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Intronic FGF14 GAA repeat expansions impact progression and survival in multiple system atrophy
No full textPartial phenotypic overlap has been suggested between multiple system atrophy (MSA) and spinocerebellar ataxia 27B, the autosomal dominant ataxia caused by an intronic GAA•TTC repeat expansion in FGF14. This study investigated the frequency of FGF14 GAA•TTC repeat expansion in clinically diagnosed and pathologically confirmed multiple system atrophy cases. We screened 657 multiple system atrophy cases (193 clinically diagnosed and 464 pathologically confirmed) and 1,003 controls. The FGF14 repeat locus was genotyped using long-range PCR and bidirectional repeat-primed PCRs, and expansions were confirmed with targeted long-read Oxford Nanopore Technologies sequencing. We identified 19 multiple system atrophy cases carrying an FGF14 GAA≥250 expansion (2.89%, n=19/657), a significantly higher frequency than in controls (1.40%, n=12/1,003) (p=0.04). Long-read Oxford Nanopore Technologies sequencing confirmed repeat sizes and polymorphisms detected by PCR, with high concordance (Pearson's r=0.99, p</p
Beyond identity: a framework for the study of social inequalities and social change
No full textWe present a framework for the study of social inequalities and social change. This framework aims to motivate researchers to move beyond the predominant focus on isolated pairs of identity-based groups (e.g., women and men, Blacks and Whites). Introducing the concept of fundamental inequalities, we illustrate how these inequalities between individuals at the top and the bottom of a resource distribution can be used, for example, to contextualize and better understand identity-based inequalities. Regarding intersections of groups, intersectional inequalities, and intersections of changes, we untangle how inequalities can relate to each other and how changes in one inequality may affect another inequality. Relying mostly on formal considerations, we address common misconceptions, summarize implications for research on social inequalities and social change, and emphasize the potential for synergies in social change efforts.</p
Chatbot -assisted self-assessment (CASA): co-designing an AI -powered behaviour change intervention for ethnic minorities
No full textBackground The digitalisation of healthcare has provided new ways to address disparities in sexual health outcomes that particularly affect ethnic and sexual minorities. Conversational artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots can provide personalised health education and refer users for appropriate medical consultations. We aimed to explore design principles of a chatbot-assisted culturally sensitive self-assessment intervention based on the disclosure of health-related information. Methods In 2022, an online survey was conducted among an ethnically diverse UK sample (N = 1,287) to identify the level and type of health-related information disclosure to sexual health chatbots, and reactions to chatbots’ risk appraisal. Follow-up interviews (N = 41) further explored perceptions of chatbot-led health assessment to identify aspects related to acceptability and utilisation. Datasets were analysed using one-way ANOVAs, linear regression, and thematic analysis. Results Participants had neutral-to-positive attitudes towards chatbots and were comfortable disclosing demographic and sensitive health information. Chatbot awareness, previous experience and positive attitudes towards chatbots predicted information disclosure. Qualitatively, four main themes were identified: “Chatbot as an artificial health advisor”, “Disclosing information to a chatbot”, “Ways to facilitate trust and disclosure”, and “Acting on self-assessment”. Conclusion Chatbots were acceptable for health self-assessment among this sample of ethnically diverse individuals. Most users reported being comfortable disclosing sensitive and personal information, but user anonymity is key to engagement with chatbots. As this technology becomes more advanced and widely available, chatbots could potentially become supplementary tools for health education and screening eligibility assessment. Future research is needed to establish their impact on screening uptake and access to health services among minoritised communities.</p
Chemistry advances driving industrial carbon capture technologies
No full textCarbon capture (CC) is a key solution for decarbonizing industries with ‘hard-to-abate’ emissions, such as the cement, steel and chemicals sectors. The chemistry behind CC technologies underpins much of their cost and performance and hence, is an important research topic. As such, this Review focuses on the underlaying chemistry and industrial deployment status of CC technologies that have progressed to the early stages of development and beyond. The discussion provides insights into the CC technologies, which based on absorption, adsorption, membrane separation, cryogenic gas separation and electroswing, poised to have the greatest impact on industrial decarbonization.</p
Feasibility of remote measurement in intensive longitudinal data collection for RA patients commencing a new treatment
No full textObjectivesThis paper aims to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of intensive assessment of symptoms in Rheumatoid Arthritis patients starting a new biologic treatment.MethodsParticipant symptoms and experiences were collected six times a day for fourteen days, and once a day for sixteen days in a single cohort. Wearable devices were also given to participants to track sleep and physical activity. Qualitative interviews were conducted to provide feedback into the acceptability of methods. Recruitment and completion rates were used to test for feasibility. The mean and variability of data for each day were calculated to reflect on data quality. Qualitative interview data was analysed by deductive thematic analysis.ResultsOf the 110 patients approached, 27 (15.5%) could not be contacted and 12 (14.5%) were excluded due to meeting exclusion criteria. Of 71 contactable and eligible participants, 31 (43.7%) joined the study. The survey completion rate was 74.6% (1943/2604) for the first 14 days, ranging from 10.7% to 100%. Completion rates for days 15 to 30 ranged from 60 to 83%. Mean levels of severity of symptoms (pain, fatigue, joint stiffness) displayed a decrease after treatment, as expected. Qualitative interviews demonstrated that participants reported a positive experience, which was not overly burdensome. Surveys were described as quick and easy to complete, but repetitive for some participants.DiscussionRecruitment and completion rates were acceptable and comparable to similar studies in the field. Qualitative analysis showed largely positive reviews from participants with feedback mainly focusing on survey timings.</p
