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Improving schools’ oracy education for multilingual and Gypsy Roma Traveller pupils: the Talk-Rich Teaching Toolkit
Get PDFDivergent evolutionary dynamics of benign and malignant tumors
Get PDFBenign and malignant (cancerous) tumors differ markedly in their impact on organismal fitness, yet studies in comparative oncology rarely distinguish between them. Using a Bayesian phylogenetic framework across birds and mammals, we show that while both tumor types increase in prevalence with body mass, only the prevalence of malignant tumors is negatively associated with the rate of body size evolution—suggesting that adaptive mechanisms of cancer defense are associated with rapidly evolving lineages. Additionally, the rate of lineage diversification is positively associated with the prevalence of both tumor types in birds but not mammals, potentially reflecting differences in genome architecture and speciation dynamics. Together, these results highlight distinct macroevolutionary drivers of benign versus malignant tumor prevalence and underscore the value of treating tumor types separately in comparative oncology
Synthesis, characterisation and preliminary antimicrobial evaluation of Chitosan-4-Anisaldehyde conjugates
Get PDFThe growing need for effective antimicrobial polymeric materials has prompted extensive development of functional chitosan derivatives with enhanced physicochemical and biological properties. In this work, the conjugates of chitosan with 4-anisaldehyde (ChT-AA) were synthesised through Schiff base formation at various molar ratios and characterised using FT-IR, 1H NMR, and thermal analysis techniques (TGA/DSC). The spectral data confirmed the successful formation of imine (C=N) linkages and the incorporation of aromatic anisaldehyde fragments into the chitosan structure. Thermal analysis demonstrated increased stability and a higher glass transition temperature for ChT-AA compared with native chitosan, indicating reduced polymer chain mobility and enhanced structural rigidity. Viscoelastic gels based on the synthesised ChT-AA (1:3) and methylcellulose were prepared and evaluated for their rheological properties and antimicrobial performance. Rheological studies revealed non-Newtonian shear-thinning behaviour of these gels with pronounced thixotropy, confirming reversible network recovery after shear deformation. Antimicrobial evaluation of chitosan, its 4-anisaldehyde conjugate (ChT–AA, 1:3), and free 4-anisaldehyde revealed distinct activity patterns. The gels showed no inhibition in the disk diffusion assay, likely due to limited diffusion of the active components. In liquid media, both ChT and ChT–AA exhibited identical minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against E. coli (0.313 mg/mL) and C. albicans (1.250 mg/mL), whereas ChT–AA showed two-fold stronger activity against S. aureus (0.313 mg/mL vs. 0.625 mg/mL for ChT). Free 4-anisaldehyde was most active against S. aureus (MIC = 0.175 mg/mL) but less effective against the other strains, confirming its narrower spectrum. These results indicate moderate antimicrobial efficacy in solution but limited activity in gel form due to restricted diffusion
Humanity measures itself: knowing thyself in the age of data through the use of self-tracking apps
No full textEnabled by smartphones, AI, biometrics, and locative technologies, self-tracking apps allow users to monitor and track an increasing number of personal aspects of their daily lives. Yet this phenomenon is not solely technological—it is rooted in deep-seated ideological structures that shape how people experience their bodies, lives, and environments. This practice-based research critically examines the cultural and personal values embedded in the use of self-tracking apps and their impact on individuals and society. Focusing on the human within this paradigm leads to the following question:
What critical perspectives can challenge and re-evaluate the promise of enhancement through self-knowledge as offered by self-tracking apps?
The study develops a Zoetrope Methodology, rotating between multiple analytical lenses that, like the spinning pre-cinematic device, weave fragmented theoretical and artistic perspectives into a dynamic understanding of self-tracking practices. Four lines of inquiry are interwoven to form the research: a field study of the phenomenon; a multimedia artistic practice incorporating interviews, interactive installations, video, sound, and both low- and high-tech materials; critical dialogue with, and an expansion of, relevant theoretical frameworks; and an exploration of contemporary artworks that challenge political and cultural structures related to self-tracking apps. Synthesising these approaches, this thesis proposes that self-tracking apps privilege a worldview centred on scientific rationality and quantifiable objectivity, often at the expense of embodied, subjective, and ambiguous ways of knowing. It also demonstrates how these technologies reinforce capitalist ideologies of self-optimisation, performance, and efficiency.
