30793 research outputs found
Sort by
Nature-based solutions for attenuating hydrometeorological hazards in coastal regions: Effectiveness and quantification approaches
Get PDFDeltaic coasts, with their fertile soils and diverse ecosystems, are critical for agriculture, trade, fisheries, energy supply, and manufacturing. However, these regions are highly susceptible to hydrometeorological hazards, including storms, flooding, and extreme temperature events. Anthropogenic climate change has exacerbated the frequency and intensity of such hazards, posing significant societal and environmental challenges. While traditional hard engineering structures (e.g., levees, dykes, sea walls) have been the primary approach to coastal protection, these solutions often increase hazard complexity and risks while requiring substantial financial investments. In contrast, nature-based solutions (NbS) have emerged as cost-effective and sustainable alternatives or complements to traditional engineering approaches, demonstrating their potential to mitigate and adapt to coastal hydrometeorological hazards.
Quantifying the effectiveness and potential of NbS in attenuating hydrometeorological hazards in coastal regions remains challenging due to the complexity in spatiotemporal dynamics of hazards and variations in assessment methods (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, or mixed). Despite numerous studies on NbS in coastal and deltaic contexts, there is a lack of comprehensive evaluations addressing the types of NbS, their geographical applications, methodological robustness, and confidence in their effectiveness in addressing hydrometeorological hazards. This study bridges these gaps by systematically reviewing 330 peer-reviewed English-language articles published between 2008 and 2024, identified using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol. The review focuses on five key hydrometeorological hazards in coastal and deltaic regions globally: storms, floods, extreme temperatures, extreme precipitation, and droughts. NbS are evaluated as substitutes, complements, or safeguards to hard engineering structures, considering both real-world and hypothetical case studies. A comprehensive framework, adapted from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), is employed to evaluate NbS based on three criteria: (1) robustness of evidence (e.g., mechanistic understanding, model validation), (2) the level of agreement (e.g., consistency of findings supporting NbS effectiveness), and (3) confidence (integrating robustness and agreement).
The findings provide key typologies of NbS applications across different hydrometeorological hazards, with a predominant focus on storms and floods, while extreme temperatures and droughts receive comparatively less attention. Most studies evaluate the effectiveness of NbS options such as mangroves, coastal wetlands, dunes, and coral reefs in safeguarding coastal areas from hydrometeorological threats, often drawing insights from real-world case studies. Studies on floods and storms frequently employ numerical or hydrodynamic modelling, using indicators such as flood depth, extent, velocity, wave height, and wave energy. These studies consistently demonstrate high confidence in the effectiveness of NbS in attenuating storm and flood hazards in coastal and deltaic regions, attributed to their robust methodologies and consistent findings.
The study highlights the effectiveness of NbS in mitigating coastal hydrometeorological hazards varies geographically, influenced by local factors such as geomorphology, hydrology, and human activities. Numerical or hydrodynamic modelling, supplemented by cost-benefit analyses and validated with observational data, is recommended for robust quantification of NbS benefits and trade-offs. These findings provide a foundation for future research and offer actionable insights for policymakers and practitioners, facilitating the integration of NbS into coastal hazard management as viable substitutes or complements to hard engineering measures
Study on the Approach to Obtaining Mechanical Properties Using Digital Image Correlation Technology
Get PDFData Availability Statement:
The original contributions presented in this study are included in the article. Further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.Accurate mechanical property parameters constitute an indispensable guarantee for the accuracy of finite element simulations. Traditionally, uniaxial tensile tests are instrumental in acquiring the stress–strain data of materials during elongation, thereby facilitating the determination of the materials’ mechanical property parameters. By capitalizing on the digital image correlation (DIC) non-contact optical measurement technique, the entire test can be comprehensively documented using high-speed cameras. Subsequently, through in-depth analysis and meticulous numerical computations enabled by computer vision technology, the complete strain evolution of the specimen throughout the test can be precisely obtained. In this study, a comparison was made between the application of strain gauges and DIC testing systems for measuring the strain alterations during the tensile testing of 316L stainless steel, which serves as the material for the primary circuit pipelines of pressurized water reactor (PWR) nuclear power plants (NPPs). The data procured from these two methods were utilized as material mechanical parameters for finite element simulations, and a numerical simulation of the uniaxial tensile test was executed. The results reveal that, within the measuring range of the strain gauge, the DIC method generates measurement outcomes that are virtually identical to those obtained by strain gauges. Given its wider measurement range, the DIC method can be effectively adopted in the process of obtaining material mechanical parameters for finite element simulations.This work was financially supported by the State Administration for Market Regulation technical support project, China (2023YJ25); the Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi province of China (2023-JC-YB-422); the Xi’an Jiaotong University State Key Lab for Strength and Vibration for Mechanical Structures Open Lab Project, China (SV2023-KF-10); Royal Society, UK (IEC\NSFC\233524)
Early prediction of diabetes mellitus type II in Oman using Artificial Intelligence
Get PDFThis thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University LondonThe increasing prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), particularly in Oman—
where cases are projected to rise by 174% by 2050—necessitates the development of accurate,
region-specific predictive models for early detection and risk stratification. This study develops
an artificial intelligence (AI)-based predictive framework incorporating two Oman-specific
datasets—the Oman Prediabetes Dataset and the Oman Screening Dataset—to improve
predictive performance beyond widely used datasets such as the Pima Indian Diabetes Dataset
(PIDD).
