Goldin, Steve Hood, Joanne Sayer, Vikram Bains, J Ryan, Thomas Phillips, Seonaid Anderson, Ian Davidson, Ian Webzell, Victoria Lavers, Nicole Rainford, Arron Jones, Emma Stennett, Jeff Fernandez, Erica Forster, Dennis Freshwater, Ruth Gailer, Deborah Lindsay, Tania Nurun, Elizabeth Oxley, Sally Pannifex, Graham Parsons, Mandy Smith, Roya Vaziri, and Andrew Wellstead
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Diseases of the digestive system. Gastroenterology ,RC799-869 - Abstract
Objective Alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) is the most common cause of liver-related ill health and liver-related deaths in the UK, and deaths from ALD have doubled in the last decade. The management of ALD requires treatment of both liver disease and alcohol use; this necessitates effective and constructive multidisciplinary working. To support this, we have developed quality standard recommendations for the management of ALD, based on evidence and consensus expert opinion, with the aim of improving patient care.Design A multidisciplinary group of experts from the British Association for the Study of the Liver and British Society of Gastroenterology ALD Special Interest Group developed the quality standards, with input from the British Liver Trust and patient representatives.Results The standards cover three broad themes: the recognition and diagnosis of people with ALD in primary care and the liver outpatient clinic; the management of acutely decompensated ALD including acute alcohol-related hepatitis and the posthospital care of people with advanced liver disease due to ALD. Draft quality standards were initially developed by smaller working groups and then an anonymous modified Delphi voting process was conducted by the entire group to assess the level of agreement with each statement. Statements were included when agreement was 85% or greater. Twenty-four quality standards were produced from this process which support best practice. From the final list of statements, a smaller number of auditable key performance indicators were selected to allow services to benchmark their practice and an audit tool provided.Conclusion It is hoped that services will review their practice against these recommendations and key performance indicators and institute service development where needed to improve the care of patients with ALD.
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- 2023
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37. Clinical and clinicopathological features and outcomes of cats with suspected dietary induced pancytopenia
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Barbara Glanemann, Karen Humm, Mariana Abreu, Sophie Aspinall, David Buckeridge, Hope Carveth, Hannah Darcy, Jessica Florey, Polly Frowde, Isuru Gajanayake, Kate Green, Emma Holmes, Alenka Hrovat, Anne‐Katherine Jasensky, Bryn A Jones, Vasiliki Lantzaki, Eve JY Lo, Kirsty MacDonald, Kevin O'Brien, Alejandro Suárez‐Bonnet, Nele Van den Steen, Balazs Szladovits, Annelies Willems, and Helen Wilson
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aplastic anemia ,neutropenia ,T‐2/HT‐2 mycotoxin ,thrombocytopenia ,trichothecenes ,Veterinary medicine ,SF600-1100 - Abstract
Abstract Background After a strong epidemiological link to diet was established in an outbreak of pancytopenia in cats in spring 2021 in the United Kingdom, 3 dry diets were recalled. Concentrations of the hemato‐ and myelotoxic mycotoxins T‐2, HT‐2 and diacetoxyscirpenol (DAS) greater than the European Commission guidance for dry cat foods were detected in the recalled diets. Objectives To describe clinical and clinicopathological findings in cats diagnosed with suspected diet induced pancytopenia. Animals Fifty cats presenting with pancytopenia after exposure to a recalled diet. Methods Multicenter retrospective case series study. Cats with known exposure to 1 of the recalled diets were included if presented with bi‐ or pancytopenia and underwent bone marrow examination. Results Case fatality rate was 78%. Bone marrow aspirates and biopsy examination results were available in 23 cats; 19 cats had a bone marrow aspirate, and 8 cats had a biopsy core, available for examination. Bone marrow hypo to aplasia—often affecting all cell lines—was the main feature in all 31 available core specimens. A disproportionately pronounced effect on myeloid and megakaryocytic cells was observed in 19 cats. Myelofibrosis or bone marrow necrosis was not a feature. Conclusion and Clinical Importance Mycotoxin induced pancytopenia should be considered as differential diagnosis in otherwise healthy cats presenting with bi‐ or pancytopenia and bone marrow hypo‐ to aplasia.
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- 2023
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38. Influence of heating rate and atmospheric conditions on the thermal response of CFRP and its constituents
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Aspinall, Tim J., Erskine, Emmajane L., Taylor, Derek C., and Hadden, Rory M.
