Energy system models allow the development and assessment of ambitious transition pathways towards a sustainable energy system. However, current models lack adequate spatial and temporal resolution to capture the implications of a shift to decentralised energy supply and storage across multiple local energy vectors to meet spatially variable energy demand. There is also a lack of representation of interactions with the transport sector as well as national and local energy system operation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe World Health Organisation recognises the importance of dementia education across all sectors of the population, including children. Previous research has shown that dementia education in schools has positively changed students' knowledge about and attitudes to dementia, however little is known about the process of learning about a complex condition, such as dementia. This paper explores how pupils learn about dementia through a pre-planned educational session in the primary classroom to improve our understanding of the pedagogical approaches required for effective dementia education.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe decarbonisation of residential heating is crucial if the net-zero target in the United Kingdom is going to be achieved. This paper describes methods to produce data to quantify the impacts of residential heat decarbonisation on the energy supply infrastructure across England and Wales. For the year 2018, annual heat demand for a range of dwellings was estimated for almost 35,000 local areas (known as Lower Layer Super Output Areas: LSOAs).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDriving is an integral part of adult life and losing a driving licence is potentially a major problem. Many neurological conditions may impact on driving, either by increasing the risk of a sudden disabling event or by affecting cognition, vision, reaction speed, motor coordination, peripheral sensation or visuospatial processing. In the UK, the Drivers Medical Group of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) decides whether an individual's medical condition meets the appropriate standards for driving.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ R Coll Physicians Edinb
September 2019
There is increasing recognition of animal-assisted interventions as a promising area of practice within health and social care for people living with dementia. However, much of the research focuses on benefits for those living in care homes and not in their own homes. The Dementia Dog Project is an innovative project that aims to support people with dementia to engage with dogs and to promote the use of dogs in dementia care in the community.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFamilial DNA cascade screening for familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) has recently been introduced in Scotland. This study investigated index patients' experiences of DNA testing and mediating cascade screening. Thirty-eight patients with a clinical diagnosis of definite or possible FH who had undergone DNA testing in the lipid clinic took part in semi-structured qualitative interviews.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA right-sided pneumothorax developed several hours after atrial lead repositioning following otherwise straightforward implantation of a biventricular defibrillator from a left subclavian approach. Right atrial lead perforation was presumed, though this could not be demonstrated on computed tomography. The patient was managed conservatively and made a full recovery.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis article reports on a study examining continuing professional development (CPD) for consultant doctors. The aim of the study was to identify what promotes or inhibits the effectiveness of CPD and met the following objectives: comparing and contrasting the experiences of CPD across the range of specialties; identifying and describing the range of different models of CPD employed across the different specialties and clinical contexts; considering the educational potential of reflective practice in CPD and its impact on professional practice and exploring how different professionals judge the effectiveness of current CPD practices. Using a mixture of qualitative (interviews, letters, observation) and quantitative (online questionnaire) methods, the views of CPD providers and users were surveyed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Ultrasound-detected carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) and carotid plaque are possible screening tests for coronary heart disease (CHD) among asymptomatic individuals.
Objective: To assess the increase in screening performance of combining carotid IMT and plaque compared with each measurement alone in the identification of individuals with CHD.
Methods: Ultrasound examination of left and right carotid arteries was performed on 100 individuals (median age 57), 55 with a history of CHD (unstable angina or myocardial infarction) and 45 without.