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Evaluation of the psychometric properties of trauma history measures: assessment of reliability and validity
No full textObjective: Psychological trauma is a pervasive, influential antecedent in a variety of mental health presentations; however, the comparative reliability and validity of long-standing self-report trauma history batteries remain unclear despite recent developments in trauma assessment. The present study employed both clinical and nonclinical samples to conduct a range of psychometric analyses on three of the most commonly used “legacy” measures of psychological trauma history: Traumatic Life Events Questionnaire(TLEQ), Trauma History Questionnaire, and Traumatic Events Questionnaire. Method: Criterion and convergent validity were assessed along with test–retest reliability and social desirability effects. Participants were a treatment-seeking sample of mental health patients (N = 79; age = 46.5; 26.0% female) and a student sample (N = 136; age = 21.0; 82.7% female). Results: Traumatic event scores on the measures correlated significantly with each other, indicating acceptable levels of convergent validity (r = .71–.82). Acceptable test–retest reliability was obtained in the student sample (intraclass correlation coefficients = .69–.78), despite several subscales exhibiting some temporal instability. Criterion validity produced a more complex picture. The TLEQ and Traumatic Events Questionnaire correlated significantly with posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in both samples, whereas the Trauma History Questionnaire did not correlate with posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms in the student sample. All three batteries exhibited significant negative relationships with social desirability, indicating potential reporting bias. Conclusions: Overall, the TLEQ emerged as the most robust legacy measure of trauma history. Future studies should assess its psychometrics in comparison with the new generation of measures (i.e., Life Events Checklist, International Trauma Exposure Measure) to further the development of assessment tools in this area.<br/
Photocatalytic valorisation of real-world substrates
No full textThere are several key environmental sustainability challenges that the world needs to address over the next thirty years, particularly with a background of achieving global net carbon zero emission this century. In addition to reducing global carbon emissions, the provision of clean “green” energy, reduction of water pollution and production of high value chemicals in a sustainable manner are clear priorities for sustainable economic growth. The photocatalytic valorisation of real-world substrates (waste biomass, plastic pollution and wastewater) is an opportunity to contribute significantly towards tackling water pollution, cutting CO2 emissions and contributing to sustainably producing value added chemicals and hydrogen from waste materials and water contaminants/pollutants. To date, however, research is critically lagging in terms of the utilization of actual real-world substrates and instead concentrates on much simpler model compounds such as sugars, monomers, dyes and individual pollutants. Lack of progress in this field is further exacerbated by the general lack of scale up of photocatalytic technology. Nevertheless, there are some pioneers who have broached the photocatalytic valorization of real-world waste materials which have been highlighted in this review. This review considers the application of semiconductor photocatalysis for such applications with a particular focus on valorisation of waste biomass (e.g. carboard, grass, wood) plastic pollution (e.g. plastic bottles) and wastewater effluents (e.g. from juice processing factories) to produce hydrogen and value-added chemicals. Current engineering aspects are reviewed and discussed. A perspective of the role of photocatalysis in the circular economy is also discussed and an overall perspective and future outlook is presented
Developmental stage of childhood trauma exposure and markers of inflammation at age 24
No full textIt is largely unknown whether the specific developmental stage at which childhood trauma occurs is related to inflammatory dysregulation in adulthood. We aimed to explore if trauma exposure at distinct developmental stages in childhood is differentially associated with the novel marker of chronic inflammation - soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR), as well as with C-Reactive Protein (CRP) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in early adulthood. Participants were drawn from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (n = 3272). The trauma variables represent any trauma exposure within early (0-4.9 years), middle (5-10.9 years), or late (11-17 years) childhood, and were derived from the responses to 121 questions collected via standardised questionnaires regarding traumatic experiences including physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, emotional neglect, domestic violence, and bullying. Plasma suPAR, CRP and IL-6 samples were collected at age 24. Linear regression models assessed the relationship between trauma exposure at