In response, I develop an approach I call Beyond Quantification in an attempt to reclaim complexity, uncertainty, and multiplicity as vital dimensions of human experience. Rather than rejecting technology, it reconfigures human engagement with it—treating subjectivity and technological knowledge as equal agents in shaping meaning. Ultimately, this work contributes to reimagining human–technology relations within the broader technological revolution, offering reflective and embodied alternatives to challenge dominant epistemologies of objectivity in digital culture
Visualising historical changes in air pollution with the Air Quality Stripes
No full textThis paper introduces the Air Quality Stripes, a data visualisation project which presents historical changes in outdoor particulate matter air pollution (PM2.5) concentrations across major cities worldwide. Inspired by the popular Warming Stripes image showing trends in surface temperature, the Air Quality Stripes aims to make complex information about air quality trends understandable and engaging for a broad audience. A historical PM2.5 dataset (1850–2022) was created by integrating satellite observations with model simulations (with a bias correction step to ensure a smooth time series and address known model biases). Images were produced in collaboration with a visual design specialist and revised after informal feedback from potential audiences. The images show that trends in PM2.5 are varied across the globe; recently there have been significant improvements in air quality in much of Europe and North America but worsening air quality in parts of Asia, Africa, and South America. By showcasing historical data in easy to interpret images, the project aims to inspire dialogue among individuals, communities, and policymakers about proactive strategies to combat air pollution
Teenage kicks: exploring shared syntax through bidirectional crosslinguistic priming
Get PDFA developmental account of how bilinguals organise syntactic knowledge is crucial to understanding their mental representations. While adult studies suggest that syntactic representations can be shared across languages, evidence from child and adolescent heritage speakers remains limited and mixed. We conducted two syntactic priming experiments with adolescent heritage speakers of Polish in the UK (N = 35, mean age = 15;3) to test whether they would produce (1) relative clauses (RCs) instead of adjectival phrases for attributive relationships, and (2) possessor-second structures for possessive relationships with referential possessors, following cross-linguistic priming. A third experiment tested first-generation Polish-speaking adult immigrants in the UK (N = 32) on the same tasks. Adolescents were resistant to priming for RCs, whereas adults showed bidirectional priming. Both groups were primed to produce possessor-second structures only in Polish, where this is the canonical word order. Results indicate that increased proficiency and language experience facilitate priming for less frequent, complex structures like RCs, supporting shared syntax only in adults. For highly frequent constructions like possessives, where Polish and English differ in word order, priming occurred only when consistent with the language-specific preference. This underscores the role of frequency, canonicity, and complexity in shaping bilingual syntactic representations across development
Examining the fidelity of Leith subgrid closures for parameterizing mesoscale eddies in idealized and global (NEMO) ocean models
Get PDFEddy‐permitting models struggle to simulate accurate Southern Ocean (SO) circulation. In particular, the medium resolution Hadley Center Global Coupled model in CMIP6 exhibits a warm SO bias and weak Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC) transport. These issues are attributed to a poor representation of mesoscale eddies, which also impair the simulated transport of heat and carbon. To rectify these problems, two momentum closures (harmonic and biharmonic) are implemented in the Nucleus for European Modeling of the Ocean general circulation model: 2D Leith and Quasi‐Geostrophic Leith. These Leith closures aim to capture the correct cascades of energy and enstrophy in quasi two‐dimensional models. Additionally, the harmonic Leith viscosity coefficients can replace the traditional Gent‐McWilliams and Redi diffusivity coefficients. In this work we explore Leith closures in an eddy‐resolving channel model and an eddy‐permitting forced global ocean sea‐ice model, Global Ocean Sea‐Ice 9 (GOSI9). The idealized model shows the Leith implementation functions as intended. In the GOSI9 configuration, the harmonic Leith schemes increase the ACC transport by %. This is in response to isopycnal flattening across Drake Passage that reduces a strong Westward flow at S. This increase in ACC transport coincides with reduced warming around Antarctica and reduction of cold biases in the Atlantic. Both viscosity schemes also lead to a warm model drift. Swapping biharmonic with quasi‐geostrophic Leith viscosity in GOSI9 results in one of the strongest ACC transports, along with improvements to some biases in the Atlantic
