Articulatory strategy in vowel production as a basis for speaker discrimination

The way speakers articulate is well known to be variable across individuals while at the same time subject to anatomical and biomechanical constraints. In this study, we ask whether articulatory strategy in vowel production can be sufficiently speaker-specific to form the basis for speaker discrimination. We conducted Generalised Procrustes Analyses of tongue shape data from 40 English speakers from the North West of England, and assessed the speaker-discriminatory potential of orthogonal tongue shape features within the framework of likelihood ratios. Tongue size emerged as the individual dimension with the strongest discriminatory power, while tongue shape variation in the more anterior part of the tongue generally outperformed tongue shape variation in the posterior part. When considered in combination, shape-only information may offer comparable levels of speaker specificity to size-and-shape information, but only when features do not exhibit speaker-level co-variation

Design requirements of breast cancer symptom-management apps

Many breast cancer patients follow a self-managed treatment pathway, which may lead to gaps in the data available to healthcare professionals, such as information about patients’ everyday symptoms at home. Mobile apps have the potential to bridge this information gap, leading to more effective treatments and interventions, as well as helping breast cancer patients monitor and manage their symptoms. In this paper, we elicit design requirements for breast cancer symptom-management mobile apps using a systematic review following the PRISMA framework. We then evaluate existing cancer symptom-management apps found on the Apple store according to the extent to which they meet these requirements. We find that, whilst some requirements are well supported (such as functionality to record multiple symptoms and provision of information), others are currently not being met, particularly interoperability, functionality related to responses from healthcare professionals, and personalisation. Much work is needed for cancer patients and healthcare professionals to experience the benefits of digital health innovation. The article demonstrates a formal requirements model, in which requirements are categorised as functional and non-functional, and presents a proposal for conceptual design for future mobile apps

Exploiting quantum paraelectricity for advancing cryogenic quantum measurements

Over a few decades, superconducting quantum devices have been at the forefront of many advanced research and technologies in various disciplines such as quantum computing and communication, high precision measurements, quantum information processing and metrology, quantum sensing, detection techniques, and so on. Although there has always been continuous endeavour to improve the readout signal from these sensitive quantum devices, there are still many issues to be solved. Signal power loss due to impedance mismatch along the readout line is one of them. Another is that a very weak signal always requires amplification with least thermal noise to be detected at room temperature equipment. Therefore, developing a novel ultra-low noise cryogenic amplifier which can work in the presence of a strong magnetic field, would be beneficial in advancing existing cryo-measurement setups. The work presented in this thesis explores the potential of quantum paraelectricity to improve the quality of radio-frequency (rf) and microwave measurements at low temperatures. The quantum paraelectricity has been studied by characterising an on-chip variable capacitor on top of a quantum paraelectric material (i.e. strontium titanate and potassium tantalate). The initial study gives us an overview of its dielectric nature in the presence of an external electric field in a cryogenic environment (∼ 10 mK). After that, the material has been used to develop a lumped element based impedance matching network that can be incorporated into a readout line for rf and microwave measurements in a dry dilution refrigerator. The inherent non-linearity has also been exploited through wave mixing techniques in order to discover its ability towards parametric amplification

Grid Impacts of Electric Vehicle Charging : A Review of Challenges and Mitigation Strategies

Electric vehicles (EVs) offer a sustainable solution for reducing carbon emissions in the transportation sector. However, their increasing widespread adoption poses significant challenges for local distribution grids, many of which were not designed to accommodate the heightened and irregular power demands of EV charging. Components such as transformers and distribution networks may experience overload, voltage imbalances, and congestion—particularly during peak periods. While upgrading grid infrastructure is a potential solution, it is often costly and complex to implement. The unpredictable nature of EV charging behavior further complicates grid operations, as charging demand fluctuates throughout the day. Therefore, efficient integration into the grid—both for charging and potential discharging—is essential. This paper reviews recent studies on the impacts of high EV penetration on distribution grids and explores various strategies to enhance grid performance during peak demand. It also examines promising optimization methods aimed at mitigating negative effects, such as load shifting and smart charging, and compares their effectiveness across different grid parameters. Additionally, the paper discusses key challenges related to impact analysis and proposes approaches to improve them in order to achieve better overall grid performance

A portable smartphone-based electrochemical sensing platform for rapid and sensitive detection of creatinine in blood serum †

