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Myelin–proteinoids interactions in neural signalling
Get PDFThis study examines how proteinoids and myelin interact in biomimetic neural systems. These interactions reveal electrochemical properties and computing capabilities. Proteinoids are made when amino acids heat up and bond together. They form microspheres that can produce electrical signals on their own. Myelin, on the other hand, acts as an insulator and conductor, which is essential for nerve signaling. We studied proteinoid–myelin hybrid systems. We used scanning electron microscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and recorded extracellular potential for over 180,000 s. The hybrid structures show complex electrical behaviors. These include spontaneous spike generation, phase transitions, and oscillatory patterns. The membrane potentials range from −90 mV to +70 mV. Equivalent circuit analysis showed that hybrid systems had higher capacitance (159.3 nF) and lower impedance (3.934 kΩ) than pure proteinoid microspheres. We used threshold-based signal processing to perform full Boolean logic operations. This was done by tapping into the bioelectrical activity of these hybrid systems. This research shows that simple biomolecular parts can come together to form structures. These structures can perform complex computations. This finding hints at uses in biocompatible computing, neuromorphic engineering, and bioelectronic interfaces
Associations of anthropogenic activity and tributaries with the physicochemical, nutrient and microbial composition of the Ganga (Ganges) River, India
Get PDFThe Ganga River (known internationally as the Ganges) is one of the world's most prominent rivers, running from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal and supporting the livelihoods of > 40 % of India's 1.4 billion population. The Ganga River is regionally and globally important, supporting agriculture and industry, yet faces potentially detrimental water quality challenges arising from runoff and discharge from increasing urbanization, industry and agriculture. A ∼ 2700 km longitudinal survey of the nutrient and microbial water quality, including phytoplankton composition, of the Ganga River was undertaken in November 2019. The aim was to investigate if and how anthropogenic activities (e.g. urbanisation, industry, and agriculture) and tributary convergence (potentially reflecting both human activity and flow influences) affect and shift physicochemical, nutrient, and microbial water quality parameters along the river continuum. Segmented regression identified four zones of distinct nutrient/microbial characteristics along the Ganga River, with breakpoints located near Kanpur, Varanasi and downstream of the Farakka Barage, at distances of ∼ 1020, ∼ 1500 and ∼ 2350 km downstream from the Himalayan Ganga source. Population density, land use and urban cover were associated with selected water quality parameters in parts of the catchment, with elevated nutrient, microbial and chemical concentrations likely associated with agriculture, industry, and sewage inputs. Some urban areas (e.g. Kanpur and Varanasi), converging tributaries (e.g. Yamuna and Varuna) and barrages (e.g. Farakka) were associated with changes in nutrient availability, microbial activity/abundance and modelled discharge, likely driving apparent water quality changes in the relevant locations. Downstream shifts in nutrient and microbial water quality parameters were observed throughout the ∼ 2700 km Ganga River continuum. This information can help prioritize locations for targeted monitoring and/or remediation interventions and has illustrated an approach to quantify impacts of anthropogenic inputs on major river systems, such as the Ganga River. [Abstract copyright: Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.
