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The role of changing grain shape in abrasive wear and frictional resistance
Get PDFIn a range of applications — such as powder processing and geotechnical engineering — irregularly shaped grains interact with structural surfaces, resulting in abrasion. Traditional tribological analysis would imply that, when harder grains (e.g. sands) abrade against softer surfaces (e.g. metal), abrasive wear of the surface dominates the interaction mechanisms. However, this new research shows that this is not necessarily the case and wear of the harder grains themselves may dominate changes in shear behaviour. Studying this interaction is made more complicated by the irregular geometry of natural grains and the fact that their shapes evolve continuously during abrasion. Previous studies have substituted real grains with regularly shaped artificial abrasives (e.g. cones) to simplify the analysis. In contrast, this research creates high-resolution three-dimensional digital models of real grains, enabling direct measurement of shape characteristics as they change over time. From these digital reconstructions, a new ‘three-dimensional attack angle’ parameter has been defined, extending concepts previously restricted to simplified two-dimensional cases. This parameter can be updated in real-time as grains abrade, capturing the evolution of geometry in ‘real time’. Importantly, the three-dimensional attack angle correlates strongly with observed changes in frictional shear behaviour between irregular sand grains and stainless steel surfaces. This is the first study to establish a direct link between a measurable shape parameter of irregular grains and their evolving frictional characteristics. The framework developed here provides a basis for deeper understanding of grain-surface interactions and can be applied broadly across tribology and granular mechanics
A scenario-based, generalised model of the thermal impacts of cooling water discharge from thermoelectric power plants: thermopeaking and spatio-temporal interactions
Get PDFThermoelectric power plants are the backbone of global power production, providing a consistent and reliable electricity supply while offering great flexibility to meet rapidly fluctuating demands. However, the discharge of cooling water from these plants, particularly those employing once-through cooling systems, raises the temperature of receiving rivers, acting as a potentially concerning additional stressor in the context of existing climate change impacts on river temperature. This study employed synthetic boundary conditions, using a UK-typical river as a template, to create a generalised model representing a large, low-gradient, single-threaded river channel to examine the whole-river-scale impacts of cooling water discharge from thermoelectric power plants. A conceptual, process-based model of power plant effluent impacts on stream temperature was developed to simulate stream temperatures at hourly time scales across a series of scenarios with different combinations of effluent discharges, temperatures, and distances between power plants. Results showed that thermal energy from power plants can propagate considerable distances downstream, even if the energy input is low, and cause cumulative thermal impacts when combined with inputs from other downstream plants. Comparative analyses indicate that to minimise the impact of multiple power plants along the river, it is crucial to fully utilise the river's cooling capacity by placing the power plant with the largest thermal input downstream and as far from the upstream plant as possible. This study also found that effluent discharge contributed to greater increases in river temperature than effluent temperature, indicating its potentially greater importance in the management and regulation of power plant discharge. Power plant operation mode and climate change were also considered by adjusting operation schedules and climate variables. Thermal effluent from single-day operations of a peaking plant caused additional short-term temperature fluctuations. With sufficiently large heat inputs, these effluents interacted across space and time, leading to cumulative impacts that extended both the duration and length of the river affected by temperature increases. Climate change, as a gradual and long-term process, caused only minor increases in river temperature in comparison to power plant effluent, but exacerbated the impact of this effluent. These findings emphasise the importance of strategic placement and discharge management of power plants to mitigate thermal pollution and safeguard riverine ecosystems
Sensorless Model-Free Predictive Control of Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor
Get PDFModel-free predictive control has demonstrated robust performance while maintaining the benefits of predictive control, including precision and rapid transient response. This technique has recently been successfully investigated to control permanent magnet synchronous motors. Thus, it is time to study the implementation of model-free control in advanced motor drives, such as sensorless drives. This article proposes a sensorless model-free predictive control for permanent magnet motor drives. The proposed method uses an ultralocal model to estimate back electromotive force and utilizes the same model for predicting current. The local parameters of the model are adjusted using the infinity norm technique to ensure the robustness of the control law. The validity of the proposed method is confirmed through experimental results
