Mergers among leaders and mergers among followers

We are the first to confirm that sufficient cost convexity in a Stackelberg model generates profitable mergers between two leaders and between two followers. Moreover, the degree of convexity required for leaders to merge is generally far smaller than that required for followers. Most importantly, the structure of the stage game means that the convexity required for either two followers or two leaders to merge is less than that required for two Cournot competitors.

Phoneme Recognition for Pronunciation Improvement

This project aims to improve English pronunciation by investigating speech errors and developing a tool to provide precise feedback. The study focuses on creating a new pronunciation tool that offers localized feedback, identifies specific errors, and suggests corrective measures. By addressing the shortcomings of current methods, this research seeks to enhance pronunciation refinement. Utilizing cutting-edge technology, the tool leverages speech-to-phoneme AI models and modified lazy string matching algorithms to compare the user\u27s spoken input with the intended pronunciation. This allows for a detailed analysis of discrepancies, providing users actionable insights into their phonetic errors. The speech-to-phoneme AI models mark a significant advancement, facilitating a personalized learning experience that automates some traditional methods used by speech-language pathologists. Through AI integration with a modified Levenshtein algorithm, the tool delivers feedback helping users identify improvement areas with high accuracy

The Stripe 82 1-2 GHz Very Large Array Snapshot Survey: Multiwavelength Counterparts

We have combined spectrosopic and photometric data from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) with $1.4$ GHz radio observations, conducted as part of the Stripe 82 $1-2$ GHz Snapshot Survey using the Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA), which covers $\sim100$ sq degrees, to a flux limit of 88 $\mu$Jy rms. Cross-matching the $11\,768$ radio source components with optical data via visual inspection results in a final sample of $4\,795$ cross-matched objects, of which $1\,996$ have spectroscopic redshifts and $2\,799$ objects have photometric redshifts. Three previously undiscovered Giant Radio Galaxies (GRGs) were found during the cross-matching process, which would have been missed using automated techniques. For the objects with spectroscopy we separate radio-loud Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) and star-forming galaxies (SFGs) using three diagnostics and then further divide our radio-loud AGN into the HERG and LERG populations. A control matched sample of HERGs and LERGs, matched on stellar mass, redshift and radio luminosity, reveals that the host galaxies of LERGs are redder and more concentrated than HERGs. By combining with near-infrared data, we demonstrate that LERGs also follow a tight $K-z$ relationship. These results imply the LERG population are hosted by population of massive, passively evolving early-type galaxies. We go on to show that HERGs, LERGs, QSOs and star-forming galaxies in our sample all reside in different regions of a WISE colour-colour diagram. This cross-matched sample bridges the gap between previous `wide but shallow' and `deep but narrow' samples and will be useful for a number of future investigations.Comment: 17 pages, 19 figures. Resubmitted to MNRAS after the initial comment

The Human Gene Mutation Database: towards a comprehensive repository of inherited mutation data for medical research, genetic diagnosis and next-generation sequencing studies

The Human Gene Mutation Database (HGMD®) constitutes a comprehensive collection of published germline mutations in nuclear genes that underlie, or are closely associated with human inherited disease. At the time of writing (March 2017), the database contained in excess of 203,000 different gene lesions identified in over 8000 genes manually curated from over 2600 journals. With new mutation entries currently accumulating at a rate exceeding 17,000 per annum, HGMD represents de facto the central unified gene/disease-oriented repository of heritable mutations causing human genetic disease used worldwide by researchers, clinicians, diagnostic laboratories and genetic counsellors, and is an essential tool for the annotation of next-generation sequencing data. The public version of HGMD (http://www.hgmd.org) is freely available to registered users from academic institutions and non-profit organisations whilst the subscription version (HGMD Professional) is available to academic, clinical and commercial users under license via QIAGEN Inc

MIGHTEE: multi-wavelength counterparts in the COSMOS field

In this paper, we combine the Early Science radio continuum data from the MeerKAT International GHz Tiered Extragalactic Exploration (MIGHTEE) Survey, with optical and near-infrared data and release the cross-matched catalogues. The radio data used in this work covers 0.86 deg2 of the COSMOS field, reaches a thermal noise of 1.7 μJy beam−1 and contains 6102 radio components. We visually inspect and cross-match the radio sample with optical and near-infrared data from the Hyper Suprime-Cam (HSC) and UltraVISTA surveys. This allows the properties of active galactic nuclei and star-forming populations of galaxies to be probed out to z ≈ 5. Additionally, we use the likelihood ratio method to automatically cross-match the radio and optical catalogues and compare this to the visually cross-matched catalogue. We find that 94 per cent of our radio source catalogue can be matched with this method, with a reliability of 95 per cent. We proceed to show that visual classification will still remain an essential process for the cross-matching of complex and extended radio sources. In the near future, the MIGHTEE survey will be expanded in area to cover a total of ∼20 deg2; thus the combination of automated and visual identification will be critical. We compare the redshift distribution of SFG and AGN to the SKADS and T-RECS simulations and find more AGN than predicted at z ∼ 1

