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Promoting proximity to enhance Fe-Ca interaction for efficient integrated CO<sub>2</sub> capture and hydrogenation
No full textIntegrated CO2 capture and utilization (ICCU) using “capture-conversion” dual functional materials (DFMs) paves a cost-effective path for restricting CO2 emissions by eliminating the energy-intensive intermediate processes. The interactions between catalysts and absorbents are believed pivotal in ICCU; however, there is a lack of environment-friendly strategy to fabricate the interaction for industrial applications. Here, we propose a solvent-free mechanochemical approach to promote the interaction by improving the proximity between natural calcium and iron sources. The interaction was systemically investigated and confirmed using XRD, XPS, TEM, TPR, etc. As a result, the mechanochemical approach derived DFM achieved 5.5 mmol g−1 CO2 capacity, 87 % CO2 conversion, and 100 % CO selectivity at 650 °C, significantly outperforming the CaO-alone benchmark (CO2 capacity < 4.5 mmol g−1, CO2 conversion < 73 %). Further incorporating MgO would alleviate the sintering and promote the CO2 capture stability (< 15 % decrease after 20 cycles) by acting as a thermal-stable barrier. Based on in situ XRD, it is further confirmed that Fe-Ca interaction exhibits a dynamic looping mechanism in ICCU. The techno-economic analysis strongly supports the superiority of ICCU catalyzed by naturally sourced DFMs on eliminating the energy and H2 consumption for CO2 capture and upgradation. As a result, producing CO via ICCU using mechanochemical derived DFMs exhibits 20 % and 10 % cost decrease compared to the conventional CCU and ICCU using CaO alone scenarios, pointing out the potential of ICCU technology in industrial applications.</p
Eating within planetary boundaries - a cross-country analysis of iodine provision from the EAT-Lancet diet
No full textThe EAT-Lancet Commission's 2019 reference diet promotes health and environmental sustainability through predominantly plant-based foods, raising concerns about micronutrient adequacy, particularly iodine. This study evaluated the iodine content of the EAT-Lancet diet across sixteen countries using national food composition data. Iodine intake was modelled under three scenarios: (1) strict adherence to specified food items; (2) inclusion of a broader range of foods within each group; and (3) a vegan adaptation. In Scenario 1, dairy products, fish, and eggs were primary iodine sources, with intakes ranging from 42 µg/day (New Zealand) to 129 µg/day (United Kingdom), covering 28-85% of the adult requirements. Scenarios 2 and 3 showed higher iodine levels in countries using fortified bread, but most remained below adult and pregnancy requirements. These findings underscore the need to carefully evaluate iodine provision of plant-based dietary recommendations, particularly in countries without a fortification policy, to prevent iodine insufficiency
Evaluating the Impact and Acceptability of a Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Serious Game: A Mixed Methods Study
No full textBackground:Pancreatic cancer has one of the lowest survival rates among cancers, primarily due to late-stage diagnosis and low public awareness of early symptoms. Public health campaigns often struggle to reach individuals with effective, memorable messaging. Serious games may offer an innovative, scalable approach to engaging the public in health education. This mixed methods study evaluated the acceptability, effectiveness, and perceived dissemination potential of a digital serious game promoting awareness of pancreatic cancer symptoms.Objective: To assess the short-term impact of a serious game on symptom awareness, help-seeking intention, and acceptability among UK adults using quantitative and qualitative methods.Methods: A convergent mixed methods design was used. The quantitative phase involved a pre–post evaluation with a convenience sample of 537 UK adults (70% female, mean age 41 years), who completed measures immediately before and after playing the game. Outcomes included awareness of pancreatic cancer symptoms (12-item knowledge test), self-reported intention to seek help, and acceptability ratings. The qualitative phase involved 30 participants who took part in four semi-structured focus groups after playing the game. Participants were purposively sampled to represent a range of ages and backgrounds. Focus group data were analyzed thematically using thematic analysis to explore user perspectives on the game’s content, impact, and dissemination potential.Results: Quantitative analysis demonstrated statistically significant improvements in awareness across all 12 pancreatic cancer symptoms (p < .001). The mean number of symptoms correctly