Hearing screening for healthy aging: the U.K. should take a targeted approach
Get PDFHearing loss affects an estimated 18 million U.K. adults and is the third leading cause of years lived with disability worldwide. Hearing loss diminishes quality of life, activities of daily living, mental health, and negatively impacts the economy. When left unaddressed, hearing loss exacerbates health inequalities and is associated with an increased risk of developing dementia. Hearing loss and dementia frequently co-occur and have overlapping risk factors. People from disadvantaged backgrounds typically access hearing and memory services at a more progressed stage of their conditions. Early intervention is essential to mitigate negative effects and reduce disease burden. Universal adult hearing screening is not currently recommended by the U.K. National Screening Committee, despite evidence of cost-effectiveness and international recommendations. We argue that the U.K.should adopt targeted, risk-stratified screening that prioritizes those at greatest risk of dementia and people in deprived communities, where unmet need is highest. Such an approach is practical, equitable, and consistent with the Governments' prevention and personalized care agenda set out in the 10-year Health Plan for England. We outline the evidence, discuss implementation pathways and targeting strategies, and call on policymakers to commission a targeted, risk-stratified adult hearing screening pilot. A successful program would address unmet need, reduce inequalities, and further inform global debates on hearing screening strategies
Thermal taster status: A review of physiological aspects, methodological variables in phenotypical characterisation and relationship with sensory perception and affective response
Get PDFThermal taster status (TTS), the ability to perceive tastes from lingual thermal stimulation, is a phenotype first observed in 2000. Due to limited data available, knowledge on this phenotype is still scarce. This review assessed existing literature (from 2000 to 2025) on TTS considering physiological aspects; methodological variables related to the determination of TTS and participant classification; socio-demographic factors and other orosensory phenotypes; the relationship between TTS and consumer affective responses to food and beverage. It showed that TTS represents a source of individual taste variation that discriminates between thermal tasters and thermal non-tasters, where the former are found to be more responsive to taste and chemesthetic sensations, in watery solutions, beverages and liquids. Despite only a few studies evaluating the effect of TTS on food and beverage sensory perception, it emerged that TTS could have an influence on food liking. However, several limitations in this field of research were identified and future research perspectives are suggested. This review contributes to understanding how this taste phenotype may play a key role in food preferences, food intake, and diet-related diseases. A deeper understanding of the impact of TTS on sensory perception through future research is warranted
Phase change materials in thermal management of Li-ion batteries: A state-of-the-art review
Get PDFThe widespread adoption of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in electric vehicles, portable electronics, and renewable energy systems has intensified the demand for effective thermal management strategies to ensure safety, performance, and longevity. Among emerging solutions, phase change materials (PCMs) have attracted significant interest for their passive thermal regulation capabilities, particularly their high latent heat and isothermal behavior. However, the research landscape is fragmented, with varied materials, configurations, and integration strategies explored across the literature. This review aims to provide a comprehensive synthesis of recent advances in PCM-based battery thermal management systems (BTMS), highlighting their thermal performance, structural innovations, and hybrid configurations with active cooling methods. Drawing on experimental, numerical, and theoretical studies, the review identifies key design parameters affecting efficiency, including PCM composition, nano-enhancements, encapsulation techniques, and system architecture. The review examines emerging research trends such as the use of machine learning for BTMS optimization, development of multifunctional PCMs with flame-retardant and structural properties, and cost-benefit analyses supporting commercial viability. Despite notable progress, challenges remain in material stability, scalability, and integration complexity. This review concludes by outlining future research directions, including the standardization of performance metrics, exploration of bio-based PCMs, and adaptive control strategies
Obesity Reprogrammes Adipose Extracellular Vesicles to Induce Muscle Atrophy via miR-150-5p-Mediated Transcriptional Silencing
