192815 research outputs found
Sort by
Machine learning prediction for experimental quench voltage of HTS coils using a combined framework with time-series generative adversarial network and long short-term memory techniques
Get PDFFast and reliable quench detection is critical for protecting high temperature superconducting coils, magnets, and devices, yet experimental datasets remain limited due to cryogenic constraints and risk of conductor damage. This limitation is one of the key challenges in developing machine learning (ML) techniques for predicting quench through regression-based forecasting of voltage signals. To address this, we propose a framework that combines Time-series Generative Adversarial Networks (TimeGAN) for artificial sequence generation with Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) predictors. From 36 measured voltage sequences, TimeGAN generated 90 artificial sequences to expand the dataset and mitigate overfitting. Augmenting the LSTM improved quench prediction accuracy to ∼3% mean relative error. This study demonstrates the first application of TimeGAN to superconducting quench signals and highlights the benefit of ML-driven augmentation for improving quench prediction robustness
Hardfuzz: DataFlow-Guided On-Device Fuzzing for Microcontrollers
No full textFuzzing firmware on microcontrollers (MCUs) is hard to scale. Rehosting is an ideal way to achieve this, but it often loses fidelity and can be slow, while on-device tracing support is limited. Standard coverage-guided fuzzing relies on software instrumentation, which is costly for MCUs and gives only control-flow signals that arrive late for complex checks.
We present Hardfuzz, an on-device fuzzer that uses definition-use (def-use) chains to guide exploration. Hardfuzz performs offline static analysis to extract def-use pairs from the binary, then runs directly on the device and uses the debug unit’s hardware breakpoints to observe when definitions and their uses execute. Two small bitmaps in shared memory record (i) which definitions execute and (ii) which def-use pairs execute, giving rich feedback than basic-block coverage alone. A lightweight scheduler prioritises definitions with many uses and adapts to the few hardware breakpoints available on MCUs.
We evaluate Hardfuzz against another hardware breakpoint-based solution, GDBFuzz. In emulation, Hardfuzz achieves higher basic-block coverage in most targets and progresses faster in the early hours running on emulation. On hardware, it covers 14-40% more basic blocks after 24 hours across three programs with known faults. These results show that def-use guidance is practical on MCUs and improves exploration over control-flow-only feedback
Retrospective cohort study in two UK regional vascular centres to investigate the effect of frailty on mortality following lower limb amputation
Get PDFObjective:
The study aimed to demonstrate the long term relationship between frailty and mortality and discharge following major limb amputation (MLA) for chronic limb threatening ischaemia. The primary outcome was mortality at 5 years, and the secondary outcome was length of stay (LOS) following MLA.
Methods:
A retrospective, multicentre, long term cohort study of MLA was performed between 2016 and 2021. Data were obtained from a prospectively collected database. Patients were assessed for frailty (Clinical Frailty Scale [CFS]) and categorised as not frail (CFS score 1 – 3), living with mild frailty (CFS score 4 – 5), and living with moderate/severe frailty (CFS score 6 – 8). CFS was calculated retrospectively from the electronic medical records. In the primary analysis, pre-operative data were adjusted for site, age, amputation level, Charlson comorbidity index, and indices of multiple deprivation. A Cox proportional hazards regression was used.
Results:
A total of 823 patients were included: 17% were not frail, 53% were living with mild frailty, and 30% were living with moderate to severe frailty. Survival rates at 1 and 5 years were 91% (95% confidence interval [CI] 85 – 95%) and 57% (95% CI 46 – 66%) for those not frail, 77% (95% CI 73 – 81%) and 37% (95% CI 32 – 42%) for those with pre-operative mild frailty, and 59% (95% CI 52 – 65%) and 18% (95% CI 13 – 24) for those with moderate/severe frailty, respectively. Pre-amputation frailty, site, Charlson comorbidity index, and age were prognostic factors (all p < .001). There was no relationship between pre-operative frailty and LOS.
Conclusion:
Frailty was associated with mortality following MLA, but not LOS. A patient’s frailty status should be part of the shared decision making process
What is the psychological impact on parents of learning about SUDEP? A mixed methods systematic review
Get PDFBackground:
We conducted a systematic review of the literature on parent responses to learning about Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) including cognitions/appraisals, emotions, and changes to parenting behaviour for their child with epilepsy.
