Cambridge UK Research Articles

A day in the life of a scientific graphic designer

Elfy Chiang is an illustrator, animator, and science communicator based in Cambridge UK. She studied Biological Sciences at university and obtained an MSc in Science Communication at Imperial College London. She works with educators, healthcare, and communication professionals on creating engaging and informative visuals to communicate science. Her work has been published in academic journals like Nature, The Lancet and many more, and she has worked with brands in the healthcare industry such as Lilly and Novartis.

Precursors to infant sensorimotor synchronization to speech and non-speech rhythms: A longitudinal study.

Impaired sensorimotor synchronization (SMS) to acoustic rhythm may be a marker of atypical language development. Here, Motion Capture was used to assess gross motor rhythmic movement at six time points between 5- and 11 months of age. Infants were recorded drumming to acoustic stimuli of varying linguistic and temporal complexity: drumbeats, repeated syllables and nursery rhymes. Here we show, for the first time, developmental change in infants' movement timing in response to auditory stimuli over the first year of life. Longitudinal analyses revealed that whilst infants could not yet reliably synchronize their movement to auditory rhythms, infant spontaneous motor tempo became faster with age, and by 11 months, a subset of infants decelerate from their spontaneous motor tempo, which better accords with the incoming tempo. Further, infants became more regular drummers with age, with marked decreases in the variability of spontaneous motor tempo and variability in response to drumbeats. This latter effect was subdued in response to linguistic stimuli. The current work lays the foundation for using individual differences in precursors of SMS in infancy to predict later language outcomes. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHT: We present the first longitudinal investigation of infant rhythmic movement over the first year of life Whilst infants generally move more quickly and with higher regularity over their first year, by 11 months infants begin to counter this pattern when hearing slower infant-directed song Infant movement is more variable to speech than non-speech stimuli In the context of the larger Cambridge UK BabyRhythm Project, we lay the foundation for rhythmic movement in infancy to predict later language outcomes.

Language Acquisition in the Longitudinal Cambridge UK BabyRhythm Cohort

The Cambridge UK BabyRhythm project is a study of 122 infants as they age from 2 – 30 months, investigating cortical tracking and sensorimotor synchronisation to acoustic and visual rhythm in relation to language acquisition. As there are few standardised language tasks appropriate for this age range, the BabyRhythm project adapted a range of parent-report and infant-led experimental measures that could be used within a home testing environment. Here we present a rich description of infant performance on tasks intended to sample 5 linguistic domains: semantics, phonology, grammar, rhythmic timing and gesture. For each task we describe infant performance (mean, median, range), and we also report performance by sex (N female = 57) and by monolingual (N = 91) versus multilingual (N = 31) home environments. We report relations between measures. We share our unique longitudinal database (all data available on OSF), and ‘lessons learned’ on adapting language assessments for very young children. Critically, we identify the language tasks that will be utilised in our longitudinal brain-behaviour analyses, providing the benchmark upon which future neural and behavioural markers will be measured.

Breast Imaging Through Different Phases of Life

A Special Focus Session at the European Congress of Radiology 2023 saw global experts in breast cancer imaging come together to explore the challenges, opportunities, guidelines, and dangers of breast cancer screening across multiple stages of life. Miri Sklair-Levy, Meirav Center for Women’s Health and High-Risk Clinic, Sheba Medical Center, Ramat Gan, Israel; Nuala Healy, Cambridge University Hospitals, UK; and Anne Tardivon, Department of Radiology, Institut Curie, Paris, France, shared their expansive experience, unique case reports, and novel literature to provide the audience with an examination of the nuance surrounding the screening and treating of breast cancer at different ages.

Perspectives from the tech industry: designer Geof Stead on Iteration as a built-in goal of mobile app design

A symposium was held at the Centre for Research in the Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (CRASSH) at the University of Cambridge on June 12th 2019, ‘Rethinking Repetition in a Digital Age’, at which Geoff Stead, a leading mobile tech designer, was a keynote speaker (https://www.crassh.cam.ac.uk/events/28053). The focus of the Cambridge UK event was on how the potentials of digital technologies—whose harms have received widespread attention—could be redirected for the social good. For Stead, this is precisely what Babbel are doing in their approach to commercial digital language learning. Stead spoke to the idea of reversing our personal relationships to mechanical affordances, and finding empowerment in understanding their designed logics. The transcript of the interview below, made in October 2021, revisits some of the main points he raised at that event.

