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Development of the alcohol‐free and low‐alcohol drinks market in Great Britain from 2011 to 2022: narrative timelines based on a documentary review of off‐trade retail magazines and market intelligence reports
Get PDFIssue
There is a growing alcohol-free and low-alcohol (no/lo) drinks market in Great Britain. Insight about when this emerged and how it has developed is needed to inform and interpret the growing body of research into the use of no/lo drinks. We therefore document the development of the no/lo market in Great Britain between 2011 and 2022 and examine which stakeholders have been involved in development and what actions they have taken.
Approach
Narrative timelines created through a documentary review of trade magazines (2011–2022) and market intelligence reports (2015–2022), focusing on product launches, marketing activity, industry changes, retailer actions, governmental actions and third sector activity.
Findings
A mainstream no/lo market emerged and established from 2015, with activity thereafter characterised by intensive market entry, expansion, and consolidation among both independent producers and mainstream alcohol brands. While initial development concentrated on beers, innovation has since proliferated across the cider, spirits, wine and ready-to-drink categories. Development appears predominately driven by market forces (e.g., product launches and marketing), with January a focal point of activity. Government has not introduced any legislation around no/lo drinks, although it has consulted on appropriate no/lo descriptors (in 2018) and committed (in 2019) to work with industry to grow the no/lo market.
Implications and Conclusions
While initial development in the no/lo market concentrated on beers, recent developments across categories, coupled with continued consolidation and expansion among beers, suggest the market may still develop further. Any assessment of the public health impact of no/lo drinks should be subject to longer-term follow-up once the market matures
EOS imaging and scoliosis: the clinical applicability and intra-rater repeatability of measures
Get PDFObjectives
EOS bi-planar imaging enables three-dimensional (3D) reconstructions of the spine and pelvis with segmental vertebral measurements in three planes from a neutral pelvis. This study evaluates the repeatability of these measurements and the accuracy in detecting true changes.
Methods
Twenty patients from four clinical backgrounds (surgical threshold, bracing threshold, micro-dose, and in-brace) were included. EOS bi-planar “full spine” images were modelled and then subsequently re-modelled at least 4 weeks later by the same researcher. All 3D measurements were recorded and compared.
Results
The average modelling interval was 6.7 weeks. Paired measures indicated high agreement, except for planes of maximal curvature (PMC): thoracic (Spearman’s = 0.67; p 0.05). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) showed excellent agreement, with thoracic and lumbar Cobb angles averaging 0.99. Sagittal measurements ranged from 0.93 (L1/S1 lordosis) to 0.96 (T1/T12 kyphosis). Pelvic parameters ranged from 0.88 (obliquity) to 0.99 (tilt). The transverse profile ranged from 0.82 (apical thoracic rotation) to 0.98 (average lumbar rotation). Repeatability (2.77 × technical error of measurement [TEM]) was ± 4.4° for Cobb angles, ± 7.7° for sagittal profile, ± 5.0° for pelvic parameters, ± 4.8° for transverse profile, and ± 100.4° for automated thoracic and lumbar PMC. With strong outliers excluded, thoracic PMC was ± 16.2° and lumbar PMC was ± 15.5°.
Conclusion
3D EOS measurements demonstrate excellent intra-rater ICC repeatability despite notable true measurement error that should define future success criteria. Semi-automated modelling provides quick 3D spinal alignment measurements from a neutral pelvis, with this study being the first to report TEM for 3D EOS reconstructions. PMC disagreement indicates the need for further investigation
Optimising toll prices based on a dynamic multi-region MFD SUE traffic model: Formulation and a case study of Zealand, Denmark
Get PDFRoad use tolling is an effective way of alleviating congestion. Although many tolling models have been developed, there is gap in the research for a model that: i) is dynamic, ii) accounts for the impacts of tolls on travel demand and departure time choice, iii) accounts for stochasticity in travellers’ route choices, iv) is well-behaved, producing continuous outputs, and v) is computationally feasible to apply to real-life large-scale networks. This paper fills this gap, by developing a tolling model based on the dynamic multi-region Macroscopic Fundamental Diagram (MFD) Stochastic User Equilibrium (SUE) traffic model introduced in Duncan et al. (2025). We begin by extending the model to account for elastic demand and departure time choice. Then, we integrate the model within a toll-price optimisation framework, where the tolling scheme is travel-time-based and the objective function maximises social welfare. We first test the model in a small-scale example multi-region MFD system, and then apply it to estimate an optimal toll-price in a real-life large-scale and detailed case study of Zealand, Denmark. Experiments find that the model is well-behaved and produces smooth objective function surfaces with a unique maximum. Travel behaviour implications of tolling are also realistic, where some travellers opt not to travel by car, some change their departure time, and some change their route. Results suggest that tolling could instigate a positive change in travel behaviour to benefit society
