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Vibration-induced size segregation of lunar regolith and simulants for in situ resource utilisation (ISRU)
No full textEffective beneficiation of lunar regolith for in situ resource utilisation (ISRU) requires size classification methods compatible with vacuum environments, where fluid-based systems are impractical. This study evaluates vibrational segregation as a dry alternative, using sealed-vial excitation under Earth gravity. We test Apollo sample 15601 alongside three lunar simulants (JSC-1, LMS-1, TUBS-M) across multiple vibrational conditions. Micro-CT imaging, Rosin–Rammler modelling, and Jensen–Shannon Divergence analysis quantify internal structure and simulant similarity. Mechanistic models of aerodynamic drag and bulk mobilisation clarify the roles of fines, cohesion, and confinement. A15601 develops a stable three-layer structure driven by fines immobilisation and coarse particle lofting. LMS-1 exhibits similar layering but weaker compaction. TUBS-M provides the closest statistical match, while JSC-1 segregates efficiently but less representatively. Particle size distribution breadth emerges as the primary driver of compaction and stratification. Though tested under terrestrial conditions, the findings offer a framework for evaluating simulants and designing passive ISRU separation systems
Emerging terbinafine-resistant Trichophyton indotineae between 2018 and 2023: a multinational genomic epidemiology study
No full textThe importance of stratocumulus clouds for projected warming patterns and circulation changes
No full textStratocumulus clouds are thought to exert a strong positive radiative feedback on climate change, but recent analyses suggest that this feedback is widely under-represented in global climate models. To assess the broader implications of this model error for the simulated climate change responses, we investigate the impact of Pacific stratocumulus cloud feedback on projected warming patterns, equilibrium climate sensitivity and tropical atmospheric circulation under increased CO2 concentrations. Using the Community Earth System Model, with modifications to enhance low-cloud-cover sensitivity to sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in Pacific stratocumulus regions, we find increased tropical SST variability and persistence, a higher equilibrium climate sensitivity, an enhanced east–west warming contrast across the tropical Pacific, and a stronger slowdown of the Walker circulation under 4×CO2 conditions. Our findings are supported by inter-model relationships across CMIP6 4×CO2 simulations. These results underscore the importance of accurately representing cloud feedback in climate models to predict future climate change impacts not only globally but also on a regional scale, such as warming patterns or circulation change
Generalizable MRI normative modelling to detect age-inappropriate neurodegeneration
No full textBackground
Determining whether MRI brain scans demonstrate atrophy that is beyond “normal for age” is challenging. Automated measurements of structural metrics in individual brain regions have shown promise as biomarkers of neurodegeneration, yet widely available reference standards that aid interpretation at the individual level are lacking. Normative modelling, enabling standardized “brain charts”, represents a significant step in addressing this challenge by generating individualized age- and sex- adjusted centile scores derived from large, aggregated datasets for MRI-derived quantitative metrics.
Methods
Using normative data from 56,173 participants across the life course, we have developed regional cortical thickness and amygdala/hippocampal volume brain charts (adjusted for total intracranial volume) that can be applied at the individual level. At the group level, we investigate whether regional centile scores relate to cognitive performance (mini-mental state examination) and discriminate individuals with neuropathological evidence of Alzheimer’s disease (n = 351) from propensity-matched controls from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC) dataset. In addition, we explored the relationships between disease stage, cognition, regional tau deposition and regional centile scores in amyloid-β-PET-positive individuals with Alzheimer’s disease dementia (n = 39) and mild cognitive impairment (n = 71) from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative-3 (ADNI-3). We then extended this approach to phenotypes of frontotemporal lobar degeneration using the Neuroimaging in Frontotemporal Dementia dataset (n = 113).
Results
We demonstrate BrainChart’s application to illustrative individual cases. At the group level, we show that in Alzheimer’s disease, regional centile scores from brain charting predicted cognitive performance, temporal lobe tau PET tracer uptake and discriminated disease groups from propensity matched cognitively normal controls in independent cohorts. Distinct patterns of age-inappropriate cortical atrophy were also evident in different clinical phenotypes of frontotemporal lobar degeneration from the Neuroimaging in Frontotemporal Dementia dataset.
Conclusions
Regional centile scores derived from an extensive normative dataset represent a generalizable method for objectively identifying atrophy in neurodegenerative diseases and can be applied to determine neurodegenerative atrophy at the individual level
Health and economic benefits of improving pre-hospital identification of stroke in Australian women: a modelling study
No full textObjective:
To estimate the long term gains in life years and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) and the cost savings that could be achieved if ischaemic stroke was identified in women with the same level of accuracy received by men, versus the status quo.
Design:
Decision tree and Markov model decision analysis.
Settings, participants
Two arms including 5513 women aged under 70 years: a hypothetical scenario, in which women receive the same level of accuracy of stroke identification as men (yet experienced symptoms relevant to women); and the status quo. Transitions between post-stroke health states, recurrent stroke and death were made in 1-year cycles over 50 years from a societal perspective.
