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Synergy mapping-informed learning rate estimation for bipolar membrane electrodialysis in carbon dioxide removal
Get PDFDelivering cost-effective carbon dioxide removal (CDR) will require rapid cost declines in emerging options that still face large technical and market uncertainty. We develop a synergy mapping framework that turns this uncertainty into a set of managed risks by making explicit where bipolar membrane electrodialysis (BMED) for CO2 removal can co-learn and co-scale with more mature electrochemical systems, notably electrodialysis and electrolyzers, and where BMED needs bespoke innovation. We use two complementary estimates to manage uncertainty: a top-down inversion sets LR targets consistent with a 100 $/tCO₂ levelized cost under established net-zero scenarios, while a bottom-up aggregation, informed by synergy mapping, estimates the achievable LR from transferable components. Top-down yields a goal LR band of 10.74–21.84 % across 2030 and 2050 at 5–100 % shares; bottom-up gives an achievable 12.3 % (with a 95 % confidence interval of 12.24 % - 12.29 %). Overlaying them shows feasibility by 2050 at 25–100 % share, and shortfalls at 5 % in 2050 and all 2030 scenarios, driven by limited early cumulative capacity and BPM bottlenecks. To close gaps, leveraging shared manufacturing expertise from ED and electrolyzers and roll-to-roll membrane scale-up, such as BMED-specific gaps (water-splitting catalyst innovation and BPM production capacity), remain critical. By making explicit where knowledge transfer is feasible and where novel research is still needed, this framework provides practical guidance for stakeholders aiming to bring BMED-CDR to commercial readiness while advancing the technical maturity
Women’s experiences of community-based midwifery continuity of care in South London:A longitudinal intersectional study
Get PDFProblemWomen from ethnic minority groups and those living in deprived areas are disproportionately at risks of adverse perinatal outcomes, including stillbirth, preterm birth, and poor-quality care. Despite growing policy attention, it remains unclear which interventions are most effective in addressing these inequalities.BackgroundIn the United Kingdom, a national inequalities strategy called NHS CORE20PLUS5 prioritises midwife continuity of care as a targeted intervention for women from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and those living in the most deprived areas. An intersectional lens offers critical insight into overlapping systems of inequality.AimTo explore whether a place-based midwifery continuity model can improve care experiences for women living in an ethnically diverse and socially deprived area of South LondonMethodsA longitudinal qualitative study was conducted with fifteen women who received care through a community-based continuity model. Semi-structured interviews were carried out across three timepoints: third trimester, 0–3 months postpartum, and 9–12 months postpartum. Narrative analysis informed by intersectionality explored temporal experiences across settings.FindingsTwo narrative themes were identified: organisational power and interpersonal power. Organisational power reflected systemic constraints, institutional fragmentation, and women’s marginalisation in standard maternity pathways which can contribute to inequity. In contrast, interpersonal power, particularly relationships with named midwives, enabled continuity, trust and engagement.ConclusionThis study shows how community-based continuity models can redistribute power and enhance relational care in ways that matter to women. Findings strengthen the evidence for continuity as a protective intervention and inform future policy and service design to address perinatal inequalities.<p/
Diazepam modulates anterior cingulate glutamate levels in people at clinical high-risk for psychosis
Get PDFObjectivePreclinical evidence suggests that modulating neural excitation through administration of diazepam, a positive allosteric modulator of GABAA receptors, can prevent the emergence of behavioral and neurobiological alterations relevant to psychosis in adulthood.Design and ParticipantsHere, we examine this neurochemical mechanism in individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study. Twenty-four individuals (15 female and 9 male) aged 18-35 were scanned twice using proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure anterior cingulate cortex Glx (glutamate and glutamine) levels, once after a single dose of diazepam (5 mg) and once after placebo.ResultsMixed-effects model analyses revealed that diazepam reduced anterior cingulate cortex Glx levels compared to placebo (t(20.8) = −2.14, P = .04). The effect of diazepam on Glx levels was greater in older individuals at clinical high risk for psychosis (t(12) = −4.36, P = .001).ConclusionThese findings suggest that pharmacological modulation of GABAA receptors can alter Glx changes in and support a novel therapeutic mechanism of benefit for individuals at clinical high risk of psychosis.<p/
Building and Boosting Capitals for Health Care Access:A Qualitative Study of Homeless Health Peer Advocacy in London, UK
Get PDFPeer support is widely promoted as enabling health care access with people experiencing homelessness, including through enabling independence, empowering individuals and managing stigma. However, there is little understanding of these processes, including how they relate to the wide range of potential activities involved in peer support. We studied peer support within a peer advocacy service at a charity run by and for people experiencing homelessness in London, UK. We report analysis from a sub-set of qualitative interviews and focus groups gathered for a qualitative study of peer advocacy. We include interviews that offered insight to particular cases of peer advocacy. These interviews came from 23 clients of the service, 6 peer advocates, 1 staff member and 2 stakeholders. We drew on Bourdieu's theory of capitals to develop a typology of different ways peer support works. The findings focus on reporting three types of experiences: where peer support builds cultural health capital amongst service clients, boosts cultural health capital, social and economic capital, and third, where boosting social and economic capital are priorities. The discussion considers how the analysis helps conceptualise processes of peer support with respect to empowerment, independence and stigma management.</p