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- 2023
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39. Evaluation of a new home use medical stretching device, the STAK tool, to treat arthrofibrosis of the knee
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Aspinall, Sara
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knee ,arthrofibrosis ,Medical Device ,physiotherapy care ,knee replacement arthroplasty - Abstract
This thesis considers the worldwide problem of arthrofibrosis following total knee replacement surgery and evaluates the role of a new medical stretching device, the STAK tool in its treatment of arthrofibrosis. The aims of the thesis included carrying out a systematic review to investigate the effectiveness of medical stretching devices in increasing knee range of movement (ROM) in arthrofibrosis patients followed by a clinical trial to evaluate a new device (The STAK) to treat arthrofibrosis and poor ROM following total knee replacement (TKR) and major knee surgery. Qualitative research was used to explore patients' experience of daily living with arthrofibrosis focusing on their perceptions of outpatient standard physiotherapy treatment compared to home use of the high intensity medical stretching device The STAK and feasibility of the study procedures for a future trial. Methods: Study 1 comprised a systematic review of 12 articles (558 participants) from peer reviewed journals investigating the effectiveness of 3 different types of medical stretching devices: continuous passive motion (CPM), load control and load displacement devices. Study 2 (the clinical trial) involved the recruitment of 35 patients post-major knee surgery with arthrofibrosis and mean ROM of 68°. Both the STAK intervention (18 patients) and control group received standard physiotherapy for 8 weeks, with the intervention group additionally using the STAK tool at home. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Oxford Knee Scores (OKS) were collected at all timepoints. An acceptability and home exercise questionnaire capturing adherence was recorded after each of the interventions. In study 3 semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 arthrofibrosis patients (intervention group). Interviews were recorded and transcribed and reflexive thematic analysis conducted. Findings were integrated into the quantitative results to add depth and understanding. Results: Study 1 demonstrated a statistically significant increase in ROM as demonstrated in CPM, load-control and displacement-control studies (p < 0.001). The results show that the stretch doses applied using the CPM, load-control devices were performed over a considerably longer treatment time and involved significantly more additional physiotherapy compared to the displacement-control and patient actuated serial stretching devices. The wide range in ROM gains of patients in the same studies suggested the need to use qualitative methods to explore factors underlying this. In study 2 compared to the control group, the STAK intervention group made significant gains in mean ROM (30° versus 8°, p < 0.001), WOMAC (23 points versus 3, p < 0.001), and OKS (9 points versus 4, p < 0.05). The improvements in the STAK group were maintained at long-term follow-up (10.5 months). No patients suffered any complications relating to the STAK, and 96% of patients found the STAK tool 'perfectly acceptable'. In study 3 patient interviews revealed how severe pain and stiffness imposed by major physical limitations were compounded further by accompanying social and psychological problems. Integration of the qualitative research findings corroborated and augmented the quantitative results. Major themes identified stressed the importance of the STAK high intensity stretching device essential to regain ROM, the necessity for effective pain management and the benefits to be gained from a supportive therapist patient relationship. Implications for clinical practice: It is recommended that home use of displacement control medical stretching devices is incorporated into standard physiotherapy treatment following total knee replacement. Stretching the knee to maximum intensity is demanding, painful and necessary to enable patients to regain ROM. It is recommended that physiotherapists discuss pain medication with their patients to ensure that they can fully engage in their treatment. The importance of a positive and supportive therapist patient relationship is emphasised to optimise treatment outcomes.
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- 2020
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40. Serious cardiovascular adverse events with fluoroquinolones versus other antibiotics: A self-controlled case series analysis.