In the Spotlight-Established Researcher.

In the Spotlight-Established Researcher.

Workshop Report: Viscoplastic Flows 8, September 17-19, 2019, Cambridge UK

Workshop Report: Viscoplastic Flows 8, September 17-19, 2019, Cambridge UK

The evaluation of effectiveness of adhesive systems on dental amalgam restorations

Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of different adhesive systems in amalgam restorations and their effects on microleakage.
 Methodology: In this study, 105 caries-free extracted human permanent molar teeth were used. Teeth were randomly assigned to five groups (n=21), and class I cavities were created on the surface of each tooth. The first was a control group to which no adhesive system was applied. Amalgam Liner (VOCO GmbH, Cuxhaven Germany) was applied to Group II, Clearfil SE-Bond (Kuraray Europe GmbH, Frankfurt Germany) was applied to Group III, Panavia F 2.0 (Kuraray Europe GmbH, Frankfurt Germany) was applied to Group IV, Amalgambond Plus (Parkell Inc.Edgewood, NY USA) was applied to Group V, and then amalgam (Tytin, Kerr, California USA) restorations were placed. After the polishing process, samples were subjected to thermocycling 1,000 times. Teeth were sectioned bucco-palatinally/lingually, and microleakage scores of the occlusal walls were evaluated under a stereomicroscope at 15X magnification by a standardized scale ranging from 0 to 4. One tooth was selected randomly from each group for SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope), and SEM LEO EVO 40 (LEO Ltd., Cambridge UK) photographs of amalgam-tooth hard tissue interfaces were also taken at different magnifications. The results of the microleakage tests were statistically analyzed by both the Kruskal-Wallis Test and the Mann Whitney U Test.
 Results: In terms of microleakage among groups, the differences that were determined were significant (p<0.05). Microleakage within the control group was determined to be the highest, and statistically important differences were observed between the other groups. Group V (Amalgambond Plus) was determined to have the lowest microleakage scores.
 Conclusion: In prepared class I cavities, amalgam adhesive systems are effective in preventing occlusal microleakage but do not completely blocked it.
 
 How to cite this article: Ünal M, Atakul F. The evaluation of effectiveness of adhesive systems on dental amalgam restorations. Int Dent Res 2021;11(2):83-92. https://doi.org/10.5577/intdentres.2021.vol11.no2.5
 
 Linguistic Revision: The English in this manuscript has been checked by at least two professional editors, both native speakers of English.

The Relationship Between Exhaled Volatile Organic Compounds And Respiratory Function In Response To Ultra-endurance Exercise

PURPOSE: To date, limited studies have examined exhaled VOC profiles in response to a physiologic stressor such as ultra-endurance exercise. Accordingly, this study evaluated VOC production in exhaled breath and the relationship to respiratory function in response to running an ultramarathon. METHODS: Breath samples (VOC Breath Biopsy, Owlstone Medical, Cambridge UK) were collected from 29 ultra-endurance runners before and after participating in either the 2019 Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (171 km) or Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix (100 km) ultramarathon. Additionally, subjects performed pulmonary function tests (PFT) before and after the race. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed to evaluate changes in the intra-participant exhaled VOCs between the pre- and post-race breath samples. A Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used to determine any correlations between changes in exhaled VOCs and PFTs. Only participants who performed PFTs and “breath biopsies” pre- and post-race were included in the analysis (n = 23). RESULTS: Participants completed the ultra-marathons on average in 29.3 ± 12.1 hours. In total, 811 unique VOCs were measured and studied for differences between the pre- and post-race participant breath samples, with 63 having significant (P < 0.05) changes pre to post-race (12 decreased, 51 increased). Of these, 10 had identities assigned from the Breath Biopsy Laboratory. These VOCs were predominately comprised of methyl- and ethyl-containing compounds (n = 9) and ketones (n = 6), which possibly relate to inflammation or metabolic shifts. Four of the identified VOCs (Isopropyl Alcohol, Methyl Vinyl Ketone, Hexamethyldisiloxane, and 2, 3-Butanediol) correlated significantly to changes in inspiratory volumes and flows, possibly linking these VOCs to a reduction in lung function. For example, increases in 2,3-Butanediol were correlated to decreases in forced inspiratory vital capacity (R = -0.51, P = 0.01), FIV1(R = -0.50, P = 0.02), and peak inspiratory flow rate (R = -0.047, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest there are exhaled VOCs of biological origin that may significantly change in response to ultra-endurance exercise. Additionally, the magnitude of change in a subset of these VOCs may correspond to decrements in respiratory function resulting from this extreme physical activity.

