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Immediate and longer-term impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on scientific productivity in ecology and evolution
No full textWhile the subject of much speculation, most quantitative assessments of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on scientific productivity (i) are based on self-reported survey data, (ii) cover only a short period of time, (iii) may be biased by an increase in COVID-19-based research, (iv) cover a limited range of publishers or publishing outlets, and/or (v) cannot distinguish between changes in submission versus acceptance rates. Here we analyse submission and acceptance data from 2012 to 2023 for 25 journals in ecology and evolution, a field that has produced relatively few COVID-19-related articles. We show that although submission rates spiked when the pandemic began, they have been plummeting since. While there is variation in these patterns among countries and journals, the latter is unrelated to journal impact factor. The absence of a coinciding change in acceptance rates suggests that journals have not changed their quality standards to buffer these trends in productivity. Together, this demonstrates dynamic but long-term consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on scientific productivity, suggestive of fundamental changes to scientific practice and communication. A profitable direction for future research would be to build upon our results by targeting topic-, method- and system-related variation in productivity within and across journals
Response to Comment on “Non-Polaritonic Effects in Cavity-Modified Photochemistry”: On the Importance of Experimental Details
No full textThis note responds to Schwartz and Hutchison’s Comment (DOI:10.1002/adma.202404602) on our article (DOI:10.1002/adma.202309393). We think differences have arisen not in the experimental results themselves but in their interpretation: our more extensive experiments allowed us to distinguish between “true positive” and “false positive” results. We identify potential evidence of non-polaritonic effects in Schwartz and Hutchison’s own work. We hope our work will encourage others to produce more systematic investigations of strong coupling
Low-frequency acoustic surface waves on a coupled membrane-cavity metasurface
No full textWe experimentally study the dispersion of localized acoustic surface waves (ASWs) supported by an array of coupled membrane-capped cavities. We design, simulate, and characterize a metasurface with a unit cell com- prising a simple cylindrical air-filled cavity resonator topped with a tensioned membrane. We show that by tuning the resonance of constituent membrane or cavity, the behavior of the coupled system can reduce the frequency of the lowest supported surface mode by half compared to cavities without membranes. Experimentally obtained dispersion of the ASWs supported by the sample are compared with numerical predictions. With this mechanism, the operating frequency of acoustic surface modes can readily be altered by changing the physical parameters of constituent elements to tune the resonant frequency of the coupled cavity-membrane system
"I think the children that come to youth justice are always gonna be the children that struggle with education. It’s always going to be the case, isn't it?” An exploration of the views and experiences of youth justice workers and educational psychologists on factors which influence young people who have offended engaging with education, training or employment.
No full textThis study explores factors which influence young people who have offended (YPwO) engaging with education, training or employment (ETE) from the perspectives of youth justice workers (YJWs). It also explores the role of educational psychologists (EPs) within this context.
YPwO are often marginalised and socially excluded (Bateman & Hazel, 2013; Traverse, 2023). They may face difficulties such as accessing prosocial opportunities, housing and ETE (Bateman & Hazel, 2015; Youth Justice Board, 2006), which may lead to poor outcomes for the individual and society (Lanskey, 2015).
Engagement in ETE is considered a protective factor for reducing offending (Public Health England, 2019; Youth Justice Board, 2023), as well as being linked to increased resilience (Buchanan & Fluori, 2001), reduced risk of gang involvement (Morrison et al., 2002) and increased social inclusion (Stephenson, 2006). It is therefore a concern that YPwO remain educationally marginalised (Lanskey, 2015; Youth Justice Board, 2023).
This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to explore the views and experiences of seven YJWs who had experience supporting YPwO to engage in ETE. The views of six EPs with experience of working within a youth justice service (YJS) were also sought to understand how EPs contributions may support YPwO to engage in ETE. An exploratory and interpretivist approach was adopted, and reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the transcripts.
