48651 research outputs found
Sort by
Be+-Assisted Antihydrogen Synthesis and Trapping
Full text linkAntihydrogen, the bound state of a positron and an antiproton, is a uniquely well-suited system for testing fundamental symmetries between matter and antimatter. The Antihydrogen Laser Physics Apparatus (ALPHA collaboration) synthesises antihydrogen atoms by slowly merging cold non-neutral positron and antiproton plasmas and traps the antiatoms in a magnetic minimum trap.While trapping efficiency has improved since its first demonstration in 2010, it plateaued after 2017.In ALPHA’s experimental conditions, antihydrogen is predominantly formed via three-body recombination, which has been theoretically and experimentally shown to strongly depend on the temperature of the positron plasma: lower positron temperatures yield higher antihydrogen trapping rates. In the ALPHA-2 trap, positrons alone reach a lower temperature limit of 15−20 K.The implementation of sympathetic cooling of positrons through collisions with laser-cooled Be+ions enabled stable lowering of these temperatures to below 10 K.This thesis describes the work towards antihydrogen synthesis with positrons prepared using this cooling method. A novel ion plasma preparation technique was developed to improve reproducibility, and a sophisticated control system with automated beam steering was implemented to ensure long-term operational stability. Moreover, the first demonstration of sympathetic cooling of positrons to < 10 K in a radially asymmetric magnetic field was carried out. Culminating in the first Be+-assisted antihydrogen synthesis and trapping. Careful optimisation of this technique resulted in a near eightfold increase in the antihydrogen trapping rate, and allowed for systematic studies of three-body recombination that were not possible before its implementation. Overall, this technique represents a paradigm shift for the ALPHA physics programme and provides a deeper understanding of antihydrogen synthesis, opening new avenues for precision studies of antimatter
The genome of <i>Pleurosigma</i> provides insights into the evolutionary adaptations of pelagic diatoms
Full text linkThe diatom Pleurosigma pacificum is a newly described tropical pelagic species from the Western Pacific Ocean with one of largest genome size among published diatom genomes, making it an ideal candidate for studying adaptation to tropical open ocean environments and diatom evolution. We employed HiFi long-read sequencing to construct a high-quality and contaminant-free genome. The assembled genome is 1.357 Gb in size and consists of 821 contigs with a contig N50 of 3.23 Mb. The GC content is 38.6%, which is much lower than that of other published diatom genomes. The genome contains 27,408 predicted genes, 540 of which were implicated in environmental adaptation. Gene features and gene family comparisons suggest that the primary driver of genome expansion and functional diversification is long terminal repeats (LTR) retrotransposons and tandem duplications. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the clade of P. pacificum is closely associated with other members of Naviculales. The expansion of chlorophyll a/c proteins facilitates the adaptation of P. pacificum to high light conditions in pelagic environments. The percentage of approximately 3.22% horizontal gene transfer (HGT) events is observed in the P. pacificum genome. HGTs are a prevalent phenomenon in diatoms and serve as a common mechanism to enhance their adaptive capabilities. In conclusion, the P. pacificum genome provides important understanding into the development of large genome size and evolutionary adaptations of pelagic diatoms
Emerging trends and structure–activity insights of Schiff base–lanthanide complexes as antibacterial agents
Full text linkThe rapid escalation of microbial resistance has accelerated the search for next-generation antibacterial agents with novel mechanisms of action. Schiff bases and their lanthanide complexes have emerged as promising candidates due to their tunable structures, coordination versatility and enhanced bioactivity upon metal binding. While earlier reviews laid the foundational understanding of antibacterial activity of Schiff bases and their metal complexes, this review advances the field by offering a data-driven, mechanistically informed and structure–activity-focused perspective on the most recent antibacterial findings (2018–2025) of Schiff bases and their Ln(iii) complexes. In this review article, we critically compare the antibacterial performance of diverse ligand frameworks with lanthanide ions, under varied experimental conditions against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains highlighting trends in structure–activity correlations. We also identify clear trends: Schiff base ligands alone usually show modest or weak antibacterial activity, which is significantly enhanced upon complexation with lanthanide ions. Additionally, unresolved challenges, including toxicity, bioavailability and resistance modulation are discussed alongside proposed future research pathways. This perspective aims to guide the rational design of Schiff base–lanthanide complexes toward clinical translation as potent antibacterial agents
Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Strict Product Liability in the UK: Time for Reform
No full textDigitalisation and advanced communication technologies are poised to enable the deployment of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) in non-segregated airspace through Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS), including those that are autonomous. This transition shifts the primary source of accident risk from human error to product defect. . As such, it is critical to assess the adequacy of the relevant compensation mechanisms. The Consumer Protection Act 1987 (CPA 1987) is the primary tool that imposes strict liability on producers for defective products in the UK; however, it was drafted before the widespread deployment of interconnected cyber-physical systems and self-learning algorithms. This article evaluates the application of the CPA 1987 to UAS, arguing it is unable to cater for digital technologies, including (but not limited) to defining the “product”, establishing post-supply liability, and addressing the burden of proof for AI applications. Furthermore, it argues that reliance on the operator-focused s 76 (2) – (4) of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 transfers the burden of product defects onto UAS operators. Building upon the new EU Product Liability Directive, this article concludes that the existing product liability framework of the UK is inadequate and requires reform
High‐Conductivity Electrolytes Screened Using Fragment‐ and Composition‐Aware Deep Learning
Full text linkRising energy generation from renewables (e.g., wind, solar power) will drive global demand for >1.0 TWh of long-duration energy storage by 2030 to stabilise grids and balance supply. Rechargeable batteries are central to this transition, with their performance critically governed by the properties of active materials and supporting electrolytes. However, designing electrolyte formulations remains a major challenge, as their performance arises from complex, non-additive interactions among lithium salts and organic solvents, requiring elegant molecular design and selection. Conventional trial-and-error strategies still dominate electrolyte design, but they are slow and resource-intensive. Recent machine learning approaches have improved electrolyte screening, yet many rely on coarse molecular representations that neglect fragment-level chemistry and explicit ratios, limiting interpretability and their utility for guiding experiments. Here we introduce a deep learning framework that integrates intermolecular attributions across solvents with intramolecular attributions from functional units. The framework builds a hierarchical representation, decomposing formulations into molecules and their functional units, while integrating ratios, physicochemical descriptors, and salt identity to generate mixture-invariant embeddings for accurate and interpretable conductivity prediction. Applied to benchmark datasets of lithium battery electrolytes, the framework achieves high accuracy in predicting ionic conductivity and enables large-scale virtual screening. Crucially, it provides chemically interpretable insights: fragment-level attentions align with functional units; composition-aware attention reveals the impact of mixing ratios; and counterfactual perturbations confirm causal roles of key motifs. This framework paves the way for data-driven, interpretable electrolyte design and can be generalized to broader formulation challenges in materials science
Seagrass Meadows as a Foundational Concept for One Health
Full text linkSeagrass meadows are vital coastal ecosystems that embody the One Health paradigm, connecting human, animal, and environmental well-being. These highly productive habitats offer critical ecosystem services: They store carbon, stabilize shorelines, and filter pollutants and pathogens, bolstering climate resilience and water quality. As foundation species, seagrasses support diverse marine life and underpin global fisheries that provide nutrition, livelihoods, and cultural sustenance for coastal communities. Microbes enhance this function by actively reducing pathogens and detoxifying sediments, showcasing how microscale processes support broader societal health. However, anthropogenic pressures, especially nutrient pollution, are driving global decline. Case studies demonstrate that coordinated management and restoration can reverse this degradation and enhance ecosystem and social benefits. Integrating seagrass conservation into One Health frameworks highlights the need for proactive, multisectoral approaches. Protecting and restoring these meadows is a critical investment in resilient coastal communities, sustainable fisheries, and the overall health of human and planetary systems
Development of a resource use measure to capture costs related to unpaid care for people living with non-memory led dementia: a modified Delphi study
