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"Wilson, Luke"
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Blonde ambition
\"An ambitious young woman (Jessica Simpson) attempting to navigate her way through the cutthroat corporate world becomes the unwitting pawn of two unscrupulous executives seeking to topple and replace the powerful head of an international conglomerate. Penelope Ann Miller, Luke Wilson, Andy Dick, Rachel Leigh Cook, and Jamie Kennedy co-star in director Scott Marshall's loose remake of the Mike Nichols' 1988 comedy Working Girl\"--Allmovie.com, viewed September 12, 2017.
DVD
High Purcell factor generation of indistinguishable on-chip single photons
On-chip single-photon sources are key components for integrated photonic quantum technologies. Semiconductor quantum dots can exhibit near-ideal single-photon emission, but this can be significantly degraded in on-chip geometries owing to nearby etched surfaces. A long-proposed solution to improve the indistinguishablility is to use the Purcell effect to reduce the radiative lifetime. However, until now only modest Purcell enhancements have been observed. Here we use pulsed resonant excitation to eliminate slow relaxation paths, revealing a highly Purcell-shortened radiative lifetime (22.7 ps) in a waveguide-coupled quantum dot–photonic crystal cavity system. This leads to near-lifetime-limited single-photon emission that retains high indistinguishablility (93.9%) on a timescale in which 20 photons may be emitted. Nearly background-free pulsed resonance fluorescence is achieved under π-pulse excitation, enabling demonstration of an on-chip, on-demand single-photon source with very high potential repetition rates.
Journal Article
Dead or dying? Quantifying the point of no return from hydraulic failure in drought-induced tree mortality
Determining physiological mechanisms and thresholds for climate-driven tree die-off could help improve global predictions of future terrestrial carbon sinks. We directly tested for the lethal threshold in hydraulic failure – an inability to move water due to drought-induced xylem embolism – in a pine sapling experiment.
In a glasshouse experiment, we exposed loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) saplings (n = 83) to drought-induced water stress ranging from mild to lethal. Before rewatering to relieve drought stress, we measured native hydraulic conductivity and foliar color change. We monitored all measured individuals for survival or mortality.
We found a lethal threshold at 80% loss of hydraulic conductivity – a point of hydraulic failure beyond which it is more likely trees will die, than survive, and describe mortality risk across all levels of water stress. Foliar color changes lagged behind hydraulic failure – best predicting when trees had been dead for some time, rather than when they were dying.
Our direct measurement of native conductivity, while monitoring the same individuals for survival or mortality, quantifies a continuous probability of mortality risk from hydraulic failure. Predicting tree die-off events and understanding the mechanism involved requires knowledge not only of when trees are dead, but when they begin dying – having passed the point of no return.
Journal Article
Metformin doses to ensure efficacy and safety in patients with reduced kidney function
We aimed to develop a metformin dosing strategy to optimise efficacy and safety in patients with reduced kidney function. Metformin data from two studies stratified by kidney function were analysed. The relationship between metformin clearance and kidney function estimates was explored using a regression analysis. The maintenance dose range was predicted at different bands of kidney function to achieve an efficacy target of 1 mg/L for steady-state plasma concentrations. The dosing strategy was evaluated using simulations from a published metformin pharmacokinetic model to determine the probability of concentrations exceeding those associated with lactic acidosis risk, i.e. a steady-state average concentration of 3 mg/L and a maximum (peak) concentration of 5 mg/L. A strong relationship between metformin clearance and estimated kidney function using the Cockcroft and Gault (r 2 = 0.699), MDRD (r 2 = 0.717) and CKD-Epi (r 2 = 0.735) equations was found. The probability of exceeding the safety targets for plasma metformin concentration was <5% for most doses and kidney function levels. The lower dose of 500 mg daily was required to maintain concentrations below the safety limits for patients with an eGFR of 15–29 mL/min. Our analysis suggests that a maximum daily dose of 2250, 1700, 1250, 1000, and 500 in patients with normal kidney function, CKD stage 2, 3a, 3b and 4, respectively, will provide a reasonable probability of achieving efficacy and safety. Our results support the cautious of use metformin at appropriate doses in patients with impaired kidney function.
