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The epidemiology of wild–crop Interfaces: Integrating ecology, evolution, and management through modeling
No full textPlant diseases occurring across wild and crop plants present modeling and management challenges. Wild plant and crop pathosystems differ in ecological structure, evolutionary dynamics and responsiveness to human intervention. At the interface, pathogens may spill over, spill back, persist, or evolve, shaped by host diversity, dispersal processes, and landscape connectivity. The potential importance of factors including pathogen dispersal, host life history, and spatial configuration are examined through a qualitative comparison of case studies: Puccinia graminis, Phakopsora pachyrhizi, Xylella fastidiosa, Pyricularia oryzae Triticum lineage, and Austropuccinia psidii. These examples illustrate how wild hosts may function as reservoirs, recombination partners or spillover targets, and how their role influences management efficacy and evolutionary risk. We explore the consequences of this wild–crop interface through two central questions: (1) how should plant diseases involving wild and cultivated pathosystems be managed, and (2) what proportion of management effort should be allocated to each system? We show the principles underpinning answers to these questions via a conceptual framework based on a generic compartmental model incorporating asymmetric transmission and system-specific interventions, thereby accounting for key aspects of pathogen spread within and between wild host and crop populations. Finally, we identify critical data needs and modeling directions to better inform disease management on the wild plant-crop interface and argue for a more integrative approach bridging ecological and anthropogenic drivers of epidemics
Measuring Single Charged Pion Production in Muon Neutrino Interactions on Argon with MicroBooNE
Full text linkNeutrinos are the most abundant massive particles known, but they interact only rarely with matter. Next-generation experiments such as DUNE aim to measure charge-parity violation in the lepton sector through flavour oscillations of neutrinos propagating over long distances before interacting with a liquid argon target. Accurate determination of the neutrino energy, crucial for oscillation studies, requires a good understanding of neutrino–nucleus interactions. At the neutrino energies planned for DUNE, resonance production with pion emission will be the dominant interaction mode. This thesis presents new flux-integrated charged-current muon neutrino cross-section measurements on argon for final states containing exactly one charged pion and no other hadrons beyond nucleons. The analysis uses data from the liquid argon time-projection chamber experiment MicroBooNE, situated in the Booster Neutrino Beam at Fermilab, corresponding to 1.11 × 10²¹ protons-on-target. Total and single-differential cross sections are reported within a restricted phase space of muon momenta above 150 MeV, pion momenta above 100 MeV, and muon–pion opening angles below 2.65 rad. Differential results are given with respect to the muon and pion momenta, their scattering angles relative to the beam, and their opening angle. The total cross section is measured to be σ = (3.75 ± 0.07 (stat.) ± 0.80 (syst.)) × 10⁻³⁸ cm² per argon nucleus at a mean neutrino beam energy of ~0.8 GeV. Comparisons with multiple neutrino–nucleus generators highlight areas for model improvement, particularly at very forward muon angles and at low pion momentum. Together, these high-statistics measurements provide essential input for constraining systematic uncertainties and improving interaction models for future experiments
Suppression and enhancement of bosonic stimulation by atomic interactions
Full text linkThe tendency of identical bosons to bunch, seen in the Hanbury Brown–Twiss effect and Bose–Einstein condensation, is a hallmark of quantum statistics. This bunching can enhance the rates of fundamental processes such as atom–atom and atom–light scattering when atoms scatter into already occupied states. For non-interacting bosons, the enhancement of light scattering follows directly from the occupation of the atom’s final momentum state. Here we study scattering between off-resonant light and atoms in a quasi-homogeneous Bose gas with tunable interactions and show that even weak interactions, which essentially do not alter the momentum distribution, strongly affect atom–light scattering. Changes in local atomic correlations suppress the bosonic enhancement under weak repulsive interactions and increase the scattering rate under attractive ones. Moreover, if the interactions are rapidly tuned, light scattering reveals correlation dynamics that are orders of magnitude faster than the collisional dynamics of the momentum-space populations. Its extreme sensitivity to correlation effects makes off-resonant light scattering a powerful probe of many-body physics in ultracold atomic gases
Unveiling productivity and markup bias: the role of price heterogeneity
Full text linkEstimates of Total Factor Productivity (TFP) and markups are often biased due to unobserved price heterogeneity across firms. This working paper adopts a structural approach to adjust for this bias. Using firm-level data from Chinese manufacturing firms for the period 1998–2007, we use a structural approach to the revenue function, incorporating firm-level input and output prices to disentangle TFP and markups from price variations. Using these estimates as a comparison, we find that omitting firm-level prices in the conventional approach significantly underestimates both the level and growth of aggregate TFP. Similarly, markup levels are substantially underestimated when firm-level price heterogeneity is omitted although markup growth is lower. These findings highlight the necessity of carefully taking into account the often-unobserved firm level price heterogeneity in order to interpret productivity and markup results meaningfully
Exploring the Impact of Tinnitus on Work Productivity.
