ABSTRACT
According to the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) there has been a significant decline in the number of industry clinical trials nitiated in the UK. "The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the decline in ate-stage industry clinical research in the UK, compared to its global peers," said Richard Torbett, chief executive of the ABPI in a press release (3). Findings from an ABPI report into the state of clinical trials in the UK has shown that consistently slow and variable set up times for clinical trials encountered in the NHS are causing some pharmaceutical companies to look elsewhere for clinical research (4). [...]a close relationship is needed between government and the life sciences sector now more than ever to ensure the country does not fall too far behind its global competitors.
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In the June to September report, I noted that Boris Johnson had announced his resignation as leader of the Conservative Party on 7 July and had been replaced as Prime Minister by Liz Truss on 6 September. Little did anyone imagine that she, in turn, would be replaced by Rishi Sunak on 25 October after only 50 days in office and a disastrous mini budget presented by her Chancellor, Kwasi Kwarteng, which Sunak's replacement as Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, then repudiated almost in its entirety.
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According to conventional wisdom, one of the main reasons for the spectacular failure of former British Prime Minister Liz Truss during her extremely short stint in the top job was her allegedly radical and obstinate "Brexit ideology." However, this off-the-cuff explanation misses the point since it lacks a solid theoretical base and reliable evidence. Instead, using state-of-the-art scientific concepts-especially the new "cybernetic leadership levers" framework-and sound empirical methods, it is possible to pinpoint the real objective causes for stunning derailment at the top, as witnessed in the case of Liz Truss, the shortest-serving prime minister in the history of the United Kingdom. Viewed in comparative perspective, the striking difference between her failed approach towards governing and the successful, transformational and sustainable leadership methods used by the Russian Federation's president, Vladimir Putin, coupled with his concomitant significantly longer political life, serves as a vivid illustration of the four key factors contributing to effective "helm longevity."
ABSTRACT
Nowadays, meta-heuristic algorithms are attracting widespread interest in solving high-dimensional nonlinear optimization problems. In this paper, a COVID-19 prevention-inspired bionic optimization algorithm, named Coronavirus Mask Protection Algorithm (CMPA), is proposed based on the virus transmission of COVID-19. The main inspiration for the CMPA originated from human self-protection behavior against COVID-19. In CMPA, the process of infection and immunity consists of three phases, including the infection stage, diffusion stage, and immune stage. Notably, wearing masks correctly and safe social distancing are two essential factors for humans to protect themselves, which are similar to the exploration and exploitation in optimization algorithms. This study simulates the self-protection behavior mathematically and offers an optimization algorithm. The performance of the proposed CMPA is evaluated and compared to other state-of-the-art metaheuristic optimizers using benchmark functions, CEC2020 suite problems, and three truss design problems. The statistical results demonstrate that the CMPA is more competitive among these state-of-the-art algorithms. Further, the CMPA is performed to identify the parameters of the main girder of a gantry crane. Results show that the mass and deflection of the main girder can be improved by 16.44% and 7.49%, respectively.
ABSTRACT
In pandemic conditions, where the COVID-19 infection is increasing exponentially, quarantine centres have become very necessary to separate and restrict the movement of people. These structures are also helpful in similar situations like disaster management, defence purposes and housing for poor people. Planning and Designing of Steel Intensive Quarantine Centre' takes on the task of designing and analysing an economical, ecological and rapid construction solution of a modular quarantine centre building. It facilitates a faster construction facility due to steel construction instead of RCC, which takes almost 70–80% more time and is not recyclable like steel. The schematic and elevation plans have been tweaked with additional architectural features to ensure ventilation, sunlight and accessible transit of patients. For economical structural design, the iterative method is incorporated to find columns with the minimum size and shape to achieve ample carpet area, i.e., star-shaped. While designing the structures, i.e., portal frame and truss roof frame are subjected to the same loading conditions. For resisting the lateral forces, different types of bracings have been incorporated in plan and elevation. The construction of a portal frame requires specialized labour to handle compound sections and connections, whereas construction of truss sections is possible by skilled labour or directly use prefabricated truss sections with the help of unskilled labour. Compound sections pose a significant challenge due to their unavailability and transportation difficulties. In contrast, the sections for trusses are readily available even in the remote market. Moreover, the construction of both structures provides rapid construction. The portal frame costs about 16% cheaper than the steel frame due to smaller sections and absence of compound sections. For validation of our work, we have used manual and automated calculation to minimize the error. The structure is expandable for future expansion by techniques such as expansion joint and satellite arrangement. © 2023, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
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The UK has a new king (doi:10.1136/bmj.o2196),1 one who believes that modern medicine must combine the “best of new technology and current knowledge with ancient wisdom” (doi:10.1258/jrsm.2012.12k095),2 and a new prime minister, Liz Truss, who promises to deliver, deliver, and deliver (doi:10.1136/bmj.o2147).3 England has a new health secretary, with a worrying track record on health (doi:10.1136/bmj.o2193).4 The US has introduced a law that limits the profiteering of drug companies(doi:10.1136/bmj.o2163).5 Scotland is considering legalising assisted dying (doi:10.1136/bmj.o2205).6 And The BMJ has appointed three new columnists (doi:10.1136/bmj.o2201, doi:10.1136/bmj.o2195, doi:10.1136/bmj.o2206).789 And yet, covid persists in posing questions that are difficult to answer (doi:10.1136/bmj.o2183),10 including the merits and role of testing (doi:10.1136/bmj-2022-071215, doi:10.1136/bmj.o2055).1112 A plan to solve the workforce crisis has many obvious factors to consider yet remains elusive (doi:10.1136/bmj-2022-072977)13;new evidence underscores the worrying link between doctors’ burnout and deterioration in patient care (doi:10.1136/bmj-2022-070442, doi:10.1136/bmj.o2157)1415;health service whistleblowers still receive shoddy treatment (doi:10.1136/bmj.o2187)16;and people at the end of life continue to struggle to benefit from palliative care (doi:10.1136/bmj.o2202).17 Another constant in our ever changing world is industry’s attempts to manipulate science, behaviour that we would now describe as disinformation. Two particular areas of focus are the push for fracking, something of which Liz Truss has spoken favourably—despite evidence pointing to climate harm from methane leaks (doi:10.1136/bmj.k2397)19—and for developing carbon capture technology, a response to carbon emissions that has seen universities receive huge donations even though industry’s internal documents accept that carbon capture doesn’t make economic or environmental sense. Evidence of attempts to manipulate science were persuasive in our decision to stop publishing research funded by the tobacco industry (doi:10.1136/bmj.f5193).20 We already support divestment from fossil fuels, and this new investigation is another spur for medical and healthcare organisations to join us (doi:10.1136/bmj.m167).21 Our policy is also to decline all research funded by companies that produce fossil fuels, although their involvement in research into alternative green energy solutions makes this calculus more complex.