Inertia monitoring and forecasting with deep penetration of photovoltaic source. A case study of the Republic of Mauritius power grid
No full textThis paper aims at monitoring and forecasting the
system inertia for the Republic of Mauritius power grid based
on a novel stochastic dynamic grid model under an extreme
weather event. As the island has set the target of connecting
60% of photovoltaic source to the network by 2030 as a measure
to reduce carbon emissions, it is expected that the grid inertia to
reduce, leading to unstable conditions. Accordingly, we use the
Auto Regressive Integrated Moving Average forecasting method
to study the inertia behavior. We demonstrate this method by
using an IEEE 9-bus for our study. The percentage of penetration
of the photovoltaic source is set at 60% and we forecast the inertia
for a period of 5 hours under a rainy period. Our findings
establish a minimum power generation to maintain stability,
below which operators are required to connect other generating
sources in the mix to avoid peak shaving. With this research,
utilities can anticipate future disturbances
Effects of empty fruit bunch on the structures and properties of starch-based bioplastics
No full textThis paper aimed at maximizing the application of oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) fibers to reinforce the starch-based bioplastics with superior mechanical and water resistance properties. EFB fibers were thermally modified with dry method by incorporating different concentrations of sodium hydroxide (NaOH). Thermal treatments with NaOH exceeding 10 wt% caused significant fiber loss. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) exhibited the part removal of fatty acid, hemicellulose, and lignin and SEM observed clean surfaces for the treated fibers. The crystallinity index of the fibers increased from 13.82% to 97.60%, but their thermal stability decreased due to the treatments. The influence of treated fibers on the structure and properties of starch-based bioplastics was characterized. EFB fibers treated with 10 wt% NaOH attained the high yield of 52.44% and demonstrated the best reinforcing effects on the bioplastics. This was confirmed by higher thermal stability, tensile strength, and water resistance compared to the other starch-based bioplastics
Rapid summertime sea ice melt in a coupled numerical weather prediction system
Get PDFCoupled Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models have only recently been implemented for short‐term environmental prediction and both challenges and benefits are evident in polar regions. Their simulation of surface exchange over sea ice depends on the model's sea‐ice characteristics, however these are hard to constrain due to a lack of in situ and accurate remotely sensed observations. We focus on the Fram Strait region during peak melt conditions and during the passage of an Arctic cyclone: very challenging conditions for coupled NWP. We use in situ aircraft observations from the Arctic Summertime Cyclones field campaign in July‐August 2022, plus satellite products, to evaluate a set of 5‐day forecasts from the Met Office Unified Model. Our model set ups are based on operational GC4 (Global Coupled 4) and developmental GC5 (Global Coupled 5) configurations, which use the CICE5.1 and SI3 sea‐ice models respectively. We find a combination of deficiencies in the simulated sea‐ice field, due to initialization and modeling problems. An initially low concentration of sea ice results in excessive absorption of shortwave radiation by the ocean, leading to excessive basal melting of the sea ice, and further sea‐ice loss; leading to relatively poorly simulated sea‐ice fields in general. In contrast, the passage of an Arctic cyclone and its impact on sea‐ice velocities are captured well. Although we demonstrate several deficiencies in the short‐term forecasts of two state‐of‐the‐art coupled NWP models, we also find promising aspects of model performance and some clear benefits from a fully coupled atmosphere‐ice‐ocean system