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Bioelectrical oscillations and scaling behaviour of sea mud
Get PDFThis study uses a systematic approach to examine the bioelectric dynamics of marine sediments. We used an eight-channel recording system to measure bioelectric potentials. It had Pt/Ir electrodes and high-precision data acquisition (1 Hz sampling, 24-bit resolution). The setup was temperature-controlled (23±1°C). It had optimized electrode placement to capture spatial variations. Our analysis revealed: (1) Channel-specific amplitude variations of 8.82±8.24 mV to 85.11±21.22 mV, indicating varied bioelectric activity; (2) A consistent periodic behaviour with mean intervals of ∼640 seconds across channels; (3) Power-law frequency scaling with exponents α∈[−1.49,−0.84], suggesting critical dynamics; (4) Strong spatial correlations (ρij=0.51−0.85) indicating coordinated network behaviour. The scaling exponents from detrended fluctuation analysis (αDFA=1.17−1.54) strongly support self-organized criticality. These findings suggest marine sediment is a natural info-processing network. It may have uses in unconventional computing and environmental sensing. The observed dynamics and coordination patterns show new, complex capacities. They could inspire bio-inspired computing architectures
Can science comics aid lay audiences' comprehension of forensic science?
Get PDFForensic science has become a standard feature in criminal investigations and trials. However, it can often be a challenge for experts in courtrooms to communicate scientific evidence clearly to lay audiences through verbal expert witness testimony alone. The Evidence Chamber is an interactive experience engaging public audiences with forensic science through a mock trial. This study explores the effectiveness of using comics to support the understanding of forensic science by non-experts. The results suggest comics were effective at aiding the audiences' comprehension of forensic science evidence and in the future comic-based aids could support juries' comprehension of scientific evidence
Sensitive periods for exposure to indoor air pollutants and psychosocial factors in association with symptoms of psychopathology at school-age in a South African birth cohort
No full textExposure to environmental toxicants and psychosocial stressors during gestation and early life are particularly harmful and may impact brain development. Specifically, exposure to indoor air pollutants (IAP) and psychosocial factors (PF) during these sensitive periods has been shown to predict childhood psychopathology. Here, we investigated sensitive periods for the individual and joint effects of IAP and PF on childhood psychopathology at 6.5 years. We analyzed data from the Drakenstein Child Health Study (N=599). Exposure to IAP and PF was measured during the second trimester of pregnancy and 4 months postpartum. Childhood psychopathology was assessed at 6.5 years old using the Childhood Behavior Checklist (CBCL). We investigated individual effects of pre- and postnatal exposure to IAP and PF on CBCL scores using adjusted linear regression models, and joint effects of exposures using quantile g-computation and self-organizing maps (SOM). To identify possible sensitive periods, we used a structured life course modeling approach (SLCMA) as well as SOM. Prenatal exposure to IAP or PFs, and the total prenatal mixture assessed using quantile g-computation, were associated with increased psychopathology. SLCMA and SOM models also indicated that the prenatal period is a sensitive period for IAP exposure on childhood psychopathology. Depression and alcohol were associated in both the pre- and postnatal period. In conclusion, pregnancy may be a sensitive period for the effect of IAP on psychopathology. Exposure to maternal depression and alcohol in both periods was also associated with psychopathology. Determining sensitive periods of exposure is vital to ensure effective interventions to reduce psychopathology. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.