ABSTRACT
This evidence-based practice paper describes the study of Statics or Engineering Mechanics 1 course. This is an entry-level course for freshman or sophomores in many engineering disciplines and includes topics such as forces, equilibrium of forces, truss analysis, centroid, and moment of inertia. It is observed that this is a difficult course for students and the passing rate is 60.7% [1]. To reduce the failure rate of students in class, instructors often try to implement a variety of methods. Hands-on models, active learning methods, ExCEEd model [2], Flipped Classroom model [3], and Montessori Based Engineering (MBE) Model [4] are some of the models used by instructors. Student success improved by 3%-7% [5] when these methodologies were used. Hands-on models when used in combination with other active learning methods are engaging and useful in maintaining student interest [2]. In-class instruction is usually expected for active learning using hands-on models for Statics 1. This has been especially difficult during COVID-restricted learning situations and has created a learning gap between current students and former. This paper describes the use of Virtual Reality (VR), a computer-generated simulation of a three-dimensional object or space, to fill both of these issues caused by remote learning.VR is a powerful flexible platform that when utilized can generate differentiating perspectives of problems. The VR tool Tilt Brush [6] was used to replace the physical hands-on models typically used in class to provide an engaging diverse experience. Typically, the students are introduced to a 3D Vector problem as a picture in a book or PowerPoint slide and the instructor proceeds to explain the problem using direct instruction. This method can work for some students. However, students might not be entirely clear on how the vectors and angles are actually represented in 3D space. Instructors have tried to use physical hands-on models to help students understand this concept. Most students develop an understanding of visualizing and analyzing 3D vectors after working with these physical models, thus it is great for in-person learning. However, this is not possible in an online environment. There is no denying that higher education is moving toward online learning [7]. COVID brought to everyone's attention how educators need to better prepare to transition into an online learning environment. With this in mind, the authors decided to create "hands-on models" in Virtual Reality. These models were presented in different formats in order to provide a variety of perspectives and to help engage the students in the learning module. Student engagement was very high for this module when students were shown videos. If it was made more hands-on by teaching synchronously, it is expected that student engagement would be even higher. Development of teaching this 3D Vector module, student assessment, survey, and conclusions are included in this paper. The goal of this paper is to inspire and encourage a Statics 1 instructor to start using VR in their own course and then possibly consider expanding the VR technique to other mechanics concepts and major courses. © American Society for Engineering Education, 2022.
ABSTRACT
[...]the UK is already experiencing death rates well above normal.12 The precise reasons are still being debated, but it seems likely that some are caused by continued covid infections, some by the long term consequences of covid, including increased cardiovascular disease, but much by the enormous pressure facing the NHS as it struggles with a decade of underinvestment.13 This against a background of years in which life expectancy gains fell behind those in comparable countries.14 Many of the problems in the NHS reflect severe staff shortages.15 Here too, there are several reasons, some a direct consequence of policies pursued by governments Truss was a member of, including Brexit16 and pension taxation,17 but also the UK’s failure, unique among industrialised countries, to bring people back into the workforce after the pandemic.18 When the cost of living crisis is superimposed on this situation, the outlook for the UK is dire. While some problems, such as the loss of Russian gas, threaten many countries, the UK is especially vulnerable as it has failed to invest in renewables or gas storage capacity.19 It also faces threats to food supply, again reflecting global factors, such as climate change, but also national ones, in particular Brexit.20 Inflation is the highest in the G721 and the value of the pound is plummeting.22 Many people will have no choice about whether to “heat or eat.” The Guardian 2022 Sept 2. https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/sep/02/liz-truss-law-and-order-policies-meaningless-says-police-chief 3 Woodcock A. Truss ready to scrap smart motorways and look at making speed limits advisory.
ABSTRACT
In 2019, the Nigerian Government announced drastic cuts to counterpart funding matching family planning grants from donors, including UNFPA, UNICEF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and severe cuts to the national health budget1. [...]the UK Government proposed drastic cuts to multilateral funding, including its flagship Women's Integrated Sexual Health programme, which saved the lives of 22,000 women worldwide between 2019 and 20215. For the UK government to honour its reputation as a global champion, it must adopt a more holistic understanding of gender equality and prioritise SRHR. [...]as gender equality cannot be achieved in isolation from other critical global commitments, the restoration of the UK's existing legal commitment to 0.7 per cent of Gross National Income on ODA is essential to the success of its global development work. "Just the Numbers: Impact of UK Sexual and Reproductive Health Funding for Family Planning, Fiscal Year 2021-2022."