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Noninvasive Monitoring of Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12 in Human Skin Layers: Mechanical Interaction with Skin Components and Its Potential Skincare Benefits
Get PDFSelf-assembling peptides (SAPs) represent a rich source of building blocks that interact with biological structures. For instance, cosmetic SAPs like Palmitoyl hexapeptide-12 have gained increasing interest for their anti-aging properties. However, their short-term impact on the skin composition and mechanics remains unclear. In this study, a battery of label-free techniques is exploited to objectively monitor the effects of Palmitoyl hexapeptide-12 on human skin. Orbital trapping secondary ion mass spectrometry (OrbiSIMS) is used to discern between Palmitoyl hexapeptide-12 sol and gel forms, tracking its self-assembly and penetration within full-thickness human skin. Palmitoyl hexapeptide-12 is shown to permeate both stratum corneum and epidermal layers, initiating gel formation by harnessing endogenous ions. Hence, the ability of the peptide to strengthen and repair the skin barrier after delipidation is also demonstrated through a high-throughput mechanical characterization and stimulated Raman scattering (SRS). Finally, the co-assembling properties of Palmitoyl hexapeptide-12 with native skin molecules are shown via in vitro tests and ex vivo histology. This study establishes a methodological benchmark for measuring the effects of cosmetic peptides on skin mechanics and hydration, introducing a platform to design SAPs capable of harnessing native skin molecules to create “biocooperative” structures with cosmetic benefits
Factors influencing fall prevention programmes across three regions of the UK: the challenge of implementing and spreading the Falls Management Exercise (FaME) programme in a complex landscape
Get PDFBackground: The occurrence of falls in adults 65+ years remains a common and costly issue worldwide. There is current evidence to suggest that falls can be prevented using evidence-based strength and balance interventions, such as the 6-month Falls Management Exercise (FaME) programme. Perspectives of multiple key partners and providers of the FaME programme could inform future implementation and fall prevention strategies. Methods: Partners and providers involved in local community fall prevention pathways were purposefully recruited from three geographical areas across the UK. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to gain a broad understanding of factors affecting the adoption, implementation and spread of FaME. Data were analysed using an inductive thematic approach and mapped to the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Results: Data from 25 participant interviews and document analysis revealed 11 themes organised within five CFIR domains – the innovation (3), outer setting (3), inner setting (1), characteristics of individuals (1) and process (2). Conclusion: The adoption, implementation and spread of FaME into community settings is complex and faces multiple health system challenges. For adoption and implementation to be facilitated, FaME programmes must demonstrate effectiveness and fit the local needs of those receiving the intervention. For spread to occur, influential decision makers and funders must support wider programme roll out, whilst also securing sufficient expert capacity to deliver the programme and ensure monitoring is in place to determine effectiveness of provision for older adults
Shortening duration of untreated illness in young people with first episode eating disorders: protocol of a randomised controlled feasibility trial of a smartphone friendly multi-modal decision-making tool (FREED-M) to improve help-seeking
Get PDFBackground: Early intervention gives young people the best chance to recover from eating disorders (EDs). An important focus of early intervention is shortening the time between a person first developing symptoms and starting treatment (duration of untreated eating disorder; DUED). Patient-related factors (e.g. poor mental health literacy and help-seeking difficulties) are strongly associated with DUED. The aims of our study are to co-design and test the feasibility of FREED-Mobile (FREED-M), an online intervention tool for young people with early-stage EDs. This tool aims to improve knowledge about EDs, increase motivation to seek treatment and teach early steps towards change or recovery, thus reducing DUED. Methods: We will carry out a randomised controlled feasibility trial comparing the FREED-M tool with a control intervention where individuals are sign-posted to an ED charity website. The objectives of the proposed trial are to establish/estimate: (a) attrition rates at follow-up (primary feasibility outcome); (b) participant recruitment; (c) intervention uptake, completion rates and acceptability; (d) intervention effect sizes and standard deviations for outcomes to inform the sample size calculation for a large-scale randomised controlled trial (RCT); (e) stakeholder views on the intervention. We aim to recruit 116 participants (young people, aged 16–25, with first episode ED) from primary care, schools and universities, ED services and social media. Online assessments will be carried out at baseline, end of intervention and follow-up (weeks 0, 4 