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Suwayda: Not a local conflict, but geopolitics in disguise
Get PDFInternet publication.The past two weeks have devastated Suwayda, Jaramana, and Syria. 1,448 people are dead so far. A massacre of innocents—at a time when genocide and starvation in Palestine are being normalised, supported, and silenced, painting with blood a new brutal geopolitics. “What makes the deadly massacres in Suwayda even more brutal is the tragedy of betrayal. From Sultan al-Atrash to Kamal Kanj, the Syrian Druze have long resisted partition, insisting that "religion is for God and the homeland is for all." The use of sectarianism as a geopolitical tactic in Suwayda—shared by the governments of both Israel and Syria—reveals a convergence of interests, where both sides consolidate power through violence, at the cost of civilian lives and the destruction of Syrian society. If this tactic persists, the lingering question remains: who will be next?”ifa - Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen [Germany]
Electrochemical and Spectroscopic Studies of Zinc Oxide in an Eco-Friendly Deep Eutectic Solvent for Zn Electrodeposition
Get PDFData availability:
The link to the data is provided in 10.17633/rd.brunel.28376195.v1.Supplementary data are available online at: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1149/1945-7111/adda79#supplDataLink .Zinc oxide (ZnO) is a waste produced from end-of-life Zinc-air batteries. Recycling of these spent batteries is important to reduce the pressure on primary zinc sources and to mitigate environmental pollution. To address the recyclability of waste ZnO from different sources, here we have studied ZnO dissolution and Zn electrodeposition in deep eutectic solvents (DES) of betaine hydrochloride (Betaine-HCl) and formic acid (FA) using spectroscopic and electrochemical techniques. Additionally, the effect of water in the DES on the dissolution of ZnO and its electrochemical and spectroscopic behaviour was also studied. Solubility of ZnO in DES was found to be 95 g l−1 which decreased slightly to 85 g l−1 in the DES containing 10% water. Fourier transform infrared and Raman studies revealed that ZnO dissolved in DES by forming a [ZnCl3FA]− complex. Electrochemical studies showed that Zn deposit morphology and structure varied with water content in the DES. A uniform Zn deposit was achieved in ZnO-DES mixture whereas the presence of water gave a porous morphology. Thus, this study revealed an easy and eco-friendly route to recycle ZnO.The authors thank BBSRC BB/X011445/1 for funding this research. Both KM and UKR contributed equally to the paper
Resilience Models for Tunnel Recovery After Earthquakes
Get PDFSupplementary data are available online at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2095809925003261?via%3Dihub#s0180 .Tunnels are a crucial component of urban infrastructure, continuously exposed to various hazards, threats, and stressors. Events such as earthquakes, fires, and floods, along with aging and construction-related disturbances, pose significant challenges to tunnel resilience. Reliable fragility, restoration, and traffic reinstatement models are essential for assessing and quantifying resilience, as they allow infrastructure operators to prioritize maintenance and adapt to evolving threats in complex transportation systems. Although the vulnerability and fragility of tunnels have been widely researched over the last decade, studies focusing on tunnel restoration to quantify resilience remain scarce. This gap prevents operators from implementing proactive and reactive adaptation measures to ensure seamless tunnel functionality. To address this issue, this study presents a novel, fit-for-purpose, damage-level-dependent probabilistic approach for quantifying tunnel recovery. It introduces the first realistic, practice-led restoration models that enable resilience quantification in tunnels. To develop these models, a global expert survey was conducted to establish reinstatement (traffic capacity) and restoration (structural capacity) models tailored to tunnel resilience assessments. A detailed questionnaire was designed to gather expert input on required restoration tasks, their duration, sequencing, and cost. The survey focused primarily on damage induced by seismic events, incorporating idle times and traffic capacity gains over time. The results were then used to generate deterministic and probabilistic reinstatement and restoration models. The deterministic models are intended for practical applications, while the probabilistic models account for epistemic uncertainties and are presented in a reproducible format for further development across different hazards and applications. A case study is included to demonstrate the resilience assessment of a typical tunnel using the newly developed restoration models. The findings will help infrastructure operators and city planners to accurately assess tunnel resilience, enabling informed investment decisions.The first author appreciates the support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (W2411044, 52408435, and 52090082), the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2022YFC3800905), Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program by CAST (2023QNRC001), and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.
