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Secure internet of things using deep learning: applying transformer-based NLP techniques for enhanced IoT security
No full textNeighbourhood attachment and place identity in a post-conflict society: Portuguese communities in small town and semi-rural Northern Ireland
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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.
Photocatalytic conversion of β-O-4 lignin model dimers: the effect of benzylic ketones on reaction pathway
No full textThe conversion of biomass towards value-added and platform chemicals has become the focus of extensive research these past two decades. One of the methods that has been increasingly studied is the use of semiconductor-mediated photocatalysis for biomass conversion. Titanium dioxide has previously been demonstrated to be an effective commercial catalyst for the cleavage of bonds within lignin and also cellulose and hemicellulose. Described herein is the deployment of TiO2 for the cleavage of bonds within two β-O-4 lignin model compounds, one bearing a ketone in the α-position and the other an alcohol. The presence of a ketone in the benzylic position in one of the models had a pronounced effect under photolytic conditions, e.g., in the absence of a photocatalyst but with irradiation present. The subsequent reduction of the benzylic ketone resulted in observed sensitivity towards the irradiation and solely photocatalytic conversion was achieved. In addition, reaction products are proposed, which demonstrate a feasible method for β-O-4 cleavage in native lignin extracts.</p
The effect of reduction temperature of graphene oxide on the structure and properties of polystyrene/thermally reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites
No full textThe adoption of an eco-friendly approach to reduce graphene oxide (GO) and the employment of the obtained reduced graphene oxide (rGO) to prepare high-performance polymer nanocomposites represent a considerable challenge. Vacuum assisted low temperatures were used to obtain rGO from GO. GO was reduced at 130, 165 and 200 °C for 24 h to produce rGOs of different degrees of reduction. Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed a successful reduction of GO and the preparation of rGOs with different degrees of reduction. To study the effect of rGOs on the structure and properties of polymers, rGOs were mixed with polystyrene (PS) at 1.0 mass% loading to prepare nanocomposites using a solution blending method. The results of FTIR, XRD, and scanning electron microscopy showed a possible interaction and good dispersion of GO and its reduced forms within the host medium of PS. Differential scanning calorimetry, TGA, and dynamic mechanical analysis showed that thermal and thermomechanical behaviour were improved with the incorporation of rGOs as compared with nanocomposite reinforced with pristine GO and the neat polymer. The higher values of thermal degradation temperature, glass transition temperature and storage modulus for PS/rGOs as compared with PS/GO and the neat polymer confirmed the role of rGO in achieving better performance for the nanocomposites
Unlocking the potential of willow condensed tannins: effects on rumen fermentation, microbiome, and metabolome for sustainable ruminant nutrition
No full textBackgroundSustainable livestock production is essential for meeting the growing global protein demand while minimising environmental impacts. Exploring alternative forages that enhance nutrient utilisation and reduce reliance on imported feeds is a potential strategy. Condensed tannins (CTs) can bind to proteins in the rumen, protecting them from ruminal degradation resulting in decreased ammoniacal N and enhanced nitrogen uptake in the hindgut. This pioneering research is the first to explore the potential of willow (Salix) as an alternative feed for ruminant nutrition. The study involved feeding ewe hoggets a control grass silage (SIL) or a SIL mix containing a 20% dry matter (DM) dietary inclusion of leaves from two willow varieties to investigate the impact the willow CTs have on rumen fermentation, microbial populations, and metabolomic profiles. Willow treatments: Beagle (BG) and Terra Nova (TN) had an overall CT inclusion (CTI) of 1.1 and 0.1% DM with the control diet containing no CTs in a three-treatment x three-period Latin square design.ResultsAlthough total dry matter and fibre intake were higher in BG and TN, there was no significant difference in ruminal CH4 production between the treatments. However, fermentation was affected, with BG and TN showing lower acetate production and reduced total volatile fatty acid production compared to SIL. CTs may have impaired fibre digestion, as SIL had higher Fibrobacter abundance than BG. Heatmap visualisation indicated higher carbohydrate metabolite concentrations in SIL, with reduced metabolism observed in TN and BG. Ruminal ammonia did not differ significantly among treatments, despite higher nitrogen intake in BG and TN treatments. Proteolytic bacteria levels were similar across treatments, but TN and BG had higher ruminal metabolites associated with protein metabolism upon visualisation through heatmap analysis. TN showed higher abundance of Prevotella and Fibrobacter than BG, which had 10 times higher CT content and a greater prodelphinidin proportion.ConclusionFeeding CT-containing willow enhanced feed intake, altered rumen microbiome composition and suggested visual changes in the analysis of protein metabolism, offering potential benefits for animal performance. While a reduction in CH4 was not observed, this study highlights the potential of willow to alter ruminant nutrition while supporting sustainable agricultural practices.<br/
“Diagnosed cancer free”: a corpus-based experiential analysis of the construction of the ‘self’ in the memoirs of female cancer survivors
No full textA review of deaths in prison custody across the UK (2017-2020). Lessons for the future for palliative and end of life care for people in prison?
No full textDeaths in prison custody are on the rise due to an increase in the number ofpeople aged 60 or over in prison, longer custodial sentences and older peoplebeing convicted following historical abuse inquiries (Her Majesty’s Inspectoratefor Prisons in Scotland, 2021; Armstrong et al, 2021; INQUEST, 2020).•Most deaths in prison are from natural causes (i.e. cancer, COPD, pneumonia,heart attack, frailty, dementia, Parkinson’s, stroke, sepsis, COVID-19, organfailure or clots). There is an rapidly increasing need for palliative and end of lifecare (PEOLC) in prison, but research evidence shows numerous challenges toproviding it (Turner et al, 2018, 2021; Schaefer et al, 2022; Gilbert et al, 2024).Following all natural cause/anticipated deaths in prison custody (2017-2020) inEngland, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland were reviewed. Data collected: Age, gender, cause and place of death, previous medical history,circumstances of death, reference to PEOLC provision, reference to earlyrelease on compassionate grounds, information on use of restraints, evidence offamily involvement or bereavement support and recommendations from theOmbudsman (clinical and non-clinical). Analysis: Descriptive statistics and cross tabulations in SPSS and thematic analysis of free text data
Urban green and blue space interventions to prevent violence against women and girls: a systematic scoping review with guidance for future research
No full textViolence against women and girls (e.g. rape, stalking) often takes place in urban green and blue spaces, resulting in non-use and consequently a lack of potential health benefits for women and girls. We aimed to identify urban green and blue space interventions to prevent violence against women and girls, and provide guidance to support the design, and implementation of future strategies. An international scoping review (2012-2024, four databases) identified eight urban green and blue space interventions aimed at preventing violence (from 2,303 papers) each were subject to a methodological quality assessment. The majority (n = 5, 62.5%) implemented ‘cleaning and greening’ interventions, Safe Summer Parks Programme (n = 1), crime prevention through environmental design (n = 1) and a park-based after-school mental health programme (n = 1). Each study reported positive intervention effects on violence-related outcomes, including improved safety perceptions, and reductions in arrests, and serious and violent crimes. This review identified effective urban green and blue space interventions preventing violence in the general population; it highlighted the absence of urban green and blue space interventions to specifically prevent violence against women and girls; and emphasised limited variation regarding intervention type and location. A conceptual model to guide strategies to prevent violence against women and girls was developed.<br/