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Isometric path complexity of graphs
Full text linkA set S of isometric paths of a graph G is “v-rooted”, where v is a vertex of G, if v is one of the endpoints of all the isometric paths in S. The isometric path complexity of a graph G, denoted by
, is the minimum integer k such that there exists a vertex
satisfying the following property: the vertices of any single isometric path P of G can be covered by k many v-rooted isometric paths.
First, we provide an
-time algorithm to compute the isometric path complexity of a graph with n vertices and m edges. Then we show that the isometric path complexity remains bounded for graphs in three seemingly unrelated graph classes, namely, hyperbolic graphs, (theta, prism, pyramid)-free graphs, and outerstring graphs. There is a direct algorithmic consequence of having small isometric path complexity. Specifically, we show that if the isometric path complexity of a graph G is bounded by a constant, then there exists a polynomial-time constant-factor approximation algorithm for Isometric Path Cover, whose objective is to cover all vertices of a graph with a minimum number of isometric paths. This applies to all the above graph classes
From symbiosis to scarcity: evaluating disruption associated with decarbonisation to circular waste materials between the UK cement and steel sectors
Full text linkThe UK cement and steel industries are decarbonising rapidly to meet net-zero targets. This study explores the unintended consequences of these efforts, particularly the potential disruption of industrial symbiosis between sectors. Cement production in the UK increasingly relies on ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), a low carbon supplementary cementitious material (SCM). However, the shift from primary to secondary steelmaking threatens domestic GGBS supply. This research uses material flow analysis, life cycle assessment, and economic modelling to evaluate future GGBS availability, carbon intensities, and supply chain vulnerabilities. Findings indicate that although the steel sector is expected to reduce its environmental impact, this will cause the cement sector to face a potential shortfall in domestic SCMs, increasing reliance on imports through cross-sector decoupling and stagnation of decarbonisation. Addressing these challenges is vital to ensure a sustainable cross-sector supply chain and support future UK and global infrastructure resilience
Bubble population growth and gas release from packed beds of AW500 ion exchange pellets
Full text linkThis paper explores the phenomenon of in situ generated gas retention within densely packed cylindrical ion-exchange pellets. Initially, discrete element method (DEM) simulations were used to identify pertinent contact packing parameters, rigorously validated through packing experiments. Calibrated values for dynamic and static friction, and the coefficient of restitution were found in ranges of 0.8–1.0, 0–0.2, and 0–0.2, respectively, with the importance of dynamic friction highlighted. The DEM validation process achieved a packing fraction that exhibited < 4 % deviation from experimental data, with some cylinder alignment observed near the column base. Additionally, laboratory-scale gas generation tests were conducted to replicate the retention of hydrogen within densely packed beds, achieved through the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. X-ray computed tomography was then used to quantify bubble population size and growth within the beds. Experiments suggested a dynamic bed retention gas fraction of ∼7 %, which was produced within the first 30 min of generation. In parallel, CT imaging of the bubble populations indicated that large bubbles become less spherical over time, likely from pore invasion, partial cavity expansion and secondary coalescence. These mechanisms led to bubbles located in the upper portion of the bed being more likely to be released buoyantly, compared to those situated in the bed's lower regions. Overall, results indicate that the pore network channels within the pellet beds are large enough to achieve relatively steady gas release. These dynamics reduce the risk of sudden hydrogen rollover occurring industrially, particularly within the specialised context of nuclear waste management
Observed total and live birth prevalence of Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome in England 2015-2020
No full textBackground
Birth prevalence estimates for Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS) are frequently quoted as either 1 in 50,000, or 1 in 20,000 to 1 in 50,000. The origin of the 1 in 50,000 estimate is obscure whilst the 1 in 20,000 is based on expert opinion. A 2001 UK study of WHS cases reported a minimal live birth prevalence of 1 in 95,896.
Objective
To estimate the total birth and live birth prevalences of Wolf-Hirschhorn Syndrome (WHS) in England between 2015-2020 and compare the results with previously published reports.
Methods
Data on total births and live births were obtained from the English National Congenital Anomaly and Rare Disease Registration Service. Birth prevalence was calculated in two ways: firstly, by dividing the total number of cases of WHS by the total number of births (live births plus stillbirths, miscarriages after 20 weeks and
termination of pregnancy); and secondly, by dividing the number of WHS cases resulting in live births by the total number of live births.