To determine an optimal predictive model, this research evaluates traditional machine
learning algorithms alongside three deep learning models: a 1D Convolutional Neural Network
(1D CNN for Structured Data) for structured medical records, a 7-layer Long Short-Term
Memory (LSTM) network for sequential patient data modelling, and a Hybrid CNN-LSTM
model, which integrates spatial and temporal learning for clinical risk assessment. The models
were trained and validated using preprocessing, feature selection, and hyperparameter tuning,
with performance assessed through accuracy, precision, recall, specificity, F1-score, and AUCROC
metrics. The Hybrid CNN-LSTM model achieved the highest performance, with 99.58%
accuracy, 100% sensitivity, 99.55% precision, 99.50% specificity, an F1-score of 99.78%, and
an AUC-ROC of 97.07%, demonstrating reliability in identifying individuals at high risk of
developing T2DM. The seven-layer LSTM model achieved 99.40% accuracy, 100% precision,
100% sensitivity, and 99.34% specificity, confirming its effectiveness in sequential health data
modelling. The 1D CNN model outperformed traditional machine learning methods, attaining
99.24% accuracy, 100% precision, 90.2% sensitivity, 100% specificity, and an F1-score of
94.85%, highlighting its suitability for structured data analysis.
This research also introduces region-specific datasets to address the limitations of widely
used datasets, improving prediction accuracy for populations with distinct genetic and lifestyle
factors. A Graphical User Interface (GUI) was developed to facilitate real-time risk prediction,
batch processing, and secure data handling in healthcare environments. By integrating localised
datasets with deep learning techniques, this research establishes a scalable AI-based framework
for early T2DM detection, contributing to precision medicine, clinical decision support, and
AI-driven healthcare solutions for Oman and other regions with similar healthcare challenges
Nanoparticle-induced systemic toxicity and immune response in Galleria mellonella larvae
Get PDFData availability statement:
The original contributions presented in the study are included in the article/supplementary material, further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.Introduction: Nanotechnology is one of the most rapidly advancing scientific fields, offering innovative solutions in diverse areas such as medicine, agriculture, and materials science. However, concerns regarding the environmental and biological toxicity of nanomaterials continue to rise. It is thus essential to develop reliable, ethical, and cost-effective models to assess the in vivo toxicity of Nanoparticles (NPs). This study aims to evaluate the immunotoxicity and systemic effects of various inorganic nanoparticles using Galleria mellonella (GM) larvae as a non-mammalian in vivo model.
Methods: GM larvae were exposed to different types of NPs, including starch-coated and anionic superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), double-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and gold nanoparticles (GNPs). Flow cytometry was used to monitor haemocyte numbers, while larval survival assays assessed mortality. Histological analyses were conducted to detect CNT accumulation in tissues. The immunosuppressive effects of GNPs were assessed in GM larvae challenged with sub-lethal doses of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii.
Results: The results demonstrate NP retention in GM tissues and showed that surface and size properties of NPs significantly influenced their biological effects. Anionic SPIONs lacking a starch coating caused greater haemocyte depletion and higher mortality than their biocompatible coated counterparts. GNP toxicity was found to be size-dependent, with particles between 60 and 100 nm producing the most severe haemocyte depletion, which was comparable to that obtained with the immune suppressant cyclophosphamide.
