A marketing study of certain mathematics-based undergraduate courses at Brunel University

This Report presents some results of a limited study of the marketing situation of certain mathematics-based undergraduate courses at Brunel University

Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease: update on combining genetic and brain-imaging measures.

Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is often missed or delayed in clinical practice; thus, methods to improve early detection would provide opportunities for early intervention, symptomatic treatment, and improved patient function. Emerging data suggest that the disease process begins years before clinical diagnostic confirmation. This paper reviews current research focusing on methods for more specific and sensitive early detection using measures of genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease and functional brain imaging. This approach aims to identify patients in a presymptomatic stage for early treatment to delay progressive cognitive decline and disease onset

Potassium channel subunits encoded by the KCNE gene family: physiology and pathophysiology of the MinK-related peptides (MiRPs).

Voltage-gated potassium channels provide tightly Controlled, ion-specific pathways across membranes and are key to the normal function of nerves muscles. They arise from the assembly of four pore-forming proteins called alpha-subunits. To attain the properties of native currents, alpha-subunits interact with additional molecules such as the mink-related peptides (MiRPs), single-transmembrane subunits encoded by the KCNE genes. Significantly, mutations in KCNE 1, 2 and 3 have been linked either to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia or a disorder of skeletal muscle, familial periodic paralysis. The capacity of MiRPs to partner with multiple alpha-subunits in experimental cells appears to reflect still undiscovered roles for the KCNE-encoded peptides in vivo. Here, we consider these unique peptides in health disease and discuss future research directions

Time-optimal navigation through quantum wind

The quantum navigation problem of finding the time-optimal control Hamiltonian that transports a given initial state to a target state through quantum wind, that is, under the influence of external fields or potentials, is analysed. By lifting the problem from the state space to the space of unitary gates realising the required task, we are able to deduce the form of the solution to the problem by deriving a universal quantum speed limit. The expression thus obtained indicates that further simplifications of this apparently difficult problem are possible if we switch to the interaction picture of quantum mechanics. A complete solution to the navigation problem for an arbitrary quantum system is then obtained, and the behaviour of the solution is illustrated in the case of a two-level system

GPS monitoring of a steel box girder viaduct

Structural performance monitoring of bridges has increased as major infrastructure ages and is required to sustain loads that are significantly greater than those predicted during design. Structural stiffness and/or mass distribution can change over the lifespan of a bridge structure. Resulting changes in profile or resonant frequency provide key indicators of change, and may identify structural defects. Field tests using GPS for monitoring relatively small deformations were carried out on a steel box girder viaduct bridge in the UK. The configuration consisted of five GPS receivers located at key locations on the viaduct and two reference GPS receivers. GPS data was collected at either 10 Hz or 20 Hz and post-processed using proprietary software, along with appropriate filtering and spectral analysis. Three main frequencies were clearly detected by the GPS in the vertical component. A previously reported frequency of approximately 0.56 Hz was identified along with two other frequencies. The peak vertical deflections lie in the range of ± 50 mm, while lateral and longitudinal deflections of much smaller magnitude - in the order of a few mm - are also measured. The use of GPS leads to readily obtained and useful engineering data for continued monitoring of structures

Rating the Suitability of Responsible Gambling Features for Specific Game Types: A Resource for Optimizing Responsible Gambling Strategy

A Delphi based study, rated the perceived effectiveness of 45 responsible gambling (RG) features in relation to 20 distinct gambling type games. Participants were 61 raters from seven countries,including responsible gambling experts (n = 22), treatment providers (n = 19) and recovered problem gamblers (n = 20). The most highly recommended RG features could be divided into three groups 1) Player initiated tools focused on aiding player’s behaviour 2) RG features related to informed-player-choice 3) RG features focused on gaming company actions. Overall, player control over personal limits were favoured more than gaming company controlled limits, although mandatory use of such features was often recommended. The study found that recommended RG features varied considerably between game types, according to their structural characteristics. Also,online games had the possibility to provide many more RG features than traditional (offline games). The findings draw together knowledge about the effectiveness of RG features for specific game types. This should aid objective, cost-effective, evidence based decisions on which RG features toi nclude in an RG strategy, according to a specific portfolio of games. The findings of this study will be available via a web-based tool, known as the Responsible Gambling Knowledge Centre (RGKC)