Results
There were 56 total births, resulting in 30 live births, identified between 2015 and 2020. Total birth prevalence was 2.16 per 100,000 (95% CI 1.63 – 2.80 per 100,00) equivalent to 1 in 46,303 (95% CI 1 in 35,656 – 1 in 61,297). The live birth prevalence was 1.16 per 100,000 (95% CI 0.78 – 1.66 per 100,00), equivalent to 1 in 86,092 (95% CI 1 in 60,307 – 1 in 127,601) consistent with the earlier UK study. Additionally, the distribution between translocations, deletions and proportion alive at 1 year (86.7%) were also consistent with the earlier UK study.
Conclusion
We believe the frequently quoted WHS birth prevalence figures are an overestimate and recommend that birth prevalence figures are based on empirical data with the nature of the numerator and denominator stated clearly
Artificial Intelligence Technologies and Employee Pay in the United Kingdom: Evidence From Matched Employer–Employee Data
No full textThis paper examines the impact of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled technologies on employee pay in the United Kingdom. We use matched nationally representative data from the Employers’ Digital Practices at Work Survey and an original survey of 6000 UK workers and apply machine learning techniques to uncover relationships between AI technology and employee pay across qualification and occupation skill groups. We find that lower skilled workers were the primary beneficiaries of AI, but this effect was contingent on the extent of worker interaction with AI. Further analysis shows that employee involvement in pay determination facilitates a more equitable distribution of AI-related pay benefits by enabling a significant uplift in pay among lower qualified workers. Overall, while the implications of AI for pay outcomes are broadly positive, the study highlights the need to strengthen workplace voice mechanisms to ensure a more equitable distribution of benefits from the growing use of AI
Implementation of online mindfulness with peer mentoring for parent and sibling carers of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Full text linkBackground
There is promising evidence for the adaptation of online mindfulness interventions for parent carers of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by including supplementary peer support sessions. However, there remain questions about wider implementation beyond the research setting and the inclusion of more diverse populations of family caregivers, including adult siblings and family carers who less typically receive support and are often under-represented in research.
Method
One hundred and one family carers (n = 58 parents, n = 43 adult siblings) were provided with access to Be Mindful (an online mindfulness intervention) with additional telephone peer mentor support. Participants were asked to complete baseline and follow-up questionnaires before and after the intervention in a pre-post pre-experimental design, and engagement with the intervention and peer support was examined.
Results
Recruitment was successful in targeting more diverse groups, including adult siblings. Intervention completion was low overall (n = 37). Parent and sibling carers made differing levels of progress with the intervention and peer support calls, although 81.8% of those who completed the intervention before the end of the project had also received all three support calls. Preliminary follow-up data, though with low retention, indicated improvements in psychological wellbeing for family carers over time.
Conclusions
The intervention and additional telephone-guided support were received well by family carers of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, although further work is needed to determine the feasibility of future implementation
Phrasing and prominence disambiguate clefted Relative Clauses
No full textWe investigated how prosody aids in disambiguating it-clefts with Connected Clauses We investigated the prosodic disambiguation of string-identical it-clefts with Connected Clauses (-Who sang? -It was [the editor] [that sang]) versus clefted Relative Clauses (-Who called? -It was [the editor [that sang]] ([that called])). Connected Clauses attach high in structure and convey background information, while clefted Relatives are nested within the focused element they modify and are also in focus. In the absence of prosodic cues, clefted Relatives tend to induce garden-path effects due to a default parsing preference for Connected Clauses. A production study revealed distinct prosodic phrasing and prominence patterns between the two structures across multiple regions, with disambiguation detectable from the first ambiguous word. Connected Clauses were prosodically separated from the clefted element, whereas clefted Relatives formed a single prosodic phrase with the head noun. These patterns align with their syntax, suggesting that syntax–prosody mismatches involving Relative Clauses are more constrained than previously assumed. In terms of prominence, clefted Relatives showed localized focus effects on the rightmost stressable word, rather than across the entire focused phrase. This supports the existence of intermediate representations linking information structure and prosody. An auditory comprehension study showed that listeners used these prosodic cues to override the default parsing preference for Connected Clauses
Health economic outcomes and national economic impacts associated with Long COVID in England and Scotland
Full text linkBackground
Two million people in the UK suffer from Long COVID (LC), imposing substantial health economic impacts. This study aimed to: 1) assess longitudinal changes in health utility scores and economic costs of LC, and number of services received at LC specialist clinics and clinic region to capture care intensity; 2) assess whether volume of services received responded to health needs; and 3) estimate the national economic impact of LC.