Muscle metabolism produces creatinine, a waste product whose levels in the blood and urine are crucial markers of kidney health. Herein, a smartphone-based electrochemical detection strategy was developed to quantify creatinine in human blood serum. Since creatinine was electrochemically inactive, a standard copper solution was added as an electro-activator to produce an electrochemically active creatinine–copper complex. At a pH of 7.4, the creatinine–copper composite was oxidized in a phosphate buffer solution (PBS). Electrochemical oxidation of the free Cu+ ion in PBS is tested by the surface modification of Ti2C2Tx@poly(l-Arg) nanocomposite. The analytical performance of the developed electrochemical sensor was evaluated by differential pulse voltammetry. The developed electrochemical sensor was evaluated using a combination of techniques: electrochemical methods like cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, morphological analysis with scanning electron microscopy, and structural analysis with attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Notably, the developed sensor demonstrated an impressively low detection limit of 0.05 μM and a linear range of 1–200 μM. Moreover, the sensor remarkably exhibited a stable creatinine detection response with an acceptable reproducibility for two two-week periods and demonstrated a robust immunity against interfering molecules. This is the first report on the synthesis of Ti2C2Tx@poly(l-Arg) nanocomposites and their application in the electrochemical detection of creatinine. This smartphone-based creatinine sensor offers a promising, rapid, and reliable technique for creatinine detection, with potential applications in clinical diagnostics and biomedical research, due to its high sensitivity, selectivity, and portability

Effectiveness of biomarker-guided duration of antibiotic treatment in children hospitalised with confirmed or suspected bacterial infection : the BATCH RCT

Background Procalcitonin is a biomarker specific for bacterial infection, with a more rapid response than other commonly used biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein, but it is not routinely used in the National Health Service. Objective To determine if using a procalcitonin-guided algorithm may safely reduce duration of antibiotic therapy compared to standard of care in hospitalised children with suspected or confirmed infection. Design A pragmatic, multicentre, open-label, parallel two-arm, individually randomised controlled trial with internal pilot phase, qualitative study and health economic evaluations. Setting Paediatric wards or paediatric intensive care units within children’s hospitals (n = 6) and district general hospitals (n = 9) in the United Kingdom. Participants Children aged between 72 hours and 18 years admitted to hospital and being treated with intravenous antibiotics for suspected or confirmed bacterial infection. Interventions Procalcitonin-guided algorithm versus usual standard care alone. Main outcome measures Coprimary outcomes were duration of intravenous antibiotic use and a composite safety measure. Results Between 11 June 2018 and 12 October 2022, 1949 children were recruited: 977 to the procalcitonin group [427 female (43.7%), 550 male (56.3%)], and 972 to the usual care group [478 female (49.2%), 494 male (50.8%)]. Duration of intravenous antibiotics was not significantly different between the procalcitonin group (median 96.0 hours) and the usual care group (median 99.7 hours) [hazard ratio = 0.96 (0.87, 1.05)], and the procalcitonin-guided algorithm was non-inferior to usual care [risk difference = −0.81% (95% confidence interval upper bound 1.11%)]. At clinical review, a procalcitonin result was available for 81.8% of the time, which was considered as part of clinical decision-making 66.6% of the time, and the algorithm was adhered to 57.2% of the time. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratio per duration of intravenous antibiotics hour avoided from bootstrapped samples was £467.62 per intravenous antibiotic hour avoided. Cost analysis of complete cases was also higher in the procalcitonin arm for all age groups, and for children aged 5 years and over. The intervention is not cost-effective as it is more expensive with no significant improvement in intravenous antibiotic duration. Limitations Robust antimicrobial stewardship programmes were already implemented in the lead recruiting sites, and adherence to the algorithm was poor. Clinicians may be reluctant to adhere to biomarker-guided algorithms, due to unfamiliarity with interpreting the test result. Conclusions In children hospitalised with confirmed or suspected bacterial infection, the addition of a procalcitonin-guided algorithm to usual care is non-inferior in terms of safety, but does not reduce duration of intravenous antibiotics, and is not cost-effective. In the presence of robust antimicrobial stewardship programmes to reduce antibiotic use, a procalcitonin-guided algorithm may offer little added value. Future work Future trials must include an implementation framework to improve trial intervention fidelity, and repeated cycles of education and training to facilitate implementation of biomarker-guided algorithms into routine clinical care. Trial registration This trial is registered as ISRCTN11369832. Funding This award was funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme (NIHR award ref: 15/188/42) and is published in full in Health Technology Assessment; Vol. 29, No. 16. See the NIHR Funding and Awards website for further award information