different developmental stages and the inflammatory markers, adjusting for sex, socio-economic status (SES) and child ethnicity. Latent profile analysis (LPA) identified age 24 inflammatory profiles and multinomial logistic regressions identified associations between childhood trauma and these latent groups. After adjustment for confounders, late childhood trauma was significantly associated with age 24 suPAR (β = 0.06, 95 % CI [.03, 0.1], p = 0.001), CRP (β = 0.09, 95 % CI [.01, 0.17], p = 0.04) and IL-6 (β = 0.1, 95 % CI [.02, 0.19], p = 0.02). The relationship between late trauma and suPAR survived additional adjustment for prior trauma (β = 0.06, 95 % CI [.01, 0.11], p = 0.03). Middle childhood trauma was significantly associated with IL-6 (β = 0.1, 95 % CI [.02, 0.18], p = 0.02). This attenuated after additionally adjusting for prior trauma (β = 0.11, 95 % CI [-0.09, 0.3], p = 0.29). There was little evidence of an association between early trauma and any inflammatory marker. Exposure to any trauma from 0-17 years was associated with elevated suPAR (β = 0.04, 95 % CI [.005, 0.07], p = 0.025) and IL-6 (β = 0.1, 95 % CI [.02, 0.18], p = 0.02) after adjustment for confounders. Additionally, LPA identified three distinct inflammatory profiles: 1. no inflammatory dysregulation; 2. elevated CRP and IL-6 levels; and 3. a high inflammatory group characterised by elevated levels of suPAR, CRP and IL-6. After adjustment for confounders, individuals with trauma either in early (RR = 2.31, 95 % CI [1.16, 4.6], p = 0.017), middle (RR = 2.72, 95 % CI [1.4, 5.29], p = 0.003) or late (RR = 3.37, 95 % CI [1.7, 6.64], p < 0.001) childhood had an increased risk of being in the high inflammatory group. The association between late childhood trauma and this high inflammatory group survived adjustment for prior trauma (RR = 3.69, 95 % CI [1.44, 9.47], p = 0.007). When the inflammatory markers were analysed independently, late childhood trauma showed a strong association with age 24 suPAR levels after adjusting for confounders and prior trauma. When the inflammatory markers were analysed in combination, those with late childhood trauma also were likely to have an elevated suPAR, CRP and IL-6 inflammatory profile. Collectively, the findings highlight the propensity of late childhood trauma (rather than early or mid-childhood trauma) for the dysregulation of suPAR in early adulthood and support the measurement of suPAR in combination with other markers to better characterise the effects of childhood trauma on adult inflammation. Future studies should use suPAR in combination with CRP and IL-6 to further explore the inflammatory contribution in the relationship between trauma and adverse health outcomes in adulthood.
Reconfigurable plasma frequency selective surface
No full textThis paper presents single- and double-layer reconfigurable frequency selective surfaces (FSS) for high-power microwave (HPM) shielding, utilizing plasma as an active element. Unlike conventional FSS, plasma-based design enables tunable filtering by adjusting plasma density or shape, reducing the need for extensive structural modifications. Plasma elements enhance shielding, offer reconfigurability (ON mode), and can be rendered transparent when the plasma is deactivated (OFF mode). The proposed FSS utilizes plasma formation, induced by HPM-generated electric fields, to selectively absorb electromagnetic (EM) energy. Simulation results indicate excellent isolation, with insertion loss exceeding 10 dB across the target frequency band as input power increases. This approach offers promising capabilities for dynamic EM power reception control and equipment shielding in high-power environments.<br/
Artificial intelligence for calculating and predicting building carbon emissions: a review
No full textThe construction industry, being responsible for a large share of global carbon emissions, needs to reduce its high carbon output to meet carbon reduction goals. Artificial intelligence can provide efficient support for carbon emission calculation and prediction. Here, we review the use of artificial intelligence techniques in forecasting, management and real-time monitoring of carbon emissions, focusing on how they are applied, their impacts, and challenges. Compared to traditional methods, the prediction accuracy of artificial intelligence models has increased by 20%. Artificial intelligence-driven systems could reduce carbon emissions by up to 15% through real-time monitoring and adaptive management strategies. Artificial intelligence applications improve energy efficiency in buildings by up to 25%, while reducing operational costs by up to 10%. Artificial intelligence supports the establishment of a digital carbon management system and contributes to the development of the carbon trading market.<br/
How to write a novel with dyslexia, by Garrett Carr – an author who’s done it
No full textI’m no expert on dyslexia – I need the internet’s help to spell it correctly – but I’m told the distance between sounds and letters is bridged with a gazillion neurosensory connections, so it is no surprise the system can go wrong
Stablecoins, CBDCs, and the digital bridge to global finance – What characteristics make countries endeavor CBDC projects?