and 12 post-randomisation, respectively). Outcomes will include motivation and readiness to change, attitudes and intentions towards help-seeking, ED symptoms, mood and social functioning, and health-related quality of life. Additionally, we will carry out a qualitative evaluation of participants’ views of the intervention and study design. Discussion: The results of this feasibility trial will inform adaptations to the intervention as needed, as well as the study design (e.g. sample size, primary outcomes) of a future large-scale RCT to assess the effectiveness of the FREED-M intervention. If effective, this novel, online intervention has the potential for wide dissemination and for substantially reducing DUED to improve long-term patient outcomes. Trial registration: ISRCTN, ISRCTN15662055. Registered 27 July 2022, https://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN15662055
Highly sensitive and selective detection of ppb-level acetone sensor using WO3/Au/SnO2 ternary composite gas sensor
Get PDFDeveloping acetone sensors with high sensitivity and selectivity at ppb level is critical for medical diagnostics and environmental monitoring while facing serious challenges. In this work, we presented a ppb-level acetone sensor based on a WO3/Au/SnO2 ternary composite film with a sandwich structure that was obtained by combined methods of radio-frequency (RF) magnetron sputtering and ion beam sputtering. The structural and compositional characteristics of the WO3/Au/SnO2 composite film were analyzed by electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The WO3/Au/SnO2 composite sensor possessed high response (28.9–50 ppm), low optimum working temperature (200 °C), fast response/recovery time (5.5/10.5 s), ultralow detection limit (170 ppb), good repeatability, and ideal long-term stability. The excellent gas-sensing performance of WO3/Au/SnO2 composite sensor could be mainly attributed to the construction of the heterostructures between different components and the chemical sensitization effect of the noble metal Au interlayer
Public Participation in Policymaking
Get PDFInvolving the public in local government decisions fosters democratic participation and ensures that citizens influence policies that affect their lives.This document by John Evans and Ceri Davies (National Centre for Social Research) and Daniel H. Mutibwa (University of Nottingham), sets out how public participation can take place, its strengths and challenges, and its application to policy issues relating to fiscal devolution
Functional Signatures of Surface Pollen and Vegetation Are Broadly Similar: Good News for Past Reconstructions of Vegetation
Get PDFAimPollen assemblages are widely used to infer paleoenvironment features, aiming at reconstructing both past climates and biomes. However, the functional link between environmental conditions and pollen assemblages is not straightforward and requires thorough testing to be used confidently. Here, we use a trait-based approach to assess the consistency of functional signatures between pollen and plant assemblages.LocationArid Central Asia (ACA).TaxonSpermatophytes (pollen-producing plants).MethodsWe assess whether trait values and trait distributions are consistent for surface pollen samples and extant vegetation in the Arid Central Asia biogeographic region. A working plant checklist was compiled for ACA in order to assign trait values to pollen types and vegetation taxa. This was done for two widely used methods of pollen aggregation schemes (coarse and fine pollen type depend on the level of pollen identification). The functional signatures of pollen and vegetation samples were compared both at the taxon and community levels, using large-scale trait and vegetation databases, for the six traits of the global spectrum of plant form and function (i.e., plant height, seed mass, leaf area, specific leaf area, nitrogen content per leaf mass, and stem-specific density).ResultsTrait distributions and bivariate trait relationships were broadly similar for pollen types and vegetation taxa, which is also the case for the multivariate spaces of the global spectrum of plant form and function. At the community scale, the trait values weighted by taxon abundance significantly differed among biomes, and these differences were consistent for both pollen aggregation schemes and extant.Main ConclusionsThe pollen aggregation scheme does not impact the organisation of the functional space of the global spectrum of plant form and function, which compares well with that based on species actually present in the vegetation plots. This is also true at the community scale. These findings are very promising for improving climate and biome reconstructions from pollen assemblages and pave the way to a “pollen functional biogeography”
Optimization and Comparison of 1MW-Class PM Motors for Aircraft Propulsion Using Litz Wire and Hairpin Windings