The case of AT2022wtn : a tidal disruption event in an interacting galaxy

We present the results from our multiwavelength monitoring campaign of the transient AT 2022wtn, discovered by the Zwicky Transient Facility in the nucleus of SDSS J232323.79 + 104107.7, the less-massive galaxy in an active merging pair with a mass ratio of 10:1. AT 2022wtn shows spectroscopic and photometric properties consistent with a X-ray faint N-strong TDE-H + He with a number of peculiarities. Specifically, a 30-d long plateau at maximum luminosity, a corresponding dip in temperature and the development of a double-horned N iii + He ii line profile. Strong and time-evolving velocity offsets in the tidal disruption event (TDE) broad emission lines and the detection of a transient radio emission, indicate the presence of outflows. Overall, the observed properties are consistent with the full disruption of a low-mass star by a M supermassive black hole followed by an efficient disc formation and the launch of a quasi-spherical reprocessing envelope of fast expanding outflowing material. The observed differences between the He ii and the Hydrogen and N iii lines can be explained either with a spatial separation of the lines emitting region or with a late-time reveal of shocks from the returning debris streams, as the photosphere recedes. Finally, we present an extensive analysis of the hosting environment and discuss the implications for the discovery of two TDEs in interacting galaxy pairs, finding indication for an over-representation of TDEs in these systems. The AT 2022wtn host galaxy properties suggest that it is in the early stages of the merger, therefore we may be witnessing the initial enhanced rate of TDEs in interacting galaxies before the post-starburst phase

Salivary Testosterone, Androstenedione and 11‐Oxygenated 19‐Carbon Concentrations Differ by Age and Sex in Children

Background: The diagnosis and management of childhood adrenal disorders is challenging. Clinical markers of hormone excess or deficiency may take months to manifest, and traditional biomarkers correlate only partially with clinical outcomes. Recent work has indicated that 11 oxygenated 19‐carbon (11oxC19) steroids may be useful in the assessment of adrenal function. 11oxC19 steroids, testosterone (T) and androstenedione (A4), can be measured in saliva, but very little is known about these hormones in healthy children. Methods: Participants collected saliva samples 30 min after waking and every 2 h until bedtime. Samples were analysed for T, A4, 11 ketotestosterone (11KT) and 11βhydroxyandrostenedione (11OHA4) by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Results: Fifty‐two (30 male) healthy children aged 10.4 ± 3.9 (5.0–17.5) participated. Median height SDS was 0.4 (IQR −0.3 to 1.01) and median BMI SDS was 0.3 (IQR −0.2 to 1.3). All steroids showed a diurnal rhythm, with all hormones decreasing in measured concentration at time points that are 30 min after waking. Salivary T was higher in postpubertal children, particularly boys (p < 0.001). Salivary A4 was lower in boys compared to girls (p = 0.009) and did not differ with pubertal development. 11KT increased with age (p < 0.001) and concentrations were similar between boys and girls. 11OHA4 reduced in concentration with age (p = 0.03) and was below detectable limits after the early morning peak in both sexes. Conclusion: For the first time we describe the physiological profile of 11KT and 11OHA4 in children. Further data are required to establish reference ranges, which should consider age, sex, pubertal status and time of sampling

Measuring the impact of SoTL in research-intensive business schools : Developing an institutional framework for innovation

This workshop addresses the critical need for integrating the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) within research-intensive business schools, focusing particularly on developing frameworks to assess the impact of teaching innovations on student learning and institutional growth. Drawing on insights from Lancaster’s Centre for Scholarship and Innovation in Management Education (SIME) and King’s Business School’s Centre for Innovation, Leadership, Education and Development (ILEAD), as well as initial findings from research, this session invites participants to explore strategies for effectively embedding and measuring the value of SoTL in management education contexts. Research-intensive business schools are uniquely poised to adopt SoTL principles due to their focus on reflective practices, experiential learning and critical thinking. Yet, SoTL remains underutilised within these institutions, often sidelined by traditional reward structures that prioritize discipline-based research over teaching scholarship. Despite studies illustrating SoTL’s positive impact, including through cross-disciplinary collaborations, many institutions face cultural and systemic barriers in fostering widespread SoTL engagement. In addition, business and management education faces broader existential challenges related to the values in the context of global polycrises. To counter these, we propose applying a Theory of Change (ToC) framework, recognising that institutional transformation requires strategic steps: defining conditions for change, enabling collaboration, and establishing robust measures of impact