Imperial College London

About: Imperial College London is a education organization based out in London, Westminster, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 90019 authors who have published 209164 publications receiving 9337534 citations. The organization is also known as: Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine & Imperial College.

Factors that make an infectious disease outbreak controllable.

Abstract: The aim of this study is to identify general properties of emerging infectious agents that determine the likely success of two simple public health measures in controlling outbreaks, namely (i) isolating symptomatic individuals and (ii) tracing and quarantining their contacts. Because these measures depend on the recognition of specific disease symptoms, we investigate the relative timing of infectiousness and the appearance of symptoms by using a mathematical model. We show that the success of these control measures is determined as much by the proportion of transmission occurring prior to the onset of overt clinical symptoms (or via asymptomatic infection) as the inherent transmissibility of the etiological agent (measured by the reproductive number R0). From published studies, we estimate these quantities for two moderately transmissible viruses, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus and HIV, and for two highly transmissible viruses, smallpox and pandemic influenza. We conclude that severe acute respiratory syndrome and smallpox are easier to control using these simple public health measures. Direct estimation of the proportion of asymptomatic and presymptomatic infections is achievable by contact tracing and should be a priority during an outbreak of a novel infectious agent.

Measurements of entrainment by axisymmetrical turbulent jets

Abstract: A new technique is described for measuring the axial mass flow rate in the turbulent jet formed when a gas in injected into a reservoir of stagnant air at uniform pressure. The jet is surrounded by a porous-walled cylindrical chamber, and air is injected through the wall until the pressure in the chamber is uniform and atmospheric, a condition which is taken to signify that the ‘entrainment appetite’ of the jet is satisfied.Measurements made with the apparatus have allowed the deduction of an entrainment law relating mass flow rate, jet momentum, axial distance and air density, regardless of the injected gas, and including the effects of buoyancy. When the injected gas burns in the jet the entrainment rate is up to 30% lower than when it does not.

Double-Layer in Ionic Liquids: Paradigm Change?

Abstract: Applications of ionic liquids at electrified interfaces to energy-storage systems, electrowetting devices, or nanojunction gating media cannot proceed without a deep understanding of the structure and properties of the interfacial double layer. This article provides a detailed critique of the present work on this problem. It promotes the point of view that future considerations of ionic liquids should be based on the modern statistical mechanics of dense Coulomb systems, or density-functional theory, rather than classical electrochemical theories which hinge on a dilute-solution approximation. The article will, however, contain more questions than answers. To trigger the discussion, it starts with a simplified original result. A new analytical formula is derived to rationalize the potential dependence of double-layer capacitance at a planar metal−ionic liquid interface. The theory behind it has a mean-field character, based on the Poisson−Boltzmann lattice-gas model, with a modification to account for the...

A Capabilities Perspective on the Effects of Early Internationalization on Firm Survival and Growth

Abstract: Recent critiques of internationalization process models question the wisdom of delaying internationalization. Internationalizing late allows firms to assemble resources and gain experience but also allows inertia to develop. We resolve this tension by positing that internationalization has differing effects on firm survival and growth. These effects are moderated by organizational age, managerial experience, and resource fungibility. Our framework provides insights into the evolution of capabilities across borders and may be tested and built on by organization researchers.