Methods:
A mixed methods systematic review approach was taken using guidance from the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, and PubMed were searched. Risk of bias was assessed using Critical appraisal tools from the JBI. A total of 9 studies (4 qualitative and 5 quantitative) were included in the review with 677 participants.
Results:
Parents want to know about SUDEP and prefer this information to come from their child’s treating physician. They value time to process information and to follow-up with a healthcare professional. Parents want to be signposted to relevant organisations and sources of support. Parents report feeling anxious or stressed on learning about SUDEP. They can feel angry in cases when they had not been told. Parents report that the advantages of knowing about SUDEP outweigh the disadvantages. Parents report making changes to caregiving after learning about SUDEP including increased monitoring and supervision, increased compliance with medication, and increased information sharing with others. There was significant heterogeneity in included studies in terms of samples and methodology with a moderate to high risk of bias meaning caution is required when interpreting findings.
Conclusions:
The majority of parents want information on SUDEP despite finding the information distressing. Parents use SUDEP information to adjust their caregiving e.g. increasing monitoring and supervision or communicating relevant information about their child’s epilepsy to others e.g. their child’s school. Clinicians play a key role in identifying and supporting the re-appraisal of unhelpful or inaccurate beliefs around SUDEP and can mitigate distress associated with receiving information on SUDEP with clear and supportive communication
Introduction: Roaming and rooted – migration, religion, spirituality and the transnational lives of African youth
No full textThis Special Issue examines the intersections of migration, religion, spirituality and the transnational lives of African youth, offering a decolonial and youth-centred perspective on mobility and belonging. Drawing on comparative, multi-sited ethnography in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, South Africa and the UK, the contributionscentre on young Africans’ agency as they navigate structural inequality, postcolonial legacies, racialised bordering and digital connectivity. By foregrounding African epistemologies such askufambira (relational journeying) and unsettling Eurocentric binaries – migrant/left-behind and religious/secular – this Special Issue reconceptualises migration as a spiritually embedded, multi-directional process. The ten articles explore how youth leverage religion and digital platforms for identity, resistance and resilience,while interrogating the colonial infrastructures that shape their mobilities. Collectively, this issue advances a transformative agenda for migration studies, one that foregrounds Southern theories, lived experience and African youth’s creative agency to reshape understandings of migration, religion, spirituality and transnational life, offering a critical intervention in contemporary scholarship
E83 - Collective Action for Sustenance and Shelter
No full textThis episode, recorded at the UNESCO RIELA Spring School 2025, is a discussion between Dr. Ray Di Marco Campbell, Dr. Haley Sneed, Jinming Liu and Gabriel, in which they explore contemporary and idealised community initiatives that take account of differences in residency status, recourse to public funds, employment opportunities, and access to quality nutrition in order to co-creative a peaceful and socially connected society. It draws upon the lived, professional, and community-based experiences of organising amidst hostile systems from the panellists, whilst also considering the financial and funding implications for the more formal charity sector and community member-run initiatives. Discussions on these alternative practices enables insights into mechanisms that can respond to the austere and hostile politics that plagues much of our society today, advocating for practices rooted in justice and meeting the needs of marginalised people
Longitudinal temporal mediation within the motivational phase of the Integrated Motivational-Volitional (IMV) Model of suicidal behaviour with moderation of loneliness and resilience
No full textBackground:
The Integrated Motivational-Volitional (IMV) Model of Suicidal Behavior places defeat and entrapment central to the development of suicidal ideation. Factors such as loneliness and resilience may moderate risk. This study examines the longitudinal relationship between these variables.
Methods:
Secondary data from the UK COVID-19 Mental Health and Wellbeing Study (COVID-MH) were analyzed (n = 2518). Defeat, entrapment, loneliness, resilience, and suicidal ideation were measured across 3 waves (March to May 2020). Six longitudinal mediation models were tested, each with wave 2 entrapment (or subscales) as mediator of wave 1 defeat and wave 3 suicidal ideation. Loneliness and resilience (from waves 1 and 2) were included as moderators of the associations between defeat and entrapment with suicidal ideation.
Results:
Wave 2 entrapment mediated the relationship between wave 1 defeat and wave 3 suicidal ideation, controlling for wave 1 entrapment and suicidal ideation. Wave 1 loneliness and resilience moderated the pathway from defeat to entrapment, but wave 2 resilience or loneliness did not moderate the pathway from entrapment to suicidal ideation.
