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Quantitative sustainability assessment of e-fuels for maritime transport
No full textReducing the carbon intensity of maritime transport is essential to achieve global emission reduction targets. Electro-fuels (e-fuels) represent a promising cleaner alternative to conventional marine fossil fuels, offering potential lifecycle greenhouse gas reductions when synthesised from renewable electricity and low-carbon feedstocks. While techno-economic and environmental assessments of e-fuels exist, their broader sustainability implications, spanning technological, economic, environmental and safety factors together, remain largely unexplored. This study introduces a quantitative framework to assess the sustainability of ship fuel systems that integrates key performance indicators (KPIs) across these four areas. A case study is conducted to compare the sustainability of carbon-based e-fuels (e-methanol and e-diesel) and carbon-free e-fuels (hydrogen and ammonia) against marine diesel oil (MDO) under multiple decision-making perspectives. The robustness of the overall sustainability-based ranking of fuel alternatives, as derived under each perspective, against uncertainties in the individual KPIs is confirmed via sensitivity analysis. Environmental and safety aspects are found to be critical in comparing the sustainability of alternative fuels. Both e-methanol and e-diesel achieve higher overall sustainability than MDO, irrespective of the decision-making perspective. Ammonia and hydrogen are hindered by safety concerns in the short term, although ammonia also shows long-term potential for sustainable shipping subject to appropriate risk management and the implementation of inherently safer design measures. Overall, the proposed framework enables a comprehensive assessment of alternative fuel systems for cleaner shipping, guiding future sustainability-driven policy and technology development
Outcomes from the English National Lynch Syndrome Transformation Project
No full textThe English National Health Service (NHS) Lynch Syndrome Transformation Project was established to deliver universal testing for Lynch syndrome (LS) of newly diagnosed colorectal (CRC) and endometrial cancer (EC). A central aim was to integrate ‘mainstreamed’ genetic
testing into routine care by cancer multidisciplinary teams in England.
In June 2021 national and regional LS project teams were established to support ‘LS champions’ within local cancer multidisciplinary teams (MDTs). A comprehensive
retrospective genomic dataset and dashboard was compiled by the National Disease Registration Service (NDRS), complimented with prospective local MDT audit (2022-23). A robust national registry of people diagnosed with LS was developed to ascertain individuals for targeted interventions, including for a new national LS Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (LS-BCSP).
In total 276 LS champions were appointed and trained across 248 CRC and EC MDTs (>95% coverage nationally). Tumour Mismatch repair (MMR) tumour testing rates increased for CRC (43>94%) and EC (19>94%). MDT-led mainstreaming services were developed in 46% of all
CRC and 41% EC teams in England. In subgroup data, the time to germline genetic testing was 21 days in ‘mainstreamed’ patients, versus 180 days referred to regional clinical genetics services. New diagnoses of LS have consistently increased each year from a total of 545 in 2020 to a total of 1394 in 2024 (an increase of 255% versus a target of >50%).
The NHS England LS Transformation project has driven equitable nationwide delivery of diagnosis testing for Lynch syndrome, with integration of ‘mainstreamed’ genetic testing into routine cancer care
Trapping and remobilization during geological CO2 storage: a pore-scale imaging and modeling study
No full textCO2 storage in geological formations is important in the reduction of CO2 emissions. Residual trapping – CO2 immobilized by capillary forces – contributes significantly to the overall storage. Earlier findings at field conditions have indicated a delayed remobilization – a safety enhancing phenomenon – of residually trapped CO2 under pressure depletion. The present study investigates the underlying processes of this phenomenon by means of detailed pore-level analysis. We first compare our pore network model predictions against experimental data from high-resolution 3D X-ray imaging. General agreement is found, and in both the experiment and the model, remobilization occurs at a higher saturation value – called the critical saturation (Sgc) – than the residual saturation (Sgr). A significant reduction in the relative permeability of the gas is also predicted. The model is then applied to different rocks. The results show that the Sgc is not a simple function of porosity, permeability or residual saturation. Instead, complex pore scale phenomena related to pore connectivity govern the behavior and case-specific studies are required to determine the exact value. For practical purposes, the difference between residual saturation and critical saturation is approximately between 2–4%. The reduction in gas relative permeability varies between 60–90 % compared to that for drainage with no expansion
Super Mario Bros. and Yoshi games’ affordance of childlike wonder and reduced burnout risk: in-depth mixed-methods cross-sectional study with young adults
No full textBackground: Unrelenting pressure and an ‘always-on’ culture can leave no time for genuine rest among young adults. While video gameplay has been noted to afford cognitive escapism and relaxation, critical questions remain about the influence of popular video games, such as Super Mario Bros., and their potential effects on young adults’ burnout risk.