Methods
LC patients from 10 specialist clinics participated in the LOCOMOTION study. Patient-reported outcomes measures (EQ-5D-5L, C19-YRS and Health Economics Questionnaire) were completed on a digital platform. Associations were assessed between changes in economic outcomes (EQ-5D-3L utility, health economic costs) and number/type of LC specialist services received and region. Per-person values of quality-adjusted life-year losses, public sector costs, productivity losses and informal care costs were multiplied by LC prevalence to estimate national economic impacts.
Results
There was a statistically significant reduction in public sector costs over time. There was no significant association between the number of specialist services received and change in health utility scores. LC specialist clinic and outpatient service utilisation corresponded to health need and had significant regional variation after controlling for health need. LC is associated with a substantial economic impact nationally, estimated at £8.1 billion annually and £24.2 billion since its emergence, comparable to the annual cost of £9.4 billion for stroke.
Conclusion
The effectiveness of LC specialist clinic services warrants further research. The substantial national economic impact of LC warrants a nationwide LC care strategy
Does whole-body in-utero MRI in those with suspected fetal abnormalities improve antenatal care? A single-centre retrospective cohort study
Full text linkObjective: To determine whether full body in-utero MRI (iuMRI) rather than targeted imaging adds useful clinical information when a fetal anomaly is suspected in the brain or the body.
Design: Single-centre retrospective cohort study, from October 2011 to May 2022.
Setting: Regional fetal MRI service in Sheffield, UK.
Patients: All pregnant people undergoing iuMRI.
Interventions: iuMRI of the brain and body was reviewed by a fetal radiologist, and the results discussed by a multidisciplinary team.
Main outcome measures: Additional abnormalities detected on iuMRI outside of the initial area of interest on ultrasound.
Results: 1876 participants: 916 participants had a fetus with brain anomalies only on ultrasound, of which 12 (1.3%) had additional body abnormalities on iuMRI. 960 participants had body anomalies only on ultrasound, of whom 8 (0.8%) had an additional brain abnormality. The additional findings from 12 cases (0.6% of whole cohort) added useful clinical information to guide care or counselling.
Conclusion: If brain or body anomalies are found on ultrasound in the fetus, whole-body iuMRI reveals additional abnormalities in a small number of cases. However, these may provide important information that changes counselling or care. Further research is required to determine how significant this impact is for clinicians and families, whether normal findings reassure families, how long whole-body iuMRI adds to the MRI acquisition time and the health economics implications
Lubrication and delubrication behaviour of micron-sized whey protein microgels
No full textThis study aims to understand the tribological properties of whey protein microgels (WPM) by varying their sizes in the micron-scale and deformability. To decipher the lubrication mechanisms of WPM dispersions (3-48 vol %), we exploited two tribological systems using conventional smooth substrate and state of the art biomimetic tongue-like surfaces. We fabricated relatively hard WPM (G’ ≈ 350 kPa) of three distinct sizes (D4,3 ≈ 1-50 μm) and a soft WPM (G’ ≈ 85 kPa, D4,3 ≈ 50 μm) using water-in-oil emulsion templating. On smooth surfaces, dispersions of soft WPM delivered good lubrication in boundary and mixed regimes across the studied volume fractions (3-48 vol %), which was attributed to deformation-induced entrapment of WPM particles and the resulting surface separation. In contrast, hard WPM appeared to be entrapped between the contacting surfaces when their size is comparable to the theoretically derived film thickness (e.g. 1 μm). The incorporation of 1 μm hard WPM caused delubrication, which can be attributed to increased proportion of surface asperities which disrupt the aqueous lubrication. In a simulated tongue-palate interface (biomimetic tongue), microgel participation through the collision between WPM and papillated structure was found to be largely delubricating irrespective of size in the micron-scale which we postulate can be caused by jamming of WPM particles and/or even deformation of the papillae-like features by WPM. Our findings demonstrate that hard, micron-sized WPM exhibit delubrication when relatively soft tongue-like surfaces are used. These insights can inspire development of food products where an interplay between size and deformability of semi-solid particles is key to modulate mouthfeel
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