Conclusion: Overall, this study supports the use of GM larvae as an effective model for nanoparticle toxicity screening and demonstrates the usefulness of this model in detecting both toxic and immunosuppressive properties of nanomaterials.The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research and/or publication of this article. R.R.M. is supported by a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council New Investigator Award (BB/V007823/1) and a Medical Research Council Grant (MR/Y001354/1). R.R.M. is also supported by the Academy of Medical Sciences/the Wellcome Trust/the Government Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy/the British Heart Foundation/Diabetes UK Springboard Award (SBF006∖1,040). These grants enabled the bacterial infection studies. The National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) (NC/V001582/1) supported the establishment of the Galleria mellonella infection model
Amputation for complex regional pain syndrome: a systematic review
No full textPerspective:
This article presents a systematic review of the benefits and harms of amputation for complex regional pain syndrome. The unclear benefits and likely harms can help inform individuals and clinicians considering amputation of the potential outcomes of this intervention.Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a disabling pain condition, usually confined to a single limb. Amputation of the affected limb is sometimes performed to improve pain and function for treatment-resistant CRPS. This systematic review evaluated the benefits and harms of amputation for CRPS. Primary studies of adults with CRPS that investigated the effects of amputation of a CRPS affected limb were included. Primary outcomes were pain intensity and adverse events. The following databases were searched from inception to 23 September 2024: PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, CENTRAL, CINAHL, and PsycINFO for published literature, and BASE, Web of Science, OpenMD and MedNar for grey literature. Study methodological quality was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools. Data were synthesised using systematic review without meta-analysis guidance. The review included 66 studies, comprising one comparative study, 23 case series and 42 case studies. Studies included 249 patients who received 263 amputations. Amputation indications included pain relief, functional improvement, infection, fracture, and prosthetic complications. The heterogeneous designs of included studies precluded quantitative estimation of treatment effects. The only included comparative study reported that CRPS patients had lower mean pain intensity scores post-amputation than non-amputated, non-matched control patients. The four studies that assessed pain intensity scores before amputation and at least 6 months post-operatively, reported reductions in average pain post-amputation. Adverse events in assessed patients included phantom pain (67%), residual limb pain (66%), and recurrence of CRPS (47%). The critically low quality of included evidence and incomplete reporting greatly reduced confidence in the results. This review found no clear evidence that amputation of a CRPS-affected limb offers greater pain relief than no amputation. High-quality, controlled prospective studies with embedded qualitative research are needed to determine the benefits and harms of amputation for CRPS, as well as the factors that drive patients to seek this permanent intervention that does not guarantee improvement.This research received no external funding
Preface
Get PDFIn the pursuit of advancing scientific knowledge and technological innovation, the 2024 International Conference on Aerospace, Mechanical and Materials Engineering (AMME 2024) has emerged as a pivotal platform for researchers, engineers, and scholars from across the globe. This event, held to address the latest research findings and technological advancements in aerospace engineering, mechanical design, manufacturing techniques, and the development and application of novel materials, underscores the relentless drive for progress in our contemporary scientific landscape.
AMME 2024 was organized to foster academic exchanges, strengthen industry collaborations, and propel the translation of research achievements into practical applications. It gathered esteemed delegates under one roof to deliberate on a wide array of topics, encompassing aerospace structural optimization, advanced manufacturing techniques, green manufacturing processes, special high-performance materials, intelligent materials and structures in aerospace applications, etc.
The conference proceedings is a testament to the intellectual richness and diversity of the presentations delivered during AMME 2024. The keynote speeches, delivered by renowned experts in their respective fields, set the tone for the entire event. These speeches delved into frontier technologies, market trends, and future challenges, providing invaluable insights that resonated deeply with the attendees. The keynote sessions were not merely informative but also inspiring, igniting a spark of curiosity and enthusiasm among participants.
The oral presentations formed the core of the scientific discourse at AMME 2024. Researchers had the opportunity to present their work in a 15-minute slot, allowing for concise and impactful communication of their findings. These presentations covered a broad spectrum of topics, ranging from the synthesis and characterization of new materials to the design and testing of aerospace structures. The interactive question-and-answer sessions following each presentation fostered a vibrant and engaging atmosphere, encouraging critical thinking and fostering new ideas
Morningness and Conscientiousness: A Meta-analysis, Online Survey and Resting fMRI Study
Get PDFMorningness is associated with several positive health outcomes and personality traits such as conscientiousness. In the current report, meta-analysis demonstrated a significant association between morningness and conscientiousness, data that are consistent with previous meta-analyses. Further, survey report and resting-state functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (rs-fMRI, N = 43) indicated that the relationship between morningness and conscientiousness was moderated by functional connectivity with the Default Mode Network (DMN). DMN connectivity has been implicated in a number of cognitive functions and higher connectivity in this network is associated with higher conscientiousness