Liquid ferrofluid synapses for spike-based neuromorphic learning
Get PDFSolid-state memory devices have emerged as promising synapses for neuromorphic engineering and computing. However, features such as limited endurance, static sensitivity, and lower ON/OFF ratios, as well as the need for peculiar conditions including current compliance and forming, still make their adoption challenging. Here we report a liquid state neuromorphic device based on a ferrofluid that exhibits short-term plasticity featuring extraordinary properties: a lower dynamic range, a high endurance, a fault tolerance capability, a deterministic resistance switching behavior, and no need for prerequisites such as a forming procedure and compliance current requirements. We also show how to stabilize nanoparticles using oleic acid as the surfactant, resulting in a yield increase and a smaller resistance variance. Additionally, we propose a low-power inference system on such a liquid synapse by applying the minimal magnitude of read biases, which are only affected to about 10% by the offset, gain errors, and noise of the system. Finally, we show the liquid synapse's feature to scale down the size and the capability to classify digits using a spike-based unsupervised learning method
Detailed numerical simulation of planar liquid sheet atomization: Instability dynamics, ligament formation, and self-destabilization mechanisms
Get PDFThe primary atomization of planar liquid sheets near nozzle exits plays a critical role in the study of pressure-swirl atomizers, yet its intrinsic destabilization and breakup mechanisms remain insufficiently characterized due to the multi-scale nature of gas–liquid interactions, significantly limiting the predictive capacity of current widely adopted atomization models. This study utilizes three-dimensional direct numerical simulations (DNSs) with adaptive mesh refinement and the Volume-of-Fluid (VOF) method to examine the instability and disintegration of a spatially developing planar liquid sheet under operating conditions representative of aero-engine combustors (thickness h=100 μm, We=2544, Re=886). Adaptive grid resolution (minimum cell size 2.5 μm) enables precise resolution of multi-scale interface dynamics while maintaining mass conservation errors below 0.1‱. High-fidelity simulations reveal distinct atomization cascades originating from the jet tip, characterized by liquid sheet roll-up, interface expanding, interface tearing, and ligament/droplet formation. Through extraction and surface characterization of representative shed liquid ligaments, we quantify temporal and spatial variations between ligaments propagating toward and away from the jet core region. Key findings demonstrate that ligament impingement on the liquid core serves as the dominant mechanism for surface wave destabilization, surpassing the influence of initial gas–liquid shear at the nozzle exit. Spectral analysis of upstream surface waves reveals a pronounced correlation between high-wavenumber disturbances and the mean diameter of shed ligaments. These results challenge assumptions in classical atomization models (e.g., LISA) by highlighting self-destabilization mechanisms driven by droplet–ligament interactions. This work provides critical insights for refining engineering atomization models through physics-based ligament diameter prediction criteria
OA34 The contributions of Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement groups to the conduct of a scoping review of non-pharmacological interventions for reducing fatigue in children and young people with musculoskeletal conditions
Get PDFBackground/Aims Fatigue is an important symptom for people of all ages with musculoskeletal (MSK) conditions. This includes the 234,000 children and young people (CYP) in England and Scotland currently living with conditions such as juvenile inflammatory arthritis, myositis and lupus. This scoping review aimed to generate evidence to design or adapt non-pharmacological MSK-fatigue support across the lifespan, by creating an overview of current knowledge and highlighting gaps in the literature. Methods The protocol and search strategy were developed in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews, in collaboration with a Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) group consisting of CYP aged 13-22 years, with lived experience of MSK-related fatigue (N = 12). This group was hosted online and focused on discussion of non-pharmacological interventions either offered to or investigated by participants. Following initial data extraction, an in-person PPIE workshop (N = 7) was held to discuss the initial findings. The data extraction template was then revised and amended by the research team in response to PPIE input. A further online PPIE workshop (N = 10) was held to reflect on the scoping review findings, including CYPs’ views about its relevance to their health and how information regarding non-pharmacological interventions for fatigue should be shared. Results CYP contributed to and reviewed key search terms and inclusion criteria, ensuring relevance of the review to their lived experience of fatigue. By discussing the non-pharmacological treatments they had been offered or sought out, CYP broadened the researchers’ understanding of contextual factors relating to intervention success and acceptability. Limited evidence regarding non-pharmacological fatigue interventions for CYP with MSK conditions was found and most interventions were based on physical activity. Following initial data extraction, participants highlighted that information such as the level and mode of support, qualifications of the facilitator and the appropriateness of the setting were not captured, which they considered important factors in determining acceptability. They also noted the lack of research regarding nutritional approaches or complementary medicine. When reviewing the final data, participants emphasised significant difficulties in locating and researching treatments when actively experiencing fatigue, and therefore the need for information to be easily available from reliable sources. The trustworthiness of guidance was considered highly important in ensuring physical safety when engaging with interventions, whereas the accessibility and age-appropriate nature of the intervention was deemed key for ensuring psychological safety. Conclusion The lived experience of the CYP PPIE groups added valuable insight into the nature and challenges of MSK-fatigue. Their input had a significant impact on the search strategy and data extraction process and will be sought again to ensure that dissemination of the review findings is relevant and accessible for patients, demonstrating the benefit of this approach in the conduct of scoping reviews. Disclosure K. Fishpool: None. G. Young: None. C. Ciurtin: None. F. Cramp: None. B. Farisogullari: None. G.J. Macfarlane: None. P.M. Machado: Consultancies; Abbvie, BMS, Celgene, Eli Lilly, Janssen, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, UCB. J. Pearson: None. E. Santos: None. E. Dures: None
