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Global evaluation and outcomes of cholecystectomy: protocol for a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study (GlobalSurg 4)
No full textIntroduction
Cholecystectomy is one of the most common operations performed worldwide. Although laparoscopic surgery has been the ‘gold-standard’ approach for this operation, there is a paucity of global evidence around the variations of safe provision of cholecystectomy, including low-income and middle-income countries. This international collaborative study will allow contemporaneous data collection on the quality of cholecystectomies using measures covering infrastructure, care processes and outcomes, with the primary aim define the global variation in compliance with preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative audit standards.
Methods and analysis
Global Evaluation of Cholecystectomy Knowledge and Outcomes is a prospective, international, multicentre, observational cohort study delivered by the GlobalSurg Collaborative. Consecutive patients undergoing cholecystectomy between 31 July 2023 and 19 November 2023 will be recruited, with follow-up at 30 days and 1-year postoperatively. The study will be undertaken at any hospital providing emergency or elective surgical services for biliary disease. The primary endpoint of this study is compliance with preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative audit standards. Secondary outcomes include rates of 30-day complications, achievement of critical view of safety and rates of gallbladder cancer.
Ethics and dissemination
This project will not affect clinical practice and has been classified as clinical audit following research ethics review at University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust. The protocol will be disseminated through the international GlobalSurg and CovidSurg network.
Trial registration number
NCT06223061
Advancing borophene synthesis and functionalization for tailored applications
No full textBorophene is a novel two-dimensional (2D) material with great electronic mobility, strong mechanical properties, and high chemical reactivity that has drawn a lot of interest from researchers in fields including electronics, energy storage, catalysis, and beyond. However, the scalability of synthesis, structure control, and functionalization have hindered its extensive use and integration. This thesis responds to these critical challenges in full by exploring two novel synthetic pathways to borophene, cryo-exfoliation, and intercalation exfoliation, and exploring the nanoarchitectonics of borophene through microwave-assisted doping.The thesis starts with Chapter 1, an introductory chapter that places borophene within the broader background of 2D materials that have revolutionized the field of materials science by offering unique quantum confinement effects and exceptional properties not attainable in bulk materials. This chapter investigates how 2D materials, especially borophene, have changed prospects in photonics, electronics, and energy technologies. It highlights the special mechanical flexibility, electrical mobility, and chemical reactivity of borophene above other Xenes, which identify it as a very intriguing prospect for upcoming usage. In addition, the chapter highlights the urgent need to address current challenges related to synthesis and functionalization to balance borophene’s theoretical potential with its practical applications.An in-depth examination is presented in Chapter 2, which analyzes borophene’s physical and chemical properties as well as existing synthesis approaches, highlighting their intrinsic limitations. Traditional approaches, including molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and chemical vapor deposition (CVD), yield high-quality borophene but are faced with limitations, including scalability problems, high expenses, and complicated procedures. Likewise, liquid-phase synthesis techniques are limited by oxidation issues and variable structure outputs. These limitations highlight the necessity to advance other innovative synthetic strategies. The need for ecologically friendly synthetic routes that are scalable, reproducible, and economical is high from an application point of view.Cryo-exfoliation, detailed in Chapter 3, introduces a new, scalable, and cost-effective technique. This approach gently sonicates boron crystals after fast freezing them under liquid nitrogen. This produces the exfoliation of borophene sheets while minimizing oxidation. This environmentally friendly method helps borophene to be synthesised sustainably. It is simple to operate, generates high chemical phase purity borophene without oxidation, and can be scaled for more general use. Raman spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) confirmed the structural integrity and chemical purity of the generated borophene. Still, if technology is to move forward, problems with layer thickness and lateral size fluctuation have to be fixed.Chapter 4 describes solvothermal treatment with lithium (Li⁺) and potassium (K⁺) ions intercalation exfoliation method—which uses these ions intercalated between boron layers. These intercalants reduce the interlayer coupling in boron