The findings indicate several factors which may influence YPwO engaging in ETE. This varies from individual factors such as unidentified or unsupported special educational needs and disabilities (SEN/D) and YPwO experiencing success; to more systemic issues such as the environments and attitudes of ETE settings and knowledge and skills of the practitioners supporting YPwO. The findings also highlight a clear role for EPs within YJSs, providing support for their role in assessing the needs of YPwO, using psychology to challenge negative narratives and supporting others professional development through supervision and training. Despite this, a number of barriers such as funding, EP capacity and others knowledge and understanding of the EP role were disused in relation to the ongoing and future working relationships between EPs and YJSs. Bronfenbrenner and Morris’ (2006) Process-Person-Context-Time (PPCT) bioecological theory of human development is applied as a way of understanding and exploring the factors that impact YPwO engaging in ETE and the role of EPs and YJWs in supporting this.
The significance of this research was discussed, evidencing the value of EP involvement with youth justice services (YJSs) and highlighting contributions to research knowledge, policy and practice (for YJWs and EPs)
Impact of a Road Development on Whooper Swans
No full textInfrastructure development and the associated encroachment of urbanisation over natural or rural landscapes is a global phenomenon, the ecological impact of which is rarely perceived to be positive. Although legal frameworks may exist to protect features or species of importance, the baseline information collected for assessment may have limitations when predicting long-term change, notwithstanding the potential cumulative effect of successive development episodes. The habitat lost to linear infrastructure may extend well beyond the construction footprint into an effect zone, where existing habitat can be physically and chemically degraded and where audio-visual disturbance modifies animal behaviour and ultimately abundance. How different species adjust to infrastructure may be immediate, temporary, or delayed if protracted effects of encroachment and facilitated access are yet to be realised. Assessing the impacts of indirect habitat loss caused by linear infrastructure development tends to be overlooked with mitigation focused on offsetting habitat physically removed. A road development in Northern Ireland has provided an opportunity to study the impact on whooper swans Cygnus cygnus, a feature species of an adjacent Special Protection Area with planning consent subject to provision of an extensive mitigation program. The sensitivity of this locality brought together multiple agencies in a bid, not only to mitigate for the direct impact of this development to swans, but to facilitate research to better understand habitat preference and the effects of disturbance on foraging opportunity. A more in-depth approach has not only validated and refined mitigation design but has also revealed unexpected levels of nocturnal feeding and collision mortality due to energy infrastructure, both of which have important conservation implications for overwintering swans at this site. Overall this holistic and comprehensive approach to mitigation should help maintain the site’s status as the most important overwintering location for whooper swans in Ireland, provide a comprehensive baseline to help defend against the cumulative effects of urbanisation, and guide best practice for future infrastructure projects
Advancements in Burst Localization Through Real-Time Hydraulic Gradient Analysis with Deep Neural Networks in Complex Water Transmission Systems
No full textIn urban water management, the rapid detection and localization of bursts in water transmission lines
(WTLs) is a critical step for efficient response, aiming to reduce service disruptions and minimize
infrastructure damage. Transient methods primarily used for WTL burst detection lack practicality for
application in real WTLs. Traditional pressure and flow-based data analysis methods have limitations
in pinpointing the locations of bursts. To overcome these issues, this paper introduces an innovative
method for real-time burst detection and localization in complex WTLs based on the analysis of
hydraulic gradient (HG) variations. The methodology involves tracking discrepancies in real time
between estimated and actual HG values across segmented WTLs, using deep learning. The developed
models learn patterns and nonlinear relationships among various factors such as pump switching, valve
statuses, and flow variations. This approach offers a clear advantage for burst localisation; as a burst in
any segment causes actual HGs to be higher than the estimated ones at the upstream segments, while
the opposite effect is observed at the downstream segments due to energy loss from the burst. This
innovative method has been tested in two burst incidents in two real case studies and accurately detected