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Aspinall, Sherrie L, Sylvain, Nathan P, Zhao, Xinhua, Zhang, Rongping, Dong, Diane, Echevarria, Kelly, Glassman, Peter A, Goetz, Matthew Bidwell, Miller, Donald R, and Cunningham, Francesca E
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Humans ,Cardiovascular Diseases ,Fluoroquinolones ,Anti-Bacterial Agents ,Risk Factors ,Aged ,Middle Aged ,Female ,Male ,Veterans ,adverse drug reactions ,fluoroquinolones ,Cardiovascular ,Prevention ,Clinical Research ,Infection ,Good Health and Well Being ,Medicinal and Biomolecular Chemistry ,Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences - Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between fluoroquinolone (FQ) use and the occurrence of aortic aneurysm/dissection (AA/AD), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), ventricular arrhythmias (VenA), and all-cause mortality vs other commonly used antibiotics. We conducted a self-controlled case series analysis of patients who experienced the outcomes of AA/AD, AMI, and VenA, based on diagnosis codes from emergency department visits and hospitalizations within Veterans Health Administration, and death in FY2014-FY2018. These Veterans also received outpatient prescriptions for FQs. Conditional Poisson regression models were used to estimate the association between FQs and each of the outcomes vs antibiotics of interest (ie amoxicillin or amoxicillin/clavulanate, azithromycin, doxycycline, cefuroxime or cephalexin, or sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim), adjusted for time-varying covariates. Using a 30-day risk period after each antibiotic prescription, adjusted incidence rate ratios (aIRRs) for FQs vs each comparator antibiotic were not statistically different for outcomes of VenA or AMI. For AA/AD, incidence was higher during FQ risk periods vs amoxicillin [aIRR 1.50 (95% CI 1.01, 2.25)] and azithromycin [aIRR 2.15 (95% CI 1.27, 3.64)] risk periods. A significantly increased risk of mortality was observed with FQs vs each antibiotic of interest. FQs were associated with an increased risk of AA/AD vs amoxicillin and azithromycin and an increased risk of all-cause mortality vs multiple antibiotics commonly used for outpatient infections. Although the differences in event rates are small, FQ use should be limited to serious infections without appropriate alternatives.
- Published
- 2020
41. Processing-structure-property relationships in practical thin solid-electrolyte separators for all-solid-state batteries
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Junhao Li, Soochan Kim, Lorenzo Mezzomo, Yvonne Chart, Jack Aspinall, Riccardo Ruffo, and Mauro Pasta
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all-solid-state batteries ,thin solid-electrolyte separator ,processing ,practical ,Li6PS5Cl ,Production of electric energy or power. Powerplants. Central stations ,TK1001-1841 ,Renewable energy sources ,TJ807-830 - Abstract
Scalable processing of thin and robust solid-electrolyte (SE) separators is key for the commercialization of high-energy all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs). Herein, we report the preparation of Li _6 PS _5 Cl-based thin SE separators incorporating suitable binders for potential use in ASSBs by two scalable wet processing techniques: tape-casting with nitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) and calendering with carboxylated nitrile butadiene rubber (XNBR). By means of tensile testing and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the influence of processing on the mechanical as well as the electrochemical properties of the resulting thin SE separators is investigated. A trade-off between the mechanical and electrochemical properties is observed, which is due to the inextricably linked microstructures (particle size, binder content and distribution, and porosity) induced by the two different processes. Thin SE separators prepared using the tape-casting method with the more well-distributed binder network demonstrate superior tensile mechanical properties compared to the ones prepared by the calendering method. The results provide insights into the processing-structure-property relationships of the thin SE separators, which will contribute to advancing the application of practical thin solid electrolytes in ASSBs.
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- 2024
- Full Text
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42. Limits to the Internationalisation of Higher Education in Island Nations: Nationalism and Foreign Language Education Policy in Universities in Japan and England
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Aspinall, Robert W.
- Abstract
Japan and Great Britain are both island nations with long histories. Nationalists in both nations like to emphasise the things that separate members of 'our' nation from others across the sea, and this includes language. In the British case the arrogant assumption that 'everyone else can learn English' has led to a serious decline in the number of students who study foreign languages. In Japan, a certain amount of English is understood to be necessary for practical purposes, but nationalists warn against too much immersion in the language of an alien culture. These attitudes have helped to undermine the provision of advanced foreign language education that is necessary in a globalized world.
- Published
- 2018
43. Elastic and plastic mechanical properties of lithium measured by nanoindentation
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Ed Darnbrough, Jack Aspinall, Mauro Pasta, and David E.J. Armstrong
- Subjects
Lithium metal ,Mechanical properties ,Nanoindentation ,Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials ,TA401-492 - Abstract
Metallic lithium is the desired anode material for high energy density solid state batteries and shows a factor of four range in elastic modulus and two orders of magnitude difference in creep properties dependent on sample preparation and testing method. In this paper we use in-situ nanoindentation to measure the anisotropic mechanical properties from the BCC crystal structure and the effect of strain-rate and temperature, which have an impact on battery cycle performance. This work clarifies the reasons for the range of property values reported in the literature with a global equation for yield strength with strain-rate. From this information conclusions can be drawn around variables to optimise in order to minimise the required pressure for a chosen stripping critical current in solid state batteries.