identified increased from 6.0 (SD 2.2) pre-intervention to 9.3 (SD 1.9) post-intervention. Participants also showed a significant increase in self-reported intention to seek help if experiencing relevant symptoms (pre: 71.9%; post: 89.8%, p < .001). Acceptability ratings were high, with 94% of respondents stating the game was clear and 91% agreeing it was a good way to raise awareness.Thematic analysis of the qualitative data revealed three key themes. First, “It Could Work for Anything” captured participants’ views that the game format was broadly applicable beyond pancreatic cancer, with potential for use in other public health contexts due to its brevity and impact. Second, “I’d Actually Go See My Doctor Now” reflected how the game prompted increased awareness and personal reflection, with several participants reporting they would now be more inclined to seek medical advice if they experienced symptoms. Finally, “Put It Everywhere” highlighted creative suggestions for widespread dissemination, including integrating the game into sports event programs, television, radio, billboards, and magazines, often paired with QR codes to maximize accessibility and engagement.Conclusion: This mixed methods study found that the pancreatic cancer serious game significantly improved symptom awareness and help-seeking intentions. The game was rated as acceptable and engaging, with qualitative feedback underscoring its potential for broader public health applications and mass dissemination. These findings support further use of gamified health tools in cancer awareness efforts.<br/
Synthesis and characterization of biomimetic thermoplastic polyurethanes and nanocomposites with l-Lysine diisocyanate
No full textBiomimetic materials are of significant interest in applications such as soft tissue repair, with their ability to replicate morphology and properties of native tissue. This study reports a novel thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) synthesized with an amino acid-based diisocyanate hard segment. The effects of hard segment percentage on the mechanical, thermal, and hydrophilic properties were assessed. The optimal TPU shows a Young's modulus of 0.19 MPa, a tensile strength of 0.61 MPa, and an elongation at break of 2375%. Incorporating a novel functionalized clay in this TPU gives excellent antibacterial properties, demonstrating efficacy against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains. The addition of this clay also significantly enhances the mechanical properties of the TPU, with Young’s modulus increasing by up to 26 times with 3 wt % clay. The TPU was spun into fibers, creating a fibrous scaffold mimicking the architecture of some soft tissues. The TPU fibers exhibit a considerably higher tensile strength compared to bulk TPU while maintaining a high elongation at break. These TPUs and TPU–clay nanocomposites may find potential applications in soft tissue scaffolds or patches with antibacterial or anti-inflammatory behavior, for example, for the repair of gastrointestinal tissue that may be exposed to harmful bacteria
A realist review of informal carer involvement in the transition of medicines-related care for patients moving from hospital to home
No full textObjective The aim of this work was to understand carer involvement in transitions of care from hospital to home in relation to medicines management. Specifically, via a realist review, to describe how carers provide support, to what extent do they support patients and under what circumstances are carers able to provide support towards patient care in relation to medicines management.Design A realist review was conducted in line with a published protocol and as registered via PROSPERO (CRD42021262827). An initial programme theory (PT) was developed before searches of three databases, PubMed, CINHAL and EMBASE, were conducted in accordance with eligibility criteria. Data were extracted from eligible studies and synthesised into realist causal explanations in the form of Context-Mechanism-Outcome-Configurations (CMOCs) and the PT was refined. Throughout the review, a patient and PPIE group (n≥5) was involved, meeting five times, to inform the research focus and develop CMOCs and the PT by providing feedback and ensuring they capture the carer experience.Results Following title and abstract screening of 4835 papers, the final number of included articles was 208. The evidence synthesis identified 31 CMOCs which were categorised into three themes: (1) continuum of support; (2) understanding the carers’ priorities, role and responsibilities through shared decision-making (SDM) and (3) access to appropriate materials, resources and support information. These themes were formed into an updated PT with accompanying narrative that explained the transition from hospital to home involving carers in medicines management and identified possible areas for future intervention development.Conclusion This review provides insights and recommendations on how carers can be better supported when managing medicines when patients are discharged from hospital. Carers need a continuum of support throughout and following the transition. Healthcare professionals can support this by understanding the carer’s priorities, role and responsibilities through SDM during the hospital stay. Consequently, carers can then be offered access to appropriate materials, resources and support information which allows them to provide better care relating to medicines in the long ter
