114612 research outputs found
Sort by
Review of Dreadful desires : the uses of love in neoliberal China by Zhang, Charlie Yi
No full textThe post-1970s reform and opening up has not only reconnected China to the global economy but also profoundly changed its socio-economic structure and the lived experience of its citizens. Lisa Rofel (2007) has explored how desires are reconstructed in post-reform China, focusing on the way in which public culture showcases the dual (re)shaping of people's changing everyday life experiences by the authoritarian governmentality and the neoliberal economy specific to the Chinese context. In Dreadful Desires: The Uses of Love in Neoliberal China, Charlie Yi Zhang further advances the debate by incorporating affective analyses into his theoretical approach. His work strives to explain how notions of love are reinterpreted in such a way that conceals post-reform China's structural inequalities and neocolonial ambitions, thus rendering legitimate both the government and the market economy's regulations of the population
First archaeological evidence for ginger consumption as a potential medicinal ingredient in a late medieval leprosarium at St Leonard, Peterborough, England
Full text linkLeprosy was one of the most outwardly visible diseases in the European Middle Ages, a period during which leprosaria were founded to provide space for the sick. The extant documentary evidence for leprosy hospitals, especially in relation to diet, therapeutic, and medical care, is limited. However, human dental calculus stands to be an important source of information as it provides insight into the substances people were exposed to and accumulated in their bodies during their lives. In the present study, microremains and DNA were analysed from the calculus of individuals buried in the late medieval cemetery of St Leonard, a leprosarium located in Peterborough, England. The results show the presence of ginger (Zingiber officinale), a culinary and medicinal ingredient, as well as evidence of consumption of cereals and legumes. This research suggests that affected individuals consumed ingredients mentioned in medieval medical textbooks that were used to treat regions of the body typically impacted by leprosy. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first study which has identified Zingiber officinale in human dental calculus in England or on the wider European continent
Unveiling the dance of commodity prices and the global financial cycle
No full textWe examine the impact of commodity price changes on the business cycles and capital flows in emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs), distinguishing between their role as a source of shock and as a channel of transmission of global shocks. Our findings reveal that surges in export prices, triggered by commodity price shocks, boost domestic GDP, an effect further amplified by the endogenous decline of country spreads. However, the effects on capital flows appear muted. Shifts in U.S. monetary policy and global risk appetite drive the global financial cycle in EMDEs. Eased global credit conditions, attributed to looser U.S. monetary policy or lower global risk appetite, lead to a rise in export prices, higher output, a decrease in government borrowing costs, and stimulate greater capital flows. The endogenous response of export prices amplifies the output effects of a more accommodative U.S. monetary policy while country spreads magnify the impact of shifts in global risk appetite
Linear quadratic regulation control for falling liquid films
No full textWe propose and analyse a new methodology based on linear-quadratic regulation (LQR) for stabilising falling liquid films via blowing and suction at the base. LQR methods enable rapidly responding feedback control by precomputing a gain matrix, but are only suitable for systems of linear ordinary differential equations (ODEs). By contrast, the Navier-Stokes equations that describe the dynamics of a thin liquid film flowing down an inclined plane are too complex to stabilise with standard control-theoretical techniques. To bridge this gap we use reduced-order models – the Benney equation and a weighted-residual integral boundary layer model – obtained via asymptotic analysis to derive a multi-level control framework. This framework consists of an LQR feedback control designed for a linearised and discretised system of ODEs approximating the reduced-order system, which is then applied to the full Navier-Stokes system. The control scheme is tested via direct numerical simulation (DNS), and compared to analytical predictions of linear stability thresholds and minimum required actuator numbers. Comparing the strategy between the two reduced-order models we show that in both cases we can successfully stabilise towards a uniform flat film across their respective ranges of valid parameters, with the more accurate weighted-residual model outperforming the Benney-derived controls. The weighted-residual controls are also found to work successfully far beyond their anticipated range of applicability. The proposed methodology increases the feasibility of transferring robust control techniques towards real-world systems, and is also generalisable to other forms of actuation
The 40 pc sample of white dwarfs from Gaia
Full text linkWe present a comprehensive overview of a volume-complete sample of white dwarfs located within 40 pc of the Sun, a significant proportion of which were detected in Gaia Data Release 3 (DR3). Our DR3 sample contains 1076 spectroscopically confirmed white dwarfs, with just five candidates within the volume remaining unconfirmed (> 99 per cent spectroscopic completeness). Additionally, 28 white dwarfs were not in our initial selection from Gaia DR3, most of which are in unresolved binaries. We use Gaia DR3 photometry and astrometry to determine a uniform set of white dwarf parameters, including mass, effective temperature, and cooling age. We assess the demographics of the 40 pc sample, specifically magnetic fields, binarity, space density, and mass distributions
Exploring the pathways to psychological well-being : residential mobility, parental sensitivity, and adjustment in emerging adults
Full text linkThis study investigated the impact of parental sensitivity on emerging adults' psychological well-being. Using a moderated mediation model, it explored how adjustment (prosocial and aggressive behavior) mediates the association between parental sensitivity and psychological well-being for mothers and fathers. Additionally, residential mobility was examined as a moderator in the relationship between parental sensitivity and adjustment. A sample of 445 emerging adults (Mage = 21.46, SDage = 2.33) reported the number of their past moves and rated their parents’ sensitivity, their adjustment, and their psychological well-being. Results revealed that high maternal sensitivity positively predicted psychological well-being through increased prosocial behavior. This indirect relationship was significant only among individuals with lower levels of residential mobility. This pattern was not observed with paternal sensitivity, and the model yielded insignificant results for aggressive behavior. These findings highlight the significance of early maternal sensitivity in influencing the adjustment and psychological well-being of emerging adults
Remote vital sign monitoring in admission avoidance hospital at home – a systematic review
No full textObjectives: To examine randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of ‘hospital at home’ (HAH) for admission avoidance in adults presenting with acute physical illness to identify the use of vital sign monitoring approaches and evidence for their effectiveness.