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- 2023
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44. Influence of heating rate and atmospheric conditions on the thermal response of CFRP and its constituents
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Tim J. Aspinall, Emmajane L. Erskine, Derek C. Taylor, and Rory M. Hadden
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Carbon fibre reinforced polymer ,Thermogravimetric analysis ,Pyrolysis ,Oxidation ,Solid-phase thermal response ,Materials of engineering and construction. Mechanics of materials ,TA401-492 - Abstract
The thermal stability of carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and its constituents (neat epoxy resin and carbon fibre) are studied in terms of mass loss using a thermogravimetry technique at different heating rates and two atmospheric conditions (air and pure nitrogen). By interpreting the mass loss over a temperature range of 25–900 °C, it was possible to identify the specific mechanisms of polymer degradation. In an oxygen-free pure nitrogen atmosphere, the thermal degradation of epoxy resin used as the composite's matrix is strongly inhibited up to the temperature of 400 °C, after which it undergoes thermal decomposition, in contrast to the carbon fibre reinforcement that does not degrade in nitrogen. In an air atmosphere, however, the CFRP and its constituents degrade via a complex reaction pathway encompassing three endothermic reactions (pyrolysis of the epoxy resin, oxidation of the residue from the first pyrolysis reaction and carbon fibre oxidation) that overlap and one endothermic reaction in nitrogen (pyrolysis of the epoxy resin). A deconvolution technique based on fitting log-normal distributions to the first derivative of the mass loss data has also been undertaken to separate the thermal decomposition reactions for each CFRP to understand the effect of each reaction's contribution. It can be used to evaluate complex thermal degradation processes that can be characterised by finding the respective kinetic parameters of each reaction, e.g. by using combined kinetics analysis.
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- 2023
- Full Text
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45. Global Mentorship in Neurosurgery for Medical Students Study (the GloMNMS Study): a multinational multi-institutional cross-sectional audit
- Author
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Chandrasekaran Kaliaperumal, Mrinmoy Kundu, Katarzyna Julia Minta, Daniel Sescu, Dominique Da Luz, Katarzyna J Minta, Dominique la Luz, Chadrasekaran Kaliaperumal, Bilal Ahmad, Marc Alasmar, Baraa Mamoun Abdalla Mohamed Ali, Muhammad Usama Bin Ali, Moath Ahmed Ghaleb Saif Almekhlafi, Ahmed K Alsenan, Livia Nardeli Araujo, Alexandra Aspinall, Anuradha Biswakarma, Nebojsa Brezic, Chan Yat Nok, Sofía Villavicencio Clayton, Collins Ighaba Dambo, Samuel Oreoluwa David, Panagiota Fallon, Celine Ghorayeb, You Goh, Rivona Harricharan, Shirel Abigail Gonzalez Hernandez, Gvantsa Lashkhi, Lee Shi Yun, Liew Wei Lun, M N Nischith, Huda Ezzulddin Mohsin, Thelma Nduluma, Anson Angel Nelson, Pamela Pagador, Aiuska Panta, Sujaal Premjith, Riti Raj, Priyanka Ravichandran, Pavel Riabec, Zoe Shaked, Subaniya Thayaparan, Akshaya Venkitesh, Kyriacos Evangelou, and Kubra Tamer
- Subjects
Medicine - Abstract
Objectives To assess the perception of global mentorship in neurosurgery among medical students across the world. Secondary aim included investigating the factors affecting the availability and benefits of providing global mentorship scheme in neurosurgery at a medical student level.Setting The Global Mentorship in Neurosurgery for Medical Students Study was a multinational cross-sectional audit that included medical students currently in the years 1–6 and intercalating programmes. They were invited to complete an online survey between 11 March and 1 May 2022.Participants The survey was disseminated to 243 medical university ambassadors worldwide from 60 countries who distributed the survey within their respective medical student cohorts across the duration of the study.Results Overall, 2962 of 3017 (98.2%) responses from medical students from 60 countries worldwide were included; 1439 of 2962 (49%) and 1523 of 2962 (51%) were from years 1–3 and 4–6 medical students including intercalating degree programmes, respectively. 1712, 1502 and 1359 of responses gathered indicated that possible reasons for the lack of neurosurgical mentorship are lack of time and resources from trainees in neurosurgery, time within medical school’s curriculum and awareness of societies in neurosurgery/neurology. 1276 and 1065 of medical students surveyed reported that it could also be due to lack of funding and overall inaccessibility within the area meaning there are few networking opportunities available.Conclusions This pilot study indicates that there is a scope for improvement regarding the availability and accessibility of neurosurgical mentorship programmes worldwide at a medical student level. The evaluation suggested that medical students would most benefit from the neurosurgical mentorship in the future by means of increased numbers of mentors within their universities, accessibility to neurosurgical departments and the ability to choose mentorship globally via a unified digital platform.
