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New Extremal Binary Self-dual Codes from block circulant matrices and block quadratic residue circulant matrices
Get PDFIn this paper, we construct self-dual codes from a construction that involves both block circulant matrices and block quadratic residue circulant matrices. We provide conditions when this construction can yield self-dual codes. We construct self-dual codes of various lengths over F2 and F2 + uF2. Using extensions, neighbours and sequences of neighbours, we construct many new self-dual codes. In particular, we construct one new self-dual code of length 66 and 51 new self-dual codes of length 68
Europe's Transition to Sustainability: Actors, Approaches and Policies
Get PDFThis document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a published work that appeared in final form in The International Spectator. To access the final edited and published work see http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03932729.2021.1966188The European Union has developed an international reputation as an advocate of sustainability and as a leader in environmental policy and in tackling climate change. The European Green Deal is the latest amongst numerous policy initiatives indicating an aspiration to lead. The contributions to this special issue show, however, that the path to sustainability in the EU (and beyond) is far from clear cut, with uneven progress in a number of policy areas. Some Member States are lagging behind, and there are barriers both within and outside the EU. Moving forward, a successful transition still requires substantial policy effort
Resolution of Lithium Deposition versus Intercalation of Graphite Anodes in Lithium Ion Batteries: An In Situ Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Study
Get PDFFrom Wiley via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2021-05-07, rev-recd 2021-07-02, pub-electronic 2021-08-13Article version: VoRPublication status: PublishedFunder: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000266; Grant(s): EP/R023034/1, NS/A000055/1, FIRG001 (EP/S003053/1)Abstract: In situ electrochemical electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy is used to understand the mixed lithiation/deposition behavior on graphite anodes during the charging process. The conductivity, degree of lithiation, and the deposition process of the graphite are reflected by the EPR spectroscopic quality factor, the spin density, and the EPR spectral change, respectively. Classical over‐charging (normally associated with potentials ≤0 V vs. Li+/Li) are not required for Li metal deposition onto the graphite anode: Li deposition initiates at ca. +0.04 V (vs. Li+/Li) when the scan rate is lowered to 0.04 mV s−1. The inhibition of Li deposition by vinylene carbonate (VC) additive is highlighted by the EPR results during cycling, attributed to a more mechanically flexible and polymeric SEI layer with higher ionic conductivity. A safe cut‐off potential limit of +0.05 V for the anode is suggested for high rate cycling, confirmed by the EPR response over prolonged cycling
Tears from the void: The arts, the spiritual and the therapeutic
Get PDFCemil Egeli has an autoethnographic conversation about a night at the theatre, posing questions to himself to challenge and explore his thinking further
Assessing the relation between alcohol consumption and risk of disease and mortality
Get PDFFrom Springer Nature via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2021-05-05, accepted 2021-06-07, registration 2021-06-07, pub-electronic 2021-06-28, online 2021-06-28, collection 2021-12Publication status: Publishe
Selective Inhibition of Heparan Sulphate and Not Chondroitin Sulphate Biosynthesis by a Small, Soluble Competitive Inhibitor
Get PDFFrom MDPI via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: accepted 2021-06-19, pub-electronic 2021-06-29Publication status: PublishedFunder: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council; Grant(s): 978724Funder: Medical Research Council; Grant(s): MR/L007525/1The glycosaminoglycan, heparan sulphate (HS), orchestrates many developmental processes. Yet its biological role has not yet fully been elucidated. Small molecule chemical inhibitors can be used to perturb HS function and these compounds provide cheap alternatives to genetic manipulation methods. However, existing chemical inhibition methods for HS also interfere with chondroitin sulphate (CS), complicating data interpretation of HS function. Herein, a simple method for the selective inhibition of HS biosynthesis is described. Using endogenous metabolic sugar pathways, Ac4GalNAz produces UDP-GlcNAz, which can target HS synthesis. Cell treatment with Ac4GalNAz resulted in defective chain elongation of the polymer and decreased HS expression. Conversely, no adverse effect on CS production was observed. The inhibition was transient and dose-dependent, affording rescue of HS expression after removal of the unnatural azido sugar. The utility of inhibition is demonstrated in cell culture and in whole organisms, demonstrating that this small molecule can be used as a tool for HS inhibition in biological systems
The magnitude of airway remodeling is not altered by distinct allergic inflammatory responses in BALB/c versus C57BL/6 mice but matrix composition differs