Full text linkBackground/Objectives: Tinnitus affects various aspects of health, yet its impact on occupational functioning remains less well explored. This study investigated the impact of tinnitus on work productivity, the role of comorbidities of anxiety, depression, and quality of life, and explored whether an evidence-based intervention may potentially influence workplace functioning. Methods: The study used cross-sectional and longitudinal data and employed mixed methods design to enable comparing work productivity before and after undertaking ICBT for tinnitus. Data were collected from 449 participants (64% employed; mean age of 54.4 years) who were seeking to enroll in an internet-based psychological intervention. Of these, 200 also completed an internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy intervention (ICBT). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, qualitative content analysis and comparisons made between those whose work was unaffected due to tinnitus and those who worked less. Results: Pre-intervention, 81% reported no change in work patterns. Because of tinnitus 11% worked fewer hours, 7% had stopped working, and 1% received disability allowance. Participants were significantly less effective in their work capacity prior to undertaking the intervention compared to post-intervention and at follow-up; for the overall sample and post-intervention improvements were observed in tinnitus distress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia. There was significant time difference between group interactions for tinnitus, anxiety and insomnia but not for depression and quality of life when comparing those working and not working. Qualitative findings highlighted challenges related to attention, fatigue, and communication, as well as coping strategies and role modifications. Conclusions: Further studies are required to build on this exploratory research. The present findings underscore the need for workplace policies recognizing tinnitus as a potential disability and providing reasonable accommodation and options to access tinnitus interventions. Clinical interventions should also consider how to improve workplace functioning in individuals with bothersome tinnitus. Future research should explore ways to address cognitive load and enhance productivity
Functional Oxides in Optical and Electronic Applications by Atmospheric Pressure Spatial Chemical Vapour Deposition
No full textOxide thin films possess a variety of electronic, optical, and magnetic properties,
making them valuable in multiple fields, particularly in electronics and memory
technology. These thin films are used in resistive random-access memory (RRAM)
due to their ability to alter resistance states, which is crucial for non-volatile memory
applications. With the growing demand for efficient data storage, and processing
driven by post-CMOS AI hardware, linked to Big Data and the Internet of Things,
RRAM is being developed to achieve high-density integration while being compatible
with silicon-based technology. One prominent oxide, tungsten oxide, or WO3, stands
out in academic research because it is CMOS-compatible and is a binary oxide
making it easier to process. It has many other potential applications in gas sensing,
photocatalysis, smart windows, water splitting and etc. However, WO3 does suffer
from a diverse of phases and states, making it hard to control electronic conductivity,
and variable oxygen and cation valence states for RRAM application. Furthermore,
for electronics, either high-quality epitaxial or amorphous systems are preferred in
terms of achieving uniform properties.
WO3 thin films can be prepared using multiple deposition techniques, including
sputtering, thermal evaporation, and spray pyrolysis. However, the use of Atmo spheric Pressure Spatial Chemical Vapour Deposition (AP-SCVD) has emerged as a
promising method due to its simplicity and scalability. Unlike conventional methods
that require vacuum, AP-SCVD allows for the production of high-quality, conformal
films over large areas in open-air conditions, making it suitable for commercial-scale
production. This technique is also CMOS compatible and deposit films with proper ties comparable to those made by traditional CVD, allowing industrial addaptation
of oxide thin films, particularly WO3, in advanced optical and electronic applications.
In this thesis, AP-SCVD was widely explored for making controlled WO3 thin films,
where learning how film properties relate to growth variables. A non-pyrophoric
W(CO)6 precursor was used as this is easy to handle. Both polycrystalline and
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epitaxial WO3 films were grown at relatively low temperatures (350°C) in an open
atmosphere.