Full text linkObjectives To determine the personal, National Health Service and wider societal resource use in relation to caring responsibilities for carers of people living with non-memory led dementias (NMLDs); and to design a resource use measure (RUM) that can be delivered in the Better Living with Non-memory-led Dementia (BELIDE) randomised controlled trial, part of the Rare Dementia (RD) - TALK research programme.Design The first stage was to identify and review any existing RUMs that could be used or adapted to the trial population and setting. If no measures were identified, the second stage was initial informal discussions with healthcare professionals (HCPs) and the programme patient and public involvement representatives to inform the perspective, settings of care and main resource items to develop a new RUM. In the third stage, a first draft of the RUM was tested for content and face validity in a modified Delphi study comprising HCPs and carers. The measure was revised and, in the final stage, piloted in the first 3 months of the BELIDE trial to assess acceptability and feasibility of collecting the economic outcomes and the completeness of data collection. The key drivers of resource use and costs were assessed, and appropriate face validity checks were applied to ensure accurate description of the treatment pathways.Participants and setting Carers and family of people living with NMLD recruited from Rare Dementia Support members in the UK, and a broad range of HCPs with experience of working with people who have NMLD to capture the different dimensions of experience, grade and skill mix.Results In total, 20 people participated in the modified Delphi study, 11 HCPs and 9 carers. Rare Dementia Support groups and 1:1 calls were highly rated, as were general practitioner appointments. The greatest consensus was in the productivity and carer tasks; all caring tasks were highly rated. Healthcare practitioners rated healthcare items as higher importance than carers themselves.Conclusions Unpaid carers and HCPs are the experts in the resource impact of caring for someone with NMLD and have been underserved in research to date. This research, as part of preparatory stages of the BELIDE trial, has enabled the timely development of a comprehensive and valid RUM for unpaid carers of people with NMLD
The Eldfell eruption, Iceland, 1973: using “Small Stories” to investigate the human evacuation from Heimaey
Full text linkResearch into Eldfell 1973 typically favour scientific studies, with human aspects of the eruption overlooked. The first night, and the subsequent evacuation to the mainland are particularly neglected, their details often incorporated into the larger overall story of the eruption. This research uses a “Small Stories” narrative approach to reconstruct the events of the first night of the Eldfell eruption. Archived documents, written personal accounts and interviews highlight the communication and planning involved in the evacuation, the lived experiences of individuals during the event. Understanding the community response to the eruption supports present and future generations of islanders, scientists, and emergency responders to understand and prepare the community for future eruptions on the island and further afield. We answer the call to better utilise historical documents in volcanological studies but also pose our own call to action that hazard scientists establish and maintain long-term meaningful relationships with at risk communities, even during times of quiescence
A liver function test pathway significantly increases the early detection of chronic liver disease and cirrhosis
Full text linkBackground: To enhance early liver disease detection, a clinical pathway integrating reflex AST testing and automated AAR reporting was implemented. We aim to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of introducing reflex AST testing by assessing its impact after implementation in 2 regions of Wales.Methods: We applied a quasi-experimental, Difference-in-Difference approach to evaluate the introduction of the reflex AST:ALT pathway in Wales (January 2010 to December 2023). Outcomes were the monthly incidence rate of (1) chronic liver disease (including cirrhosis) and (2) cirrhosis in the 2 intervention regions versus the control regions.Results: In total, 78,917 individuals with liver disease were included in the study. A significant increase in cirrhosis diagnoses was observed in both regions (first region: incidence rate ratio=1.24, 95% CI: 1.15–1.34, p<0.001; second region: incidence rate ratio=1.16, 95% CI: 1.02–1.33, p=0.028). The incidence of composite chronic liver disease (including cirrhosis) increased transiently in the second region only (incidence rate ratio=1.35, 95% CI: 1.16–1.56, p<0.001).Conclusions: In this long-term, population-level evaluation, reflex AST:ALT testing increased cirrhosis detection in both regions and produced a short-term rise in chronic liver disease (including cirrhosis) diagnoses one region, strengthening the evidence of the pathway’s effect on cirrhosis detection. Further study is warranted to understand regional variation
Data sources:
Access Repository Dashboard
Do you manage Swansea University Cronfa? Access insider analytics, issue reports and manage access to outputs from your repository in the CORE Repository Dashboard!