Advancing the prediction of evaporation rate of liquid pool fires in mechanically ventilated compartments using computational fluid dynamics

The propagation of smoke and hot gases in mechanically ventilated nuclear compartments has been highlighted as one of the main issues of significance. It may lead to the failure of several systems such as clogging of filters located in the ventilation network or electrical devices. To address this issue, the continuous improvement of the predictive capability of existing models with regards to liquid pool fires is of high importance. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is widely used for fire simulations. It is worth noting that most pool fire simulations in open atmosphere, under-ventilated and mechanically ventilated compartments have relied on pre-defined/prescribed fuel mass loss rate (MLR) or heat release rates (HRR) from correlations or experimental data when available. Therefore, the prediction of fuel MLR and HRR based on the specific actual fire conditions rather than prescribed data, remains a key development area for the fire community. The present work aims to provide some contribution and advances on this issue. Building on existing liquid evaporation models, the study develops an approach which in then implemented in an in-house version of the CFD code FireFOAM in which a mechanical ventilation model has been embedded, to predict the fuel MLR in both open atmosphere and mechanically ventilated compartments. Validations of the implemented model includes comparison with experimental fuel MLR and previous studies that made use of correlations and experimental data. The results show acceptable fuel MLR predictions with reasonable accuracy and provide further insights into fire behaviour in mechanically ventilated compartments

Utopias – where do we go from here? Inspiring ideas for schools of tomorrow

There are many definitions of Utopia. This chapter aims to aid reflection on Utopias and the ‘Schools of Tomorrow.’ It does not intend to give any final definitions nor commit to one theoretical framework. Instead, it invites the reader to embark on a journey of theorising and co-creating Utopia in educational spaces, within learning and teaching, reflecting on past, future and existing educational practice, philosophy and theory. Considering individual values, unique human perspectives and contexts, the chapter starts an exploration of the authors’ belief in inclusive education and, presents the authors’ idea that there are as many Utopias as there are people in the World

Trials and tribulations in perfecting student collaboration and teamwork

Collaboration and teamwork are regarded as essential skills for students to develop in order to succeed in the modern workplace. They are ubiquitously listed as one of the key graduate attributes to develop and approaches to the development of teams are expected by Professional, Statutory, and Regulatory Bodies (PSRBs). However, perfecting, teaching, and assessing these skills giving weight and wider context can be challenging along with convincing students of their value. This presentation will explore a ten-year journey into the trials and tribulations in attempting to replicate and test many of the available examples to perfecting student collaboration and teamwork

Evolution of antigenic diversity in the zoonotic multi-host parasite Schistosoma japonicum : implications for vaccine design

The multi-host zoonotic transmission of the blood fluke Schistosoma japonicum is complex, presenting challenges for China’s schistosomiasis elimination strategy. How multi-host transmission impacts the genetic diversity of S. japonicum populations is poorly understood and the extent of Schistosoma japonicum antigen coding gene (SjACG) variability remains unknown despite the implications for parasite survival, vaccine development and disease control. To address this, we sequenced the host-interacting domains of three functionally significant SjACGs previously identified as promising vaccine targets (tetraspanin 23 (TSP-23), venom allergen-like protein 7 (VAL-7), and tegument allergen-like protein 1 (TAL-1)) from FTA-archived S. japonicum miracidia sampled from natural infections amongst different definitive host species in mainland China. This work represents the first known analysis of SjACG variation among different host species. SjACGs were genetically diverse across host species, with 10-20 SjACG haplotypes identified from 60-81 sequences. Host-derived immune selection pressures may be driving this variation, impacting antigen protein structure, function, and antigenic propensity. Antigen haplotypes were broadly shared across host species, supporting prior suggestions of gene flow and underscoring the importance of zoonotic transmission in disseminating diversity. Some host adaptation was inferred through identification of host species-specific variation. Parasites sampled from humans displayed the greatest overall diversity of SjACGs, and humans shared haplotypes with all other host species. SjACG diversification appears to have occurred rapidly, and before modern humans arrived in China (∼1.7-0.66 million years ago (MYA)), suggesting that animal hosts have been important in the evolutionary history of these antigens. Collectively, the results expand our understanding of the impact of zoonotic transmission on the co-evolutionary processes driving antigenic variability and provide possible evidence of adaptive molecular evolution of certain antigen haplotypes to specific host species. Our findings have implications for the development of anti-schistosome vaccines and, ultimately, for control of zoonotic schistosomiasis

"Eye contact, but not too much… don't stare into my soul" : understanding interviewee beliefs around rapport experiences and behaviours

Objective: Building and maintaining rapport are important elements of investigative interviewing practice. However, there is little qualitative research about how interviewees contextualise rapport and identify behaviours that might indicate good or bad rapport building within an interaction. Method: Twenty-three participants took part in one of five focus groups which discussed: (i) individuals’ perceptions of rapport building in everyday life, (ii) behaviours they felt would aid or hinder rapport building and (iii) what behaviours they would consider effective in rapport building with a police officer during an investigative interview. Results: A thematic analysis identified three main themes: (i) building a relationship with trust and respect, (ii) attentive responsivity towards the witness and (iii) contextual and situational factors. A content analysis of rapport-affecting behaviours identified body posture, relaxing the witness and eye contact as the most frequently mentioned to enhance rapport. Being dismissive, rude and using intense eye contact were most frequently mentioned as hindering rapport. Overall, rapport was described as dependent on situation, person and environment, and enhancing rapport required contextual awareness. This research emphasises that perceptions of rapport building primarily rely on individual experiences and vary due to personal, situational and contextual factors