The first results chapter presents the development of deposition parameters for
polycrystalline WO3 films on silicon substrates. This work investigates how various
deposition parameters influence the orientation, morphology, and stoichiometry of
the films. Furthermore, the polycrystalline films were fabricated into devices such
as UV detectors, photoelectrochemical water-splitting cells, and photocatalysts,
demonstrating how orientation tuning can significantly impact device performance.
The second results chapter extends the WO3 film research by examining deposition
on single-crystal substrates (SrTiO3, LaAlO3, and YAlO3) with both tensile and
compressive strain, enabling epitaxial growth. The deposition process, conducted at
350°C, challenges the traditional requirements of high-vacuum and high-temperature
conditions for epitaxial oxide films. This advancement highlights the potential of
AP-SCVD for applications in cost-effective electronic devices.
The third results chapter explores a novel application of WO3 films, focusing on
the stabilisation of a polar phase with ferroelectric properties at room temperature.
This work demonstrates compressive epitaxial strain on a (110)-oriented YAlO3
substrate, with the addition of a conductive buffer layer, achieving ferroelectric
switching observed through piezoresponse force microscopy. Notably, reducing the
film thickness to 6 nm enabled the observation of distinct ferroelectric domains and
conductivity variations, indicating potential for memory storage applications.
The final results chapter investigates the fabrication of non-volatile resistive switch ing devices for RRAM development using WO3 films. Variable performances and
conduction mechanisms were observed with different substrates used, electrodes,
annealing conditions and barrier layers. Epitaxial WO3 on Nb-doped SrTiO3 an nealed at 350°C exhibited resistive switching behaviour with an ON/OFF ratio of
102 and high endurance and retention. A CMOS-compatible W on Si substrate was
also used to achieve a much larger ON/OFF of 105 as well as exhibiting multilevel
switching behaviour. However, the device suffers in endurance and retention.
Overall, AP-SCVD has been shown to an excellent deposition method, even rivalling
vacuum-based deposition techniques in terms of material properties and device
performance perspectives for a range of potential applications of WO3. The open atmospheric tool can be taken another step further into the industry and target
low-budget applications with high throughput
Trajectory of weight regain after cessation of GLP-1 receptor agonists: a systematic review and nonlinear meta-regression
Full text linkBackground Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have emerged as breakthrough agents for weight loss. However, discontinuation is common, and clinical trials have demonstrated significant weight regain following cessation. In this systematic review, we aimed to characterise the trajectory of weight regain after GLP-1RA cessation. Methods This systematic review and meta-regression analysis followed Cochrane and PRISMA guidelines. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, Scopus and Web of Science from inception to August 28, 2025 for randomised controlled trials (RCTs), non-randomised interventional studies and observational studies reporting weight outcomes after cessation of GLP-1RAs in adults with overweight or obesity. Weight regain was the primary outcome and was modelled using nonlinear regression. Secondary, exploratory outcomes included HbA1c and systolic blood pressure. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO (CRD420250631751). Findings A total of 48 relevant studies were included. Weight consistently rebounded after cessation of GLP-1RAs. Six RCTs with 3236 participants were included in the nonlinear meta-regression, which utilised a mixed-effect exponential recovery model with random effects applied to the rate constant. At 1 year post-cessation, 60% of the weight lost during treatment was regained. Beyond 52 weeks, weight trajectories were extrapolated, with weight regain estimated to plateau at 75.3% (95% CI 68.9–81.6) of the weight lost on treatment. The rate constant was 0.0302 per week (95% CI 0.0202–0.0401), corresponding to a half-life of 23.0 weeks (95% CI 17.3–34.3). Most studies were assessed to have a moderate risk of bias. Interpretation GLP-1RA cessation is associated with a predictable and decelerating pattern of weight regain, which appears to plateau below pre-treatment levels, suggesting that partial weight-loss benefit may persist long-term but is substantially attenuated. Funding None
Outcomes of post-operative drain use after cranioplasty surgery – a systematic review and meta-analysis
Full text linkBackground
Cranioplasty restores cranial integrity following decompressive craniectomy or skull trauma. Despite its reconstructive benefits, post-cranioplasty complication rates are high. Post-operative drainage has been proposed to mitigate these risks, yet its effectiveness remains uncertain. This study evaluates the impact of post-cranioplasty drain insertion on surgical outcomes.
