University of Birmingham

Dosimetry foil characterisation of a new lithium-target fast neutron source

Accelerator-based lithium-target neutron sources produce fast neutron spectra ideal for nuclear data studies, but simulations of these neutron spectra are not always reliable. Methods for characterising neutron spectra with dosimetry foils have been developed for a new compact fa...

Non-sewered sanitation systems reshape microplastics into chemically complex and reactive contaminants

Non-sewered sanitation systems (NSSSs) are gaining global attention as decentralized solutions, yet the transformation of microplastics (MPs) within these systems remains poorly understood. Here, we investigate MP characteristics in the influent and effluent of two NSSSs using la...

Ultrafast Dynamics of Competing Dimethyl Disulfide Photodissociation Pathways

Abstract Disulfide photochemistry impacts a wide range of chemical processes from biological UV photodamage to polymer self-healing and green photocatalysis. Despite this, the response of disulfide bonds to deep-UV light remains poorly understood. Dimethyl disulfide serves as a m...

Recognition and mechanism of M. tuberculosis cell wall galactan transport

Mycobacterial-derived lipid-linked galactan (LLG) is an essential component of the Mycobacterial tuberculosis (Mtb) cell wall core arabinogalactan (AG), a well-established virulence factor and target of anti-tubercular drugs. Cross-membrane translocation of LLG is energetically u...

Perspectives and challenges for delivering spinal cord injury research and exercise interventions during inpatient rehabilitation in the UK

Abstract Background The subacute period following spinal cord injury (SCI) is an important window for rehabilitation and exercise research, yet delivering clinical trials during inpatient rehabilitation within the UK National Health Service (NHS) is challenging. Fragmented care p...

Tunnel-wall-monitoring-based probabilistic risk assessment and inverse control of train-induced ground vibration in metro tunnels

Long-term vibration monitoring in operational metro tunnels provides valuable information for evaluating train-induced ground-surface vibration and its environmental impact. However, it remains challenging to determine whether the ground-surface vibration satisfies environmental...

Near point-of-care nucleic acid amplification tests (NPOC-NAATs) using respiratory specimens for detection of pulmonary tuberculosis

RATIONALE: Near point-of-care nucleic acid amplification tests (NPOC-NAATs) are a new class of diagnostics that can be used for tuberculosis diagnosis. NPOC-NAATs are suitable for use in peripheral levels of healthcare systems as they are battery-operated instrument-based tests w...

Are UK Research Priorities Aligned? Comparing the Research Priorities of the Down Syndrome, Fragile X Syndrome and Williams Syndrome Communities, With the Research and Funding Landscape

ABSTRACT There is a lack of understanding of how research activity in learning disability compares with community research priorities in the United Kingdom, where an estimated 1.5 million people live with a learning disability. Using Down syndrome (DS), Fragile X syndrome (FXS) a...

Genome-wide synthetic lethality screen of Bam complex-associated genes in Escherichia coli

Abstract Biogenesis of the bacterial outer membrane is key to bacterial survival and antibiotic resistance. Central to this is the β-barrel assembly machine (Bam) complex and its associated chaperones, which are responsible for transport, folding and insertion of outer membrane p...

Noncentrosymmetric Manganese Bismuth Thiocyanate Perovskites

Abstract Symmetry-lowering orderings in perovskites can produce a wide range of functions. Thiocyanate based perovskites, AM(SCN)3, have orderings distinct from those of the atomic oxides, enabling new functional behavior. We report four new defect-ordered manganese thiocyanate p...

An inventory, threat and conservation assessment of UK wheat landrace diversity

Abstract In the early 20th century, agricultural production was mostly focused on traditional, low-input systems where seed was actively selected by farmers and then frequently saved on-farm for sowing in subsequent seasons. More recently, the replacement of diverse landraces (LR...

Exogenous Carbohydrate Metabolism Under Energy Deficit and Environmental Stress

Physiological stress of environmental exposure and energy deficit impairs the absorption, transport, and utilization of exogenous carbohydrate for fuel during exercise. Blunted exogenous carbohydrate oxidation may require alternative fueling strategies to optimize carbohydrate me...

Cryptanalysis of multiparty key exchange protocols over a modified supertropical semiring

We present a cryptanalysis of a multiparty key exchange protocol over a modified supertropical semiring, as proposed in a recent work of R. Ponmaheshkumar, J. Ramalingam, and R. Perumal. Building on the established methods for solving linear systems A⊗x=b over the tropical semiri...

Health utilities in individuals with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency with and without COPD from the EARCO registry

Background Data on health utilities in Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) are scarce. This study aimed to evaluate health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using the EQ-5D in a cohort of AATD Pi*ZZ individuals from the European AATD Research Collaboration (EARCO) registry and to...

Multi-species McKean–Vlasov dynamics in non-convex landscapes

Abstract In this paper, we study multi-species stochastic interacting particle systems and their mean-field McKean–Vlasov partial differential equations (PDEs) in non-convex landscapes. Under general assumptions on non-convex confining and interaction potentials with polynomial g...

Strategic action plan for the conservation and use of crop wild relatives in Northeast Africa

Abstract This strategic action plan presents a comprehensive regional strategy for the conservation and sustainable use of crop wild relatives (CWRs) in Northeast Africa, covering Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan. The region is recognized as a global ce...

Hematite-modified calcined bamboo biochar composite enhances soil biochemical functioning and reduces antimony phytoavailability in agricultural soil

Antimony (Sb) contamination severely threatens soil quality, ecological functioning, and crop productivity in agricultural systems. This study investigated the potential of a calcined bamboo biochar–hematite composite (BHC) to reduce Sb phytoavailability and improve soil biochemi...

Establishing Stakeholder Priorities for Development of a Multi‐Arm Multi‐Stage Platform Trial in Crohn's Disease

ABSTRACT Background and Aims The expanding range of advanced therapies for Crohn's disease (CD) has increased complexity in treatment selection, particularly in refractory disease. Conventional randomised controlled trials are limited in evaluating multiple treatment strategies e...

From emergence to exposure: one health attribution of azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus in Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia is a hotspot for azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus yet remains underrepresented in global surveillance. Disciplinary approaches, including genomics, environmental sampling, and social science, have progressed but remain poorly integrated. We outline a One Healt...

A Cross-Lagged Panel Model of Mental Health Amongst UK Undergraduates: The Role of Autism and Gender

Abstract Purpose The aims of this study were to explore the bidirectional relationships between depression, anxiety, and suicidality among autistic and non-autistic undergraduates in the UK, and the impact of gender and autism diagnosis on these relationships, over time. Method A...