Predictors of persisting symptoms after concussion in children following a traumatic brain injury: A longitudinal retrospective cohort study
No full textObjectives: To identify predictors of persisting symptoms after concussion (PSaC) in children, following any medically attended traumatic brain injury (TBI). Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: Linked primary and secondary care data from UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink and Hospital Episode Statistics. Participants: Children aged 1–17 years with a medically attended TBI between 2013 and 2017. Main outcome measure: A binary indicator of PSaC or suspected PSaC, measured using either a clinical code for PSaC or medical attendances for one or more PSaC symptoms 3–12 months after TBI. Results: We identified 137 873 children with a TBI; 4620 (3.4%) had PSaC or suspected PSaC. More females (3.8%) had PSaC than males (3.1%). Those with PSaC were older at the time of TBI compared with those without PSaC (8 vs 5.5 years). In a multivariable logistic regression model, older age (OR =1.02 per year increase in age, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.03), female sex (OR=1.20, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.28), being Asian (OR=1.37, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.54) or mixed ethnicity (OR=1.18, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.37) (compared with white ethnicity), having a history of headaches (OR=3.52, 95% CI 3.13 to 3.95), learning disabilities (OR=2.06, 95% CI 1.69 to 2.52), ADHD (OR=2.41, 95% CI 1.91 to 3.04), anxiety (OR=2.58, 95% CI 2.18 to 3.05), depression (OR=4.00, 95% CI 3.28 to 4.89) or sleep disorders (OR=2.35, 95% CI 1.99 to 2.78) were associated with increased odds of PSaC. Conclusions: These results may be used to identify children more likely to develop PSaC following a TBI and those who may benefit from targeted healthcare for PSaC symptoms. Identifying cases of PSaC in primary care data was challenging as perhaps many children do not attend services for suspected PSaC or, if they did, are not diagnosed with PSaC. Furthermore, the clinical predictors are a measure of healthcare access for these symptoms; thus, results could be influenced by patient or carer’s health-seeking behaviour
Pregnancy‐related venous thromboembolism risk perception and prevention in risk‐averse times - Significant change required: A commentary
Get PDFBetween 2020 and 2022 in the United Kingdom (UK), there were 45 maternal deaths from venous thromboembolism (VTE), out of more than 2 million maternities. This occurred despite extensive risk assessment and prescribing of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) thromboprophylaxis, alongside clinicians' overestimate of risk and commitment to the cause. Whilst every maternal death is a tragedy, the challenge ahead is immense—to identify, in an efficient and consistent way, those few women at risk of life‐threatening thrombosis, and then minimise that risk with a cost‐effective therapy that is acceptable to pregnant and postpartum women, and does not do more harm than good. We propose a way forward
Small Fry: Britain's Tiniest Freshwater Fish
No full textDespite being among the most widespread and common fish in the UK there is still a lack of knowledge about the small freshwater fish species that inhabit our rivers and waterways. Often neglected but endlessly charming, these small fish are, for many, their first childhood encounter with the underwater world and inspire a lifelong interest and enduring fascination.As threats to biodiversity grow and conservation efforts intensify, it is important to remember that fishes are wildlife and that common yet overlooked species require respect and wider consideration. Providing details of their biology, the wider angling interest and many other social dimensions, this book celebrates Britain's small freshwater fishes and recognises their importance to both the academic and general fish enthusiast.The value of this book includes:* Providing detailed systematic descriptions of some well-known but less well understood UK small fish species.* Written by a popular and knowledgeable broadcaster (BBC Springwatch) and author adept at crafting works that are valued by joint audiences (academics, general fishermen and beginner anglers).* Illustrated with photographs from acclaimed underwater photographer, Jack Perks.* Recognising that small freshwater fish species are important wildlife and that there are great stories to be told about our littlest fishes.This book shines a light on the range of familiar but less studied UK small freshwater fish species for academic use but it is also written for the accessibility of a general readership. It is an engaging, factual and beautifully illustrated account of these wonderful, tiny creatures and brings their stories to life
Differences in disease characteristics and outcomes as determined by biological sex in a large UK idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis population: Analysis from the British Thoracic Society, Interstitial Lung Disease registry data