No full textThe adoption of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) is accelerating, with four nations deploying them by 2024 and over a hundred considering adoption. CBDCs offer a digital alternative to traditional fiat currency, managed by central banks, aiming to enhance payment efficiency, ensure privacy, promote financial inclusion, and counter the rise of privately issued stablecoins. Despite extensive research on CBDCs, little is known about the factors driving countries to pursue these projects. This paper explores key determinants, such as political regime, human development, economic freedom, and perceived corruption, and examines how stablecoins shape dynamics
Rapidly deployable remote analogue electronics lab with antiplagiarism and AI immunity features
No full textThis paper documents the rapid establishment of an online analogue electronics remote lab, highlighting key lessons learned to facilitate future transitions from in-person to remote labs. To enable the swift rollout of the remote lab, existing in-person lab facilities were rapidly repurposed. The remote labs incorporated simple yet innovative methods to prevent plagiarism and misuse of AI, thereby ensuring academic integrity. This was achieved by assigning each student a unique analogue circuit with a measured response known only to the instructors. These analogue responses were highly distinct for each circuit, and it is demonstrated in this paper that plagiarised results could not be convincingly generated by several AI engines. The paper further emphasizes the critical collaboration between academics and technical staff, which enabled the efficient delegation of tasks and the effective implementation of the remote lab. This collaborative model ensured that all team members excelled in their respective areas of expertise, making the transition to remote labs both seamless and successful
Performance of international phenotypic criteria for prenatal exome sequencing: systematic review and comparative diagnostic accuracy study using historical individual participant data
No full textObjectivesTo evaluate: (i) the performance of the National Health Service (NHS) phenotypic eligibility criteria for prenatal exome sequencing (pES); (ii) the diagnostic yield of individual NHS criteria; (iii) the diagnostic yield when one or multiple NHS criteria were met; and (iv) the performance of the NHS criteria compared with that of phenotypic eligibility criteria used in other countries/regions.MethodsAn online survey was circulated to healthcare professionals in 120 countries to gather information on whether pES is offered in their country and how case selection is performed. Five predefined sets of phenotypic eligibility criteria from England, Greece, Canada (British Columbia and Ontario) and Spain were tested on a virtual historical cohort of 1054 ‘unselected’ structurally abnormal fetuses undergoing pES, derived from a published systematic review. The performance of the current and previous gene panels used in the NHS pES service was assessed in the unselected cohort. The sensitivity and specificity with 95% CI for each set of criteria in relation to diagnostic yield for pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants were calculated, along with the area under the summary receiver-operating-characteristics curve (AUC).ResultsThe electronic survey received 261 responses from 63/120 countries. Where deducible, 81.8% (45/55) of the countries surveyed offered pES. Where stated, most (90.3% (28/31)) cases were selected for pES on a case-by-case basis, according to fetal phenotype and the likelihood of an association with a monogenic condition, rather than on the basis of predetermined phenotypic criteria. The total diagnostic yield of the NHS criteria when applied to all relevant cases for pES was 27.8% (69/248), with pooled sensitivity, pooled specificity and AUC of 49.8% (95% CI, 31.7–67.9%), 80.7% (95% CI, 59.6–92.2%) and 0.66 (95% CI, 0.53–0.74), respectively. The diagnostic yield was highest for isolated short long bones (58.3% (7/12)). The likelihood of a monogenic diagnosis did not increase significantly as the number of NHS criteria met increased. There was a significant increase in the diagnostic yield of the current (2024) vs original (2020) gene panel adopted by the NHS (129/135 (95.6%) vs 118/135 (87.4%); P = 0.017). The four other sets of phenotypic criteria used in other countries/regions performed moderately well, with the best performance seen for the British Columbia criteria, which had a pooled sensitivity of 70.5% (95% CI, 43.7–88.1%), pooled specificity of 68.9% (95% CI, 37.5–89.1%) and AUC of 0.73 (95% CI, 0.58–0.79).ConclusionsIn the majority of countries for which there was a survey response, pES was offered on a case-by-case basis, according to fetal phenotype and the likelihood of an underlying monogenic condition. Existing phenotypic eligibility criteria for pES performed modestly.<br/