26207 research outputs found
Sort by
Living electronics in cellulose zoogleal mats
Get PDFThe review starts by investigating the concepts that underpin the use of kombucha in electronic systems, such as its conducting properties, self-healing properties, and capacity to form long-lasting biofilms. The research explores the diverse uses of kombucha-based living electronics, including biosensors, biocomputing devices, energy harvesting systems, and flexible electronics. Proteinoids, a synthetic class of polypeptides, have attracted researchers’ interest because of their structural and functional analogies to natural proteins. This similarity offers numerous opportunities for their usage in diverse fields, such as the development of cutting-edge living electronic systems. This paper analyses the fundamental concepts of integrating proteinoids into living electrical systems, with a specific emphasis on their distinct structural and functional characteristics. The paper explores the possible uses of proteinoid-based electronics, including molecular switches, memory devices, and self-assembling nanostructures, emphasising their superiority to traditional electronic components. Nevertheless, the incorporation of kombucha and proteinoids into living electronics presents several difficulties. These technical challenges affect the production, durability, and expandability of these bio-hybrid systems. Furthermore, this article tackles concerns about biocompatibility, durability, and the necessity for standardised characterization methodologies
Uncertainty and triple access planning in European sustainable urban mobility plans: A long way to go yet?
Get PDFTriple Access Planning (TAP) is the idea that accessibility can be delivered through physical mobility, digital connectivity, and spatial proximity. There is great uncertainty as to how far one of these three elements will substitute for or complement the others in delivering the accessibility we need in future. Sustainable Urban Mobility (SUM) Planning is touted as a relatively new paradigm in local transport planning oriented to the achievement of a wide range of societal objectives. The paper presents a review of how well SUM Plans from eight European countries, and national guidelines from four currently account for TAP and uncertainty in their approach. Our findings suggest that while the concept of physical proximity is well-understood, other aspects of the TAP and uncertainty approach are not. Digital connectivity is largely ignored. The planning future is treated as largely certain, with no consideration of disruptive factors that might alter this future
‘Eat, sleep and repeat?’ Corporate criminal liability and extension of the failure to prevent model
No full textThis paper examines the law relating to corporate criminal liability in England and Wales. A doctrinal analysis of case law and legislation is undertaken in order to examine how the law has worked since the seminal case of Tesco v Nattrass. The problems experienced by prosecutors in the attribution of corporate criminal liability to larger companies with complex management structures due to the identification doctrine are outlined, with a detailed analysis of the ‘failure to prevent’ corporate criminal liability offences, introduced to circumvent the problems associated with the identification doctrine. The new failure to prevent fraud offence, together with changes to the identification doctrine, introduced by the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 are analysed and evaluated. The paper concludes with an assessment of the current state of corporate criminal liability in England and Wales
A novel prediction model to evaluate the dynamic interrelationship between gold and crude oil
No full textGlobal events, such as the pandemic and European conflicts, have caused significant inflation and high volatility in gold and crude oil prices. This has garnered substantial international attention while banks, governments, and businesses are devoted to developing strategies to hedge against the potential impacts of economic uncertainties. Focused on addressing economic uncertainties, this study delves into the crucial role of the relationship between gold and crude oil in shaping global financial and economic dynamics. The primary objective of this study is to conduct a comprehensive analysis and construct a rolling SARIMAX model for predicting the rolling 12-months correlation of the Gold–WTI and Gold–Brent relationship. Monthly data on Gold spot prices, WTI futures, and Brent futures is collected from May 1983 to December 2022. Three sophisticated data analysis techniques, the Rolling Correlation method, the SARIMAX model, and the Rolling Model are integrated to develop the Rolling SARIMAX module. R-square values of this newly developed model achieved 89.8% and 88.4% for predicting the rolling correlation for Gold Spot Price-WTI Futures and Gold Spot Price-Brent Futures, respectively, while the mean absolute percentage error was 10.33% and 10.84%, respectively. The higher accuracy in correlation prediction between gold and crude oil prices can present critical insights for risk management, economic planning, strategic investment, economic cycles, and global economic outlook. This newly developed prediction model adeptly handles both linear and non-linear relationships while adapting to external variables in dynamic market scenarios. Its judicious balance between complexity and practicality positions it as a sophisticated analytical tool with real-world applicability, setting a new benchmark in financial market analysis
