Yes / Random sets are used to get a continuous partition of the cardinality of the union of many overlapping sets. The formalism uses Möbius transforms and adapts Shapley's methodology in cooperative game theory, into the context of set theory. These ideas are subsequently generalized into the context of finite-dimensional Hilbert spaces. Using random projectors into the subspaces spanned by states from a total set, we construct an infinite number of continuous resolutions of the identity, that involve Hermitian positive semi-definite operators. The simplest one is the diagonal continuous resolution of the identity, and it is used to expand an arbitrary vector in terms of a continuum of components. It is also used to define the function on the 'probabilistic quadrant' , which is analogous to the Wigner function for the harmonic oscillator, on the phase-space plane. Systems with finite-dimensional Hilbert space (which are naturally described with discrete variables) are described here with continuous probabilistic variables. / Research Development Fund Publication Prize Award winner, October 2019.

Yes / Drawing from 645 microfinance institutions across 56 countries, this paper examines the deposit-borrowing dynamic of microfinance institutions’ source of capital. We find that deposits and borrowings are substitutes rather than complements. We further find that the degree of substitutability is more pronounced among microfinance institutions operating in a developed financial sector where the level of information asymmetry is lower. Our findings represent novel contribution in understanding microfinance institutions’ funding behaviour that supports its quest for further growth and long-term sustainability. / Research Development Fund Publication Prize Award winner, April 2023.

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(工学) / 甲第25260号 / 工博第5219号 / 新制||工||1995(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院工学研究科都市社会工学専攻 / (主査)教授 角 哲也, 教授 山上 路生, 教授 中谷 加奈 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Agricultural Science / Kyoto University / DGAM

京都大学 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(地域研究) / 甲第25414号 / 地博第332号 / 新制||地||130(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院アジア・アフリカ地域研究研究科アフリカ地域研究専攻 / (主査)准教授 金子 守恵, 教授 大山 修一, 准教授 原田 英典, 教授 高田 明 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Area Studies / Kyoto University / DGAM

Yes / Growing evidence suggests that fatigue associated with listening difficulties is particularly problematic for children with hearing loss (CHL). However, sensitive, reliable, and valid measures of listening-related fatigue do not exist. To address this gap, this paper describes the development, psychometric evaluation, and preliminary validation of a suite of scales designed to assess listening-related fatigue in CHL- the pediatric Vanderbilt Fatigue Scales (VFS-Peds). Test development employed best practices, including operationalizing the construct of listening-related fatigue from the perspective of target respondents (i.e., children, their parents, and teachers). Test items were developed based on input from these groups. Dimensionality was evaluated using exploratory factor analyses. Item response theory (IRT) and differential item functioning (DIF) analyses were used to identify high-quality items which were further evaluated and refined to create the final versions of the VFS-Peds. The VFS-Peds is appropriate for use with children aged 6-17 years and consists of a child self-report scale (VFS-C), parent proxy- (VFS-P), and teacher proxy-report (VFS-T) scales. Exploratory factor analyses of child self-report and teacher proxy data suggested listening-related fatigue was unidimensional in nature. In contrast, parent data suggested a multidimensional construct, comprised of mental (cognitive, social, and emotional) and physical domains. IRT analyses suggested items were of good quality, with high information and good discriminability. DIF analyses revealed the scales provided a stable measure of fatigue regardless of the child’s gender, age, or hearing status. Test information was acceptable over a wide range of fatigue severities and all scales yielded acceptable reliability and validity. This paper describes the development, psychometric evaluation, and validation of the VFS-Peds. Results suggest the VFS-Peds provide a sensitive, reliable, and valid measure of listening-related fatigue in children that may be appropriate for clinical use. Such scales could be used to identify those children most affected by listening-related fatigue; and given their apparent sensitivity, the scales may also be useful for examining the effectiveness of potential interventions targeting listening-related fatigue in children. / Research Development Fund Publication Prize Award winner, Mar 2022.

Yes / Execution of lineage-specific differentiation programs requires tight coordination between many regulators including Ten-eleven translocation (TET) family enzymes, catalyzing 5-methylcytosine oxidation in DNA. Here, by using Keratin 14–Cre–driven ablation of Tet genes in skin epithelial cells, we demonstrate that ablation of Tet2/Tet3 results in marked alterations of hair shape and length followed by hair loss. We show that, through DNA demethylation, Tet2/Tet3 control chromatin accessibility and Dlx3 binding and promoter activity of the Krt25 and Krt28 genes regulating hair shape, as well as regulate interactions between the Krt28 gene promoter and distal enhancer. Moreover, Tet2/Tet3 also control three-dimensional chromatin topology in Keratin type I/II gene loci via DNA methylation–independent mechanisms. These data demonstrate the essential roles for Tet2/3 in establishment of lineage-specific gene expression program and control of Dlx3/Krt25/Krt28 axis in hair follicle epithelial cells and implicate modulation of DNA methylation as a novel approach for hair growth control. / This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health grant 5R01 AR075776 (V.A.B. and A.A.S.) and grant 5R01 AR071727 (V.A.B. and A.A.S.) and the National Science Foundation of China (G.-L.X.). / Research Development Fund Publication Prize Award winner, Dec 2022.