Dr. Stergios-Aristoteles Mitoulis and Dr. Sotirios Argyroudis received funding by the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) under the UK government’s Horizon Europe funding guarantee (EP/Y003586/1, EP/X037665/1). This is the funding guarantee for the European Union HORIZON-MSCA-2021-SE-01 (101086413) ReCharged-Climate-aware Resilience for Sustainable Critical and interdependent Infrastructure Systems enhanced by emerging Digital Technologies
Investigating the content and processes of patient-derived quality of care indicators for those affected by multiple long-term conditions (MLTC): A scoping review protocol
Get PDFData Availability: All relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files.Supporting information is available online at: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0328016#sec014 -- S1 File. Search strategy.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0328016.s001 (DOCX).Background:
People living with multiple long-term conditions (MLTC) are reported to have poorer quality of life, worse health outcomes, and higher health-related expenses compared to those with singular chronic health conditions. Living with MLTC is associated with a higher risk of care that is duplicate or unnecessary. Understanding and monitoring the quality of care (QoC) for those with MLTC is imperative to ensure that individuals complex care needs are met, maximising health and wellbeing and minimising harm and social/economic burden. There is paucity on what QoC means in the context of MLTC, which is likely different than a mere amalgamation of quality indicators of each contributory condition. There is even less understanding on how QoC can be measured in a way that meets the specific care priorities of individuals with MLTC. The aim of this review is to systematically map and analyse evidence on what QoC means for those affected by MLTC and the content and processes of any existing QoC indicators in MLTC, developed with patient or caregivers.
Methods:
We will systematically search for evidence following a Levac et al methodological scoping review process. All eligible studies published in English from 2000 onwards in the following databases will be included: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, APA PsycINFO, Global Health and Health Management Information Consortium. Given expected study heterogeneity, a narrative synthesis is anticipated. Our Community Partner Advisory Group will assist in the identification and analysis of relevant evidence.
Discussion:
Current evidence shows variations in concepts and approaches when developing, implementing or validating QoC indicators, not always capturing patients’ preferences nor the complex processes required in MLTC care. Clarifying concepts and synthesising evidence-based knowledge in this area will be the first step to inform the development of a project aiming to develop a set of patient-derived QoC indicators for use across multiple settings in the United Kingdom (UK) and beyond.
Systematic review registration:
Available on Open Science Framework on https://osf.io/gjr84.Imperial College NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) supports the development of this research project, under the grant number NIHR203323 (ST and LD)
Todestrieb
No full textZusammenfassung: Žižeks Konzept des „Todestriebs“, beeinflusst von Freuds ursprünglicher Idee und Lacans Neuinterpretationen, ist zentral für seine psychoanalytische Philosophie. Für Žižek repräsentiert der Todestrieb nicht die biologische Auflösung eines Organismus’ und dessen Zurücksinken in die anorganische Natur. Vielmehr steht das Konzept für eine unheimliche Lebenskraft, die eine Form der Unsterblichkeit symbolisiert und ihre Quellen u. a. in den symbolischen Ordnungen der menschlichen Kultur hat. (Aus dem Englischen übersetzt von Tobias Schimpfle. [Translated from English by Tobias Schimpfle.])
Cultural Mindset and Social Policy: Mapping Sexual Health–Related Policies Across the USA
No full textData Availability:
Data are available via https://github.com/tagtarap/MappingMindsetSexualHealth .Code Availability:
Open script and code are available via https://github.com/tagtarap/MappingMindsetSexualHealth .Introduction:
In the wake of post-Roe America, scholars increasingly evaluate the barriers associated with sex education and reproductive rights nationwide, probing the role of cultural factors in shaping these trends.