Journal Article
Quantile regression of tobacco tax pass-through in the UK 2017–2021: how have manufacturers passed through tax changes for different tobacco products in small retailers? Analysis at the national level and by neighbourhood of deprivation
BackgroundThe effectiveness of tax increases in reducing tobacco consumption relies on the tobacco retailers and producers passing on increases to consumers (tax pass-through). Previous UK research on supermarkets found heterogeneous levels of tax pass-through across the market segments and price distribution of tobacco products. This study uses data from small retailers across the UK to assess whether recent tax changes have been passed on to consumers and if this varies across the price distribution, between countries of the UK and by neighbourhood deprivation.MethodsWe use panel data quantile regression analysis of tobacco sales in small retailers in the UK from March 2017 to December 2021 combined with UK tax rates and store-level index of multiple deprivation (IMD). We calculated the rate of tax pass-through for factory-made cigarettes (FM) and roll-your-own tobacco (RYO).ResultsFollowing increases in the duty payable on tobacco, we find evidence of overshifting across the entire price distribution for FM and RYO. For England, Scotland and Wales, the rate of the overshift in tax increased with product price. For Scotland, we find that stores in the least deprived IMD pass-through taxes at a higher rate.ConclusionsOur evidence shows heterogeneous levels of tax pass-through by price, region and level of deprivation. The findings emphasise the importance of understanding the pricing strategies of the tobacco industry (TI) and how these vary across the UK to develop robust approaches to mitigate the pricing strategies of the TI.
Journal Article
Purcell-enhanced single photons at telecom wavelengths from a quantum dot in a photonic crystal cavity
Quantum dots are promising candidates for telecom single photon sources due to their tunable emission across the different low-loss telecommunications bands, making them compatible with existing fiber networks. Their suitability for integration into photonic structures allows for enhanced brightness through the Purcell effect, supporting efficient quantum communication technologies. Our work focuses on InAs/InP QDs created via droplet epitaxy MOVPE to operate within the telecoms C-band. We observe a short radiative lifetime of 340 ps, arising from a Purcell factor of 5, owing to integration of the QD within a low-mode-volume photonic crystal cavity. Through in-situ control of the sample temperature, we show both temperature tuning of the QD’s emission wavelength and a preserved single photon emission purity at temperatures up to 25K. These findings suggest the viability of QD-based, cryogen-free C-band single photon sources, supporting applicability in quantum communication technologies.
Journal Article
Model-based appraisal of the potential effects of minimum pricing for tobacco in Scotland
BackgroundMinimum tobacco pricing would set a legal price floor. This study aimed to estimate how five minimum price thresholds could impact smoking behaviour, health and economic outcomes alongside tobacco tax increases in Scotland.MethodsThe Sheffield Tobacco and Alcohol Policy Model was used to estimate effects on tobacco consumption up to the Scottish Government’s ‘tobacco-free’ target of 2034. The model is an individual-based microsimulation that uses data from the Scottish Health Survey, Living Costs and Food Survey, hospital and death records. The £0.40 and £0.50 per cigarette stick minimum prices would impact only hand-rolling tobacco (assuming 0.5 g hand-rolling tobacco per cigarette), and the £0.60, £0.70 and £0.80 per stick minimums would affect hand-rolling and factory-made cigarettes.ResultsA £0.60 minimum implemented in 2024 was estimated to lead to 16 327 fewer people who smoke and increase weekly tobacco spending by £7.21 for those who continue smoking. It would prevent an estimated 285 deaths, adding 6792 life years, and reducing hospital admissions by 1467 by 2034. These health gains would be higher in more deprived geographic areas, saving the Scottish National Health Service £1.2 million over 5 years and £2.7 million by 2034. Over 5 years, a £0.60 minimum price would reduce UK Government tax revenue by £253 million, while increasing tobacco industry revenue by £996 million.ConclusionsA minimum price implemented alongside tobacco duty rises could reduce smoking rates and improve public health, especially for those living in deprived areas where smoking rates and related harms are highest.