crystals, therefore enabling effective exfoliation following mechanical agitation. Excellent scalability, high yield, cost-effectiveness, and chemical phase purity made this novel approach a strong contender for mass borophene synthesis. Strong structural integrity and consistent yields were shown by comprehensive characterization; yet, comparable to cryo-exfoliation, tighter control over the number of layers and lateral size is needed. Intercalation exfoliation offers a safer and more efficient alternative to traditional liquid-phase methods by removing the necessity for toxic chemicals.The microwave-doping method, explained in Chapter 5, is a novel avenue for the substitute doping of borophene and, hence, its functional enhancement. Using dopants comprising sulfur and iron, this method achieves the doping of borophene's lattice structure under controlled microwave irradiation. Targeted and quick heating of microwaves allows one to precisely dope with the lowest defect development. Clearly, the improvement in specific capacitance and activity in hydrogen evolution processes (HER) illustrates how much this complete strategy enhances the catalytic and electrochemical properties of borophene. Structural characterization by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) attested to the successful incorporation of the dopant and the retention of structural integrity. Though microwave-assisted doping is efficient and suppresses defects, its scalability is limited, with scope for potential future development. A relative comparison of these three approaches reveals the advantages and limitations of each. Cryo-exfoliation and intercalation exfoliation emerge as being scalable and low-cost, and hence amenable to large-scale borophene production. Contrarily, the microwave-assisted doping technique provides unparalleled accuracy in borophene nanoarchitectonics, which allows for property tuning of the material towards specific desired applications. This thesis shows that these approaches provide a route for borophene synthesis and material optimization since they solve several problems related to current techniques.The outcomes of this work not only show the potential of scale synthesis and functionalizing borophene but also provide the basis for the following studies. Future research subjects could include co-doping techniques to increase functionality, synthesis condition optimization, and borophene integration into composite materials. Emphasizing its applicability in the domains of electronics, energy storage, catalysis, molecular sensing, non-volatile memory, and biomedicine, this thesis also helps borophene go from a theoretical material to a building block in developing breakthroughs.</p
Green synthesis of graphene-oxide based nanocomposites for efficient removal of methylene blue dye from wastewater
No full textWater-soluble dyes are a common problem in wastewater treatment, requiring highly efficient methods for removal. In this study, novel sustainable adsorbents made from graphene-oxide (GO) and other materials, such as eggshell-derived calcium oxide nanoparticles (CaONPs-ES), fish bone calcium oxide nanoparticles (CaONPs-FB), and durian shell activated carbon (DSAC) were synthesized, characterized, and demonstrated for soluble dye removal from wastewater. Fermented maize grain extract (MES) was used as a green cross-linker in the synthesis process. The resulting nanocomposites, GO@CaONPs-ES/DSAC and GO@CaONPs-FB/DSAC, showed promising adsorption capabilities for methylene blue (MB) dye removal from aqueous environments. The prepared nanocomposites (GO@CaONPs-ES/DSAC and GO@CaONPs-FB/DSAC) were characterize using state-of-art instrumental techniques. The BET measurement revealed that the nanocomposites surface areas were enhanced due to the cross-linking phenomenon, improving their adsorption capability towards MB dye treatment. The adsorption data of GO@CaONPs-FB/DSAC and GO@CaONPs-ES/DSAC was well fitted to the Harkins-Jura and Freundlich models, respectively. The maximum sorption capacities of GO@CaONPs-ES/DSAC and GO@CaONPs-FB/DSAC were 1274.5 and 689.7 mg/g, respectively. The MB dye removal mechanism was driven by π-π interaction, hydrogen bonding, electrostatic attraction and physical interactions and the adsorption process of the nanocomposites followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. The adsorptive performance of the nanocomposites was stable, showing ∼96.45 % and ∼85.18 % after 10 successive cycles for GO@CaONPs-ES/DSAC and GO@CaONPs-FB/DSAC respectively. Cost evaluation revealed that bulk synthesis of GO@CaONPs-ES/DSAC and GO@CaONPs-FB/DSAC nanocomposites is cost-effective for treating large quantities of MB contaminated water and other potential dyes as well. Finally, the independent and synergetic contributions between pH, adsorbent dosage and temperature on MB removal by GO@CaONPs-ES/DSAC and GO@CaONPs-FB/DSAC were studied and optimized by central composite design (CCD) an aspect of the response surface methodology (RSM). Finally, this study suggests that the novel green cross-linking approach has a significant impact in enhancing the adsorptive performances of the developed nanocomposites to effectively capture MB from aqueous environment.</p
