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Novel spiropyran fluorescent probes based on ESIPT and ICT: pH Response & Cyanide Detection
Get PDFDue to the wide application of cyanide in the fields of steel, petroleum and pharmaceutical chemicals and its high lethality to living organisms, the development of new materials that can detect CN− in a fast, simple and sensitive way is very necessary. Based on excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) and intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) mechanisms, we constructed a novel spiropyran fluorescent probes (E)-3-(2-(2-(5-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-yl)-4′-(diphenylamino)-4-hydroxy-[1,1′-biphenyl]-3-yl)vinyl)-3,3-dimethyl-3H-indol-1-ium-1-yl)propane-1-sulfonate (TPTC) by integrating triphenylamine, benzothiazole and hemicarbocyanine structures. It was shown that TPTC has ESIPT and ICT properties, possessing a large Stokes shift (168 nm). Under the condition of DMSO:PBS=3:7, pH=7, after adding CN− to the probe, the fluorescence emission at 530 nm was greatly enhanced, and the fluorescence intensity was gradually strengthened with the increase of the amount of CN−, which had a good linear relationship, and exhibited fluorescence “turn-on”. The fluorescence “turn-on” recognition of CN− was demonstrated with high specificity, strong anti-interference ability and low detection limit (146.00 nM). The sensing mechanism was demonstrated by HRMS and 1H NMR. It was also successfully applied to the spiking and recovery of CN− in laboratory water and natural reservoir water, with recoveries of 101%∼109% in laboratory water and 108%∼116% in natural reservoir water testing. Fluorescence sensing of CN− was achieved in bitter almond, serum samples and cells. In addition, the probe has a pH-responsive property, and the fluorescence at 530 nm was gradually enhanced with the increase of pH, with a good linearity in the pH=10-12 range
Culture-led regeneration and the contestation of local discourses and meanings: the case of European maritime port cities
Get PDFCulture-led regeneration, understood as a range of policies using cultural activity as a catalyst for urban regeneration, has been widely implemented by many European cities. The interest of local businesses and politicians in these processes seems undiminished despite the various systemic crises hitting European cities. In the meantime, the ways in which culture-led regeneration and its promoters interact with, shape and manipulate local discourses and meanings have become critical for its successful implementation. Drawing upon the literature on the politics of urban development, this paper looks at how culture-led regeneration promulgates, negotiates and manipulates local discourses and meanings. It takes the example of European maritime port cities, where these processes have often served as a means to address the challenges associated with shifting meanings and practices surrounding port-city relationships. We argue that culture-led regeneration schemes operating in port cities in the twenty-first century strive to engage directly with local discourses and meanings associated with past economic activities but, in doing so, renegotiate them, producing hybridized models of regeneration that mirror and align with the agenda of culture-led urban growth coalitions
Larval and juvenile fish abundance, habitat, water quality, flow and climate data from English rivers, 1984-2017
No full textThis dataset contains monthly/annual time series of species-specific abundances and covariates for 137 targeted larval/juvenile fish surveys at sites in a range of English lowland rivers. Larval/juvenile fish data come from two different sources: The Environment Agency’s (EA) National Fish Population Database (NFPD) between 1974 and 2017 and a dataset created by the University of Hull (UoH) between 1984 and 2017 inclusive. Biological data consists of density estimates of each fish species from each survey (per meter squared) and also the average length of specified species at the end of their first year of growth. Covariate data include habitat quality indicator (River Habitat Survey), climatic variables (Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Oscillation indices), land-use change, river hydrology, water temperature, effluent dilution factor and concentrations of chemical determinands. This dataset was created as larvae and juveniles may be particularly useful indicators and respond differently than older fish to environmental stressors.The work was supported by the Natural Environment Research Council (Grant NE/S000100/2)
Molecular mobility of extraterrestrial ices: surface diffusion in astrochemistry and planetary science
Get PDFMolecules are ubiquitous in space. They are necessary components in the creation of habitable planetary systems and can provide the basic building blocks of life. Solid-state processes are pivotal in the formation of molecules in space and surface diffusion in particular is a key driver of chemistry in extraterrestrial environments, such as the massive clouds in which stars and planets are formed and the icy objects within our solar system. However, for many atoms and molecules quantitative theoretical and experimental information on diffusion, such as activation barriers, are lacking. This hinders us in unravelling chemical processes in space and determining how the chemical ingredients of planets and life are formed. In this article, an astrochemical perspective on diffusion is provided. Described are the relevant adsorbate-surface systems, the methods to model their chemical processes, and the computational and laboratory techniques to determine diffusion parameters, including the latest developments in the field. While much progress has been made, many astrochemically relevant systems remain unexplored. The complexity of ice surfaces, their temperature-dependent restructuring, and effects at low temperatures create unique challenges that demand innovative experimental approaches and theoretical frameworks. This intersection of astrochemistry and surface science offers fertile ground for physical chemists to apply their expertise. We invite the physical chemistry community to explore these systems, where precise diffusion parameters would dramatically advance our understanding of molecular evolution in space-from interstellar clouds to planetary surfaces-with implications on our understanding on the origins of life and planetary habitability
External Financial Flows and Economic Growth in Sub-Saharan African Countries
