Numerical investigation of the mixed-mode failure of snow.

The failure of a weak snow layer underlying a cohesive slab is the primary step in the release process of a dry snow slab avalanche. The complex and heterogeneous microstructure of snow limits our understanding of failure initiation inside the weak layer, especially under mixed-mode shear-compression loading. Further complication arises from the dependence of snow strength on the loading rate induced by the balance between bond breaking and bond formation (sintering) during the failure process.

Xpert MRSA screening in surgical patient flow; time for a rethink for hub-and-spoke laboratory models?

The move towards pathology networks and hub-and-spoke models of medical laboratory service provision has significantly changed the flow of samples, and the impact of results on patients, over recent years. At the same time advances in technology, including rapid, simple to use molecular platforms, are changing the way microbiology results can be utilized. Like many other medical microbiology laboratories, we struggle with this balance for many different sample types and test requests.

Means and ends of effective global risk assessments for genetic pest management.

The development and use of genetic technologies is regulated by countries according to their national laws and governance structures. Legal frameworks require comprehensive technical evidence to be submitted by an applicant on the biology of the organism, its safety to human, animal health and the environment in which it will be released. Some countries also require information on socio-economic and trade impacts.

Large Scale 3D Morphable Models.

We present large scale facial model (LSFM)-a 3D Morphable Model (3DMM) automatically constructed from 9663 distinct facial identities. To the best of our knowledge LSFM is the largest-scale Morphable Model ever constructed, containing statistical information from a huge variety of the human population. To build such a large model we introduce a novel fully automated and robust Morphable Model construction pipeline, informed by an evaluation of state-of-the-art dense correspondence techniques.

Non-stationary phase of the MALA algorithm.

The Metropolis-Adjusted Langevin Algorithm (MALA) is a Markov Chain Monte Carlo method which creates a Markov chain reversible with respect to a given target distribution, , with Lebesgue density on ; it can hence be used to approximately sample the target distribution. When the dimension is large a key question is to determine the computational cost of the algorithm as a function of . The measure of efficiency that we consider in this paper is the (ESJD), introduced in Roberts et al.

Knee Arthroscopy Simulation: A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Imperial Knee Arthroscopy Cognitive Task Analysis (IKACTA) Tool.

Background: Virtual-reality and cadaveric simulations are expensive and not readily accessible. Innovative and accessible training adjuncts are required to help to meet training needs. Cognitive task analysis has been used extensively to train pilots and in other surgical specialties.

Pre-diagnostic meat and fibre intakes in relation to colorectal cancer survival in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition.

Improvements in colorectal cancer (CRC) detection and treatment have led to greater numbers of CRC survivors, for whom there is limited evidence on which to provide dietary guidelines to improve survival outcomes. Higher intake of red and processed meat and lower intake of fibre are associated with greater risk of developing CRC, but there is limited evidence regarding associations with survival after CRC diagnosis. Among 3789 CRC cases in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort, pre-diagnostic consumption of red meat, processed meat, poultry and dietary fibre was examined in relation to CRC-specific mortality (n 1008) and all-cause mortality (n 1262) using multivariable Cox regression models, adjusted for CRC risk factors.

Doing it by numbers: a simple approach to reducing the harms of alcohol.

Alcohol use is one of the top five causes of disease and disability in almost all countries in Europe, and in the eastern part of Europe it is the number one cause. In the UK, alcohol is now the leading cause of death in men between the ages of 16-54 years, accounting for over 20% of the total. Europeans above 15 years of age in the EU on average consume alcohol at a level which is twice as high as the world average.

Improving gait and balance in patients with leukoaraiosis using transcranial direct current stimulation and physical training: an exploratory study.

Background: Leukoaraiosis describes ischemic white matter lesions, a leading cause of gait disturbance in the elderly.

Objective: Our aim was to improve gait and balance in patients with leukoaraiosis by combining a single session of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and physical training (PT).

Methods: We delivered anodal tDCS over midline motor and premotor areas in 9 patients with leukoaraiosis.