Get PDFFrom Wiley via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2020-10-20, rev-recd 2021-01-23, accepted 2021-02-11, pub-electronic 2021-03-19, pub-print 2021-07Article version: VoRPublication status: PublishedFunder: Medical Research Council; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000265; Grant(s): MR/K01207X/1, MR/P02615X/1Funder: Wellcome Trust; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100010269; Grant(s): 106898/A/15/ZFunder: Asthma UK; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000362; Grant(s): MRFAUK‐2015‐302Funder: Medical Research Foundation UK; Grant(s): MRFAUK‐2015‐302Abstract: Allergic airway inflammation is heterogeneous with variability in immune phenotypes observed across asthmatic patients. Inflammation has been thought to directly contribute to airway remodeling in asthma, but clinical data suggest that neutralizing type 2 cytokines does not necessarily alter disease pathogenesis. Here, we utilized C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice to investigate the development of allergic airway inflammation and remodeling. Exposure to an allergen cocktail for up to 8 weeks led to type 2 and type 17 inflammation, characterized by airway eosinophilia and neutrophilia and increased expression of chitinase‐like proteins in both C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice. However, BALB/c mice developed much greater inflammatory responses than C57BL/6 mice, effects possibly explained by a failure to induce pathways that regulate and maintain T‐cell activation in C57BL/6 mice, as shown by whole lung RNA transcript analysis. Allergen administration resulted in a similar degree of airway remodeling between mouse strains but with differences in collagen subtype composition. Increased collagen III was observed around the airways of C57BL/6 but not BALB/c mice while allergen‐induced loss of basement membrane collagen IV was only observed in BALB/c mice. This study highlights a model of type 2/type 17 airway inflammation in mice whereby development of airway remodeling can occur in both BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice despite differences in immune response dynamics between strains. Importantly, compositional changes in the extracellular matrix between genetic strains of mice may help us better understand the relationships between lung function, remodeling and airway inflammation
The T cell receptor repertoire of tumor infiltrating T cells is predictive and prognostic for cancer survival
Get PDFFrom Springer Nature via Jisc Publications RouterHistory: received 2020-07-30, accepted 2021-06-09, registration 2021-06-16, pub-electronic 2021-07-02, online 2021-07-02, collection 2021-12Publication status: PublishedFunder: Harry J. Lloyd Charitable Trust; doi: https://doi.org/10.13039/100005976; Grant(s): Career Development AwardFunder: Cancer Research UK (CRUK); doi: https://doi.org/10.13039/501100000289; Grant(s): A27412, A22902Funder: Wellcome Trust (Wellcome); doi: https://doi.org/10.13039/100004440; Grant(s): 100282/Z/12/ZAbstract: Tumor infiltration by T cells is paramount for effective anti-cancer immune responses. We hypothesized that the T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire of tumor infiltrating T lymphocytes could therefore be indicative of the functional state of these cells and determine disease course at different stages in cancer progression. Here we show that the diversity of the TCR of tumor infiltrating T cell at baseline is prognostic in various cancers, whereas the TCR clonality of T cell infiltrating metastatic melanoma pre-treatment is predictive for activity and efficacy of PD1 blockade immunotherapy
Personal Daily Reflection And Involuntary Loneliness: A test of Ignatius’ Examen in a Swedish local church context
Get PDFInvoluntary loneliness has been recognised as a health hazard with the potential to cause physical pain in general, specific diseases, and risk premature death. In a culture characterised by highly independent individuals, the question of loneliness also needs to be addressed on a personal level. This research explores the thesis that the practice of Ignatius’ Examen has the potential to decrease involuntary subjective loneliness in the context of a Swedish Christian congregation.
To test this thesis, it was necessary to examine both the larger historical and cultural contexts and the milieu of the congregation with reference to loneliness. According to the 2020 version of the Inglehart-Welzel World Cultural Map, Sweden has the most extreme position of Self-Expression Values. This test of the Examen is an example of an ecumenical activity in the frontier between Catholic and Protestant traditions, which adds to the hybridity of the project in a multidenominational congregation applying tools from different theological traditions and social science typical of practical theology.
The personal encounter between God and the participant is the locus of the research and provides the paradigm from which the methodology is developed. The research used a mixed method of both quantitative and qualitative methods in a sequential and narrowing manner, beginning with an all-member survey, followed by a pre-test post-test quasi-experiment of the use of the Examen over 30 days, completed with six case studies based on interviews.
The surveys indicate that one-third of church members suffer from high levels of involuntary loneliness, similar to Sweden in general. Of the 26 participants who tested the Examen, ten did it daily with a reduction of their loneliness from 43 to 34 (women) and 34 to 31 (men) on the UCLA Loneliness Scale (Version 3). Three themes were examined through a critical conversation with input from social science and theology: Image of God, relationships, and thankfulness. An I–Thou relationship with God seemed to be helpful. Relationships saw limited increases where established ones were maintained and restored. In reference to Mindfulness, both common ground and difference were observed, where the inherent direction of thankfulness was noted. Trust in people in general seemed to play a limited role. A moderate to high inverse correlation between loneliness and thankfulness was observed, as possibly the most significant observation of factors in this intervention to decrease involuntary loneliness. The different relationships, divine and human, were summed up under the concept of persons in relation, including closeness, trust, and gratitude
Invisible and at-risk: older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Get PDFDuring the COVID-19 pandemic the risks to older adults of systemic abuse and neglect have become amplified, alongside increasing abuse and neglect in the community. Novel risks have also evolved involving cybercrime and the use of remote technologies in health and social care related to the pandemic. This commentary brings together lessons to be learned from these developments and initial ideas for actions to mitigate future risks
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