Journal Article
Does cutting down on your food consumption lead to a net improvement in nutritional intake? A panel data approach using data from the UK Biobank
Background
Food diets are complex and a policy targeting one item of a person’s diet does not affect their nutritional intake in a solely additive or subtractive manner. Policies tackling unhealthy diets are more likely to be adopted by governments if there is robust evidence to support them. To evaluate dietary policies, it is important to understand the correlations and interdependencies between food groups, as these can lead to unintended negative consequences. We aimed to see whether reductions in consumption of a particular group is related to a net improvement in nutritional intake, after taking into account patterns of consumption and substitution across food groups.
Methods
Detailed dietary data was collected using a 24-h online dietary assessment from the UK Biobank and Oxford Web Q (
n
= 185,611). We used panel data fixed effects methods to estimate changes in energy, saturated fat, total sugar, and fibre following a 100gram reduction across 44 food groups. We compare these estimates against the average nutritional value of that food group from the UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey.
Results
We find evidence of variation in whether a food is compensated between the main confectionery products. Crisps, savoury snacks, and sugar confectionery are less likely to be compensated, whereas chocolate confectionery, biscuits, and buns/cakes/pastries and pies are compensated. The result is particularly striking for chocolate confectionery which shows that while chocolate confectionery often has a high energy content, eating less chocolate confectionery is not associated with an equal reduction in energy. Instead, we find individuals switch or compensate for their reduction in chocolate confectionery consumption with other high energy food items.
Conclusions
We find that sugar confectionery and crisps and savoury snacks are less likely to result in substitution than chocolate confectionery. This would suggest that food policies aiming to reduce the consumption of these food groups are more likely to result in overall lower consumption of unhealthy foods.
Journal Article
Public health impacts of increasing the minimum unit price for alcohol in Scotland: A model-based appraisal
Governments in several countries have introduced a minimum unit price (MUP) for alcohol. Evaluation studies suggest this has reduced alcohol-related harm, but MUPs must increase with inflation to remain effective. This paper estimates the impact of the impact of the Scottish Government's decision to increase its MUP from £0.50 to £0.65 in September 2024 and, alternative options where the MUP changes to between £0.40 and £0.80. It examines impacts on alcohol consumption, spending, and related health outcomes, how impacts vary across the population with regard to deprivation, and how drinkers move between lighter and heavier alcohol consumption groups.
Policy appraisal using the Sheffield Tobacco and Alcohol Policy Model, a dynamic microsimulation model that combines data on alcohol purchasing and consumption for 10 beverage types and 800 subgroups comprising adults in the Scottish population with price elasticities and an epidemiological model. Deprivation is measured using quintiles of the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation. Drinker group is categorised as moderate (<14 units/week, 1 UK unit = 8 g ethanol), hazardous (>14 to ≤35/ ≤50 units/week for women/men), and harmful (>35/50 units/week for women/men). The policy appraisal estimates that, compared to retaining Scotland's MUP at £0.50, increasing the MUP to £0.65 leads to an estimated 12.0% decrease in alcohol consumption, 2.1% decrease in alcohol spending, 3,385 fewer deaths overall, and 2,578 fewer deaths wholly attributable to alcohol over 20 years. Estimated effects are largest in the quintile of the population living in the most deprived areas. Increasing the MUP to £0.65 is also estimated to reduce the proportion of drinkers consuming at harmful levels by 29.4% and the proportion consuming at hazardous levels by 8.0%. Key limitations of the study include relying on data on alcohol consumption and spending collected before the COVID-19 pandemic, synthesising consumption and spending data from separate datasets, and assuming no supply-side responses (e.g., price changes above the MUP threshold).
Increasing the threshold of an established MUP can lead to additional reductions in alcohol consumption, related harm, and health inequalities. Benefits accrue particularly to the most deprived and heaviest drinkers.
Journal Article