Get PDFBackground: Sarcopenic obesity, where excess body fat coexists with reduced muscle mass and function, is becoming increasingly common in ageing populations and contributes to poor physical and metabolic health. Although adipose tissue–secreted factors are implicated in muscle decline, the specific mechanisms remain unclear. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), which carry regulatory cargo such as microRNAs (miRNAs) between cells, may play a key role in this adipose–muscle communication. Methods: EVs were isolated from adipose-conditioned media (ACM) collected from lean and non-lean human donors using ultracentrifugation. Donors were grouped by BMI (lean: 20.7–24.4; non-lean: 25.3–39.3) and age (younger: 31–56 years; older: 60–84 years). EVs were characterised using nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), ExoView, nanoscale flow cytometry (CytoFLEX Nano) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Primary human myoblasts were differentiated into myotubes and treated for 24 h with lean or non-lean EVs (1.3 × 109 particles/mL) or left untreated. Myotube thickness was measured by immunofluorescence microscopy. Transcriptomic changes were assessed by bulk RNA sequencing. EV miRNA cargo was profiled by small RNA-seq and validated by qPCR. The role of miR-150-5p was tested using antagomir inhibition. Results: Non-lean EVs significantly reduced myotube thickness in older adult-derived myotubes compared to both untreated controls (8.7 ± 1.66 μm vs. 12.4 ± 1.72 μm, p < 0.01) and lean EV-treated myotubes (8.7 ± 1.66 μm vs. 13.2 ± 3.84 μm, p < 0.05), indicating a donor BMI-specific effect. This atrophy was restricted to myotubes derived from older donors. The same experimental approach was applied to younger adult-derived myotubes; no reduction in myotube thickness was observed. MAFbx expression was significantly increased in response to non-lean EVs (p < 0.05). RNA-seq revealed 471 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in EV-treated versus untreated cells and 293 DEGs between lean and non-lean EV conditions, with enrichment in inflammatory (TNF and IL1B), oxidative stress, mitochondrial and chromatin pathways. Small RNA-seq identified seven differentially expressed miRNAs (annotated using miRBase release 22.1), including miR-150-5p and miR-193b-5p, both significantly upregulated in non-lean EVs and validated by qPCR. Inhibiting miR-150-5p partially rescued myotube thickness (10.5 ± 1.37 μm vs. 8.7 ± 1.66 μm, p < 0.05) and reduced MAFbx expression. Conclusions: EVs from non-lean adipose tissue drive muscle atrophy and transcriptional changes in an age-dependent manner. These effects are partially mediated by miR-150-5p, highlighting a mechanistic role for EV cargo in adipose-muscle signalling. Targeting EV-derived miRNAs may offer a novel strategy to combat muscle loss in obesity and ageing
Police Custody Arrest Reasons: Offence Category Reference Tool - Methodology Note
Get PDFThis reference sheet provides a standardised classification of arrest reason descriptions into offence categories, developed through analysis of electronic police custody record data from eight police forces in England and Wales. It is designed to support researchers, police forces, and other agencies working with police custody data to classify arrest reasons consistently and efficiently
Mental Retardation, Enteropathy, Deafness, Peripheral Neuropathy, Ichthyosis, and Keratoderma (MEDNIK)
No full textMental Retardation, Enteropathy, Deafness, Neuropathy, Ichthyosis, and Keratodermia (MEDNIK) is an addition to the two well-known inherited disorders of copper metabolism: Menkes disease (MIM 309400) and Wilson’s disease (MIM 277900), which results from mutations in two separate yet relevant copper ATPases showing different tissue involvements (Bull et al. 1993; Chelly 1993). MEDNIK disorder is a rather new addition to inborn errors of copper metabolism that results from mutations to subunits of the AP-1 complex, mainly AP1S1. MEDNIK syndrome was initially reported in a few French-Canadian families sharing common ancestors, showing a range of neurocutaneous presentations; nonetheless, its pathogenesis is not fully understood (Martinelli et al. 2013). Pediatric and neonatal onset of symptoms has been reported in the literature, with some reports indicating detection in later years (Kakhki et al. 2025)
SPIRIT-Children and Adolescents (SPIRIT-C) 2026 extension statement: enhancing the reporting and usefulness of paediatric randomised trial protocols
Get PDF•To evaluate the aim, design, implementation, measurements, planned analyses, participant burden, and safety of a randomised controlled trial (RCT), a detailed protocol is key for trialists, journal editors, funders, regulators, systematic reviewers, and other interest holders including children, adolescents, and family caregivers•The newly developed extension to the recently updated SPIRIT (Standard Protocol Items: Recommendations for Interventional Trials) 2025 guidelines called SPIRIT-Children and Adolescents (SPIRIT-C) 2026 details key reporting items applicable to paediatric RCT protocols involving children and adolescents aged 0-19 years. All relevant items are aligned with those in CONSORT-C (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials-Children and Adolescents) 2026, a new reporting guideline for completed paediatric RCTs•Developed in partnership with young people (aged 10-24 years) and family caregivers, following the Enhancing the Quality and Transparency of Health Research (EQUATOR) methodological framework for reporting guideline development, SPIRIT-C 2026 consists of 17 new items recommended to be reported in addition to the SPIRIT 2025 items in paediatric RCT protocols•Inclusion of these SPIRIT-C 2026 items supports comprehensive, meaningful, relevant, and transparent reporting, which can improve both the quality and usefulness of paediatric RCT protocol
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