Methods
A systematic literature search of MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL Library was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines (PROSPEROID:CRD420251030365). Studies reporting cranioplasty outcomes with post-operative drainage were selected. Primary outcomes were complication rates, including infection, haemorrhage, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak.
Results
Four studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising 522 patients (mean age 43.7 years) who underwent cranioplasty—282 with post-operative drainage and 240 without. Following decompressive craniectomy, the most common indications for cranioplasty were traumatic brain injury (196/514, 38.1%), vascular causes (187/514, 36.4%), and infection (25/514, 4.9%). All studies reported subgaleal drain use, with one study (25%) using epidural drains in an unspecified number of patients. The overall post-operative complication rate was 75/522 (14.4%), occurring in 23/282 drained patients (8.2%) and 52/240 (21.7%) undrained patients. A meta-analysis comparing post-operative complication rates across all studies between patients with and without post-cranioplasty drainage yielded a pooled risk ratio (RR) of 0.51 (95% CI: 0.21–1.24, p = 0.095).
Conclusions
The results suggest post-cranioplasty drainage does not significantly alter complication rates. However, heterogeneity in drainage protocols limits attribution of outcomes to specific modalities. Going forward, moderated prospective trials are needed to establish standardised post-cranioplasty drainage protocols
The different barriers to donating plasma in plasma donors, whole blood donors, and non-donors in the United Kingdom.
Full text linkBACKGROUND: Plasma donation is critical for the production of plasma-derived medicinal products, yet donor recruitment and retention remains challenging within a volunteer system. This paper explores deterrents to plasma donation among current plasma donors, whole-blood donors, lapsed whole-blood donors, and non-donors in the United Kingdom, and self-reported post-donation symptoms in plasma donors. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: An online survey of the UK general public (current and lapsed blood donors, and non-donors: n = 2861) and English current plasma donors (n = 448), and one-to-one interviews (n = 25) with plasma donors were conducted. Participants identified deterrents to plasma donation, and plasma donors described post-donation symptoms. RESULTS: Plasma donors reported distinct deterrents around time constraints and ineligibility. There were differences by donor status. Blood, plasma, and non-donors all report pain, lack of travel compensation, involvement of private companies and incentives as concerns. Lack of awareness was salient for non-donors and blood donors, while non-donors had concerns about neurodiversity and donors about incentives to change. Being deferred on the day, described as an embarrassing "walk of shame," was a unique deterrent to plasma donors. 11.8% (53/488) of plasma donors reported symptoms of feeling ill after donation. Of these, 73% (n = 38) occurred and were managed in center (e.g., feeling faint, bruising) and 25% (n = 13) outside of the center (e.g., feeling faint) and managed by the donor (2% other). DISCUSSION: Different profiles of deterrents were observed for plasma donors compared to whole blood and non-donors. Recommendations for the recruitment and retention of plasma donors in England are discussed
Development and evaluation of machine learning algorithms for the prediction of opioid-related deaths among UK patients with non-cancer pain.
Full text linkThe global rise in prescription opioid use has contributed to an opioid epidemic, associated harms, and unintentional deaths in several western countries. Opioids however continue to be regularly prescribed for acute pain and in the chronic pain context due to limited treatment options. Currently there are no accurate tools that help predict which patients prescribed opioids may be at risk of death, which depends on the cultural context and varies across countries. Existing models do not account for statistical considerations such as censoring and competing risks. Using nationally representative data from the United Kingdom from 1,026,139 patients newly prescribed an opioid, we developed three competing risk time-to-event models: a regression model, a random forest, and a deep neural network to predict opioid-related deaths using UK primary care records. The models were externally validated in an external cohort of 337,015 patients. The models exhibited good discrimination and positive predictive value during internal validation (C-statistic for the regression model, random forest, and neural network: 84.3%, 84.4% and 82.1% respectively), and external validation (C-statistic for the regression model, random forest, and neural network: 81.8%, 81.5% and 81.5% respectively). Prior substance abuse, lung and liver comorbidities, morphine, fentanyl, or oxycodone at initiation and co-prescription of gabapentinoids were some of candidate predictors associated with a higher risk of opioid-related mortality within the models. These results demonstrate how routinely collected data from a nationally representative dataset may be used to develop and validate opioids risk algorithms to better help clinicians and patients predict risk to this serious adverse outcome