Trends in Climate Legislation in the Carribean
No full textThis report provides a mapping review of climate legislation in the Caribbean region. We identified 78 climate laws across 16 Caribbean states, along with two constitutional provisions related to climate change. Six of the 16 countries considered in this report formally recognise the right to a healthy environment through constitutional or legislative means, signalling a shift toward rights-based approaches to climate action within some Caribbean states. Eleven countries have enacted climate-specific legislation, with clear trends emerging around the development of institutional frameworks, climate finance mechanisms, and sectoral regulation in areas such as energy and transportation. All of the countries included in this report have enacted climate-related legislation, within which we observe trends related to disaster risk management (DRM), energy efficiency, and environmental protection. These trends highlight progress in climate legislation across the Caribbean region and point to an opportunity for further leadership through the adoption of comprehensive climate framework laws – following the example of Saint Lucia – to strengthen coordination, resilience, and long-term climate ambition, as well as to enhance adaptation and preparedness through robust DRM legislation
Association of domestic tasks with the mood of adolescents and young adults from urban contexts in Latin America. Findings from an experience sampling study
Get PDFObjective: To identify the association between household chores and the mood of adolescents and young adults in three Latin American cities.Methods: This observational study is part of an Experience Sampling Study conducted under the research program “Promoting Resilience and the Development of Resources to Overcome Depression and Anxiety in Urban Youth in Latin America”. The study was carried out in Buenos Aires, Bogotá, and Lima. Participants completed questionnaires that assessed their mood (calmness-nervousness and happiness-sadness) and the activities they engaged in at random times throughout the day for seven consecutive days, using a mobile application. A multilevel analysis was performed to determine whether mood differed by gender and age, both before, during, and after performing household chores.Results: Participants reported feeling significantly calmer while engaged in household chores, and this effect appeared to persist over time. However, there was an increase in reported sadness during these chores compared to previous assessments. While mood varied based on age group and gender during household tasks, no significant differences were found.Conclusions: The performance of household chores has an inverse impact on mood, affecting happiness-sadness and calmness-nervousness among adolescents and young adults in Latin American cities. Further research is needed to understand the medium- and long-term effects of these activities on mood
Debating Childhoods: Critical Perspectives on Early Childhood
No full textThis book aims to challenge dominant narratives of childhood, offering a critical exploration of ten contemporary debates.Authored by experienced professionals and academics in the field, this thought-provoking book examines the impact of these debates on children's lived experiences through a socio-cultural lens. Bolstered by reflective questions and illustrative case studies, it stimulates discussions on social justice, children's rights, and their positioning within political and economic contexts.Written for students and professionals, ‘Debating Childhoods’ serves as a catalyst for critical engagement and aims to empower current and future scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to consider their roles in shaping the lives of young children
Colouring In: An attempt at polyvocal publishing
No full textMany writers and academics (including Teal Triggs, Rick Poynor and Michele Bogart) have commented on the relative paucity of theoretically grounded writing in illustration over the past decades. Recently a number of new platforms and initiatives have galvanized more scholarly work and new discursive spaces are being created to reflect on the discipline. In an editorial for this journal in 2018 illustration historian Jaleen Grove describes these exciting developments as the ‘Theoretical Turn’ of illustration. Barriers to contribute to these discussions, however, are persistent and lead to academic blind spots. As a result, there is a risk that emergent discursive spaces remain exclusionary and insular. Colouring In is the name of a collaborative research and publishing project by Stephanie Black and Luise Vormittag that aims to include a broader range of voices in this process of theorizing our discipline. The project, initiated in 2020, aims to generate new knowledge about the potential of illustration practice to make meaningful contributions to issues of critical importance to global debates. Rather than presenting our findings to date as a theoretical argument, this article reports and reflects on the different methods we used in pursuing this inquiry, methods that we hope are enabling a greater range of perspectives to come to the fore. Based on the principles of dialogic exchange, an attitude of receptive generosity and the drive to utilize these in the pursuit of a shared, persistent, iterative quest for clarification, Colouring In enabled contributions from illustrators and people with other kinds of expertise at different stages of their career. This article captures and scrutinizes how we assembled these polyvocal publications. This is to reflect on how illustration research is done, not just what people are arguing, and whether there are ways to improve it so that principles and methods align
