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Evaluating the Inherent Cyber Resilience of Inverter-Based Microgrids Against PLL Attacks Under Fault Conditions
No full textRecently, the concept of inherent cyber resilience has
emerged, advocating the use of passive mitigation strategies that
leverage the natural dynamics of microgrid components. Prior
work has demonstrated that when the phase-locked-loop (PLL)
of a grid-following (GFL) inverter is under attack, reducing the
droop gain of the closest located grid forming (GFM) inverter
effectively mitigates the exhibited voltage sags due to routine load
changes. Building on this foundation, this paper first investigates
the impact of PLL attacks under major disturbances, such
as electrical faults. Simulation studies reveal that fault-induced
effects can be magnified, leading to more severe voltage drops,
increasing the risk of generator disconnection or even systemwide blackout. Second, it is shown that reducing the droop
gain of the GFM inverter effectively restores fault responses to
levels observed in an uncompromised system, enhancing system
robustness and demonstrating that the concept of inherent cyber
resilience remains effective even under fault scenarios
Book Review: Review of Evolution And Christianity, by Michael Ruse. Oxford University Press, 2017
No full textAlthough much discussion, analysis, and debate on the theological and philosophical implications of evolution has taken place since Charles Darwin’s 1859 work on the origin of species by Means of Natural selection, or the Preservation of Favoured Races in the struggle for Life, few have been so accomplished and well-researched as the work of the late Michael Ruse. Ruse was a prolific writer in philosophy of science and contributed an immense amount to the full exposition of Darwin’s work during his lifetime, but he was also at the forefront of the modern debate. He was a key witness at the 1981 McLean v. Arkansas trial on creationism in schools as well as featuring often in the early discussions over Intelligent Design. Though an atheist himself, he had a Quaker upbringing and was critical of the New Atheism’s approach to science and religion. Ruse is ideally positioned to contribute this brief but concise edition on evolution and Christianity for the Cambridge Elements series
Development of The COMBINED approach: Integrating a brief behaviour change intervention supported by a physiotherapist for people with rotator cuff disorders
Get PDFBackground: Modifiable lifestyle factors (smoking, inactivity, overweight) could contribute to the onset and persistence of rotator cuff disorders, yet physiotherapy practice rarely addresses them. Brief interventions (BIs) can support behaviour change but are not routinely embedded in musculoskeletal care.
Objectives: To develop The COMBINED approach: a physiotherapist-supported intervention integrating BI’s targeting modifiable health behaviours into routine consultations for people with rotator cuff disorders; and to explore how physiotherapists can be supported to deliver it.
Materials and methods: A theory-, evidence-, and pragmatic-based development process incorporated stakeholder co-design, behavioural theory, and evidence across three workstreams: (1) narrative review of BIs targeting smoking, inactivity, and weight management; (2) four co-design workshops with 26 stakeholders (physiotherapists, patients, experts) to select and adapt a BI and identify key intervention features; (3) theoretical modelling using COM-B, TDF, and BCTTv1 to map barriers/facilitators, select behaviour change techniques, and develop prototype components.
Findings: Fourteen BIs were identified; Moving Medicine had greatest utility. Barriers included time constraints, limited skills and confidence, and fear of offending patients, contrasting with patients’ acceptability of lifestyle conversations. Recommendations included embedding the BI into routine care, scripts, infographics, patient resources, and training. Twelve TDF domains and 20 BCTs informed prototype development comprising: (1) patient-level intervention: a BI (adapted from Moving Medicine) embedded in routine consultations with tailored resources; (2) clinician-level implementation toolkit.