Reflective thinking predicts disbelief in God across 19 countries
No full textIn the present study, we tested three hypotheses about relationships between reflective thinking, intuitive thinking (both measured using the Cognitive Reflection Test; CRT), and belief in God or gods (BiG) in university students across 19 culturally and geographically diverse countries (n = 7,771). In support of our first hypothesis, we found a negative relationship between reflective thinking and BiG; and in support of our second hypothesis, we found a positive relationship between intuitive thinking and BiG. Contrary to our third hypothesis, we found no evidence that measuring CRT prior to measuring BiG decreased BiG. Given that this is the first large cross-cultural test of these hypotheses to have a preregistered analysis plan, the first to hold education constant across countries, and the first to use both Bayesian and frequentist methods, these results considerably bolster the evidence in support of the first two hypotheses and against the third hypothesis.</p
Scientific program for the Forward Physics Facility
No full textThe recent direct detection of neutrinos at the LHC has opened a new window on high-energy particle physics and highlighted the potential of forward physics for groundbreaking discoveries. In the last year, the physics case for forward physics has continued to grow, and there has been extensive work on defining the Forward Physics Facility and its experiments to realize this physics potential in a timely and cost-effective manner. Following a 2-page Executive Summary, we first present the status of the FPF, beginning with the FPF’s unique potential to shed light on dark matter, new particles, neutrino physics, QCD, and astroparticle physics. We then summarize the current designs for the Facility and its experiments, FASER2, FASERν2, FORMOSA, and FLArE.</p
Semi-analytical covariance matrices for two-point correlation function for DESI 2024 data
No full textWe present an optimized way of producing the fast semi-analytical covariance matrices for the Legendre moments of the two-point correlation function, taking into account survey geometry and mimicking the non-Gaussian effects. We validate the approach on simulated (mock) catalogs for different galaxy types, representative of the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) Data Release 1, used in 2024 analyses. We find only a few percent differences between the mock sample covariance matrix and our results, which can be expected given the approximate nature of the mocks, although we do identify discrepancies between the shot-noise properties of the DESI fiber assignment algorithm and the faster approximation (emulator) used in the mocks. Importantly, we find a close agreement (≤ 8% relative differences) in the projected errorbars for distance scale parameters for the baryon acoustic oscillation measurements. This confirms our method as an attractive alternative to simulation-based covariance matrices, especially for non-standard models or galaxy sample selections, making it particularly relevant to the broad current and future analyses of DESI data.</p
Social class and prosociality: a meta-analytic review
No full textTwo theoretical perspectives (i.e., the risk management perspective and the resource perspective) offer competing predictions that higher class individuals—relative to lower class individuals—tend to be less versus more prosocial, respectively. Different predictions can also be drawn from each perspective about how the class–prosociality association varies across sociocultural contexts. To date, each perspective has received mixed empirical support. To test these competing perspectives, we synthesized 1,106 effect sizes from 471 independent studies on social class and prosociality (total N = 2,340,806, covering the years 1968–2024) conducted within 60 societies. Supporting the resource perspective, we found higher class individuals to be slightly more prosocial (r =.065, 95% confidence interval [.055,.075]); this association held for children, adolescents, and adults and did not significantly vary by any sociocultural variable. In testing the methodological moderators, we found no significant difference in the class–prosociality association in studies measuring objective social class (r =.066) and those measuring or manipulating subjective social class (r =.063). Nevertheless, the observed class–prosociality association was stronger when assessing prosocial behavior involving actual commitment of material or nonmaterial resources (r =.079) compared to prosocial intention (r =.039), and stronger under public (r =.065) than private (r =.016) circumstances. These findings generally support the resource perspective on class-based differences in prosociality—that the relatively higher cost of prosocial behavior, combined with heightened experience of deprivation, results in lower levels of prosociality among individuals with a lower social class background.</p
[Forum] Leveraging Biodiversity Net Gain to address invertebrate declines in England
No full textMeeting ambitions such as the Global Biodiversity Framework 2030 targets will require multiple conservation mechanisms that benefit the widest possible range of habitats and species. Here, we evaluate the likely impact of a novel and ambitious ecological compensation policy, Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) in England, on terrestrial insects, spiders and other arthropods (‘invertebrates’), a functionally essential but rapidly declining group of taxa. Current implementation of BNG in England sets out to provide a 10% uplift in biodiversity when infrastructure development (such as housebuilding) occurs. However, BNG is a habitat-driven approach that risks overlooking important considerations relevant to invertebrate conservation, threatens to further reduce the size and quality of their habitats and may increase habitat fragmentation. BNG, as currently implemented, therefore represents a missed opportunity to use a universally applied policy to benefit invertebrates and other functionally important components of biodiversity. We suggest ways forward to realign BNG with what we know to be crucial for successful invertebrate conservation, and with other policy mechanisms such as the National Pollinator Strategy. This will ensure that appropriate habitats and conditions for invertebrates are retained, enhanced and created at a landscape scale and that BNG is optimised to contribute to broader national conservation targets. As biodiversity accounting and offsetting schemes such as BNG are increasingly adopted around the world, the experience of BNG in England provides valuable insights into how ecological compensation programmes could be better designed, implemented and monitored to ensure that benefits for a wide variety of taxa are achieved.</p