110830 research outputs found
Sort by
Phosphonium-Based Metal Halide Semiconductors : When a Single Atom Dictates Water and Thermal Stability
No full textPhosphonium-based (R–P(R′)3+) metal halide semiconductors (MHS) emerged recently as a promising family of materials offering enhanced water and thermal stability over conventional ammonium-based (R–NH3+) MHS. Despite this performance, there is a lack of systematic studies that elucidate the origin of these features as well as the underlying optoelectronic properties. We report here the synthesis of nine new 1D materials (L)PbX3 (L = C4–P, C6–P, C6–N, P3–P, P4–P, X = I, Br), using custom-made organic ligands, namely, butyl(triethyl)phosphonium bromide (C4–P), hexyl(triethyl)phosphonium bromide (C6–P), benzyl(triethyl)phosphonium bromide (P3–P), benzyl(trimethyl)phosphonium bromide (P4–P), and hexyl(triethyl)ammonium bromide (C6–N). Some of the materials have been water-stable for 2 years so far, while the assembly of the isostructural (C6–N)PbBr3 and (C6–P)PbBr3 allowed us to directly identify the impact of a single atom (phosphorus versus nitrogen) on water stability. Notably, the C6–P analog remains water-stable for 2 years, whereas the C6–N analog dissolves in water. It was found that neither crystal packing nor the lack of hydrogen bond interactions with water is responsible for this record stability performance, challenging currently established claims on the origin of water stability in MHS. All materials feature broad light emission at RT, with (P3–P)PbBr3 exhibiting a PLQY of 22.0% ascribed to permanent traps, while electrochemical studies uncovered for the first time the redox properties and their strong potential for the sensing of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water samples. Our work showcases the potential of these compounds for applications where thermal and water stabilities are interwoven, potentially rendering their (R–NH3+)-based counterparts obsolete
Exceptionally deficient topological square-root insulators
Get PDFOne of the most surprising features of effectively non-Hermitian physical systems is their potential to exhibit a striking nonlinear response and fragility to small perturbations. This feature arises from spectral singularities known as exceptional points, whose realization in the spectrum typically requires fine-tuning of parameters. The design of such systems receives significant impetus from the recent conception of \emph{exceptional deficiency}, in which the entire energy spectrum is composed of exceptional points. Here, we present a concrete and transparent mechanism that enforces exceptional deficiency through lattice sum rules in non-Hermitian topological square-root insulators. We identify the resulting dynamical signatures in static broadband amplification and non-Abelian adiabatic state amplification, differentiate between bulk and boundary effects, and outline routes to implementation in physical platforms
Beautiful authoritarianism : Contributions of the leader’s wife in Egypt and Jordan
No full textAuthoritarian leaders constantly search for allies to harness their strategies for maintaining their hold on power such as repression, legitimation or co-optation. In this article I argue that the wife of a leader is one key ally contributing to implementing these strategies as she uniquely occupies two positions; she is a woman who aims to control other women for strategic reasons by claiming to represent them as part of performing ‘hegemonic femininity’, while also being a political actor like any other member of the ‘ruling coalition’. She can tighten the grip on key sectors such as civil society and secure external support by making the regime look good and democratic. The analysis proves these claims by examining the examples of first ladies in both Egypt and Jordan
Transforming jet flavour tagging at ATLAS
No full textJet flavour tagging enables the identification of jets originating from heavy-flavour quarks in proton–proton collisions at the Large Hadron Collider, playing a critical role in its physics programmes. This paper presents GN2, a transformer-based flavour tagging algorithm deployed by the ATLAS Collaboration that represents a different methodology compared to previous approaches. Designed to classify jets based on the flavour of their constituent particles, GN2 processes low-level tracking information in an end-to-end architecture and incorporates physics-informed auxiliary training objectives to enhance both interpretability and performance. Its performance is validated in both simulation and collision data. The measured c -jet (light-jet) rejection in data is improved by a factor of 3.5 (1.8) for a 70% b -jet tagging efficiency, compared to the previous algorithm. GN2 provides substantial benefits for physics analyses involving heavy-flavour jets, such as measurements of Higgs boson pair production and the couplings of bottom and charm quarks to the Higgs boson, and demonstrates the impact of advanced machine learning methods in experimental particle physics
A randomised feasibility trial of an intervention involving mental health support workers as link workers to improve dental visiting in people with severe mental illness : The Mouth Matters in Mental Health Study