No full textThis thesis examines the factors driving economic growth in sub-Saharan African countries, emphasising the roles of FDI, remittances, foreign aid and human capital. Several econometric approaches were used, including the generalised method of moments (GMM), fixed effects and mixed effects. This thesis addresses the following research questions: Firstly, what is the impact of FDI on economic growth in the SSA region? Secondly, how does human capital impact economic growth? Third, what is the effect of remittances on economic growth and, finally, what is the impact of aid on economic growth in this region of SSA? Data from 2001-2020 are used, covering a sample of 35 SSA countries. This thesis uses panel data econometric methods to account for the heterogeneity of these SSA countries. The relationships between FDI, remittances, human capital and aid are also explored.Chapter two focuses on FDI and reveals a positive and insignificant influence on economic growth under the fixed effect model. However, under the GMM estimation with winsorised data, FDI is found to have a negative and statistically significant effect, with a coefficient of -0.0137. In contrast, trade demonstrates a positive and significant effect when interacting with FDI, with a coefficient of 0.00543, indicating its role as a consistent growth driver in the region.The third chapter examines the impact of human capital on economic growth in 35 sub-Saharan African countries from 2001-2020, using the mixed effect and quartile regression estimation techniques. The chapter concludes that human capital contributes to economic growth, as its indicators are positive and significant. For example, a one-unit increase in secondary school enrolment results in a 0.184% increase in economic growth, while primary school enrolment is associated with a 0.117% increase under the mixed effect model. Chapter four explores the role of remittances in promoting economic growth in the SSA region, with findings indicating a positive and significant impact. Remittances are found to contribute up to 0.794% to growth, emphasising their role as an important financial flow.Finally, Chapter five analyses the relationship between foreign aid and economic growth in Sub-Saharan African countries, utilising panel data from a sample of countries in the region. The results show that foreign aid has a positive and significant impact on economic growth in the region, particularly when the political factor variable is excluded in one of the models, with a coefficient of 1.89%. There has been previous research in this area. However, the results have been inconclusive hence there is a need to settle this debate. Therefore, this thesis is so crucial to add to the existing literature
Exploring Gratitude and Burnout among Obstetric Sonographers
Get PDFThis thesis portfolio is comprised of three parts. Part One is a systematic literature review and Part Two is an empirical paper. Together they provide a greater understanding of the experiences of working as a sonographer in obstetrics. Part Three forms the appendices.Part One: Systematic Literature ReviewA systematic literature review exploring healthcare providers’ experiences of occupational stress and burnout in maternity and neonatal services. Nine qualitative studies were synthesised using thematic synthesis, generating one overarching theme, one analytical theme, and eight subthemes. The review highlighted a range of workplace challenges contributing to burnout, alongside the emotional and professional toll on staff and implications for patient care. Findings emphasise the urgent need for targeted interventions to support healthcare professionals in these high-pressure settings.Part Two: Empirical Research PaperAn empirical paper exploring obstetric sonographers’ experiences and meaning of gratitude through semi-structured interviews with 11 participants. Using reflexive thematic analysis, two overarching themes were constructed as well as two subthemes. The study found that gratitude can reduce stress and positively impact sonographers’, although there were occasions when experiencing gratitude felt elusive. The study highlights the beneficial role of gratitude, but also points to systemic challenges that limit its expression and impact in clinical settings.Part Three: AppendicesAppendices providing supplementary materials for both the systematic literature review and the empirical paper, such as reflective and epistemological statements
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Care and Beyond: Navigating the Needs of Long-Term Survivors
Get PDFChronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) treatment has evolved from traditional chemotherapy to targeted therapies, such as Bruton tyrosine kinase (BTK) and BCL-2 inhibitors with significant improvements in survival rates and a transformation of CLL into a manageable, chronic condition. However, long-term survivors face an increased risk of infections, cardiovascular complications, and secondary malignancies. This shift in care necessitates the development of holistic survivorship models that incorporate disease treatment with the proactive management of frailty, comorbidities, and psychosocial well-being. Comprehensive geriatric assessments (GAs) are essential in older patients to guide treatment decisions and identify frail multimorbid individuals. The development of CLL survivorship-focused care models, which integrate patient-reported outcomes and frailty metrics, are crucial for the enhancement of both survival and quality of life (QoL)
Time Below Range and Its Influence on Hypoglycemia Awareness and Severe Hypoglycemia: Insights From the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists Study
Get PDFOBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the relationship between time below range (TBR), impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH), and severe hypoglycemia (SH). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from individuals with diabetes using continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) in the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists audit. Hypoglycemia awareness was assessed via the Gold score (≥4 denoting IAH), and SH was defined as hypoglycemia requiring third-party assistance. Logistic regression was used to determine the association between TBR percentage (<70 mg/dL; 3.9 mmol/L) at first follow-up and follow-up Gold score and SH incidence. The Youden J index identified optimal TBR percentage cutoffs for detecting IAH and SH. RESULTS: The study included 15,777 participants, with follow-up TBR and SH data available for 5,029. The median TBR percentage was 4% (interquartile range 2-6.6%), with 42% meeting the recommended TBR of ≤4%. Adjusted for age, sex, and BMI, TBR was significantly associated with SH (P < 0.001) and IAH (P = 0.005). Optimal TBR cutoffs for identifying IAH and SH were 3.35% and 3.95%, yielding negative predictive value (NPV) values of 85% and 97%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the international consensus recommending a TBR of <4% in type 1 diabetes, with high NPV values suggesting the utility of TBR in screening for SH
From Archives and Always Running to Prizes and Poetry: Re-interviewing Luis J. Rodríguez
No full textThe Case for Lean Cybersecurity Leadership
Get PDFOrganizations concerned with cybersecurity risk may dedicate more managerial resources to the issue, but new research finds that this has the potential to heighten rather than reduce risk. Individuals in senior cybersecurity were found to routinely overestimate their capabilities relative to people in similar roles in peer organizations — an overconfident stance that can be dangerous in a fast-moving threat landscape