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- 2023
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46. Anticipated impacts of Brexit scenarios on UK food prices and implications for policies on poverty and health: a structured expert judgement approach
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Barons, Martine J and Aspinall, Willy
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Economics - General Economics - Abstract
Food insecurity is associated with increased risk for several health conditions and with poor chronic disease management. Key determinants for household food insecurity are income and food costs. Whereas short-term household incomes are likely to remain static, increased food prices would be a significant driver of food insecurity. To investigate food price drivers for household food security and its health consequences in the UK under scenarios of Deal and No deal for Brexit . To estimate the 5\% and 95\% quantiles of the projected price distributions. Structured expert judgement elicitation, a well-established method for quantifying uncertainty, using experts. In July 2018, each expert estimated the median, 5\% and 95\% quantiles of changes in price for ten food categories under Brexit Deal and No-deal to June 2020 assuming Brexit had taken place on 29th March 2019. These were aggregated based on the accuracy and informativeness of the experts on calibration questions. Ten specialists in food procurement, retail, agriculture, economics, statistics and household food security. Results: when combined in proportions used to calculate Consumer Prices Index food basket costs, median food price change for Brexit with a Deal is expected to be +6.1\% [90\% credible interval:-3\%, +17\%] and with No deal +22.5\% [+1\%, +52\%]. The number of households experiencing food insecurity and its severity are likely to increase because of expected sizeable increases in median food prices after Brexit. Higher increases are more likely than lower rises and towards the upper limits, these would entail severe impacts. Research showing a low food budget leads to increasingly poor diet suggests that demand for health services in both the short and longer term is likely to increase due to the effects of food insecurity on the incidence and management of diet-sensitive conditions.
- Published
- 2019
47. PCSK9 Inhibitor Use and Outcomes Using Concomitant Lipid-Lowering Therapies in the Veterans Health Administration
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Eloso, Jessica, Awad, Asma, Zhao, Xinhua, Cunningham, Francesca E., Zhang, Rongping, Dong, Diane, Kelley, Cathy, Glassman, Peter A., and Aspinall, Sherrie L.
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- 2023
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48. UK-Wide Multicenter Evaluation of Second-line Therapies in Primary Biliary Cholangitis
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Abbas, Nadir, Culver, Emma L., Thorburn, Douglas, Halliday, Neil, Crothers, Hannah, Dyson, Jessica K., Phaw, April, Aspinall, Richard, Khakoo, Salim I., Kallis, Yiannis, Smith, Belinda, Patanwala, Imran, McCune, Anne, Chimakurthi, Chenchu R., Hegade, Vinod, Orrell, Michael, Jones, Rebecca, Mells, George, Thain, Colette, Thain, Robert-Mitchell, Jones, David, Hirschfield, Gideon, and Trivedi, Palak J.
