Enhanced variant neutralization through glycan masking of SARS-CoV-2 XBB1.5 RBD

SARS-CoV-2 continues to evolve antigenically under the immune pressure exerted by both natural infection and vaccination. As new variants emerge, we face the recurring challenge of updating vaccines at significant financial cost to maintain their efficacy. To address this, novel strategies are needed to enhance the breadth of protection offered by vaccines or, at a minimum, extend their effectiveness over time. One such strategy is antigen modification. In this study, we introduce a glycosylation site into a binding but non-neutralizing epitope within the SARS-CoV-2 XBB.1.5 receptor binding domain (RBD) to redirect the immune response towards more potent neutralizing epitopes. Immunization of mice with this modified antigen via the mRNA vaccine platform resulted in a dramatic increase in neutralizing antibodies compared to the wild-type XBB.1.5 RBD, showing superior protection against a range of SARSCoV-2 Omicron variants, from BA.2 to JN.1. Our findings reinforce the power of the glycan masking approach, which in combination with the now well-established mRNA vaccine platform can contribute to broader and better vaccines

Touch Post-COVID-19: Navigating through Deafblindness in a Post-pandemic World

The Touch Post-COVID-19 project brings together Arts and Quantum Technologies researchers at the University of Glasgow to investigate sense perception as experienced by individuals with audiovisual impairment. It documents the social experience of deafblind communities during the coronavirus pandemic and develops strategies and new technologies to help facilitate safe and reliable communication and perceptual interaction with their surroundings. The project is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) within the UK Research and Innovation rapid response to COVID-19

Frailty and stroke: Global implications for assessment, research, and clinical care—A WSO scientific statement

Frailty is common in stroke and has important disease- and treatment-modifying effects. The need to develop clinical practice and research for the impact of frailty on stroke is likely to increase in the coming decades as the global population ages, resulting in a higher burden of frailty that is likely to be borne disproportionately by lower- and middle-income countries. The global nature of frailty in stroke necessitates global action. This World Stroke Organization Scientific Statement synthesizes the current evidence relating to the prevalence and effects of frailty across the stroke pathway. Furthermore, it includes expert consensus on priority areas from a global panel: standardization of frailty assessments for research, explicit measurements of frailty (in addition to disability) in large clinical trials, dedicated studies investigating the treatment-modifying effects of frailty in acute stroke and secondary prevention, research investigating the impact of frailty on the different aspects of recovery and rehabilitation after stroke, and understanding the mechanisms underpinning the relationship between frailty and stroke for potential therapeutic exploitation

Cast (the vote) away: why Romanian emigrants support the radical right in home elections

The recent appeal of the radical right among Romanian emigrants goes against previous findings suggesting that emigrants are generally less inclined to vote for such political candidates. To understand why some emigrants support the radical right, this study focuses on the institutional characteristics of countries of residence. We use an original dataset of the aggregate voting patterns of Romanian emigrants in 44 countries around the world where at least 100 people voted. We focus on the four most recent elections in which the radical right gained prominence: the 2020 and 2024 national legislative elections, and the 2024 and 2025 presidential elections. The results show that the highest support comes from countries with high levels of democracy, those with large communities of Romanian emigrants, andthose which are relatively close to Romania. Other variables, such as the presence of the radical right in the politics of the countries of residence or economic indicators, have no effect

Joint Proposal – Bias-Related Axis (Task Leader)

No abstract available

Co-mapping future scenarios and uncertainties amid climate crisis: A collective study of coastal towns and the Port of Tyne

This study investigates the transformative potential of post-industrial coastal towns surrounding the Port of Tyne by integrating the values and priorities of local communities. Focusing on underutilised brownfield sites, it develops innovative regeneration strategies that address entrenched regional disparities rooted in historical inequalities, political instability and policy inertia. By analysing the evolving role of the port within the energy system, and situating the coastal communities within the broader context of energy transition policies, this research develops a conceptual framework centred on socio-ecological transition. This framework underpins a series of participatory planning interventions, comprising walking ethnographies, participatory GIS, scenario building in shaping alternative urban futures, and strategy mapping to facilitate the desired systemic shift. The resulting strategies are consolidated into a practical regeneration toolkit designed for strategic sites across South Tyneside and North Tyneside. The Port of Tyne and its surrounding communities provide an in-depth case study, demonstrating how various actors can influence the development of an energy-inclusive port-urban environment. Importantly, the research reveals how local narratives, imbued with emotional and experiential dimensions, challenge and reframe dominant policy discourses, asserting the legitimacy of lived knowledge in planning processes. The research contributes a replicable model for inclusive and equitable renewal, offering actionable insights for other coastal and post-industrial regions. It advocates for policy and investment mechanisms that prioritise community resilience and agency, ensuring that the energy transition is both sustainable and socially inclusive

Artificial neural network based automatic detection of motor evoked potentials

Introduction: Motor evoked potentials (MEP) are detected using various methods that determine signal changepoints. The current detection methods perform well given a high signal to noise ratio. However, performance can diminish with artefact such as those arising due to poor signal quality and unwanted electrical potentials. Part of the problem is likely because the methods ignore the morphology of a signal making it impossible to differentiate noise from MEPs. Methods: For the first time, we investigated a new detection method able to learn MEP morphology using artificial neural networks. To build an MEP detection model, we trained deep neural networks with architectures based on combined CNN and LSTM or self-attention mechanism, using sample MEP data recorded from able-bodied individuals. The MEP detection capability of the models was compared with that of a changepoint based detection method. Results: Our models reached test accuracy of up to 89.7 ± 1.5 % on average. In a real-world setting evaluation, our models achieved average detection accuracy of up to 94.7 ± 1.2 %, compared with 76.4 ± 5.3 % for the standard changepoint detection method (p = 0.004). Conclusion: Artificial neural network models can be used for improved automated detection of MEPs

The Bloomsbury Handbook of Oral History

No abstract available

Paratexts, manuscripts, literature, and understanding

No abstract available

Autonomous helicopter shipboard recovery flight control design based on tau theory

This paper develops an autonomous flight control system to alleviate the heavy workload involved in managing multiple emergencies during manned helicopter shipboard recovery operations. It can operate either partially or fully autonomously preserving the pilot's familiar guidance strategies while allowing pilot intervention when necessary. First, a simulation model of helicopter recovery flight is developed integrating the impacts of ship airwake turbulence and ship motions. A comprehensive flight control system is subsequently established to facilitate multi-mode and multi-response-type capabilities for manned helicopters. Then, the tasks of ‘Precision Hover’ and ‘Vertical Maneuver’ are employed as examples to demonstrate the methodologies for deceleration-to-hover and end-to-end trajectory planning utilizing bio-inspired tau theory. Furthermore, precision trajectory tracking control laws are formulated. Finally, numerical simulations of helicopter recovery flight are conducted to assess the efficacy of the flight control system. The results indicate that the tau theory-based planning results in efficient and smooth helicopter maneuvers, particularly in acceleration, deceleration, and transitions, which mirrors real pilot strategies. The trajectory tracking control laws effectively follow the prescribed trajectory and compensate for ship movements, with robust turbulence rejection capabilities