a segment that had a burst in both case studies. In comparison, traditional pressure-based methods, while
successful in detecting both bursts, misidentified the locations of these incidents. This underscores the
proposed method's enhanced accuracy in pinpointing burst locations. The integration of this
methodology with existing supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems highlights the
method's practical applicability, significantly contributing to the development of robust and resilient
urban water infrastructures
Characterising Tooth Movement Biomechanics For Orthodontic Treatment Planning
No full textOrthodontic treatment requires a comprehensive understanding of tooth movement biomechanics for effective and clinically-relevant planning. This research endeavours to characterise such tooth movement using a hybrid analytical-numerical approach that is applicable for use with real patient data, such as that obtained from medical imaging modalities such as cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). The stiffness matrix of the periodontal ligament (PDL) is derived; this is a critical parameter for determining appropriate orthodontic loading to achieve desired tooth movements. This work is extended by providing a mathematical derivation for calculating the Centre of Resistance (CRes). Statistical analyses for approximating CRes relative to tooth length are presented to aid efficient tooth movement predictions. Additionally, due to appropriate assumptions about the dental tissues (including the near incompressibility of the dental tissue and the constrained nature of the system), the stress in the PDL can be approximated simply as a function of root geometry. Aligner fabrication methods are explored, demonstrating the various errors introduced into the process and how this impacts the efficacy of aligners as a method for orthodontic treatment. Experimental procedures involving a typodont study show the effects of loading from an aligner on an incisor tooth. This research aims to bridge the gap between advanced academic models and practical clinical scenarios, facilitating improved orthodontic treatment planning that is both efficient and patient-specific
Engaged Use of Technology for Vocabulary Learning (EUT-VL) in Chinese-Speaking University Learners of English
No full textThis thesis and abstract are embargoed until 20th January 202
State ownership and the value of sustainability: Evidence from China
No full textThis study examines the impact of state ownership on the performance of environmental and social (ES) stocks in China's stock markets. Using the COVID-19 market crash as an exogenous shock, we find that ES positively impacts stock returns for non-state-owned enterprises (non-SOEs); however, this effect is absent for state-owned enterprises (SOEs). The ES effect in non-SOEs concentrates on firms with strong employee relations and is more pronounced in those with high institutional ownership, financial constraints, and bankruptcy risk. In the long term, we also find that ES performance boosts stock returns for non-SOEs, but not for SOEs. These results suggest that ES investments by SOEs may be driven by non-economic motivations
Current and prospective roles of magnetic resonance imaging in mild traumatic brain injury
No full textThere is unmet clinical need for biomarkers to predict recovery or the development of long-term sequelae of mild traumatic brain injury, a highly prevalent condition causing a constellation of disabling symptoms. A substantial proportion of patients live with long-lasting sequelae affecting their quality of life and ability to work. At present, symptoms can be assessed through clinical tests, however, there are no imaging or laboratory tests fully reflective of pathophysiology routinely used by clinicians to characterise post-concussive symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging has potential to link subtle pathophysiological alterations to clinical outcomes. Here, we review the state-of-the-art of MRI research in adults with mild traumatic brain injury and provide recommendations to facilitate transition into clinical practice. Studies utilising MRI can inform on pathophysiology of mild traumatic brain injury. They suggest presence of early cytotoxic and vasogenic oedema. They also show that mild traumatic brain injury results into cellular injury and microbleeds affecting the integrity of myelin and white matter tracts, all processes which appear to induce delayed vascular reactions and functional changes. Crucially, correlates between MRI parameters and post-concussive symptoms are emerging. Clinical sequences such as T1-weighted MRI, susceptibility-weighted MRI or fluid attenuation inversion recovery could be easily implementable in clinical practice, but are not sufficient, in isolation for prognostication. Diffusion sequences have shown promises and, although in need of analysis standardisation, are a research priority. Lastly, arterial spin labelling is emerging as a high utility research as it could become useful to assess delayed neurovascular response and possible long-term symptoms