Facilitators and barriers to inclusive and safe mobility on urban roads in Kathmandu, Nepal: a participatory research study
No full textResearch suggests that the built environment and transport services affect the health and well-being of people with a disability. In Nepal, there is limited evidence describing the safety of road users in transport environments. The perceptions of safety in people with a disability while travelling across urban centres in Nepal is unknown. We explored the experiences of people with a disability regarding their mobility and identified facilitators and barriers to achieving safe and inclusive travel in Kathmandu. We used video-elicitation interviews with seven people with a disability and interviewed five advocacy practitioners and five decision-makers. All participants considered poor road conditions and transport infrastructure, and drivers’ speeding behaviour hindered their ability to travel safely. The absence of coordination between government agencies and disability-friendly infrastructure standards was the major reason impeding inclusive and safe travel. Our study suggests that the key issue to be addressed is the implementation of existing policies
Electroactive Proteinoid–Quantum dot systems
No full textProteinoid–quantum dot (QD) conjugates are a new class of bioquantum hybrid materials combining biological self-assembly with semiconductor nanocrystal electronic properties. This study describes the synthesis and analysis of Glu-Phe-Asp-Cys proteinoid–QD networks using sulfosuccinimidyl 4-(N-maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane 1-carboxylate (sulfo-SMCC) cross-linking chemistry, achieving 80–90% conjugation efficiency. Scanning electron microscopy reveals a morphological transformation from spherical precursors to toroidal nanostructures with outer diameters of 145.2 18.7 nm and central cavities of 102.3 15.2 nm. The hybrid networks exhibit spontaneous electrochemical oscillations (0.03 to 0.11 Hz, 297-485 mV) reproducible across trials. QD incorporation enhances signal amplitude 41-fold (1999 mV vs. 48.8 mV) via surface plasmon coupling. Optimal charge transfer resistance for biosensing is 5250 Ω. Electron transfer kinetics follow first-order decay (α ¼ 0.0032 Hz1). The networks respond to structured binary input over 5 days, displaying frequency synchronization at f ¼ 0.022217 Hz. Magnitude-squared coherence values are 0.90 for pure proteinoids and 0.85 for conjugates. The system exhibits adaptive response-like behavior through structural transformations, enabling applications in neuromorphic computing, adaptive biosensors, and information processing architectures
Summary of taxonomy changes ratified by the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) from the Bacterial Viruses Subcommittee, 2025
Get PDFThis article summarises the activities of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses Bacterial Viruses Subcommittee, detailing developments in the classification of bacterial viruses. We provide here an overview of all new, abolished, moved and renamed taxa proposed in 2024, approved by the Executive Committee, and ratified by membership vote in 2025. Through the collective efforts of 74 international contributors of taxonomy proposals in this round, 43 ratified proposals have led to the creation of one new phylum, one class, four orders, 33 families, 14 subfamilies, 194 genera and 995 species. These proposals mark significant progress in refining the taxonomy of bacterial viruses. Key updates include the creation of new orders and families that include existing taxa to better reflect genomic and evolutionary relationships. As sequencing and bioinformatics approaches continue to advance, further expansion and refinements in viral taxonomy can be anticipated in the coming years
Learning in kombucha A
No full textThis study investigates how kombucha SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeast) exhibits learning-like behavior through bioelectrical mechanisms. Structured electrical stimulation was applied using Shakespearean text. An Arduino microcontroller was used to convert Hamlet's soliloquies into binary signals, which were transmitted through eight digital pins to kombucha cultures. Two experimental protocols were implemented: brief stimulation (10 s, single loop) and extended stimulation (1000 s, 100 loops). Scanning electron microscopy revealed complex microstructural transformations after one year of dehydration, including organic acid crystallization with diameters ranging from 1 í µí¼m to 30 í µí¼m. The cellulose nanofiber structure was also preserved. Bioelectrical measurements demonstrated adaptive responses. During brief stimulation, resistance increased from a baseline of í µí± 0 = 450 MΩ to a peak of í µí± peak = 580 MΩ, followed by a linear decay at a rate of í µí±í µí± í µí±í µí±¡ = −28.43 MΩ∕s. Extended stimulation