Northern Ireland Productivity Dashboard 2025
No full textHas NI’s progress stalled, or is its productivity still improving?Productivity measures the total value of output produced in the economy for a given amount of work. Higher productivity means more competitive businesses, higher wages, and more money available to invest in public services.The most recent data shows that NI’s productivity was 12.4% below the UK average in 2023. This is an improvement from our 2024 dashboard, with the gap narrowing from 13.2%, and NI improving from 10th to 8th place. While NI remains below its 2021 high of 7th place, it suggests the productivity gains of the pandemic have not been lost.<br/
Eating within planetary boundaries - a cross-country analysis of iodine provision from the EAT-Lancet diet
No full textThe EAT-Lancet Commission's 2019 reference diet promotes health and environmental sustainability through predominantly plant-based foods, raising concerns about micronutrient adequacy, particularly iodine. This study evaluated the iodine content of the EAT-Lancet diet across sixteen countries using national food composition data. Iodine intake was modelled under three scenarios: (1) strict adherence to specified food items; (2) inclusion of a broader range of foods within each group; and (3) a vegan adaptation. In Scenario 1, dairy products, fish, and eggs were primary iodine sources, with intakes ranging from 42 µg/day (New Zealand) to 129 µg/day (United Kingdom), covering 28-85% of the adult requirements. Scenarios 2 and 3 showed higher iodine levels in countries using fortified bread, but most remained below adult and pregnancy requirements. These findings underscore the need to carefully evaluate iodine provision of plant-based dietary recommendations, particularly in countries without a fortification policy, to prevent iodine insufficiency
Monitoring lung tumour volume on daily cone beam CT; is it achievable in a real-world setting?
No full textDelineating the gross tumour volume (GTV) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) can be challenging due to anatomical complexities and imaging artefacts. This study evaluates a semi-automated workflow using commercial software for target volume (TV) delineation on cone-beam CT (CBCT) in patients undergoing radical radiotherapy. Seventy-six patients with 553 scans (n = 76 planning CT, n = 477 CBCT) were included. Auto-contours were adjusted by a senior Radiation Therapist and reviewed for accuracy. The majority (59.1 %) required only minor revisions, with median adjustment time of CBCT auto-contours of 83 (range 0-460) seconds. The findings support the feasibility of this approach, offering a pragmatic solution for adaptive radiotherapy workflows in NSCLC
Discoloration of vaginal devices during clinical use: a narrative review of the scientific literature and a thematic analysis of Reddit posts
No full textVaginal devices are used by human females to prevent, treat or manage a range of health issues. These devices, fabricated from various polymer materials, include drug-free support devices (i.e. vaginal pessaries), drug-free contraceptive devices (e.g. caps, cups and diaphragms) and drug-releasing vaginal rings (e.g. for hormonal contraception and oestrogen replacement therapy). These devices are prone to discolouration in clinical use due to exposure to cervicovaginal fluid and menstrual blood. This article comprises two parts: in the first, we provide an extensive narrative review of the peer-reviewed scientific literature around vaginal device discolouration. In the second part, we conducted a thematic analysis of user posts on the social media platform Reddit around discolouration of vaginal devices in clinical use, the different factors that potentially cause discolouration, and the implications and repercussions for user acceptability and adherence. This article is the first to review and collate literature reports/evidence and current thinking around discolouration of vaginal devices and will provide a useful resource for users, health professionals, and product developers.<br/