Evidence about tele-oncology applications and associated benefits for patients and their families

We conducted a systematic review of evidence on the ability of tele-oncology applications to improve access to care closer to home for adult rural patients affected by cancer. From 269 publications identified in the literature search, 54 studies met our inclusion criteria. Forty two were clinical studies (32 quantitative, eight qualitative and two that included both quantitative and qualitative methodology). Strength of evidence from quantitative clinical studies was assessed using an approach that takes account of both study design and study quality. Qualitative studies were appraised by giving scores for six areas of interest. In terms of the continuum of cancer care, the most common study area was psychosocial and supportive care. While there were a number of high quality studies, overall the evidence of benefit from tele-oncology was limited and few investigations had proceeded beyond the stage of establishing feasibility. The literature suggests some useful possibilities for new services to cancer patients in rural areas but it seems likely that these would need validation with suitable local studies.

Factors affecting hot spot development in bulk coal and associated gas evolution

There are many physical factors that can affect the self-heating rate of coal. The presence of seam gas has often been referred to as inhibiting coal self-heating due to the limited access of oxidation sites created by the presence of the gas adsorbed on the coal pores. Similarly, the presence of bed moisture in the coal also acts as an inhibitor of oxidation by blocking access of air into the pores. Gas drainage of a coal seam prior to mining removes both gas and moisture from the seam. Bulk coal self-heating tests in a two-metre column on both gassy, as-mined and gas-drained, dried high volatile bituminous coal show that removal of gas and moisture from the coal accelerates the rate of self-heating to thermal runaway from 8.5 days to 4.25 days, from a start temperature of 30°C, with an airflow of 0.25 L/min. The corresponding gas evolution pattern for each of these situations is different. Therefore, it is necessary to take this change in coal condition into consideration when developing a spontaneous combustion management plan.