A Dynamic Analysis of the Rail Conveyor System
No full textDue to the reduction of the energy consumption of belt conveyors over the past few decades, longer installations of overland conveyors are now more feasible. Installations of single flight belt conveyors up to 30km in length have been successfully commissioned [1] with longer systems already planned. To further push the boundaries of long overland conveying a new rail based continuous bulk material transportation system has been developed by researchers at the University of Newcastle to reduce the energy consumption of long overland conveyors. The new technology is aptly named the Rail Conveyor due to its combination of two well-established transportation technologies. By further reducing the energy consumption of long overland conveying using the Rail Conveyor, longer systems of up to 50km will be much more realistic. During the operating procedures of long overland conveying systems, an understanding of the transient behaviour is key to their efficient operation. Dynamic analysis methods are used to gain an understanding of the transient tension distribution along the length of a belt conveying system during starting, stopping and running sequences of the system.This paper presents a dynamic analysis of the Rail Conveyor system to gain an understanding of the tension distribution along the system. The key resistive elements of the Rail Conveyor system are analysed where the differences from traditional troughed belt conveyors are also outlined. The implementation of carriage wheels equated to the introduction of track wheel and bearing resistances which effectively eliminated the conventional indentation rolling resistance and bulk material flexure. The developed dynamic analysis model for the Rail Conveyor system offers customary options for the user to establish key components such as tension distributions, displacements and forces for both belt and carriages. These options enable users to predict, rectify and modify their systems accordingly which results in a cost effective and time-saving approach. This is detailed in the presented case study.</p
National Supratidal and Coastal Lowland Forest extent map of Australia
No full textNational Supratidal and Coastal Lowland Forest (SCLF) extent map (v1_release)This is the suite of spatial data products detailing the national supratidal and coastal lowland forest extent map.This is a set of four (4) spatial data layers which are described belowThese include the final national supratidal and coastal lowland forest extent map and the three models that generate this final map, including an elevation model, connectivity model, and vegetation model.# SCL_elevation_model.tifInfo: This dataset shows the confidence of an area being considered supratidal and coastal lowland (SCL) based on elevation within the coastal landscape.Data: Raster dataset of continuous values between 0 and 1, where 0 indicates very limited confidence of being with the expected elevation range, and 1 indicates very high confidence.Data year: 2020# SCL_connectivity_model.tifInfo: This dataset shows the confidence of an area being considered supratidal and coastal lowland (SCL) based on connectivity within the coastal landscape. Here we use a least cost path approach to determine confidence of connectivity to intertidal landscapes.Data: Raster dataset of continuous values between 0 and 1, where 0 indicates very limited confidence of being connected to intertidal landscapes, and 1 indicates very high confidence.Data year: 2020# SCL_vegetation_model.tifInfo: This dataset shows the confidence of an area being considered forest that is within the supratidal and coastal lowland (SCL) area.Data: Raster dataset of continuous values between 0 and 1, where 0 indicates very limited confidence of being forest, and 1 indicates very high confidence.Data year: 2020# SCLF_model.tifInfo: his dataset shows the confidence of an area being considered supratidal and coastal lowland forest (SCLF).Data: Raster dataset of continuous values between 0 and 1, where 0 indicates very limited confidence of being supratidal and coastal lowland forest, and 1 indicates very high confidence. Note: the vegetation model woody cover fraction dataset has been threshold at 0.2 for this dataset, meaning that any pixels with a woody cover fraction 20% canopy cover.Data year: 2020# for more information on the creation of these datasets, please refer to the landing page of the GitHub for this project (https://github.com/christopherowers/supratidal_forests/)# Creators: Chris Owers, Rafael Carvalho, Jeff Kelleway# Contact: Chris Owers, University of Newcastle ([email protected])# Date created: June 2025</p
Ai-capable relationship marketing: Shaping the future of customer relationships