Conclusion: The COMBINED approach is the first formally developed intervention supporting integration of BI’s within routine consultations for people with rotator cuff disorders and is now ready for feasibility testing
CsdA-LaeB Regulatory Hub Contributes to Aspergillus fumigatus Virulence via Fumiquinazoline C Biosynthesis
Get PDFFungal secondary metabolism plays a critical role in pathogen–host interactions, yet the regulatory networks linking metabolic reprogramming to virulence remain poorly understood. This study identifies a conserved regulatory hub in the human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus, where the RNA-binding protein (RBP) CsdA interacts with the global regulator LaeB in the nucleus to regulate biosynthesis of the secondary metabolite fumiquinazoline C (FqC). Disruption of the CsdA-LaeB interaction hyperactivates FqC production, enhancing fungal colonization and lethality in murine invasive aspergillosis models. Integrative metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses reveal that CsdA and LaeB function as co-regulators of a broader secondary metabolic gene cluster network, with FqC emerging as an effector that mediates virulence in vivo. Genetic validation confirms that FqC is strictly required for the increased virulence phenotype of CsdA- or LaeB-deficient strains, while analyses of clinical isolates demonstrate a striking inverse correlation: reduced CsdA and LaeB expression coincides with elevated FqC production, showing consistency with the infection outcomes of the deletion mutants. This work identifies the RBP-based interaction that regulates fungal metabolic virulence, shedding new light on the post-transcriptional regulatory logic linking secondary metabolism to pathogenicity and offering alternative strategies for diagnostic development and therapeutic intervention in invasive fungal diseases
The Effects of Population Structures on Cooperation and Information Cascades
Get PDFThroughout life on earth, cooperation can be observed in many forms, ranging from interaction between cellular organisms to the foundations of productive societies. Within the scope of game theory, the act of cooperation can be considered as an altruistic act that produces some form of benefit for others which collectively can support the well-being of entire groups of individuals. However, these acts of cooperation can be vulnerable to the acts of opportunistic cheaters, who may take advantage of these benefits whilst giving nothing in return. During this dilemma, individuals may determine which others they choose to associate with when engaging in cooperative acts. This decision-making may be based upon privately held opinions and preferences and publicly observable factors present within their environment. This project seeks to explore how the availability and variation of these kinds of information available to individuals can potentially affect the cultivation of long-term cooperation in networks of interconnected individuals. Several projects are undertaken to explore the key questions posed, which includes observing the effects of simulated opinion diversity, observable historical actions of individuals and how pre-existing methods of evaluating networks can be used to aid with decision makings. In general, the findings of the project illustrate the importance of individual agency during decision-making, how publicly available information can influence cooperative dynamics, the factors which can disrupt these cooperative efforts and raises the question of network stability vs. individual prosperity
Is carbon dioxide removal in the Arctic region really feasible?
Get PDFThe Arctic region, warming at nearly four times the global average rate, is both an important carbon sink and a potential source of greenhouse gas emissions, especially due to thawing permafrost. Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) is increasingly recognised as a necessary measure to support global efforts to reduce emissions. This article examines whether, and under what conditions, large-scale CDR deployment in the Arctic is practically feasible. It also discusses the challenges associated with it. We synthesise peer-reviewed evidence on the performance of key CDR approaches relevant to high-latitude environments, including nature-based solutions (NbS), e.g. peatland restoration, blue carbon protection and afforestation, as well as enhanced rock weathering (ERW), ocean alkalinity enhancement (OAE) and direct air carbon capture and storage (DACCS). Across these approaches, the feasibility is constrained by permafrost dynamics, hydrology, ecological sensitivity, energy availability, monitoring and verification, and governance. Whereas some CDR methods offer potential climate benefits, most are characterised by considerable uncertainty and context-dependent trade-offs. None currently demonstrates unequivocal feasibility at scale under Arctic conditions. Beyond these technical and ecological constraints, we identify four clusters of socio-political barriers that further complicate Arctic CDR: governance fragmentation, geopolitical tensions, inadequate regulatory mechanisms, and uneven global deployment. A comparative assessment suggests that peatland restoration and blue carbon protection are the most immediately actionable options, whereas DACCS and OAE would require substantial new infrastructure and energy investment. The study concludes by outlining targeted policy and research priorities to address existing technological, ecological, and governance challenges, and to situate Arctic CDR within broader mitigation strategies without risking over-reliance or mitigation deterrence. The novelty of this paper lies in its analysis of the multiple variables that influence the viability of CDR. Overall, Arctic CDR appears technically possible but remains highly constrained, with its feasibility contingent on meeting stringent operational conditions, robust governance, and continued emissions reductions elsewhere