No full textGrowing evidence suggests that biological sex influences the incidence, presentation, diagnosis and outcomes of many lung diseases. Understanding these differences is the first step towards precision medicine to improve patient care. In this cross-sectional study, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) patients enrolled in a national (UK), multicentre registry were categorised by sex and analysed for differences in demographics, pulmonary function tests, high resolution CT radiological pattern, eligibility/uptake of antifibrotics and survival. Of 7177 cases, 77.8% (n=5587) were male, median age 75 years (IQR 69.5–80.5) for both sexes (p=0.83). Males were more likely to have a history of smoking (males 72.9% vs females 60.5%, p24 months prior to first clinic appointment (females 40.1% vs males 36.6%, p=0.03). While more males in the cohort met eligibility criteria for antifibrotics at baseline (pirfenidone FVC 50%–80% males 54.7% vs females 47.6%, nintedanib FVC 50%–80% males 47.0% vs females 41.5%, p<0.001), a larger proportion chose not to commence antifibrotic treatment (males 47.0% vs females 29.6%, p<0.001). Female sex was associated with longer survival; for females, the 75% Kaplan-Meier survival quartile is 7.6 years (95% CI 5.51 to 9.68 years) versus 4.3 years (95% CI 3.82 to 4.78) for males (p<0.001). Male sex (HR 1.76 (95% CI 1.22 to 2.54), p=0.002), higher age (HR 1.042 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.06), p<0.001), lower baseline FVC % predicted (HR 0.98 (95% CI 0.97 to 0.98), p<0.001) and coexistent lung cancer (HR 9.3 (95% CI 2.86 to 30.24), p<0.001) were all independently associated with worse survival. This is the first UK study to use national registry data to systematically evaluate IPF disease characteristics stratifying by biological sex and highlights distinct characteristics between groups. Future clinical trials should explicitly explore sex-specific targeted interventions and analyses to optimise future IPF patient care
Should we get involved? Impact of human collaboration and intervention on multi-robot teams
No full textIntroduction: The challenges encountered in the design of multi-robot teams (MRT) highlight the need for different levels of human involvement, creating human-in-the-loop multi-robot teams. By integrating human cognitive abilities with the functionalities of the robots in the MRT, we can enhance overall system performance. Designing such a human-in-the-loop MRT requires several decisions based on the specific context of application. Before implementing these systems in real-world scenarios, it is essential to model and simulate the various components of the MRT to evaluate their impact on performance and the different roles a human operator might play. Methods: We developed a simulation framework for a human-in-the-loop MRT using the Java Agent DEvelopment framework (JADE) and investigated the effects of different numbers of robots in the MRT, MRT architectures, and levels of human involvement (human collaboration and human intervention) on performance metrics. Results: Results show that task execution outcomes and request completion times (RCT) improve with an increasing number of robots in the MRT. Human collaboration reduced the RCT, while human intervention increased the RCT, regardless of the number of robots in the MRT. The effect of system architecture was only significant when the number of robots in the MRT was low. Discussion: This study demonstrates that both the number of robots in a multi-robot team (MRT) and the inclusion of a human in the loop significantly influence system performance. The findings also highlight the value of simulation as a cost- and time-efficiency strategy to evaluate MRT configurations prior to real-world implementation
Comparison of soil organic carbon measurement methods
Get PDFTo enhance agricultural soil health and soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration, it is important to accurately measure SOC. The aim of this study was to compare common methods for measuring SOC in soils in order to determine the most effective approach among different agricultural land types. The measurement methods of loss-on-ignition (LOI), automated dry combustion (Dumas), and real-time near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) were compared. A total of 95 soil core samples, ranging in clay and calcareous content, were collected across a range of agricultural land types from forty-eight fields across five farms in the Southwest of England. There were similar and positive correlations between all three methods for measuring SOC (ranging from r = 0.549 to 0.579; all p < 0.001). On average , permanent grass fields had higher SOC content (6.6%) than arable and temporary ley fields (4.6% and 4.5%, respectively), with the difference of 2% indicating a higher carbon storage potential in permanent grassland fields. Newly predicted conversion equations of linear regression were developed among the three measurement methods according to all the fields and land types. The correlation of the conversation equations among the three methods in permanent grass fields was strong and significant compared to those in both arable and temporary ley fields. The analysed results could help understand soil carbon management and maximise sequestration. Moreover, the approach of using real-time NIRS analysis with a rechargeable portable NIRS soil device can offer a convenient and cost-saving alternative for monitoring preliminary SOC changes timely on or offsite without personnel risks from the high-temperature furnace and chemical reagent adopted in the LOI and Dumas processes, respectively, at the laboratory. Therefore, the study suggests that faster, lower-cost, and safer methods like NIRS for analysing initial SOC measurements are now available to provide similar SOC results as traditional soil analysis methods of the LOI and Dumas. Further studies on assessing SOC levels in different farm locations, land, and soil types across seasons using NIRS will improve benchmarked SOC data for farm stakeholders in making evidence-informed agricultural practices