No full textThis study explores the interlinkages between artificial intelligence (AI), dynamic capabilities, and relationship marketing (RM) outcomes. Drawing upon insights from dynamic capabilities and RM theory, this study delineates the strategies and initiatives organizations can adopt using machine learning (ML) and AI to enhance their adaptability to changing market dynamics and customer preferences, in order to develop and maintain stronger relationships with their customers. Based on qualitative data from 67 interviews with managers in different organizations in India, this study contributes to existing theoretical knowledge and managerial practices, as it proposes a comprehensive research framework that demonstrates how AI technologies can enhance customer relationships throughout the entire customer journey. More specifically, it adopts a dynamic capabilities lens to extend our understanding of the marketing applications of AI by conceptualizing the dual role of AI as (a) a distinct organizational capability and (b) an enabler of dynamic capabilities, improving firms’ position to sense, seize, and transform organizational resources and fortify customer relationships. Our findings also highlight several facilitators and barriers to the adoption of AI, both as a dynamic capability and as an enabler for RM
Application of the REFLUX™ classifier in the hydrodynamic classification of minerals by particle size
No full textOne of the most important operations in the mineral processing industry is the classification of particles according to their size. These separations are essential for preparing the feed for comminution, or for beneficiation over specific particle size ranges covering density separation or flotation. This study examined the application of the REFLUX™ Classifier in particle size classification, a system consisting of a set of parallel inclined channels above a vertical fluidised bed. A model feed of pure silica was selected and used throughout the study, covering a broad size range up to a nominal 710 µm. A novel feed preparation method ensured the consistent delivery of the feed, not only across a given experiment, but also across the entire study. Mass balance reconciliation became very reliable. This approach of using the same feed proved valuable in linking the different elements of the study.This work demonstrated the benefit of Split Fluidisation (side-water) in preventing the entrainment of ultrafine particles to the coarse underflow, whilst not significantly impacting the separation size. The by-pass of ultrafine particles to the underflow was also minimised by ensuring a fluidised bed was present. In the absence of a fluidised bed, the underflow stream would have received a dilute and well mixed flow, resulting in misplacement of fine particles. The overall strategy enabled remarkably sharp separations, with the Imperfection, I, typically as low as 0.11 to 0.13 for solids throughputs up to 92 t/(m2 h). The family of partition curves was observed to be very consistent, with strong closure evident at the finer and coarser ends. These results contrast significantly with the relatively poor separations reported in the literature for hydrocyclones and other hydrodynamic separators.It was found that the lower fluidisation rate acted as the key control variable for separations finer than 200 µm. The required fluidisation velocity was consistent with values calculated using the Richardson and Zaki (1954) equation. However, at coarser separation sizes, the side-water became much more important, especially for the more concentrated feeds. In order to minimise the water consumption, the REFLUX™ Classifier was modified by halving the lower cross-sectional area of the vessel. This modification delivered a doubling of the superficial fluid velocity for a given flow rate, and helped to address the increasing challenge of producing sharp separations at these coarser sizes.To ensure sharp separations, it was also demonstrated that the volumetric water to solids ratio in the overflow needed to be at least 5.5. Below this point, the high internal solids concentration within the inclined channels likely impeded the ability of the coarser particles to segregate, misplacing them into the fine overflow. By providing sufficient water through either the feed or the side-water, coarse particles were efficiently rejected by the inclined channels, and correctly reported to the coarse underflow. Whilst most of this work was completed at solids concentrations of 50 wt.% in the feed, solids concentrations as low as 2-8 wt.% were also examined. In these cases, high volumetric feed fluxes produced Imperfections as low as 0.06, less than half that of the other experiments in this study, further demonstrating the positive effect of lower solids concentrations in the inclined channels. The maximum solids throughput was shown to be proportional to the separation size. Moreover, the separation size correlated directly with the underflow solids yield. At lower separation sizes, and therefore higher underflow yields, the higher downwards flux led to a higher solids concentration above the fluidised bed. When this solids concentration increases to the point of converging with that of the fluidised bed, the height of the bed is no longer discernible, meaning the system becomes flooded. Therefore, finer separations required lower solids throughputs, whilst coarser separations could accommodate much higher solids throughputs.Through all the experiments in this study, it was discovered that the inferred internal concentration correlated directly with the suspension viscosity, and in turn linearly with the Imperfection. This internal concentration was based on the well-established empirical model of Laskovski et al. (2006). An empirical model was then developed to describe the separation performance of the REFLUX™ Classifier based on a given separation size, and information of the total solid and water inputs. Using an assumed underflow solids concentration, often ~ 65 wt.