Objective: This study examined the extent to which, if at all, popular video games such as Super Mario Bros. and Yoshi could foster childlike wonder. It also investigated the potential of these games to reduce burnout risk among young adults.
Methods: We employed a mixed methods approach. First, qualitative data were collected through 41 exploratory, in-depth interviews (NFemale = 19 (46.3%), NMale = 21 (51.2%), NPrefer not to disclose gender = 1 (2.4%); MAge = 22.51 years, SDAge = 1.52 years), with university students who had experience playing Super Mario Bros. or Yoshi. Second, quantitative data were collected in a cross-sectional survey (N = 336) of players of Super Mario Bros. and Yoshi to examine the games’ affordance of childlike wonder, overall happiness in life and burnout risk.
Results: Insights from in-depth interviews showed that players appreciated the ability of Super Mario and Yoshi games to instill childlike wonder, enhance happiness in life, and reduce burnout risk. Quantitative analyses showed that the games’ affordance of childlike wonder positively affected young adults’ happiness (b = .296, SE = .044, t = 6.796, p < .001, 95% CI: LLCI = .211, ULCI = .382). In turn, overall happiness significantly reduced risk of burnout (b = -.475, SE = .049, t = -9.554, p < .001, 95% CI: LLCI = -.572, ULCI = -.377). Results showed that happiness fully mediated the impact of childlike wonder on burnout, as the direct effect of childlike wonder on burnout risk became insignificant (b = -.079, SE = .042, t = -1.880, p = .061, 95% CI: LLCI = -.162, ULCI = .004), while the indirect effect of childlike wonder on burnout risk was significant (b = -.141, BootSE = .029, 95% CI: BootLLCI = -.203, BootULCI = -.087).
Conclusions: The findings showed the significant positive effect of popular video games such as Super Mario Bros. and Yoshi on fostering players’ childlike wonder, increasing happiness, and reducing burnout risk. This study was among the first to identify childlike wonder as an emotional pathway through which mainstream video games could enhance well-being and reduce burnout. By moving beyond escapism and nostalgia, it offers a new perspective on how well-designed, globally familiar games can function as accessible, resilience-building digital micro-environments. These findings contributed to research bridging gaming and mental health and have practical implications for game designers, educators, and health professionals interested in promoting mental wellness through everyday play
Impact of inverter controls in small-signal stability of power systems dominated by inverter-based resources
No full textInitiatives to decarbonize contemporary power systems will lead to power systems dominated by inverter-based resources (IBR). These IBRs are broadly classified into grid-following (GFL) and grid-forming (GFM) inverter control regimes. In this paper, a small-signal state-space model is formulated for a 100% IBR-dominated power system. This formulation is then used to perform stability analysis on the IEEE 9-bus system. The analysis thoroughly investigates the impacts of varying GFM inverter penetration on system stability. The paper also discusses the system behavior in the wake of varying shares of different GFL inverter control schemes. The cause of instability is ascertained by investigating the participation factor of each component. Moreover, the paper examines the effects of phase-locked loop (PLL) and power synchronization loop (PSL) parameters on determining the minimum GFM penetration necessary for ensuring stable system operation. It has been found that the inverter type with the highest capacity is not always the biggest contributor to instability. Also, increasing the proportional coefficient and decreasing the integral coefficient of the PLL of GFL inverters allow the system to be operated under lower GFM penetration. Similarly, increasing the moment of inertia or damping coefficient of the GFM inverter’s power synchronization loop has a similar effect. The conclusions and the underlying theoretical analysis are verified by time-domain simulations of electromagnetic transient (EMT) models in Matlab/Simulink
Simulating real FRP microstructures under longitudinal compression: realistic fibre content, kinking–torsion metrics, and enhanced computational efficiency
No full textLocal imperfections in microstructures are a key factor influencing the compressive performance of fibre-reinforced polymer composites (FRPs); this can be investigated through micromechanical finite element (μFE) simulations of representative volume elements (RVEs) reconstructed from computed tomography of real FRP microstructures. This is the first paper that identifies and addresses three key open challenges in μFE simulations of real FRPs under longitudinal compression: firstly, we introduce a new method for generating continuum μFE models of RVEs with high fibre content (up to 55%) and without unrealistic resin-rich boundaries or fibre interpenetration. Secondly, we propose new microstructural metrics to characterise misalignment and twisting, novel deformation metrics to quantify kinking and torsion during compression, and we analyse their relationships. Thirdly, we validate our recently proposed, computationally efficient, shell-beam (SB) methodology at the microstructural level. The results highlight the importance of simulating FRP microstructures with a realistic fibre content and microstructural twist and demonstrate the very good predictive performance of SB models
