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Exploring spatial resolution enhancements on IMAT for steel corrosion studies
Get PDFNeutron imaging offers benefits over X-rays for steel corrosion studies including deep penetration and high sensitivity to some light elements such as hydrogen. However, the resolution is frequently at or below the thickness of the corroded layer. This work demonstrates two approaches to enhance the spatial resolution on IMAT at the ISIS neutron source. The first approach shows that a fiber optics taper attached to an optical camera box for white beam imaging can achieve a spatial resolution down to 15 μm. The second approach uses event centroiding with a Timepix3-based detector for diffraction contrast imaging achieving a spatial resolution of 30 μm. These results support advances in corrosion and degradation studies of steel using neutron imaging
Health Facility Quality Peer Effects:Are Financial Incentives Necessary?
Get PDFThis paper examines peer effects in health facility quality in South Africa. Specifically, we investigate whether health facilities adapt their quality in response to changes in the quality of peer facilities, even in the absence of material incentives for doing so. Using a national census of public primary health facilities, we exploit data on structural and process components of quality, examining how these measures change from 2015-2017. We examine facilities strategic interactions using both a spatial econometrics approach and a more traditional quasi-experimental approach exploiting a quality improvement program as a source of exogeneous variation to estimate the response of facilities to changes in the quality of their peers. We find evidence of quality peer effects between primary health care facilities, with a 10-unit increase in average District facility quality causing facilities to increase their quality by 3.6 units. Given the lack of financial incentives, we propose prosocial motivation and reputational concerns as the mechanism inducing facilities to respond to changes in peer quality. This finding is consistent with recent literature which has stressed the role measurement and public reporting can play in improving public service, and particularly health care, provision. Importantly, our findings have significant policy implications suggesting the provision of relative performance information, allowing for peer comparisons, can induce a form of quality yardstick competition and be a credible quality improvement policy which may be considered alongside health financing reforms
War‐induced behavioral change in spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) populations in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia
Get PDFIn Tigray, northern Ethiopia, there is a long tradition of peaceful coexistence between spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) and humans. While historically the coexistence has been relatively stable, we assessed the impact of the recent war in Tigray on this coexistence. We investigated the effects of war on the scavenging and hunting behavior of spotted hyenas, and the consequences for local people in Tigray. We compared current spotted hyena foraging at six battle sites with six control sites across Tigray using diet analysis, hyena abundance through playback experiments, and assessed human−wildlife interactions via semistructured interviews in 1200 households. Spotted hyena diets at both site types consisted exclusively of domestically derived prey; however, the composition of prey species differed significantly (χ2=64.03, df=6, p=0.001). Human hair was prevalent in hyena scats from battle sites but was absent in scats collected from the control sites. In total, 318 hyenas responded to 48 call stations, response rates were significantly higher at battle sites (x=36.7±9.7 SD) than at control sites (x=16.3±14.6 SD). There were several lines of evidence that human−wildlife interactions were more negative. Reported livestock predation was 18.85% higher at battle sites, with 78.5% of depredation events occurring during the war, compared to 6% pre-war and 15.5% post-war. We conclude that changes in hyena feeding behavior during the war and siege period can be linked to changes in the availability of scavengable food sources. These results yield insight not only into the consequences of war for the people of Tigray but also into how the many armed conflicts in regions with large scavenger/carnivore populations may have long-lasting impacts on human−wildlife conflict around the globe
Genomics and morphometry of herbarium specimens elucidate the origin of the Cape Verde date palm (Phoenix atlantica A.Chev.) and highlight its agronomic potential
Get PDFSocietal Impact Statement: As climate change accelerates, breeding resilient crops is urgent. The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.), a crucial 18 billion USD fruit crop, underpins North African and West Asian oasis agroecosystems. This study investigates the genetics and morphology of its closest wild relative, the endemic and endangered Cape Verde date palm (Phoenix atlantica A.Chev.). We reveal that the latter originated through a feralisation process from domesticated date palms, evolving back into a wild state with unique genetic diversity. This highlights the need to protect its distinctiveness and opens the possibility of enhancing date palm resilience through its inclusion in breeding programs. Summary: The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.). is a major crop but its sustainability is threatened by climate change. This challenge could be mitigated by breeding with wild relatives or feral populations. The endangered and endemic Cape Verde date palm (Phoenix atlantica A.Chev.) is thought to be among the closest relatives of the date palm, but its origin and taxonomic status remain unclear, with studies having recovered it either as a separate species or a feral date palm. Better understanding the differentiation of P. atlantica and P. dactylifera is needed to fully unlock the potential of the Cape Verde date palm as a candidate for date palm improvement. In this study, we employ an integrative approach to clarify the origin of P. atlantica. Specifically, we investigate the phylogenetic placement, genetic structure, and seed morphology of P. atlantica by generating extensive genomic and seed morphology datasets from expert-verified historical and modern specimens of Phoenix, including the type specimen of P. atlantica. Our findings indicate that P. atlantica is monophyletic but nested within P. dactylifera. Its genetic diversity overlaps substantially but not completely with North African date palm varieties, and its seeds share characteristics with those of cultivated and feral date palms, notably elongation, a trait linked to domestication. These results suggest that P. atlantica may be an incipient species that originated from a date palm feralisation event. We emphasise the need for conserving its natural genetic variation and the traditional knowledge associated with its name to support breeding programs
The challenges of implementing earlier surgery for terminal ileal Crohn's disease—a qualitative study of the clinician's perspective
Get PDFAim
Evidence suggests that earlier bowel resection may offer more stable remission in localized luminal terminal ileal (TI) Crohn's disease compared with ongoing medical therapy. Surgery is still considered late in the treatment pathway. The aim of this study was to understand the clinician's perspective on ‘early’ surgery by qualitatively exploring how clinicians make treatment-related decisions.