Computer simulation and speedup of solving heat transfer problems of heating and melting metal particles with laser radiation

The study of the process of laser action on powder materials requires the construction of mathematical models of the interaction of laser radiation with powder particles that take into account the features of energy supply and are applicable in a wide range of beam parameters and properties of the particle material. A model of the interaction of pulsed or pulse-periodic laser radiation with a spherical metal particle is developed. To find the temperature distribution in the particle volume, the non-stationary three-dimensional heat conductivity equation with a source term that takes into account the action of laser radiation is solved. In the plane normal to the direction of propagation of laser radiation, the change in the radiation intensity obeys the Gaussian law. It is possible to take into account changes in the intensity of laser radiation in space due to its absorption by the environment. To accelerate numerical calculations, a computational algorithm is used based on the use of vectorized data structures and parallel implementation of operations on general-purpose graphics accelerators. The features of the software implementation of the method for solving a system of difference equations that arises as a result of finite-volume discretization of the heat conductivity equation with implicit scheme by the iterative method are presented. The model developed describes the heating and melting of a spherical metal particle exposed by multi-pulsed laser radiation. The implementation of the computational algorithm developed is based on the use of vectorized data structures and GPU resources. The model and calculation results are of interest for constructing a two-phase flow model describing the interaction of test particles with laser radiation on the scale of the entire calculation domain. Such a model is implemented using a discrete-trajectory approach to modeling the motion and heat exchange of a dispersed admixture

Developmental validation of the AGCU EX-38 typing system : a comprehensive forensic tool for enhanced genetic identification

The necessity for developing the AGCU EX-38 typing system arises from the ever-increasing demand for more accurate and comprehensive forensic tools. Traditional kits with fewer STRs often fall short in complex cases requiring higher resolution. The AGCU EX-38 typing system incorporates 35 autosomal STRs, including extended CODIS loci as well as additional non-CODIS loci (D6S1043, D19S3045, D3S3045, D7S3048, D11S2368, D4S2366, D8S1132, D15S659, Penta D, Penta E, D6S447, D3S1744, D14S608, D18S535). This combination of CODIS and non-CODIS markers provides a significant advantage, particularly in complex kinship analyses such as half-sibship cases. This six-dye kit encompasses 38 loci, with a maximum amplicon size of 550 base pairs (bp), and features nine STRs within 200 bp and 14 STRs within 300 bp, offering unparalleled coverage and sensitivity. The AGCU EX-38 typing system is the only available kit on the market containing 35 autosomal STRs with six-dye chemistry, making it a unique and invaluable resource for forensic laboratories. This configuration allows for higher resolution and superior performance in cases with degraded or mixed DNA samples. In this study, we report the results of the developmental validation study, which followed the SWGDAM (Scientific Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods) guidelines. The data includes PCR-based studies, sensitivity, species specificity, stability, precision, reproducibility and repeatability, concordance, stutter, DNA mixtures, and performance on mock casework samples. The results validate the multiplex design and demonstrate the kit’s robustness, reliability, and suitability for genetic identification and population studies

Engineering pH-dependent orally disintegrating tablets for modified indomethacin release : a polymer-based approach

The application of pH-sensitive polymers has been widely explored in pharmaceutical industry because of their versatile properties. This work aims to delay the release of indomethacin (IND), a commonly used anti-inflammatory drug, using a pH-dependent polymer within orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) and to investigate the effect of the polymer particle size on the ODTs. When developing delayed-release formulations for orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs), it's essential to balance the pellet's matrix properties to maintain integrity and delayed release. Different sizes of Eudragit L100 were used to create IND-containing pellets via extrusion spheronization, which were then embedded into the matrix of ODTs. The particle sizes displayed good elastic properties with low Young's modulus (YM) values, and there was no significant difference between the different sizes (45, 60, 93 µm; p > 0.05). The tensile strength of the pellets was directly proportional to YM (p < 0.05), providing enough support to maintain their integrity under compression. Pellets made from 63 µm Eudragit L100 had a suitable balance of mechanical and pharmaceutical properties compared to other sizes. 63 µm pellets had an aspect ratio of 1.49 ± 0.26 and 61% yield, while their ODTs showed a fast disintegration time of 14 ± 0.6 s, while modifying the drug release. Furthermore, IND exhibited modified release in acidic media (pH 1.2) and immediate release in buffer media (pH 6.8). Overall, protecting pellet integrity was crucial to delay release in acidic media and enable immediate release in alkaline media. The newly developed formulation will improve compliance and reduce side effects associated with IND and other irritant drugs particularly in elderly populations

Retinal vasculometry associations with cognition status in UK Biobank

Retinal vasculometry (RV) provides a neurovascular biomarker which may relate to cognitive status. However, the presence and form of association remains unclear and unexamined at scale. One hundred ten thousand two hundred eighty-two retinal images from 63,165 (95%) participants (mean age 56.6 years, 55.5% female) were analyzed. A one SD increase in cognition score was strongly associated with increased arteriolar width, arteriolar tortuosity, increased venular width particularly among those 50 years; also, inversely associated with venular tortuosity, and arteriolar and venular width variance