Blind estimation of reverberation time in classrooms and hospital wards

This paper investigates blind Reverberation Time (RT) estimation in occupied classrooms and hospital wards. Measurements are usually made while these spaces are unoccupied for logistical reasons. However, occupancy can have a significant impact on the rate of reverberant decay. Recent work has developed a Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE) method which utilises only passively recorded speech and music signals, this enables measurements to be made while the room is in use. In this paper the MLE method is applied to recordings made in classrooms during lessons. Classroom occupancy levels differ for each lesson, therefore a model is developed using blind estimates to predict the RT for any occupancy level to within ±0.07s for the mid-frequency octave bands. The model is also able to predict the effective room and per person absorption area. Ambient sound recordings were also carried out in a number of rooms in two hospitals for a week. Hospital measurements are more challenging as the occurrence of free reverberant decay is rarer than in schools and the acoustic conditions may be non-stationary. However, by gaining recordings over a period of a week, estimates can be gained within ±0.07 s. These estimates are representative of the times when the room contains the highest acoustic absorption. In other words when curtains are drawn, there are many visitors or perhaps a window may be open

Providing mental health support in schools

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the British Psychological Society via the link in this recor

How to deliver the mental health services that young people desperately need

This is the final version of the article. Available from The Conversation Trust (UK) Limited via the link in this record.Life’s complexities can be magnified in school. Pressures to conform to the norm, pass exams well, be socially accepted and have a strong social media following are just a few of the difficulties that children and young people face every day.The Conversation UK receives funding from Hefce, Hefcw, SAGE, SFC, RCUK, The Nuffield Foundation, The Ogden Trust, The Royal Society, The Wellcome Trust, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and The Alliance for Useful Evidence, as well as sixty five university members.University of Exeter provides funding as a member of The Conversation UK

Factors affecting wood, energy grass and straw pellet durability – A review

Pellets produced from wood, energy grasses and straw present a higher energy density feedstock than wood chips or bales, and therefore reduce the costs of handling, transport and storage throughout the supply chain. European specifications provide limits to the proportion of fines (particles less than 3.15 mm) allowed in pellets, which refers to the durability of the pellets. Fines have implications for health and safety in supply chains, and cause issues with slag formation in combustion systems. This paper reviews the factors affecting biomass pellet durability. The industrial trade for wood pellets has expanded greatly over the last decade and involves the international trade of tens of million tonnes annually. Due to increasing demands for pellets, there has been growing interest in utilising more varied biomass types. The aim of this review is to examine feedstock qualities and pelleting conditions that produce durable pellets. Pellet durability can be affected by the feedstock characteristics, the moisture content or size reduction during pre-processing, and by pelleting conditions, including the use of binders, feedstock mixes, temperatures or die pressures. Post-production conditions can also affect durability, such as the storage conditions and handling frequency, therefore an understanding of all the factors affecting durability throughout the supply chain is needed in order to prioritise where advances can be made

Use of long-term microdialysis subcutaneous glucose monitoring in the management of neonatal diabetes - A first case report

In neonatal diabetes mellitus (NDM), a rare genetic disorder, insulin therapy is required but the management is difficult. Frequent blood glucose determinations are necessary in most cases. Microdialysis subcutaneous glucose monitoring (MSGM) is feasible in neonates and has been proposed to reduce painful blood sampling and blood loss. We have applied long-term MSGM to a small-fordate female newborn with transient NDM. We found a good correlation of subcutaneous and blood glucose concentration over a wide range of values. MSGM enabled a reduction in blood glucose determinations during optimization of intravenous insulin treatment and initiation of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion. We conclude that long-term MSGM is feasible and may reduce painful blood sampling and blood loss in NDM. Furthermore, long-term MSGM may hold a potential for avoiding hypoglycemic episodes and earlier discharge. Copyright (C) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel

Stage-specific action of matrix metalloproteinases influences progressive hereditary kidney disease.

BackgroundGlomerular basement membrane (GBM), a key component of the blood-filtration apparatus in the in the kidney, is formed through assembly of type IV collagen with laminins, nidogen, and sulfated proteoglycans. Mutations or deletions involving alpha3(IV), alpha4(IV), or alpha5(IV) chains of type IV collagen in the GBM have been identified as the cause for Alport syndrome in humans, a progressive hereditary kidney disease associated with deafness. The pathological mechanisms by which such mutations lead to eventual kidney failure are not completely understood.Methods and findingsWe showed that increased susceptibility of defective human Alport GBM to proteolytic degradation is mediated by three different matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)--MMP-2, MMP-3, and MMP-9--which influence the progression of renal dysfunction in alpha3(IV)-/- mice, a model for human Alport syndrome. Genetic ablation of either MMP-2 or MMP-9, or both MMP-2 and MMP-9, led to compensatory up-regulation of other MMPs in the kidney glomerulus. Pharmacological ablation of enzymatic activity associated with multiple GBM-degrading MMPs, before the onset of proteinuria or GBM structural defects in the alpha3(IV)-/- mice, led to significant attenuation in disease progression associated with delayed proteinuria and marked extension in survival. In contrast, inhibition of MMPs after induction of proteinuria led to acceleration of disease associated with extensive interstitial fibrosis and early death of alpha3(IV)-/- mice.ConclusionsThese results suggest that preserving GBM/extracellular matrix integrity before the onset of proteinuria leads to significant disease protection, but if this window of opportunity is lost, MMP-inhibition at the later stages of Alport disease leads to accelerated glomerular and interstitial fibrosis. Our findings identify a crucial dual role for MMPs in the progression of Alport disease in alpha3(IV)-/- mice, with an early pathogenic function and a later protective action. Hence, we propose possible use of MMP-inhibitors as disease-preventive drugs for patients with Alport syndrome with identified genetic defects, before the onset of proteinuria

How well does Miscanthus ensile for use in an anaerobic digestion plant?