No full textBackground People with severe mental illness (e.g. bipolar disorder, psychosis) experience poor oral health compared to the general population. They are more likely to have decayed, missing or filled teeth, and periodontal disease, which can affect quality of life and functioning. It can add to the burden of living with severe mental illness. Dentists can prevent and treat oral health problems. However, people with severe mental illness experience profound and multifaceted barriers to attendance, including practical issues, financial difficulties and dental anxiety. Unfortunately, existing dental interventions have not addressed these issues. They have not helped people with severe mental illness to attend the dentist. This project aimed to develop and evaluate a link work intervention, delivered by mental health support workers, to enable dental access in people with severe mental illness. The intervention attempted to help people to navigate dental systems and bridge the gap between services. There were four work packages: Work package 1 involved 4 co-production workshops with patients, staff, and carers (7, 6, 8 and 12 attendees, respectively). We used this information to co-develop and refine the link work intervention and associated training materials. This step ensured that the intervention was relevant and helpful to people with mental health difficulties. Work package 2 was a realist review to understand the contexts and resultant mechanisms by which link work interventions affect access to community healthcare services. A search of empirical and grey literature identified 31 reports. The analysis resulted in nine context, mechanism, and outcome configurations within three theory areas, providing useful information on how and why link work interventions might be helpful. Work package 3 was a feasibility randomised controlled trial of a link work intervention to support dental access in people with severe mental illness who had not attended a routine dental appointment in the past 3 years. Seventy-nine out of the target 84 participants were randomised to receiving either treatment as usual or treatment as usual plus the link work intervention. The majority of the feasibility criteria were met and there was high engagement with the intervention. Uptake of an optional dental examination was low at follow-up (12.7%; 95% CI: 7.0% to 21.8%). There were no serious adverse events attributable to the intervention or trial procedures. Overall, the findings supported progression to a full trial. Work package 4 was an embedded qualitative evaluation of the link work intervention and trial. Narrative-informed interviews were carried out with 18 participants in the trial (13 in the intervention arm, 5 in the treatment as usual arm) and 3 link workers. The qualitative data suggested high levels of interest and engagement from stakeholders, and need for dental intervention. The link work intervention offered practical and emotional support at different stages of access to address barriers to dental visiting at the individual, relational and organisational level. Overall, the project successfully developed and evaluated a link work intervention to enable dental access in people with severe mental illness. Limitations The authors followed participants up after 9 months and the feasibility of longer-term retention is unknown. Future work The next step is to explore the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the link work intervention through a full trial. Funding This synopsis presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Research programme as award number NIHR132853
"Supervised neglect”? : The organisation and provision of dental services outside hospitals under the “classic” National Health Service (NHS) in North West England, 1948-74
Get PDFThe organisation and provision of dental services outside hospitals during the early decades of the National Health Service (NHS) have been characterised by the Health Select Committee as ‘supervised neglect’. Rooted in local, regional and national archival sources of policymaking, and using North West England as a geographic case study, this paper examines this characterisation during the ‘classic’ period of the NHS from its establishment in 1948 to its first major reorganisation in 1974. Despite evident neglect, a narrative of unspectacular yet cumulative change shaped by national government parsimony, local ambition and practitioner initiative is revealed across primary and community dental care through a careful, contextual reconstruction of archival sources
Integrated mental health for refugees: A realist theory building study
No full textPeople with forced migration backgrounds, such as refugees, experience disproportionate mental health conditions related to complexities associated with acculturation, separation from family, traumatic events due to war or persecution and precarious journeys in their effort to find protection and care. Intersecting social determinants of refugee mental health include navigating and finding health care resources, employment, housing and social support. Because of the complexity of health and social needs that refuges experience, there is a need for robust integration of mental health services across services such as settlement organizations and primary health care services. Robust service integration to address mental health for refugees can benefit from a theory-driven approach to understanding integrated mental health service delivery. This study engaged in deliberative dialogues with multidisciplinary interest group holders from settlement services, primary health care, mental health, a survivor advocacy group and a policy analyst (N = 24) to understand how services work to promote refugee mental health in a Canadian context. Adopting a participatory realist approach, we developed an initial program theory on the integration of refugee mental health across services. We found trust, connection, proactivity and moral commitment to be key mechanisms that enabled better integrated mental health care across refugee clients, providers and services. Mechanisms which hindered integration included alienation, stagnation, burnout and fragmentation. Findings indicate that, when funding is allocated to settlement programs, supports like cross-cultural brokers, community health workers and navigators can then be implemented. These resources then address social determinants of refugee mental health and trigger positive mechanisms for equitable, just policy approaches to integrate services for refugee mental health