Yes / Carbon monoxide (CO) is both a substance hazardous to health and a side product of a number of industrial processes, such as methanol steam reforming and large-scale oxidation reactions. The separation of CO from nitrogen (N2) in industrial processes is considered to be difficult because of the similarities of their electronic structures, sizes, and physicochemical properties (e.g., boiling points). Carbon monoxide is also a major poison in fuel cells because of its adsorption onto the active sites of the catalysts. It is therefore of the utmost economic importance to discover new materials that enable effective CO capture and release under mild conditions. However, methods to specifically absorb and easily release CO in the presence of contaminants, such as water, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and oxygen, at ambient temperature are not available. Here, we report the simple and versatile fabrication of a new class of hybrid materials that allows capture and release of carbon monoxide under mild conditions. We found that carborane-containing metal complexes encapsulated in networks made of poly(dimethylsiloxane) react with CO, even when immersed in water, leading to dramatic color and infrared signature changes. Furthermore, we found that the CO can be easily released from the materials by simply dipping the networks into an organic solvent for less than 1 min, at ambient temperature and pressure, which not only offers a straightforward recycling method, but also a new method for the “on-demand” release of carbon monoxide. We illustrated the utilization of the on-demand release of CO from the networks by carrying out a carbonylation reaction on an electron-deficient metal complex that led to the formation of the CO-adduct, with concomitant recycling of the gel. We anticipate that our sponge-like materials and scalable methodology will open up new avenues for the storage, transport, and controlled release of CO, the silent killer and a major industrial poison. / The Royal Society, The Romanian Ministry of Education and Research, The University of Bradford, European Regional Development Fund of the European Union / Research Development Fund Publication Prize Award winner.

Yes / Cocrystals consist of two molecules bonded together in a single crystal lattice giving rise to wide applications including improving solubility of poorly soluble pharmaceuticals. Cocrystallization reaction occurs in the oily phase of liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) after it is mixed with coformers. Indomethacin–saccharin cocrystal formation was monitored in situ, and the kinetics of crystallization were determined. The crystallization rates show that the process can be proposed to prevent unwanted oily phase formation during LLPS. / Research Development Fund Publication Prize Award winner, Sep 2022.

Yes / Beneficial effects have been observed following the transplant of lipoaspirates containing adipose-derived stem cells into chronic wounds caused by oncologic radiotherapy. It is not yet certain whether adipose-derived stem cells are resistant to radiation exposure. Therefore, the aims of this study were to isolate stromal vascular fraction from human breast tissue exposed to radiotherapy and determine the presence of adipose-derived stem cells. Stromal vascular fraction from irradiated donor tissue was compared to commercially sourced pre-adipocytes. Immunocytochemistry was used to determine the presence of adipose-derived stem cell markers. Conditioned media from stromal vascular fraction isolated from irradiated donors was used as a treatment in a scratch wound assay of dermal fibroblasts also isolated from irradiated donors and compared to pre-adipocyte conditioned media and serum free control. This is the first report of human stromal vascular fraction being cultured from previously irradiated breast tissue. Stromal vascular fraction conditioned media from irradiated donors had a similar effect in increasing the migration of dermal fibroblasts from irradiated skin to pre-adipocyte conditioned media from healthy donors. Therefore, the ability of adipose-derived stem cells in the stromal vascular fraction to stimulate dermal fibroblasts in wound healing appears to be preserved following radiotherapy. This study demonstrates that stromal vascular fraction from irradiated patients is viable, functional and may have potential for regenerative medicine techniques following radiotherapy. / This research was funded by a Bradford City FC Supporters Fellowship for L.V.T. administered through the Plastic Surgery and Burns Research Unit, University of Bradford. / Research Development Fund Publication Prize Award winner, Mar 2023.

Yes / Care after the death of a child and support of their bereaved family is an important element of the services offered by children’s hospices in the United Kingdom. The study aims to explore the emotional challenges of those delivering care to families of children in hospice cool rooms. An internet-based questionnaire was sent to all practitioners to explore their perspectives of providing care to bereaved families whilst the child’s body was in the hospice, as well as caring for a child’s body after death. In total, 94.9% (n=56) of staff responded. Two key themes were identified that represent the emotional challenges perceived by staff: the impact of deterioration of a child’s body; and witnessing the acute grief of families. Practitioners seek to provide care that recognises the importance of family and demonstrates family-centred care, as well as supporting families to deal with the changes that occur after death. Organisations can support practitioners to deliver care in cool rooms by providing training and education on anticipating and managing the pathophysiological changes that occur after death as well as training in grief and loss, and how to support a bereaved family. / Research Development Fund Publication Prize Award winner, May 2021.