Enhancing preclinical predictivity in I-O: what is going wrong between preclinical in vitro/in vivo and clinical settings?

Enhancing preclinical predictivity in I-O: what is going wrong between preclinical in vitro/in vivo and clinical settings?

Annunciations: Sacred Music for the Twenty-First Century, edited by George Corbett, Open Book Publishers, Cambridge UK, 2019, pp. xvi + 376, £28.95 pbk, free as pdf.

Annunciations: Sacred Music for the Twenty-First Century, edited by George Corbett, Open Book Publishers, Cambridge UK, 2019, pp. xvi + 376, £28.95 pbk, free as pdf.

Apps in Black and White - Ruha Benjamin, Race after Technology (Cambridge UK, Polity Press, 2019, 178 p.)

Apps in Black and White - Ruha Benjamin, Race after Technology (Cambridge UK, Polity Press, 2019, 178 p.)

Oncologic Outcomes after Localized Prostate Cancer Treatment: Associations with Pretreatment Prostate Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings.

We investigated whether T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging findings could improve upon established prognostic indicators of metastatic disease and prostate cancer specific survival. For a cohort of 3,406 consecutive men who underwent prostate magnetic resonance imaging before prostatectomy (2,160) or radiotherapy (1,246) between 2001 and 2006, T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging exams were retrospectively interpreted and categorized as I) no focal suspicious lesion, II) organ confined focal lesion, III) focal lesion with extraprostatic extension or IV) focal lesion with seminal vesicle invasion. Clinical risk was recorded based on European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines and the Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment (CAPRA) scoring system. Survival probabilities and c-indices were estimated using Cox models and inverse probability censoring weights, respectively. The median followup was 10.8 years (IQR 8.6-13.0). Higher magnetic resonance imaging categories were associated with a higher likelihood of developing metastases (HR 3.5-18.1, p <0.001 for all magnetic resonance imaging categories) and prostate cancer death (HR 3.1-29.7, p <0.001-0.025); these associations were statistically independent of EAU risk categories, CAPRA scores and treatment type (surgery vs radiation). Combining EAU risk or CAPRA scores with magnetic resonance imaging categories significantly improved prognostication of metastases (c-indices: EAU: 0.798, EAU + magnetic resonance imaging: 0.872; CAPRA: 0.808, CAPRA + magnetic resonance imaging: 0.877) and prostate cancer death (c-indices: EAU 0.813, EAU + magnetic resonance imaging: 0.889; CAPRA: 0.814, CAPRA + magnetic resonance imaging: 0.892; p <0.001 for all). Magnetic resonance imaging findings of localized prostate cancer are associated with clinically relevant long-term oncologic outcomes. Combining magnetic resonance imaging and clinicopathological data results in more accurate prognostication, which could facilitate individualized patient management.

Why are smart cities proving to be so hard to deliver?

Why are smart cities proving to be so hard to deliver?

Combined robotic transorbital and transnasal approach to the nasopharynx and anterior skull base: Feasibility study

The skull base and nasopharynx are distinct anatomical sites that may benefit from robotic surgical techniques. Limited access and instrument clashes have limited robotic surgery within these anatomical sites. This study intends to assess a combined transorbital and transnasal approach to anterior skull base and nasopharynx for robotic surgery utilising a novel robotic platform. A cadaver study was performed using the Versius robotic system (CMR Surgical, Cambridge UK) to assess the feasibility of transorbital and transnasal approaches to the nasopharynx and anterior skull base. This study shows that a combined robotic approach to skull base and nasopharynx is feasible. Combined transnasal and transorbital ports overcomes the funnel effect, allowing current robotic instruments to operate within this space and limit the risk of collisions.