Assessment and behaviour of prestressed concrete bridge beams in shear with less than minimum shear reinforcement

The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads manages over 3300 bridges, and many bridges have less shear reinforcement than required by modern design codes. Concerns about accurately predicting the shear capacities and the ductility of bridge beams have become increasingly important in maintaining network operation and transport productivity given the large increases in the loads since the bridges were constructed. An experimental investigation was conducted to study the shear performance and cracking behaviour of three full-scale, prestressed concrete beams, similar to those manufactured for Queensland bridges. The shear reinforcement provided was less than the minimum requirements defined by modern design codes. The beams were tested under a simply supported three-point loading regime, until failure. The experimental ultimate shear strengths were compared with the shear provisions of a number of international codified prediction models, including; current and previous versions of Australian Standard (AS5100), Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (S6), and the fib Model Code 2010 (MC2010). The experimental results showed that the ultimate shear strength was generally greater than the codified model. However, of particular concern was the sudden nature of the ultimate failure. This paper provides insightsinto the methodologies used to assess prestressed concrete bridge beams with less than minimum shear reinforcement and will inform the inspection and management of bridges with these beams

MIGHTEE-Hi: The relation between the Hi gas in galaxies and the cosmic web

We study the 3D axis of rotation (3D spin) of 77 Hi galaxies from the MIGHTEE-Hi Early Science observations, and its relation to the filaments of the cosmic web. For this Hi-selected sample, the alignment between the spin axis and the closest filament (|cos |) is higher for galaxies closer to the filaments, with h|cos |i = 0.66 ± 0.04 for galaxies < 5 Mpc from their closest filament compared to h|cos |i = 0.37±0.08 for galaxies at 5 < < 10 Mpc. We find that galaxies with a low Hi-to-stellar mass ratio (log10 (HI/★) < 0.11) are more aligned with their closest filaments, with h|cos |i = 0.58 ± 0.04; whilst galaxies with (log10 (HI/★) > 0.11) tend to be mis-aligned, with h|cos |i = 0.44 ± 0.04. We find tentative evidence that the spin axis of Hi-selected galaxies tend to be aligned with associated filaments ( < 10 Mpc), but this depends on the gas fractions. Galaxies that have accumulated more stellar mass compared to their gas mass tend towards stronger alignment

The Human Gene Mutation Database (HGMD®): optimizing its use in a clinical diagnostic or research setting

The Human Gene Mutation Database (HGMD®) constitutes a comprehensive collection of published germline mutations in nuclear genes that are thought to underlie, or are closely associated with human inherited disease. At the time of writing (June 2020), the database contains in excess of 289,000 different gene lesions identified in over 11,100 genes manually curated from 72,987 articles published in over 3100 peer-reviewed journals. There are primarily two main groups of users who utilise HGMD on a regular basis; research scientists and clinical diagnosticians. This review aims to highlight how to make the most out of HGMD data in each setting

Equity in vaccine trials for higher weight people? A rapid review of weight-related inclusion and exclusion criteria for COVID-19 clinical trials

Higher weight status, defined as body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2, is frequently described as a risk factor for severity and susceptibility to severe acute respiratory syndrome coron-avirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) disease (known as COVID-19). Therefore, study groups in COVID-19 vaccine trials should be representative of the weight spectrum across the global population. Appropriate subgroup analysis should be conducted to ensure equitable vaccine outcomes for higher weight people. In this study, inclusion and exclusion criteria of registered clinical trial protocols were reviewed to determine the proportion of trials including higher weight people, and the proportion of trials conducting subgroup analyses of efficacy by BMI. Eligibility criteria of 249 trial protocols (phase I, II, III and IV) were analysed; 51 protocols (20.5%) specified inclusion of BMI > 30, 73 (29.3%) specified exclusion of BMI > 30, and 125 (50.2%) did not specify whether BMI was an inclusion or exclusion criterion, or if BMI was included in any ‘health’ screenings or physical examinations during recruitment. Of the 58 protocols for trials in phase III and IV, only 2 (3.4%) indicated an intention to report subgroup analysis of vaccine efficacy by weight status. Higher weight people appear to be significantly under-represented in the majority of vaccine trials. This may result in reduced efficacy and acceptance of COVID-19 vaccines for higher weight people and exacerbation of health inequities within this population group. Explicit inclusion of higher weight people in COVID-19 vaccine trials is required to reduce health inequities