Pilot-scale demonstration and practical challenges of bioenergy with CCS (BECCS) using rotating packed bed
Get PDFThis paper presents findings of demonstration of CO2 capture by rotating packed bed absorber using real biomass flue gases. There are two main objectives of the study presented here: (1) performance assessment of pilot scale rotating packed bed CO2 capture absorber with real biomass flue gases (2) the impact of impurities in biomass flue gases on the solvent. The demonstration was carried out at the waste to energy and CO2 capture facilities at the Energy Innovation Centre of the University of Sheffield. Rotating packed bed (RPB) absorber was used to capture CO2 from biomass flue gas generated by a grate boiler. CO2 loadings and solvent concentrations were measured using Mettler Toledo auto-titrator. Particulates content of the flue gas was measured, and particulates were collected for further analysis at the boiler exit and absorber inlet by Electrical Low Pressure Impactor (ELPI®+) manufactured by Dekati®. The particulate samples were analysed by ICP-OES to investigate the impact of metals in the flue gas coming from the biomass on the solvent degradation. Solvent samples were collected and analysed with ICP-MS and Ion Chromatography to quantify build-up of metals and anions in the solvent over time. There is very limited information on this subject in open literature. The short-term tests presented here can serve as a starting point for further longer-term investigations into the impact of biomass flue gas contaminants on the solvent behaviour and the solvent management requirements during CO2 capture from biomass flue gases
Tribology of dual Pickering double emulsions: Machine learning-aided inner droplet analysis
No full textThis study investigated the tribological performance of Pickering water-in-oil emulsions and dual Pickering water-in-oil-in-water double emulsions (DEs) stabilized with particles at both the interfaces. W/O emulsions were stabilized by cocoa butter-based oleogel (CBolg) crystals, while DEs incorporating these emulsions were stabilized by whey protein microgels (WPM). The influence of temperature (21 and 37 °C) and surface texture (smooth vs biomimetic tongue-like surface) were investigated in tribology of W/O emulsions (30–60 % v/v water) and DEs (with 20 and 60 wt% W/O phase). In smooth surfaces, CBolg played a critical role in reducing the friction coefficient (μ) primarily via a fat-driven lubrication mechanism that was temperature dependent. While in DEs, smaller oil droplets encapsulating water provided similar lubrication to oil-based systems until starvation occurred. Strikingly, the water content in W/O emulsions exhibited distinct differences between emulsion systems within the biomimetic tongue-like surfaces, demonstrating lower lubricity at higher water concentration. Confocal microscopy images analyzed using Machine Learning (ML)-supported droplet segmentation enabled a more precise evaluation of structural changes within DEs when subjected to tribological stress. We demonstrated that although changes in inner droplet size altered in DEs, their contribution to the overall lubrication performance was minimal, due to their limited entrainment. Of more importance, the tribological performance was governed by the WPM with minimal influence from the droplet-entrained phenomena. These fundamental insights highlight the relevance of structured water in understanding frictional performance in emulsified systems, with structural integrity, composition, and topography of the tribological surface emerging as key factors
Annual versus less frequent mammographic surveillance in people with breast cancer aged 50 years and older in the UK (Mammo-50): cost-effectiveness and budget impact analysis
No full textBackground
There is limited evidence on the optimal frequency of mammogram surveillance. At 5-year follow-up, the Mammo-50 trial found that, in patients aged 50+ and 3 years post diagnosis, less frequent mammograms were non-inferior to annual mammograms for breast-cancer-specific-survival, recurrence-free interval and overall survival.
Methods
A within-trial cost-effectiveness analysis compared annual versus less frequent mammogram surveillance over 5 years from healthcare and societal perspectives. Hospital Episodes Statistics captured hospital-based resource use. Health-related quality of life and other cost data were obtained via questionnaires at surveillance mammograms. A budget impact analysis estimated NHS savings.
Results
Less frequent surveillance led to cost savings of −£543.88 (−£1116; £26) and a small reduction in quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) of −0.02 (−0.095; 0.06) per patient. The incremental net monetary benefit at a £20,000/QALY threshold was £187 (−£1574; £2027). Including societal costs increased savings to £1543 per person (−£2416; −£669), and cost-effectiveness. Projected NHS savings were £185.87 million over 6 years.