Synthesis, characterisation and biological properties of a silver helicate which displays enhanced activity towards methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Get PDFAntimicrobial resistance is an ever growing concern and the development of novel treatment methods is urgently required. In this study a novel bis-bidentate ligand strand which forms a dinuclear double helicate in solution with silver cations, [Ag2L2]2+ demonstrated cytotoxicity against a range of cancer cell lines and antimicrobial activity against bacterial pathogens E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus (a methicillin resistant strain; MRSA), with the latter being at least 8 times more sensitive to the helicate complex compared to silver cations on their own
Effect of a behavioral counseling for adoption and maintenance of a physically active lifestyle on long-term mortality in people with type 2 diabetes: post hoc analysis of the Italian Diabetes and Exercise Study_2
Get PDFAn inverse relationship between physical activity and mortality has been observed in epidemiological surveys, but not in randomized clinical trials. This post hoc, not pre-specified analysis of the Italian Diabetes and Exercise Study_2 randomized clinical trial assesses the effect of a physical activity-based counseling intervention on long-term mortality in people with type 2 diabetes. Three hundred physically inactive and sedentary individuals are recruited in three outpatient diabetes clinics in Rome from October 2012 to February 2014. Participants are randomized 1:1 to a Control group receiving standard care and an Intervention group receiving a one-month theoretical and practical counseling targeting both PA and sedentary behavior, each year for 3 years. For this analysis, all-cause and cause-specific mortality are the primary and secondary endpoint, respectively. The vital status is verified on 30 June 2024 and all participants are analyzed. After a 10.3-year follow-up, the number of deaths is significantly lower among Intervention than Control participants (18 vs 35, p = 0.010), mainly due to fewer cancer deaths. Age-and sex-adjusted hazard ratios for mortality are significantly lower in Intervention versus Control participants (0.498 [0.282-0.879], p = 0.016) and between-group differences remain after further adjustment for treatments and baseline cardiometabolic risk profile, major complications, and physical activity and fitness level (0.414 [0.229-0.750], p = 0.004). Limitations include the post hoc type of analysis, a post-trial observational follow-up with no assessment of physical activity and fitness parameters, possible unmeasured confounders, and the non-generalizability to different populations. A behavioral counselling targeting all domains of physical activity and sedentary behavior is associated with reduced long-term mortality risk in people with type 2 diabetes. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01600937
Entrepreneurs’ reaction to a crisis
Get PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic has impacted entrepreneurs and their small firms throughout the world. Our study explores the diverse approaches adopted by these entrepreneurs to handle the uncertainty caused by the crisis. Drawing on secondary data and text mining techniques, this study highlights the pandemic’s effects on the well-being of entrepreneurs. It further reveals that some firms leveraged an entrepreneurial mindset to transform uncertainty into new opportunities
Intangible Heritage and Design in Historic Contexts
Get PDFThis research examines how intangible cultural heritage (ICH) informs historic environment policy and practice within Historic England’s remit. Undertaken through an AHRC Innovation Scholars secondment (2023-25), it explores how lived experience, community memory, and cultural practices shape the significance of historic places and how these intangible dimensions can be recognised within design, conservation, and broader decision-making. Evidence was gathered through internal focus groups with Historic England staff across a range of departments and roles, three detailed case studies – Bootham Crescent, York; Heritage Building Skills Programme; and Kirkham High Street Heritage Action Zone – and a wider analysis of policy, research, and documentary sources. Findings identified five ‘Cultural Mechanisms’ – materials, spaces, practices, narratives, and experiences – that describe how people create and sustain meaning through place. From these, the study developed two sets of interconnected guidance: eight ‘Designer Principles’ for architects and conservation practitioners; and eight ‘Decision-Maker Priorities’ for funders, policymakers, and asset owners. Together they provide a shared framework and practical tools for integrating ICH within heritage processes, supporting Historic England’s ambition to sustain the historic environment as a living cultural process grounded in the relationship between people, practice, and place. This research is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, Grant Number AH/X005240/1