resulted in sustained, lower-amplitude resistance changes ranging from 496 kΩ to 659 kΩ, exhibiting gradual adaptation described by the linear trend: í µí±(í µí±¡) = −0.0644í µí±¡ + 638.88. The proposed mechanism involves a four-step process: ion channel modulation, membrane polarization, metabolic pathway alterations, and biofilm restructuring. Galvanostatic impedance spectroscopy was performed at three current amplitudes (í µí± í µí±í µí± = 0.01, 0.05, 0.08 mA). This showed that bioelectrochemical behavior depends on frequency. The impedance magnitudes varied from 500 Ω to 10,000 Ω across a frequency range of 0.01 Hz to 100,000 Hz. Nyquist plot analysis showed semicircular impedance arcs. The phase angle peaked at í µí¼ í µí±í µí±í µí±¥ ≈ 55 • at í µí± ≈ 1 Hz. This indicates capacitive polarization effects and multiple time constants in the microbial biofilm matrix. These findings indicate that kombucha demonstrates a basic form of learning through electrochemical conditioning, resulting in a bioelectrical memory that persists beyond the period of stimulation. This research contributes to our understanding of microbial intelligence and bioelectrical phenomena in fermented systems
Dielectrophoretic response and electro-deformation of soft bioparticles interacting with a metallo-dielectric Janus active particle
No full textActive (self-propelling) particles have emerged as innovative microscale tools in the field of single cell analysis with the advantages of being untethered, remotely controlled, hybrid powered, with sub-cellular precision. This study investigates the dielectrophoretic (DEP) response and electro-mechanical deformation of cell nuclei interacting with active metallo-dielectric Janus Particles (JPs) under an externally applied electric field. An “equivalent droplet” two-phase model is employed to simulate the bioparticle, coupling the Navier–Stokes equations with the phase field model to capture fluid motion and interface dynamics. Good qualitative agreement is obtained among experimental, analytical, and numerical results. The findings reveal a nonlinear relationship between nucleus deformation and its surface coverage of the JP with respect to the applied voltage. The overall coverage ratio of the JP's dielectric hemisphere increases with voltage as the positive DEP force on the dielectric side strengthens, exhibiting a maximum at a certain voltage. The strong correlation between nucleus flexibility and JP surface coverage suggests that the JP coverage ratio could serve as a biomechanical marker for nucleus deformability, providing a novel method for in situ evaluation of nucleus mechanics
Retrofit advice services in England: A postcode lottery?
No full textExecutive summaryThe retrofit of existing buildings is widely acknowledged to be an important strategy to reduce carbon emissions in the UK and meet critical climate goals [1]. High quality retrofit can also provide other benefits such as reduced energy costs, healthier buildings, increased energy independence and wider economic benefits such as skilled jobs. However, a lack of access to high quality, context specific and tailoredinformation has, along with cost, been identified as a key barrier to retrofit [2]. In addition, there is a need for services that provide whole house plans and for ‘one- stop-stops’ which provide support with the whole retrofit process including recommending tradespeople, project management and support with funding.This report presents the results of a comprehensive study mapping non-commercial retrofit advice services in England. It identifies a postcode lottery, with access to advice services varying across different counties and regions. Desk based research identified 80 services across England, while a dataset and an interactive mapping resource were created to enable households, policymakers and retrofit professionals to understand the services that are currently available. An analysis of the identified services was undertaken, and the full results can beexplored below. The main findings and recommendations were:1. There was substantial variation in the scope, quality and cost of services available in different areas, leading to a clear postcode lottery for households, with a patchwork of different services across England.2. Just over half of the services offer pure retrofit advice (51%) often in the context of wider fuel poverty support, 15% offer whole house planning and 34% offer one-stop-shop services. For the one-stop-shop and whole house planning services there was a clear lack of pre/post retrofit performance monitoring or tailoring of retrofit plans to households’ lifestyles and motivations.3. Only limited data was available on the numbers of households supported but it was clear that numbers are well below the levels needed to help assist in the rapid acceleration in retrofit that is required in the UK.The report highlights the positive work that these services are doing to support retrofit in England and help to overcome informational barriers. However, it also highlights that more consistent support is needed across the country and that funding and structure should be provided build on and develop this support as part of a comprehensive and holistic national retrofit strategy