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- 2023
- Full Text
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49. Use of targeted therapies for advanced renal cell carcinoma in the Veterans Health Administration
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Aspinall, Sherrie L, Zhao, Xinhua, Geraci, Mark C, Good, Chester B, Cunningham, Francesca E, Heron, Bernadette B, Becker, Daniel, Lee, Steve, Prasad, Vinay, Passero, Vida, Shields, Jenna, Stone, Roslyn A, Carico, Ron, Szymanski, John, Taqi, Alyssa, Blauvelt, Amy, Sanderson, Jennifer, Gass, Michael, Minor, Chelsea, LaPlant, Kourtney, Suliman, Iman, Twedt, Elaine, Nelson, Megan, Paul, Betsy, Dowd, Robert, Keefe, Sean, Wenzell, Candice, Horn, Greg, Carroll, Brett, Wenzell, Rob, Panning, David, Kaster, Lindsay, Hunt, Lindsey, Butler, Katerina, Carr, Robert, Kampschmidt, Camille, Nawarskas, Ann, Tonnu‐Mihara, Ivy, Wu, Ni‐Chi, Tseng, Eugene, Banaszynski, Megan, Crawford, Russell, Do, Brian, Crandall, Bailey, Serbas, Lianna, Hammond, Julia, Chillari, Kelly, Tague, Marshall, Stauder, Alison, Crawford, Brooke, Bullington, Susan, Mutziger, Jill, Meier, Joy, Sawyer, Tatiana, Taylor, Janice, and Bena, Jason
- Subjects
Biomedical and Clinical Sciences ,Clinical Sciences ,Oncology and Carcinogenesis ,Orphan Drug ,Cancer ,Clinical Research ,Rare Diseases ,Kidney Disease ,Evaluation of treatments and therapeutic interventions ,6.1 Pharmaceuticals ,Aged ,Antineoplastic Agents ,Carcinoma ,Renal Cell ,Female ,Humans ,Indazoles ,Kidney Neoplasms ,Male ,Middle Aged ,Molecular Targeted Therapy ,Pyrimidines ,Retrospective Studies ,Sirolimus ,Sulfonamides ,Sunitinib ,Survival Analysis ,Treatment Outcome ,United States ,United States Department of Veterans Affairs ,renal cell carcinoma ,treatment ,Veterans ,Targeted Therapies in Veterans with RCC Study Group ,Biochemistry and Cell Biology ,Oncology and carcinogenesis - Abstract
BackgroundThe objective of this study is to describe the use of targeted therapies for the treatment of advanced renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and overall survival (OS) among patients in clinical practice in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).MethodsA retrospective cohort of 286 patients from 24 VHA Medical Centers diagnosed with advanced clear cell RCC between Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 and FY2014 was followed through September 30, 2016. Among patients who received targeted therapy, we described the medications taken, duration of therapy, and overall survival. We also assessed the effect of the first therapy received on overall survival using Cox Proportional Hazards models.ResultsThere were 66 patients who did not receive therapy for their advanced RCC. Of the 220 treated patients, the mean (sd) number of medications received was 1.9 (1.1). The medications most commonly used first were sunitinib (61.8%), pazopanib (17.3%), and temsirolimus (10.9%). The median duration of first-line therapy was 86 days (interquartile range [IQR] 42, 210). Median total duration of therapy was 159 days (IQR 58, 397). 62.3% of patients had ≥ 1 dose of therapy held or reduced, mainly due to an adverse drug event (ADE). Median survival from the start of treatment to death was 1.08 years (IQR 0.80, 1.31). Finally, receipt of temsirolimus vs sunitinib (HR 1.95 [95%CI 1.09,3.47]) as the first targeted therapy was independently associated with an increased hazard of death.ConclusionOur analysis of targeted therapies for advanced RCC in VHA suggests duration of treatment is shorter in a real-world setting than in clinical trials, and dose reductions and ADEs are more common.
- Published
- 2019
50. Assessing minimum pyroclastic density current mass to impact critical infrastructures: example from Aso caldera (Japan)
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A. Bevilacqua, A. Aravena, W. Aspinall, A. Costa, S. Mahony, A. Neri, S. Sparks, and B. Hill
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Environmental technology. Sanitary engineering ,TD1-1066 ,Geography. Anthropology. Recreation ,Environmental sciences ,GE1-350 ,Geology ,QE1-996.5 - Abstract
We describe a method for calculating the probability that a distal geographic location is impacted by a pyroclastic density current (PDC) of a given size, considering the key related uncertainties. Specifically, we evaluate the minimum volume and mass of a PDC generated at the Aso caldera (Japan) that might affect each of five distal infrastructure (marker) sites, with model input parameter uncertainties derived from expert judgment. The 5 marker sites are all located 115–145 km from the caldera; as these lie in well-separated directions, we can test the effects of the different topographic shielding effects in each case. To inform our probabilistic analysis, we apply alternative kinetic energy assessment approaches, i.e., rock avalanche and density current dynamics. In the latter formulation, the minimum mass needed to reach the markers ranges between median values of ∼153×1012 and ∼465×1012 kg (M 7.2–7.7), depending on the site. Rock avalanche dynamics modeling indicates that a ∼3-times greater mass would be required to reach the marker sites with 50 % probability, while the hypothetical scenario of a relatively dilute distal ash cloud would require ∼3-times less mass. We compare our results with the largest recorded Aso eruption, showing that a catastrophic eruption, similar to Aso-4, ≈ M8, would present a significant conditional probability of PDCs reaching the marker sites, in the density current formulation and contingent on uncertainty in the erupted mass and on marker site direction.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
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