Conclusion:
Findings provide robust longitudinal support for the motivational phase of the IMV model and highlight the importance of targeting entrapment and loneliness and enhancing resilience
Consensus research priorities for cancer nursing in Europe: a Delphi study
Get PDFPurpose:
Identifying priority areas for cancer nursing research is essential for aligning research efforts with regional needs and improving outcomes for people affected by cancer. This Delphi study aimed to develop a strategic agenda of cancer nursing research priorities relevant to the European context.
Method:
A panel of experts in cancer nursing practice, research, policy, and education participated in a three-round Delphi study. A total of 115 research topics across 11 thematic areas were pre-identified through a systematic review and consultation with cancer nurses. From September 2023 to March 2024, participants ranked the importance of each topic. Final prioritisation was based on weighted average rankings and an 80 % consensus threshold in round 3.
Results:
Eighty-one cancer nursing experts participated in at least one round, with 57 completing all three rounds. In round 3, consensus was achieved for 73 of 123 items (59.3 %). The three highest-ranked thematic areas for future research were: 1) nurse-led care and models of cancer care, 2) unmet needs in cancer care, and 3) education, training, and professional development for nurses. The top three specific research priorities were: 1) understanding factors influencing recruitment, retention, and turnover within the European oncology nursing workforce, 2) evaluating the effectiveness of nurse-led interventions for people living with cancer, and 3) understanding risk factors for cancer diagnosis.
Conclusions:
This study presents a consensus-based, regionally grounded research agenda for cancer nursing in Europe. The findings address urgent challenges in workforce sustainability, care models, and prevention, with implications for improving patient outcomes and guiding future nursing research
Co-adsorption of aniline and H2 over Pd/Al2O3: an infrared spectroscopic study
No full textIn order to rationalise high aniline selectivity in nitrobenzene hydrogenation over alumina-supported Pd catalysts, the adsorption complex geometry of aniline during co-adsorption of H2 and aniline on a 5 wt % Pd/Al2O3 catalyst is investigated via infrared spectroscopy. With respect to molecular symmetry and the metal surface selection rule, observation of solely out-of-plane aniline modes at low aniline exposures at 30 oC indicate a parallel orientation of aniline with respect to the Pd surface. The simultaneous emergence of negative hydroxyl features indicate adsorption occurs at the metal/support interface. Increasing exposure reveals additional adsorption of aniline to a range of hydroxyls of the alumina support. The full range of adsorption spectra reveal that the presence of H2 in the co-feed accelerates aniline adsorption to the catalyst and permits reagent hydrogenation to cyclohexylamine. Temperature-programmed infrared measurements show no change in the adsorption complex geometry as a function of surface coverage. A previous reaction scheme is modified in which nitrobenzene and aniline adsorption geometry are intrinsically related to the high aniline selectivity reported for Pd/Al2O3 catalysts
Regulation of NO synthesis by Caveolin-1: a review of its importance in blood vessels, perivascular adipose tissue and in atherosclerosis
No full textBackground: Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) is a protein found in various forms and locations within cells and tissues throughout the body. Studying its structure and function provides valuable insights into key cellular processes such as growth, death, and cell signaling. This review synthesizes evidence from human studies and animal models to elucidate the complex role of Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) in regulating nitric oxide (NO) synthesis within the vasculature and perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) during atherosclerosis. Cav-1 is a master regulator of endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), a relationship well-defined in rodent endothelial cells and cell lines. In humans, loss-of-function CAV1 mutations are linked to pulmonary arterial hypertension, suggesting a protective vascular role. Paradoxically, Cav-1 is upregulated in atherosclerotic plaques. Whether this represents a pathological process reducing NO bioavailability or a compensatory response remains unclear. Furthermore, the direct translation of the Cav-1/eNOS axis to PVAT—a metabolically active tissue expressing Cav-1—is not fully established outside of preclinical models. PVAT influences vascular tone and inflammation, potentially contributing to the paradoxical, stage-specific roles of Cav-1 in disease. Resolving these questions requires integrating human observational data with mechanistic insights from animal models to evaluate Cav-1 as a therapeutic target in vascular disease
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! 👇