Method
Semistructured interviews with clinicians across the UK with an interest in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) were undertaken using videoconferencing (February–November 2022). Inductive thematic analysis of interview transcripts was performed; 10% of the data were double-coded. Data saturation was confirmed before stopping recruitment.
Results
Participants included nine consultant surgeons, seven consultant gastroenterologists and seven specialist nurses (n = 23) from secondary care and tertiary referral centres. Five key themes were identified: timing of surgery in practice, barriers to timely surgery, factors influencing decision-making, offering choice and the patient's perspective. A practice of exhausting medical options before considering surgery was commonly described. A lack of IBD specialists (especially surgeons), inadequate opportunities for multidisciplinary teamwork and long waiting lists for surgical clinics and theatre were cited as barriers to timely surgery. According to interviewees, patients prefer medical therapy over surgery; the most dreaded risk is thought to be that of a stoma.
Conclusion
This study provides new insights into the barriers to earlier surgery for TI disease. Organizational barriers should be considered when designing local services. Collaborative multidisciplinary teamwork may allow clinicians to consider surgery sooner. A study investigating the patient perspective is warranted
In vitro and ex vivo models of the oral mucosa as platforms for the validation of novel drug delivery systems
Get PDFThe benefit of complex 3D models to facilitate the robust testing of new drugs and drug delivery systems during the developmental stages of pharmaceutical manufacturing has recently become distinguished within the field. Recognition of this need by the pharmaceutical industry has provided a motivation for research into the development of reliable complex models for use in drug delivery, biomaterials, and tissue engineering. Both 3D in vitro and ex vivo models can enhance drug-testing and discovery prospects over the more traditionally used 2D, monolayer culture systems and animal models. Despite the widespread acceptance that 3D tissue modelling is advantageous in this field, there remains a lack of standardisation in the models throughout literature. This article provides an extensive review of current literature on in vitro, and ex vivo models of the oral mucosa for drug delivery applications; the advantages, limitations, and recommendations for future development of improved models for this application
What does a bear baiting assemblage look like?:Interdisciplinary analysis of an early modern “sport”
Get PDFCharacterisation and analysis of mRNA critical quality attributes using liquid chromatography based methods
Get PDFmRNA technology has been successfully deployed to rapidly develop and mass-manufacture vaccines. Beyond vaccines, RNA-based therapeutics have potential for treatments for infectious diseases, cancer, metabolic disorders, cardiovascular conditions and autoimmune diseases. mRNA based vaccines and therapeutics work by translating exogenous mRNA into the target protein. Analytical methods for mRNA characterisation, lot release and stability testing of mRNA drug substance and drug product must be developed and performed to monitor critical quality attributes (CQAs). mRNA is a highly polar molecule due to its extensive negatively charged phosphodiester backbone. Its single stranded nature forms dynamic alternative secondary structures that can generate potential sample heterogeneity, creating challenges for the analysis and characterisation of this large biomolecule. In this review, we describe current analytical methods, focussing on high performance liquid chromatography in conjunction with both UV detection and mass spectrometry for the analysis and characterisation of mRNA. In particular, we describe recent developments covering a wide range of methods centred on liquid chromatography for the analysis of important CQAs including mRNA identity, mRNA integrity, 5' capping efficiency and poly(A) tail length and heterogeneity
What rights for criminals condemned to death? Jurisdictional dialogue and clash between religious and secular authorities, c.1250–1320
Get PDFBetween the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, a variety of legal actors became involved in disputes regarding the right of criminals condemned to death to access religious comforts such as sacraments, Christian burial, and the possibility to make bequests pro anima. These debates centred around important questions such as: which authorities held the right to grant or deny spiritual assistance to executed criminals? What normative bases could be invoked to support these claims? This paper argues that, in the period c.1250–1320, lay and religious authorities reiterated norms deriving from a multiplicity of pre-existing systems (canon law, Roman law, theological principles) to answer these questions. The underlying agenda of these debates, however, was a struggle for power regarding whose ultimate authority it was to decide who could be considered a member of the community and to what extent. In time, this struggle contributed to a gradual separation between the political community and a previously all-encompassing Ecclesia
Mid-life outcomes of young people’s antisocial behavior: the role of developmental heterogeneity across childhood and adolescence
Get PDFBackground
Antisocial behavior (ASB) is relatively common in childhood and adolescence. While it harms victims, perpetrators are at increased risk of disadvantageous adult outcomes. Developmental heterogeneity is well documented; distinctions have been drawn between early-onset persistent, adolescent-onset, and childhood-limited pathways. We examine whether individuals in some pathways face worse mid-life outcomes than others and whether the pattern differs across sexes.
Methods
The 1970 British Cohort Study assessed parent-reported ASB measures at ages 5, 10, and 16. We classified developmental pathways using the Rutter A scale conduct questions. We categorized children scoring in the top 10% of the distribution as showing high ASB, separately at each assessment. Approximately 6000 individuals were classified into low (73%), childhood-limited (11%), adolescent-onset (9%), and early-onset persistent (7%) groups. We tested associations of ASB grouping with age 46 social, economic, and health outcomes, controlling for a range of covariates.
Results
The childhood-limited group showed little mid-life difficulty. The early-onset persistent and adolescent-onset groups both showed a pattern of worse midlife outcomes for boys and girls.
Conclusions
The results highlight that ASB in young people is not transient and that prevention and treatment during early childhood and adolescence are warranted
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