Interfacial Segregation of Fe and Si on TiB2 Surface and Refinement of Fe-Bearing Intermetallic Compounds and Primary Si Part I: Segregation Phenomenon and Formation of Two-Dimensional Compounds (2DCs) at the Al/TiB2 Interface
No full textAl–Ti–B-based grain refiners have been successfully used in the aluminium industry for more than six decades. Recent advancements have demonstrated that manipulating the nucleation potency of substrates through interfacial segregation can enhance the heterogeneous nucleation of both single-phase and intermetallic compounds by providing structural and compositional templating. However, the segregation of Fe and Si, two of the most common alloying elements or impurities in Al alloys, on TiB2 surface and its subsequent effects are not fully understood. In this work, TiB2 particles were synthesized in an Al–3.7Ti–1.5B alloy melt containing 0.43 wt pct excess free Ti, followed by isothermal treatment to promote Fe and Si segregation on the TiB2 surface. The segregation behaviour of Fe and Si on different terminated surfaces of the TiB2 particles was investigated using scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). The experimental results show that Fe and Si exhibit distinct segregation behaviours depending on the atomic configuration of TiB2 surfaces, leading to the formation of two-dimensional compounds (2DCs) at the Al/TiB2 interfaces. The formation of interfacial segregation layers has been shown to profoundly affect subsequent solidification, particularly nucleation and growth processes of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) in the alloys, resulting in significant refinement of these phases and the final solidification microstructure. In part 1, this research focuses on investigating the nature of interfacial segregation of Fe and Si on TiB2 particles. Experimental results concerning the segregation and the characterization of the structure and chemistry of the resulting interfacial layers are presented. In the subsequent Part II, the investigation will address the effects of Fe and Si interfacial segregation on the solidification behaviour of Al alloys, with particular emphasis on the heterogeneous nucleation and refinement of primary Fe-bearing intermetallic compounds and the primary Si phase in Al–Fe–Si and Al–Si alloys.This work was financial supported by the EPSRC (UK) for under Grant Number EP/N007638/1 (Future Liquid Metal Engineering Hub). This work is also supported by Brunel University London BRIEF award (11937131)
The Impact of Regulatory Changes on Rating Shopping and Rating Catering Behavior in the European Securitization Market
No full textJEL classification: G21; G28.Data Availability:
The dataset used is available from the corresponding author on request.A version of the article was developed as the Working Paper Series no. 2290, available online at: https://www.ecb.europa.eu/pub/pdf/scpwps/ecb.wp2920~f44cdd68b2.en.pdf . © European Central Bank, 2024. All rights reserved. Any reproduction, publication and reprint in the form of a different publication, whether printed or produced electronically, in whole or in part, is permitted only with the explicit written authorisation of the ECB or the authors. This paper can be downloaded without charge from https://www.ecb.europa.eu, from the Social Science Research Network electronic library ( https://ssrn.com/ ) or from RePEc: Research Papers in Economics. Information on all of the papers published in the ECB Working Paper Series can be found on the ECB’s website ( https://www.ecb.europa.eu/pub/research/working-papers/html/index.en.html ). PDF ISBN 978-92-899-6400-5 ISSN 1725-2806 doi:10.2866/23087 QB-AR-24-037-EN-N.We examine whether rating shopping and rating catering behaviors two mechanisms associated with credit rating inflation remained prevalent in the European securitization market following the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) and the subsequent introduction of regulatory reforms targeting credit rating agencies (CRAs). Using a dataset of 12,469 asset-backed security (ABS) tranches issued between 1998 and 2018, we analyze the information content of yield spreads at issuance and compare patterns across pre- and post-reform periods. Our findings suggest that rating catering is no longer reflected in pricing after the reforms, while indicators of rating shopping persist, particularly among tranches with fewer published ratings. We also find continued signs of investor over-reliance on ratings, especially for high-quality ABS. These results are consistent with a shift in investor perceptions and market practices post-GFC, although the extent to which this shift reflects regulatory changes versus broader crisis-related adjustments remains open to interpretation.The authors did not receive support from any organization for the submitted work
Characterising the performance benefits of a 1/7th scale morphing rotor blade
Get PDFRotary-wing aircrafts serve as indispensable components in the advancement of aviation, valued for their ability to operate in diverse and challenging environments without the need for conventional runways. This versatility makes them ideal for applications such as environmental conservation, precision agriculture, emergency medical support, and rapid-response operations in rugged terrains. However, although highly manoeuvrable, rotary-wing platforms generally have lower aerodynamic efficiency than fixed-wing aircraft. This study aims to improve aerodynamic performance by examining a 1/7th-scale rotor blade model equipped with a NACA0012 airfoil using CROTOR software. The analysis focuses on optimal spanwise locations for separating morphing and fixed blade sections at 85%, 90%, and 95% of the blade radius with up to +20 degrees of twist incorporated into the design. Key performance metrics assessed in this investigation include lift coefficient (CL), drag coefficient (CD), lift-to-drag ratio (CL/CD), Mach number, power, thrust coefficient, and Figure of Merit (FOM). Results indicate that the 0.90 r/R position is optimal for dividing the morphing and fixed sections, achieving a significant improvement of over 7% in both lift-to-drag ratio and FOM. These findings underscore the substantial impact on the overall performance of the rotor system and rotational aerodynamics that geometric modifications through the inclusion of a morphing capability can ultimately realise
Data sources:
Access Repository Dashboard
Do you manage Open Research Online? Become a CORE Member to access insider analytics, issue reports and manage access to outputs from your repository in the CORE Repository Dashboard! 👇