Development of a targeted mutator system for continuous directed evolution in vivo
No full textIn this work we pursue the development of a mutator system for directed evolution in vivo. First, we develop a comprehensive method for the evaluation of mutators. Next-generation sequencing analysis and fluctuation assays are combined to quantify mutation rates, spectrum, target specificity, sequence bias and evolutionary stability. This methodology is applied to the evaluation of various mutator candidates based on targeted transcription by T7 RNA polymerase in combination with mutagenic enzymes AID, DNA Pol IV and error-prone DNA Pol I (DNA Pol I3M). We reveal AID-T7 RNA Pol mutagenic activity mainly occurs during stationary phase and propose possible explanations for this phenomenon. Additionally, we discover a new semi-targeted mutator approach based on the coordinated action of a T7 RNA Pol mutant and error-prone DNA Pol I3M. T7K172G + Pol I3M induces all mutation types at rates three orders of magnitude above T7K172G alone and comparable to state-of-the art global mutators. We demonstrate the utility of T7K172G + Pol I3M by evolving beta-lactamase Tem-1 variants active on third-generation cephalosporin antibiotics ceftazidime and cefotaxime. Mutations within the tem1 target achieved observed gains in antibiotic resistance of 50,000-fold and 72,000-fold, respectively
Improving access to inpatient palliative care for patients with end-stage liver disease: a quality improvement project
No full textBackground: End-stage liver disease (ESLD) is a terminal diagnosis with a
poor prognosis and an accelerating mortality rate in the UK. Limited
research suggests patients with ESLD have unmet palliative care (PC)
needs, likely due to various factors, including difficulty predicting
prognosis and lack of clear specialist palliative care (SPC) referral criteria.
This quality improvement (QI) project aimed to assess and improve
access to PC for inpatients with ESLD and unmet PC needs over a six month period using a novel intervention incorporating the Supportive and
Palliative Care Indicators Tool for Liver Disease (SPICT).
Methods: The project was conducted at a tertiary centre between 2020
and 2022 with three data cycles; one baseline measurement and two
Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) cycles. PDSA Cycle 1 involved regular
screening of inpatients using the SPICT to trigger SPC referral. PDSA
Cycle 2 also involved screening using the SPICT, but instead to prompt
multidisciplinary meeting (MDM) discussion between hepatology and SPC
teams. Outcome measures reflecting holistic aspects of PC were assessed
across all cycles.
Results: PDSA Cycle 1 demonstrated a significant reduction in patients
receiving no PC measures (67% to 26%, p: <0.001) and increased SPC
input (32% to 52%, p: 0.04). Community PC referrals also rose
significantly (13% to 39%, p: 0.01).
PDSA Cycle 2 failed to improve measures compared to baseline. Only
42% of eligible patients were discussed in the MDM. Most agreed plans
were implemented, but only a minority included SPC review, community
PC referral, or advanced care planning.
Conclusion: Patients with ESLD continued to have unmet PC needs
despite implementing an intervention based on expert guidance. PDSA
Cycle 1 demonstrated some significant, positive impacts, supporting the clinical utility of the SPICT, but within the context of a small, single centre QI project with methodological limitations
Motor learning mechanisms are not modified by feedback manipulations in a real-world task
No full textError-based and reward-based mechanisms of motor learning co-occur in real-world scenarios but are traditionally isolated in laboratory tasks via feedback manipulations. We examined the distinctiveness of these mechanisms by applying lab-based feedback manipulations to a real-world task. Using Embodied Virtual Reality of pool billiards, we introduced visual perturbations while maintaining full proprioception. 32 participants underwent two sessions, learning visuomotor rotation with either error or reward feedback. The reward-dependent motor variability and inter-trial variability decay – indicators of reward-based learning – were higher in the error-condition. Moreover, post-movement beta rebound (PMBR), a neural marker of learning mechanisms, showed expected decrease under the reward-condition but no consistent trend under the error-condition. These suggest that participants could engage in reward-based learning even without reward feedback. This underscores the complexity of motor learning processes and highlights that visual feedback by itself cannot elucidate the interplay between error-based and reward-based mechanisms in real-world contexts