University of Hull

About: University of Hull is a education organization based out in Hull, Kingston upon Hull, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Liquid crystal. The organization has 9546 authors who have published 22062 publications receiving 648925 citations.

On the origin of the remarkable stability of aqueous foams stabilised by nanoparticles: link with microscopic surface properties

Abstract: We have performed a quantitative study of the coarsening of foams stabilised by partially hydrophobic silica nanoparticles. We have used a variety of techniques: optical and electron microscopy, microfluidics, and multiple light scattering. Using earlier studies of planar particle monolayers, we have been able to correlate the interfacial properties and the macroscopic temporal evolution of the foam. This has shed light on the origin of the absence of coarsening of particle-stabilised foams. Such particle-stabilised foams appear to be the only known foam system where coarsening is inhibited by surface elasticity.

Detecting subtle spontaneous language decline in early Alzheimer's disease with a picture description task.

Abstract: The objective was to collect normative data for a simple and a complex version of a picture description task devised to assess spontaneous speech and writing skills in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and to test whether some aspects of spontaneous language can discriminate between normal and pathological cognitive decline. Two hundred and forty English-speaking healthy volunteers were recruited to participate in this normative study. Thirty patients with a clinical diagnosis of minimal to moderate probable AD were also recruited. Age and education influenced some aspects of spontaneous oral and written language whereas sex had no influence on any of the variables assessed. A high proportion (>70%) of AD patients performed below cut-off on those scales that measured semantic processing skills. Deficits were detected even amongst those in the very early stage of the disease when the complex version of the task was used. Prospective assessment of spontaneous language skills with a picture description task is useful to detect those subtle spontaneous language impairments caused by AD even at an early stage of the disease.

NuGrid stellar data set. I. Stellar yields from H to Bi for stars with metallicities Z = 0.02 and Z = 0.01

Abstract: We provide a set of stellar evolution and nucleosynthesis calculations that applies established physics assumptions simultaneously to low- and intermediate-mass and massive star models. Our goal is to provide an internally consistent and comprehensive nuclear production and yield database for applications in areas such as presolar grain studies. Our non-rotating models assume convective boundary mixing (CBM) where it has been adopted before. We include 8 (12) initial masses for Z = 0.01 (0.02). Models are followed either until the end of the asymptotic giant branch phase or the end of Si burning, complemented by simple analytic core-collapse supernova (SN) models with two options for fallback and shock velocities. The explosions show which pre-SN yields will most strongly be effected by the explosive nucleosynthesis. We discuss how these two explosion parameters impact the light elements and the s and p process. For low- and intermediate-mass models, our stellar yields from H to Bi include the effect of CBM at the He-intershell boundaries and the stellar evolution feedback of the mixing process that produces the ${}^{13}{\rm{C}}$ pocket. All post-processing nucleosynthesis calculations use the same nuclear reaction rate network and nuclear physics input. We provide a discussion of the nuclear production across the entire mass range organized by element group. The entirety of our stellar nucleosynthesis profile and time evolution output are available electronically, and tools to explore the data on the NuGrid VOspace hosted by the Canadian Astronomical Data Centre are introduced.

Electrostatically gated membrane permeability in inorganic protocells

Abstract: Although several strategies are now available to produce functional microcompartments analogous to primitive cell-like structures, little progress has been made in generating protocell constructs with self-controlled membrane permeability. Here we describe the preparation of water-dispersible colloidosomes based on silica nanoparticles and delineated by a continuous semipermeable inorganic membrane capable of self-activated, electrostatically gated permeability. We use crosslinking and covalent grafting of a pH-responsive copolymer to generate an ultrathin elastic membrane that exhibits selective release and uptake of small molecules. This behaviour, which depends on the charge of the copolymer coronal layer, serves to trigger enzymatic dephosphorylation reactions specifically within the protocell aqueous interior. This system represents a step towards the design and construction of alternative types of artificial chemical cells and protocell models based on spontaneous processes of inorganic self-organization.

Final Report of the Intergroup Randomized Study of Combined Androgen-Deprivation Therapy Plus Radiotherapy Versus Androgen-Deprivation Therapy Alone in Locally Advanced Prostate Cancer

Abstract: Purpose We have previously reported that radiotherapy (RT) added to androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) improves survival in men with locally advanced prostate cancer. Here, we report the prespecified final analysis of this randomized trial. Patients and Methods NCIC Clinical Trials Group PR.3/Medical Research Council PR07/Intergroup T94-0110 was a randomized controlled trial of patients with locally advanced prostate cancer. Patients with T3-4, N0/Nx, M0 prostate cancer or T1-2 disease with either prostate-specific antigen (PSA) of more than 40 μg/L or PSA of 20 to 40 μg/L plus Gleason score of 8 to 10 were randomly assigned to lifelong ADT alone or to ADT+RT. The RT dose was 64 to 69 Gy in 35 to 39 fractions to the prostate and pelvis or prostate alone. Overall survival was compared using a log-rank test stratified for prespecified variables. Results One thousand two hundred five patients were randomly assigned between 1995 and 2005, 602 to ADT alone and 603 to ADT+RT. At a median follow-up time of 8 years, 465 patients had died, including 199 patients from prostate cancer. Overall survival was significantly improved in the patients allocated to ADT+RT (hazard ratio [HR], 0.70; 95% CI, 0.57 to 0.85; P < .001). Deaths from prostate cancer were significantly reduced by the addition of RT to ADT (HR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.34 to 0.61; P < .001). Patients on ADT+RT reported a higher frequency of adverse events related to bowel toxicity, but only two of 589 patients had grade 3 or greater diarrhea at 24 months after RT. Conclusion This analysis demonstrates that the previously reported benefit in survival is maintained at a median follow-up of 8 years and firmly establishes the role of RT in the treatment of men with locally advanced prostate cancer.