Conclusion
Less frequent mammogram surveillance is cost-effective. Uncertainty remains due to variability in costs and quality of life estimates, and missing data in the less frequent arm due to study design. Given the trial’s non-inferiority findings, this strategy is recommended from healthcare and societal perspectives
In-hospital psychological stress and post-hospital outcomes
No full textPsychological stress experienced by hospital inpatients has been shown to be associated with poorer post-hospital outcomes. The current study aimed to test for associations between hospital-related stress and post-hospital outcomes, and explore whether these associations varied by stressor type, demographic, and other patient factors. A nationally representative sample of 660 recent UK inpatients completed the Hospital Stress Questionnaire and four post-hospital outcome measures. Increased in-hospital stress was observed amongst patients that were younger, female, from an ethnic minority, had a longer hospital stay, or an unplanned admission. In-hospital stress was associated with all four post-hospital outcome measures. The associations were stronger for subjective than objective outcomes, and strongest with stressors related to health anxiety and negative effects of treatment. This study provides further evidence that in-hospital stress is associated with poorer post-hospital outcomes. Future interventions ought to focus on reducing in-hospital stress to improve patients’ experiences of healthcare and recovery
Buyer Fairness and Supplier Trust: The Moderating Effects of Supplier Dependence From a Motivated Cognition Perspective
No full textDistributive fairness (how benefits are shared) and process fairness (how decisions are made) are key antecedents to trust formation in buyer–supplier relationships. However, existing research has given limited attention to when and how distributive and process fairness are associated with higher trust, especially considering the motivational components of trust. Drawing on a motivated cognition perspective, this study examines how supplier dependence—a key factor that shapes supplier motivation—moderates the relationship between buyer fairness and supplier trust. Survey data were first used to investigate the moderating effects, demonstrating distinct patterns of fairness effects across different levels of supplier dependence. A case study was then utilized to strengthen the research's applicability in real-life situations, particularly to illuminate the mechanism of motivated cognition. This study advances knowledge in two important ways. First, it provides a fuller specification of the fairness–trust connection in buyer–supplier relationships. Second, it generates novel insights into trust as a motivated phenomenon
Polynomial Matrix SVD via Generalized Sequential Matrix Diagonalisation
Get PDFThe singular value decomposition (SVD) of polynomial matrices serves as a cornerstone in the analysis and optimization of broadband multi-input multi-output (MIMO) systems. This paper introduces novel algorithms for performing the SVD of polynomial matrices, leveraging a sequential matrix diagonalization (SMD) framework. The proposed methodology begins by identifying the column or row with the highest off-diagonal energy using a maximum search procedure. Subsequently, this energy is transferred to the zero-lag coefficient matrix through a delay operation, which is then diagonalized using a conventional SVD. This iterative process continues until the maximum off-diagonal element falls below a predefined threshold. The proposed framework encompasses multiple algorithmic variants, each designed to offer distinct convergence speeds, thereby addressing diverse computational and accuracy requirements. Rigorous proofs of convergence are provided, alongside a thorough comparative analysis of the computational efficiency and diagonalization accuracy of the algorithms. Extensive simulations, conducted on ensembles of randomly generated polynomial matrices, demonstrate that the proposed algorithms consistently outperform state-of-the-art polynomial SVD (PSVD) methods across all evaluated performance metrics. Furthermore, the application of the proposed algorithm to decouple broadband or convolutive MIMO channels validates its accuracy and effectiveness in practical scenarios
The prevalence and burden of avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) symptoms in the adult general population of the UK and USA
Get PDFIntroduction
Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID) is a feeding and eating disorder characterized by avoidant/restrictive eating behaviors that lead to medical and/or functional impairments. While ARFID is increasingly recognized within pediatric populations and specialist clinics, data on its prevalence and burden within the adult general population remain sparse. We sought to address this knowledge gap.
Methods
We conducted a population-based internet survey with predefined demographic quotas across the UK and USA. The survey included the Nine-Item ARFID Screen (NIAS), the Rome IV diagnostic questionnaire for disorders of gut-brain interaction (e.g., irritable bowel syndrome, functional dyspepsia), and questions regarding demographics, body mass index, somatic symptoms, anxiety and depression, quality of life, and healthcare utilization.
Results
Among 4002 participants (mean age 47.1 years, 50% female), 26.0% screened positive for ARFID. Prevalence was significantly higher in females versus males (29.6% vs. 22.1%, OR 1.48, 95% CI 1.28–1.71) and varied by age: 18–39 years (31.6%), 40–64 years (25.0%), and ≥ 65 years (16.1%; p < 0.001). Participants with a positive ARFID screen demonstrated significantly higher rates of underweight status, disorders of gut-brain interaction, mood disturbances, somatic symptoms, reduced mental and physical quality of life, and increased healthcare utilization compared to unaffected individuals. Increasing severity of ARFID correlated with greater general health impairment (all p < 0.001).
Conclusion
A positive ARFID screen is common within the adult general population, affecting 1-in-4 people, and associated with a substantial health burden. Increased awareness of ARFID will facilitate clinical service provision and guide future research
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