% in this work, the water and solid outputs were calculated for each stream, and the overall Imperfection determined. This empirical model therefore provides a complete description of the REFLUX™ Classifier in separating silica based on particle size across the full range of conditions in this study.The strength of the data in this study allowed for direct comparisons to be made between two of the most common distributions used in the field of size classification – the Whiten equation, and the Rosin-Rammler function. The experimental data from this work adhered to the Whiten equation over a range of ±5Ep, much wider than that of the Rosin-Rammler function, providing significant evidence in favour of the Whiten equation. It was also discovered that the Whiten equation has a functional equivalence to the fundamental Fermi-Dirac distribution used in quantum mechanics, which is governed by a Boltzmann distribution incorporating a chemical potential difference. This equivalence offers prospects for an improved framework for describing the role of a hydrodynamic driving force in particle size classification.</p
Identifying common pathways for doxorubicin and carfilzomib-induced cardiotoxicities: transcriptomic and epigenetic profiling
No full textCancer therapy-related cardiovascular toxicity (CTR-CVT) is now recognised as one of the leading causes of long-term morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. To date, potential overlapping cardiotoxicity mechanism(s) across different chemotherapeutic classes have not been elucidated. Doxorubicin, an anthracycline, and Carfilzomib, a proteasome inhibitor, are both known to cause heart failure in some patients. Given this common cardiotoxic effect of these chemotherapies, we aimed to investigate differential and common mechanism(s) associated with Doxorubicin and Carfilzomib-induced cardiac dysfunction. Primary human cardiomyocyte-like cells (HCM-ls) were treated with 1 µM of either Doxorubicin or Carfilzomib for 72 h. Both Doxorubicin and Carfilzomib induced a significant reduction in HCM cell viability and cell damage. DNA methylation analysis performed using MethylationEPIC array showed distinct and common changes induced by Doxorubicin and Carfilzomib (10,270 or approximately 12.9% of the DMPs for either treatment overlapped). RNA-seq analyses identified 5,643 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) that were commonly dysregulated for both treatments. Pathway analysis revealed that the PI3K-Akt signalling pathway was the most significantly enriched pathway with common DEGs, shared between Doxorubicin and Carfilzomib. We identified that there are shared cardiotoxicity mechanisms for Doxorubicin and Carfilzomib pathways that can be potential therapeutic targets for treatments across 2 classes of anti-cancer agents
The Shape of Ancient and Modern Imitatio and its Effect on the Imitations of Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes
No full textThis thesis aims to prove not only that Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes imitated and responded to each other’s poetry, but that this process can be defined under the theory of imitatio. My methodology for achieving this, begins by establishing that it is accepted by both scholars, and Plath and Hughes themselves, that a shared poetic discourse exists between them. In understanding this however, it is revealed that where Hughes saw this textual relationship as a kind of spiritual, symbiotic connection, Plath viewed it as more practical; they simply “reminded” each other of poetic subjects and biographical events for recounting or re-imagining.To extend upon how their poetic discourse is unique, I explore it this thesis, the ancient theory of imitatio and how philosophers, scholars and authors have embraced and deviated from it since its conception by Plato in Republic. Additionally, in citing the many changes to the theory which have certainly caused scholarly confusion around its function, it was important that I analyse some of the terms which appear throughout history as synonyms and/or antonyms of imitatio. These include: mimesis, intertextuality, diegesis and representation. I then underwent a thorough poetic analysis of a handful of Plath and Hughes poems which either cite the same textual subject or directly respond to each other. Thus, by examining the way in which the poets imitate symbols, devices, representations of biographical or universal concerns and each other, I was able to connect aspects of the many versions of imitatio, to form a conceptualisation of the term which is foundational and usable for poetic pedagogy and analysis in modernity. Additionally, I will argue that many of these imitations were intentionally carried out by both Plath and Hughes in defiance of the gendered narrative placed on each of them by the other and therefore, will assert that imitatio acts as a useful tool for understanding the power dynamic within their personal and professional relationship.</p