Utilising Random Effects Models to Analyse Multiple Mini-Interviews for Prospective Medical Students – From Theory to Practice
Get PDFBackground: Multiple-mini-interviews (MMIs) are the most commonly used non-academic assessment tool for British medical school admissions processes. Potential inconsistencies can arise from running MMIs, such as differing marking standards among interviewers and stations with varying levels of difficulty. Methods: With the aim of analysing MMI data, the cumulative probit mixed model was deployed which accounts for latent sources of variation inherent to MMI scores – both external factors, such as interviewer behaviour and station complexity, as well as the factor of interest – candidates’ true performance at interview. With the secondary aim of making this methodology more accessible to non-statistical experts, we developed a user-friendly application using R Shiny. The app was created to standardise MMI scores and generate feedback for interviewers without requiring prior knowledge of programming. Results: MMI data from Lancaster Medical School were analysed for the academic year 2022–2023. Applicant ability (n = 352) contributed to 22.94% of the total variance in MMI scores. Notably, interviewers (n = 83) contributed a smaller proportion of variance (10.79%). Station difficulty (n = 9) had a minor impact on variance (2.23%), with inter-station reliability being acceptable based on the Cronbach's alpha value (α = 0.7072). Conclusion: The current method provides a statistically robust approach towards the analysis of MMI scores. In addition, its companion application can be used by admissions staff to communicate feedback to interviewers on their scoring patterns and identify stations that are better at discriminating applicants’ ability. The illustrated approach can be adapted for use by other medical institutions that use MMI scores to rank candidates during their admissions processes. Future research could investigate how to extend the proposed modelling approach to address applicants’ background factors, such as socio-economic status, for more comprehensive analysis and more equitable offer allocation
Educating for Citizenship : Transformational Pedagogy in the Neoliberal University
Get PDFThis study extends the research on relationships between pedagogy and transformational learning in the neoliberal university. I argue that whilst neoliberalism in higher education is a well-researched topic, the relationship between pedagogy and neoliberalism has received less focus. I contend that universities are places where a commitment to democratic citizenship can be fostered through appropriate pedagogy within student groups to support the collectivity required to address some of the very serious societal threats such as social injustice that we all face. In this project, I use a narrative methodology to generate data with 15 sociology students and recent graduates. I analyse this data thematically to create 4 themes which reflect how students position themselves in relation to a consumer and/or contributor identity, whether they have an individual and/or collective orientation to learning, whether they are motivated to learn by instrumental and/or self-development outcomes and whether they value objective and/or subjective knowledge. I analyse and use these themes using well-established understandings of critical pedagogy, but I develop the idea of ‘neoliberal pedagogy’ to capture and define the way that pedagogy can become infused with neoliberal characteristics. These characteristics are influenced by the technical-rationality of neoliberalism and include consumer-led, self-interested, measurable and auditable, outcome focused, competitive, objective understandings of knowledge and unquestioned reproduction of power in classroom settings whereas critical pedagogy encourages deep transformational learning by questioning power and inequalities. The findings contribute to knowledge by exploring the interrelationships between student positioning, pedagogy and transformational learning. They point especially to the significance of experiencing higher education individually and the importance of subjective emotional knowledge in transformational learning. They also add to arguments that critical pedagogy is required for transformational learning and suggest that pedagogy in universities is not currently dominated by neoliberal pedagogy despite the neoliberal context of higher education
Investigating the "bilingual edge" : origins, current practices, and future directions
No full textWe revisit Ellen Bialystok's seminal chapter, "Selective Attention in Cognitive Processing: The Bilingual Edge", exploring its impact on over three decades of research. We explore how theoretical and methodological advances have refined our understanding of the cognitive effects of bilingualism including shifts in how bilingualism is operationalized and assessed, the application of neuroimaging techniques, and the adoption of more robust statistical approaches. We also draw attention to ongoing challenges including mixed reports of bilingual effects identified across evidence syntheses, the role of individual differences, and the need for more ecologically valid research methodologies. Finally, we plot a course for future research, identifying the need for increased diversity in bilingual samples, a greater commitment to Open Science principles, further investigation into nuanced aspects of bilingual experience, and continued innovation in statistical practices. We highlight the enduring impact of Bialystok's formative chapter as we continue to push our field forward