Get PDFChoosing the right winding technology is key to maximizing power density and efficiency in electric aircraft propulsion. This paper presents a two-level optimization strategy to evaluate Litz wire and hairpin winding configurations in two 1 MW-class PM machines, each with a 5-stage Halbach array and a 72-slot/12-pole configuration. The global optimization (GO) stage analyzes their impact on power density, loss distribution, and efficiency. Results show that hairpin winding increases power density by reducing active mass but suffers from higher AC copper losses. To address this, an updated motor constant (Km) serves as a fitness function in a Genetic Algorithm (GA) during the local optimization (LO) stage, refining the hairpin winding and stator slot design to reduce losses and enhance efficiency. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) validates the performance and effectiveness of the proposed method
Maximum Efficiency Tracking Control for Omnidirectional Wireless Power Transfer System Based on AdamW Algorithm
Get PDFIn order to increase the transmission efficiency of the receiving and transmitting coils of the omnidirectional wireless power transfer (OWPT) system in all-direction wireless transmission, and to reach the system's maximum efficiency output under constant output power, avoiding the power losses caused by additional DC/DC converters. This article proposes a maximum efficiency point tracking control algorithm based on AdamW algorithm. The system equivalent circuit model of three transmitting coils OWPT double-side LCC compensation network is established in this paper, and a maximum efficiency tracking control method based on AdamW is proposed. By changing the input voltage of the three transmitting coils and adjusting the current of the transmitting coils, the overall efficiency of the system can be optimized under constant power output. The effectiveness of the OWPT maximum transmission efficiency control method based on AdamW algorithm is verified by experiments, which can achieve the maximum efficiency output of the receiving coil at any position
Multi-objectives Integrated Division-Summation Method for LCL-Type Three-Level Grid-Connected Inverter Considering Low- Frequency Common Mode Voltage
Get PDFThe LCL-type three-level grid-connected inverter is extensively employed in photovoltaic (PV) power generation systems, which has multiple individually controlled objectives. To this end, an integrated Division-Summation (I-D-Σ) control strategy is proposed in this paper, which can consider grid-connected current tracking, neutral-point potential (NPP) balance control, resonance suppression and low-frequency common mode voltage (CMV), simultaneously. To compensate for the fact that the Dual-Division-Summation (D-D-Σ) method only considers grid-connected current and resonance suppression, a virtual zero potential point is added for NPP balance control. Additionally, a low-frequency CMV estimation method based on Fully Connect-Convolutional Neural Network (FC-CNN) is proposed, which perfectly avoids the unobservability of sensorless CMV. The I-D-Σ method can effectively reduce the low-frequency CMV, which is compensated by the low-frequency CMV. The effectiveness of the proposed strategy was verified through comparative experimental results
Dual Antiplatelet Treatment up to 72 Hours After Ischemic Stroke Stratified by Risk Profile: A Post Hoc Analysis
Get PDFBACKGROUND: Risk profile of recurrence may influence the effect of antiplatelet therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of clopidogrel-aspirin initiated within 72 hours after symptom onset for acute mild stroke or high-risk transient ischemic attack stratified by risk profile. METHODS: This is a secondary post hoc analysis of the INSPIRES (Intensive Statin and Antiplatelet Therapy for Acute High-risk Intracranial or Extracranial Atherosclerosis) randomized clinical trial that enrolled patients 35 to 80 years old with acute mild ischemic stroke or high-risk transient ischemic attack between 2018 and 2022. Patients were stratified into different groups based on the Essen Stroke Risk Score (ESRS) and modified ESRS. The primary efficacy outcome was any new stroke within 90 days. The primary safety outcome was moderate-to-severe bleeding within 90 days. RESULTS: Among 6100 patients (3050 each in the clopidogrel-aspirin group and aspirin group), the median age was 65 years (interquartile range, 57-71 years), and 3915 (64.2%) were male. Clopidogrel-aspirin was associated with a reduced risk of new stroke in patients with an ESRS of <3 (hazard ratio [HR], 0.67 [95% CI, 0.52-0.86]), but not in those with an ESRS of ≥3 (HR, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.72-1.18]), compared with aspirin (Pinteraction=0.07). Similar results were found in patients stratified by modified ESRS (modified ESRS <6 in male and <5 in female: HR, 0.68 [95% CI, 0.55-0.83]; modified ESRS ≥6 in male and ≥5 in female: HR, 1.14 [95% CI, 0.82-1.59]; Pinteraction=0.01). The association between antiplatelet therapy and the moderate-to-severe bleeding did not differ across risk profile subgroups (ESRS of <3: HR, 1.35 [95% CI, 0.54-3.35]; ESRS of ≥3: HR, 3.21 [95% CI, 1.18-8.78]; Pinteraction=0.21; modified ESRS of <6 in male and <5 in female: HR, 1.96 [95% CI, 0.88-4.36]; modified ESRS of ≥6 in male and ≥5 in female: HR, 2.27 [95% CI, 0.70-7.39]; Pinteraction=0.85). CONCLUSIONS: This post hoc analysis of the INSPIRES trial showed that patients with a low level of risk profile assessed by ESRS received greater benefit from clopidogrel-aspirin initiated within 72 hours after symptom onset than aspirin alone. REGISTRATION: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03635749
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