Main outcome measures:
Years of life lived, QALYs and costs per patient in the hypothetical scenario relative to the status quo. Results were extrapolated to the national level based on the annual number of ischaemic stroke hospitalisations among women across Australia in the financial year 2020–21.
Results:
Compared with the status quo, the hypothetical arm gained 0.14 years of life, gained 0.08 QALYs and saved 5.4 million. Outcomes were most sensitive to the probability of an accurate assessment of stroke, short term treatment costs, patient age, and transition probabilities to 90-day post-stroke health states.
Conclusions:
Enhancing the timely and accurate identification of ischaemic stroke among Australian women in the pre-hospital setting would yield significant health benefits and cost savings to Australian society as a whole
Model linking for low-carbon transitions: technical and conceptual challenges and best practices
No full textLinking existing models to extend energy system and integrated assessment analysis is an increasingly common practice. Despite this, and unlike in the field of environmental and earth sciences, little attention has so far been paid to the details of it, to the trade-offs involved and the way in which the model linking affects the interpretation of the outcomes of the interlinked model system. Our aim in this paper is to first focus on a set of key technical and methodological problems that are common in model linking and suggest how these could be approached in different model linking contexts. We then further explore how model linking may affect the nature of the knowledge produced, and how this should be considered in the model linking process. Reflecting our literature driven assessment of the issues and possible solutions, we compile “a check list” to assist in the process of decision making for model linking
Sister of the North: A Conversational Practice between fashion image and music
No full textWith contribution from Gemma VincentThe intersections of fashion and music are emphasised by a shared vocabulary and their reciprocal ability to describe one another (Miller, 2011). Both sharing a transformative quality when used in conjunction with one another that triggers our phonological and visual coding building legitimacy and meaning (Allen, 2019; Baudrillard, 1996). Interdisciplinary visual art project ‘Sister of the North’ seeks to harness this conversational approach between artists Laura Dickinson and Gemma Vincent to explore an audio/visual artworking process. The aural track, created by Laura Dickinson under the moniker Lace Thief underwent a series of transformative process’ passing back and forth between artists translating from aural to written then following the mixed media methods of Gemma Vincent, applying AI to analogue then combined hand illustration and fashion image making techniques before finally being processed into a physical print poster zine. The outcome is a visual art piece that pulls on shared experiences of sisterhood that explores the songs' themes in a visual exchange of language through of text, fashion illustration, mark making and found objects
(Dys)regulation of the Immune System in Parkinson's Disease: Methodologies, Techniques, and Key Findings from Human Studies
No full textopen access articleParkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the midbrain. While PD is typically considered a disorder primarily affecting the central nervous system, there is mounting evidence of cellular dysfunction and PD pathology occurring in the peripheral nervous system, likely preceding central manifestations. In this context, it has become increasingly evident that dysregulation of both the central and the peripheral immune system plays a key role in PD pathogenesis and progression. In this narrative review, we describe and discuss the methodological approaches employed in human studies to investigate immune responses in PD pathogenesis and progression, their main findings and the potential to unveil novel therapeutic avenues. In particular, we present methodologies employed in and insights gained from human genetic studies, techniques utilized to investigate neuroinflammatory processes in post-mortem and living human brains, to investigate the blood-brain barrier, as well as the involvement of peripheral T cells and innate immune cells. Additionally, we elucidate methodologies utilized to explore the roles of mitochondrial dysfunction and infectious diseases in PD. Finally, we address the causes behind conflicting findings in the published literature, which may stem from disparities in sample ascertainment schemes, immunological protocols, and analysis designs. Given these challenges, it becomes imperative to develop methodological guidelines to enhance the validity of immunological studies in PD and facilitate their translation into clinical medicine
‘I’m just one soldier of many in the battle against stigma’: Young people’s experiences developing an anti-stigma resource
No full textopen access articleChildren whose parents have mental health challenges often experience stigma, which may be further intensified by additional marginalised identities. StigmaBeat is a co-designed online resource developed with rural young people to challenge such stigma and share lived experiences. This qualitative, narrative study explored six participants’ ‘narratives of change’ one year after their involvement in developing the resource. Participants described feeling isolated, and particularly stigmatised in encounters with professionals before the project. Their involvement fostered connection with similarly situated peers and contributed to narrative reconstruction and destigmatisation, with participants describing a shift from internalising blame to becoming collectively armed to resist stigma rooted in structural injustice. They also reported greater self-compassion and a strengthened sense of empowerment to challenge stigma and influence others. Participants noted improvements in family dynamics and social relationships. The findings underscore the value of narrative approaches in professional practice—particularly anti-oppressive social work—in promoting non-stigmatising understandings of social problems and mental health. The results call for social workers and healthcare professionals to engage in critical reflection on embedded assumptions and power dynamics that risk reproducing stigma. Narrative methods can further illuminate how interventions shape participants’ self-perceptions and everyday lives, offering valuable insights for practice development