Methods:
Drawing on secondary data collected in 2024 from The Guttmacher Institute, the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS), and prior research by Harrington and Gelfand ( Harrington & Gelfand, 2014), this study examines the relationship between cultural mindset and state-level policies regulating sex education and abortion access in the USA.
Results:
Utilizing the tightness–looseness continuum as a framework, our analysis uncovers a clear association between higher state mindset scores and the implementation of more restrictive policies. Tighter states, characterized by stringent norm adherence, tend to enforce limited sex education curricula, hindering information accessibility and perpetuating narratives of heteronormativity. Regression models confirm a notable preference in tighter states for abstinence-focused sex education over comprehensive or abstinence-plus curricula. Additionally, regression models confirm tighter states exhibiting significantly stricter abortion regulations, disproportionately affecting marginalized groups and deepening barriers to bodily autonomy.
Conclusion:
Highlighting the contrast between loose and tight states, we emphasize the imperative of fostering inclusive and comprehensive sex education for enhancing bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom. These insights contribute valuable perspectives to academic discourse, informing ongoing public debates and underscoring the need for nuanced policy approaches to navigate socio-cultural factors influencing reproductive rights and healthcare outcomes.
Policy Implications:
Understanding state-level mindset dynamics is crucial for anticipating legislative shifts and comprehensively grasping societal attitudes. Such insights offer pivotal guidance for policymakers and activists in the evolving policy landscape following landmark decisions like Roe v. Wade
Effect of Ti on microstructure and mechanical properties of high strength AA6xxx alloy
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Data will be made available on request.Titanium is common in recycled aluminium alloys but limited in high-strength variants containing Zr and Cr. This study shows that Ti increases the liquidus temperature and promotes the formation of Al3Ti-(Al,Si)3(Ti,Zr) core–shell intermetallics. Zr and Si absorption reduces hardness and enhances the plasticity of Al3Ti intermetallic. Ti addition improved extruded profile bending performance due to a reduced peripheral coarse grain depth, while cracks propagated via voids at Fe-intermetallics rather than Ti-intermetallics.The authors gratefully acknowledge the grant to Brunel University received from the Advanced Propulsion Centre through Innovate UK that supported the work programme presented
Distributed Ledger Technology Niches and Experimentation in Central Banks Payment Systems Functions: A Thematic Analysis
No full textJEL Classification: E58.Distributed ledger technology (DLT) has the potential to transform the current centralized architecture of traditional payment systems. In this paper, applying a multivocal literature review and a thematic analysis to analyze the grey and academic literature, we identify and categorize the use cases related to DLT-based applications in central bank payment systems functions. We identified six DLT-based use cases as real-time gross settlement systems, cross-border settlements arrangements, infrastructure for central bank digital currencies, information registry and data sharing, and digital know your customer/anti-money laundering applications. Furthermore, we explore the motivation behind adopting DLT and the role of central banks for applicable use cases. Our findings show that the primary and recurrent theme on motivation across the different use cases is to improve efficiency compared to conventional systems. The range of DLT platforms and consensus algorithms that we identified indicates that there is no universal solution that can be applied in all cases. Finally, we provide insights into the current state of research in this niche area. We observe that the practical implementation of the use cases is mostly discussed in the grey literature, which emphasizes its importance in providing complementary perspectives on the practical and theoretical aspects of the use cases...
The Firm-Level and Aggregate Effects of Corporate Payout Policy
No full textJEL Codes:
C68; E62; G30; G35; H25; H30.Data Availability:
Data will be made available on request.This paper presents a novel study on the significance of corporate payout policy in shaping firms’ financial decision-making and, in turn, the macroeconomy. To this end, we add to the literature by allowing households and firms to choose share buybacks optimally. We then explore the implications of various shocks commonly facing them, such as dividend income, investment, and tax shocks. The latter include corporate income, capital gains, and dividend income taxes. We find that the model predictions cohere well with the data when applying the non-policy shocks. We also find that tax reform’s aggregate and welfare effects are overstated when share buybacks are not optimally chosen as assumed in the relevant literature
Data sources:
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