This study examined the ability for early-harvested Miscanthus (Miscanthus x giganteus and Miscanthus sacchariflorus) to be stored in silage for later use in anaerobic digestion. Two silage additives favouring a homo and hetero-fermentation pathway were examined. The results show that silage additives are necessary to effectively ensile Miscanthus, otherwise untreated Miscanthus grasses incurred dry matter losses of 4% during three months' storage. The silage additives improved the lactic and acetic acid production in the Miscanthus silages however did not have any effect on the biogas yield. On a ‘per tonne volatile solids’-basis, Miscanthus produces half the biogas yield of maize. The outlook for the use of Miscanthus AD therefore depends on the yield when harvested in autumn. A minimum yield of 19–26.5 t DM/ha is needed for Miscanthus to match the biogas production from a similar area of maize yielding 10–14 t DM/ha

Recognising and responding to domestic violence: exploring the role of student dentists

Introduction: The role of student dental practitioners in recognising and responding to domestic violence within a clinical setting has not been investigated previously in Australia. JCU students report feeling ill-prepared for responding appropriately to women who experience domestic violence. An innovative partnership between Dentistry, Social Work and the Regional Domestic Violence Service collaboratively addressed this problem through an educational intervention, which was evaluated by dental student researchers. Aim: To explore dental students’ perceptions of the effectiveness and value of the ‘Recognise and Respond to Domestic Violence’ educational intervention and to inform dental curriculum design. Methods: A participatory approach employed mixed with pre and post intervention surveys and focus groups to identify and document undergraduate dental students’ understanding, perceptions and preparedness for responding appropriately to domestic violence. The intervention involved ‘Recognise and Respond’ workshops delivered by expert facilitators for Dental students in Clinical Years 3 – 5. Knowledge of domestic violence before and after the workshops was compared and contrasted. Focus groups then enriched the evaluation data on the value, effectiveness and clinical application of the intervention. Results: Students’ knowledge regarding domestic violence increased significantly. Focus group data confirmed the value of workshops. Students reported feeling enabled to embed awareness of domestic violence into their clinical practice. Discussion: Although the findings cannot be generalised, they suggest that this socially accountable, educational initiative should not only be embedded into the undergraduate curriculum but would also be valuable for other dental programs. Conclusion: Further strengthening of dental students’ capacity to respond to domestic violence should be developed across the clinical years through authentic learning experiences that provide opportunities to practice techniques and employ strategies introduced in the workshops

A study of volatile compounds in the breath of children with type 1 diabetes

A pilot study of exhaled volatile compounds and their correlation with blood glucose levels in eight children with type 1 diabetes is reported. Five paired blood and breath samples were obtained from each child over a 6 hour period. The blood glucose concentration ranged from 41.4 to 435.6 mg/dL. Breath samples were collected in Tedlar bags and immediately evacuated through thermal desorption tubes packed with Carbopack B and C. The VOCs were later recovered by thermal desorption and analysed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The study identified 74 volatile compounds present in at least 10% of the patient samples. Of these 74 volatiles 36 were found in all patient samples tested. Further analysis of the 36 compounds found that none showed significant overall correlation with blood glucose levels. Isoprene showed a weak negative correlation with blood glucose levels. Acetone was found to have no correlation with blood glucose levels for the patients studied. Some patients showed significant individual correlation between the relative peak areas of certain compounds and blood glucose levels. However, there was no consistent pattern observed within these results across all 8 patients. Additional breath samples were collected in Tedlar bags and analysed using SIFTMS for 3 of the patients and a healthy control. The levels of 24 volatiles are reported and were found to be generally consistent with previously reported SIFT-MS data. In agreement with the GCMS data, no compounds exhibited a significant overall correlation with blood glucose level

Towards stability of food production and farm income in a variable climate

Stable food production is vital for food security. Stability of farm income is also necessary to ensure the sustainability of food production and to protect livelihoods, in a changing climate. We analyse the relative effects of climate variability, subsidies and farming practices on the stability of food production and farm income. We examine farms in England and Wales between 2005 and 2017, and link farms to climate data at a sub-regional scale. Our results show that variability in temperature and rainfall reduces the stability of farm income and food production. While variability in climate can be largely outside of the farmers control our findings indicate that, under current conditions, farm management can have a larger effect on stability than climate. We identified three key aspects of farm management and policy that improve stability: i) increasing agricultural diversity, ii) increasing the efficiency of agrochemical use and iii) agri-environmental management. These management practices have previously been associated with benefits to natural ecosystems and may therefore increase the stability of agriculture whilst reducing negative impacts of farming on the environment. We also found differences in effect size of climate impacts and adaptation options between farm types, emphasising the need for flexible agricultural policies