Looking into the future: The Journal of Neurophysiology

Looking into the future: The <i>Journal of Neurophysiology</i>

220.6: Effective radiation dose and bone marrow radiation exposure as a result of radiological investigation in a cohort of multivisceral transplant patients

Introduction: A patient who experienced a rare form of leukaemia following multivisceral transplantation prompted an investigation of cumulative radiation exposure due to radiological investigations in a cohort of multivisceral transplant patients from our centre. In addition, bone marrow dosimetry was calculated in view of the high incidence of bone marrow suppression in this group of patients. Methods: Dose data for CT examinations was retrospectively collected using PACS. Effective doses for each phase of each scan were estimated using 2016 updated conversion coefficients. The total number of scans and total effective dose were calculated for each patient and the stochastic risks for general cancer risk of 4.1%/Sv and leukaemia risk of 0.63%/Sv stated by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) were estimated. Bone marrow dose per Dose-Length-Product (DLP) conversion factors were created for each anatomical region using the ImPACT Calculator, which allowed total bone marrow doses to be estimated for each patient. Bone marrow dose rates were compared against the acute radiation dose rate threshold for reduced haematopoiesis of 0.25–0.5 Gy/year suggested by the ICRP. Results: Radiation doses were calculated for 80 patients undergoing multivisceral transplant procedures (+/- liver) at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge UK between 1998 and 2018. The average age was 49 years (range 16 – 61). The majority of the radiation dose was incurred by CT scans – 1700 in total over an average of 4.4 years per patient (SD 2.6yrs). Mean number of scan phases per patient was 33.7 (SD 17.8). Maximum number of scan phases for one patient was 83. Mean effective dose was 291 mSv (SD 224 mSv), Maximum effective dose was 1057 mSv (4.3% general cancer risk, 1.1% Leukaemia risk). 5 patients received cumulative doses in excess of 800mSv and 2 exceeded 1Sv. The highest bone marrow dose was 0.66Gy, 0.4Gy/month. 74 patients exceeded the ICRP recommended limit of 0.02 Gy/month and 11 exceeded 0.25 Gy/year and 11 patients exceeded the monthly threshold for >120 days. Conclusions: Significant radiation exposure is experienced by this cohort of patients and the threshold dose rate for reduced haematopoiesis is often exceeded with significant potential implications for the development of cancer and bone marrow suppression.

An Urban Charging Infrastructure for Electric Road Freight Operations: A Case Study for Cambridge UK

An urban charging infrastructure for electric road freight operations is explored in this paper. The city of Cambridge, U.K. was chosen for demonstration but the same methodology could be used for other cities. The five Park and Ride bus routes, the refuse collection operations, and two home delivery operations are investigated. Data about existing operations were collected to define accurate drive cycles. Different vehicles are modeled for each operation and their performance is evaluated over the defined drive cycles. Different charging infrastructures are proposed for each operation to ensure that electric freight vehicles can be used for similar duty cycles as conventional vehicles. The additional power demand, additional load, capital cost needed, and the CO2 emissions savings for each case are calculated. The results are scaled up for the entire city and combined with estimated performance requirements for electrified urban deliveries. A complete urban charging network for road freight transportation at Cambridge would increase the power demand of the city by 21.6 MW (20.4% of the current peak) and the energy consumption by 50.6 GWh per year (6.3% of current consumption). The total capital cost is calculated at £149 million which is similar to the cost of other city's projects.

British Society for Gene and Cell Therapy Autumn Conference Friday 23 November 2018 Regent's University Conference Centre, London, UK www.bsgct.org

British Society for Gene and Cell Therapy Autumn Conference Friday 23 November 2018 Regent's University Conference Centre, London, UK www.bsgct.org

Merolla Daniela and Turin Mark (eds), 2017, Searching for Sharing. Heritage and Multimedia in Africa, Open Book Publishers, Cambridge UK, 150 p.

Avec cet ouvrage au titre bien choisi, les chercheurs impliques autour de Daniela Merolla et Mark Turin ne se contentent pas d’une reflexion sur le partage des connaissances et l’usage du multimedia concernant la litterature orale, ils mettent egalement leurs travaux a la portee de tout un chacun en publiant chez cet editeur dont la politique generale est l’acces de tous au savoir. Ainsi, le livre est accessible dans son integralite gratuitement en ligne, sur le site de l’editeur. Pour les in...