Design: Systematic review
Setting and participants: This review compared strategies for vital sign monitoring in admission avoidance HAH for adults presenting with acute physical illness. Vital sign monitoring can support HAH acute multidisciplinary care by contributing to safety, determining requirement of further assessment and guiding clinical decisions. There are a wide range of systems currently available, including reliable and automated continuous remote monitoring using wearable devices.
Methods: Eligible studies were identified through updated database and trial registries searches (2 March 2016 to 15 February 2023), and existing systematic reviews. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias 2 tool. Random effects meta-analyses were performed, and narrative summaries provided stratified by vital sign monitoring approach.
Results: 21 eligible RCTs (3459 participants) were identified. Two approaches to vital sign monitoring were characterised: manual and automated. Reporting was insufficient in the majority of studies for classification. For HAH compared to hospital care, 6-monthly mortality risk ratio (RR) was 0.94 (95% CI 0.78 to 1.12), 3-monthly readmission to hospital RR 1.02 (0.77 to 1.35) and length of stay mean difference 1.91 days (0.71 to 3.12). Readmission to hospital was reduced in the automated monitoring subgroup (RR 0.30 95%CI 0.11 to 0.86).
Conclusions and Implications: This review highlights gaps in the reporting and evidence-base informing remote vital sign monitoring in alternatives to admission for acute illness, despite expanding implementation in clinical practice. Although continuous vital sign monitoring using wearable devices may offer added benefit, its use in existing RCTs is limited. Recommendations for the implementation and evaluation of remote monitoring in future clinical trials are proposed
Tuning the photoactivated anticancer activity of Pt( iv ) compounds via distant ferrocene conjugation
Full text linkPhotoactive prodrugs offer potential for spatially-selective antitumour activity with minimal effects on normal tissues. Excited-state chemistry can induce novel effects on biochemical pathways and combat resistance to conventional drugs. Photoactive metal complexes in particular, have a rich and relatively unexplored photochemistry, especially an ability to undergo facile intersystem crossing and populate triplet states. We have conjugated the photoactive octahedral Pt(iv) complex trans, trans, trans-[Pt(N3)2(OH)2(py)2] to ferrocene to introduce novel features into a candidate photochemotherapeutic drug. The X-ray crystal structure of the conjugate Pt-Fe confirmed the axial coordination of a ferrocene carboxylate, with Pt(iv) and Fe(ii) 6.07 Å apart. The conjugation of ferrocene red-shifted the absorption spectrum and ferrocene behaves as a light antenna allowing charge transfer from iron to platinum, promoting the photoactivation of Pt-Fe with light of longer wavelength. Cancer cellular accumulation is enhanced, and generation of reactive species is catalysed after photoirradiation, introducing ferroptosis as a contribution towards the cell-death mechanism. TDDFT calculations were performed to shed light on the behaviour of Pt-Fe when it is irradiated. Intersystem spin-crossing allows the formation of triplet states centred on both metal atoms. The dissociative nature of triplet states confirms that they can be involved in ligand detachment due to irradiation. The Pt(ii) photoproducts mainly retain the trans-{Pt(py)2}2+fragment. Visible light irradiation gives rise to micromolar activity for Pt-Fe towards ovarian, lung, prostate and bladder cancer cells under both normoxia and hypoxia, and some photoproducts appear to retain Pt(iv)–Fe(ii) conjugation
A holistic approach to fragile X syndrome integrated guidance for person‐centred care
Full text linkBackground: The Fragile X community has expressed a desire for centralised, national guidelines in the form of integrated guidance for Fragile X Syndrome (FXS). Methods: This article draws on existing literature reviews, primary research and clinical trials on FXS, a Fragile X Society conference workshop and first‐hand experience of clinicians who have worked with those living with FXS over many years. Results: The article scopes proposed integrated guidance over the life course, including appendices of symptoms, comorbidities and referral options for FXS and Fragile X Premutation Associated Conditions. Conclusion: Integrated guidance would provide an authoritative source for doctors, health professionals, therapists, care workers, social workers, educators, employers, families and those living with FXS, so that a holistic, person‐centred approach can be taken across the United Kingdom to garner the best outcomes for those with FXS