Acceptability, feasibility, and initial efficacy of virtual reality as a home-based exercise modality for young adults
Get PDFExercise is a powerful tool for supporting physical and mental health, yet many people do not meet recommended levels of engagement. Virtual reality (VR) offers an immersive platform to make enjoyable and interactive exercise available in the home. However, there is a need to understand the acceptability, feasibility, and initial efficacy of engaging in VR exercise across extended durations within different real-world settings. In this mixed-methods study, 20 young adult participants (male = 10, female = 10), completed an eight-week VR exercise programme that included four weeks of autonomous training at home and a matched four weeks of organized sessions in a counterbalanced crossover design. To establish initial efficacy, measures of psychological and physical well-being were taken before, at the mid-point, and post VR exercise. To assess acceptability and feasibility, adherence was measured throughout, and ten participants completed follow-up interviews about their experiences. Results showed higher session completion rates in organised sessions (79%) compared to at home (51%) and likely positive effects on physical fitness and psychological wellbeing early in the intervention. Gamification and immersion were discussed as key positives for engagement, with space identified as a key barrier for use at home. In conclusion, VR may offer an alternative gateway into exercise that is feasible and acceptable for use in the home and organised exercise settings
Technocrats, Reputation, and Responsiveness in Policy Explanation
No full textIn contemporary democracies, independent technocratic bodies take many key policy decisions. The organizations are meant to avoid traditional policy responsiveness, but still have processes in place to take into account societal views. Our study analyzes how pressure on technocratic bodies affects the audience orientation of their policy explanations. Taking a reputational perspective, we argue that the policy explanations provided by technocrats whose legitimacy depends on their outcomes will be influenced by performance-based reputational threats. We hypothesize that such threats—whether based on perceptions or performance indicators—lead technocrats to orient themselves more toward the wider public, which we operationalize as accessibility and people centeredness of the language. We test our hypotheses on a new dataset of speeches of members of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee (1997–2024). Though accessibility cannot be traced back to performance-based threats, people centeredness is affected. Yet, while negative performance-based perceptions are associated with more people-centered policy explanation, negative measured performance leads technocrats to center less on people. Our findings contribute to the literature on reputation, audience orientation, and communicative responsiveness, and suggest differential effects based on whether performance is perceived or measured
Frequency-Domain-Based Function Generation Synthesis for Planar Multi-Loop Mechanisms
Get PDFThis article presents a novel frequency domain-based approach for function generation synthesis in planar multiloop mechanisms featuring two independent kinematic loops. To our knowledge, this is the first extension of frequency domain-based synthesis to planar multiloop mechanisms. Leveraging the orthogonality of trigonometric functions, the system of equations is derived using a frequency domain physical interpretation and reformulated into an optimization problem that balances constraint accuracy and numerical stability. This formulation enables the direct acquisition of multiple, defect-free solutions. Unlike time domain methods, the proposed approach greatly reduces circuit and branch defects without requiring complex singularity or defect analysis. In contrast to existing frequency domain methods limited to four-bar mechanisms with full-cycle crank inputs, it supports both revolute and prismatic joints and allows motion profiles such as trapezoidal and S-curve planning. The method also avoids explicit trajectory specification for each loop by treating the Fourier coefficients of the shared passive joint as unknowns, while using linear constraints and coefficient symmetry to reduce complexity. Its effectiveness is demonstrated through two novel multiloop finger mechanisms, the Watt II mechanism, and a comparison with a time domain method, highlighting its practicality and broad applicability.</p
An era of transformation:Reflecting on two decades at the International Journal of Nursing Studies
No full textAging-independent decrease of complex multi-spine boutons in hippocampal area CA1 after contextual fear conditioning
Get PDFLong-lasting synaptic changes enable memory storage and regulate recall in the brain. Our previous work established that generation of multi-innervated dendritic spines (MISs), spines with typically two excitatory presynaptic inputs, underlies hippocampal memory formation in aged, but not young mice. The identification of MIS generation was done by ultrastructural analysis in hippocampal CA1 stratum radiatum 24 h after contextual fear conditioning (CFC). However, our analysis did not consider multi-spine boutons (MSBs), which were recently shown to increase in complexity (complex MSBs are pre-synaptic boutons connecting with more than two post-synapses) at a later time point after CFC in young age. Therefore, we re-analyzed our three-dimensional electron microscopy images and show that, unexpectedly, MSB complexity, decreases in CA1 stratum radiatum 24 h after CFC. The decrease in MSB complexity occurred both in young and aged mice, indicating that aging has no impact on this synaptic change. Considering that complex MSBs link the activity of multiple postsynaptic neurons, we suggest that after CFC a decrease in MSB complexity may be required for specific memory recall.</p
TransFace++:Rethinking the Face Recognition Paradigm with a Focus on Accuracy, Efficiency, and Security
Get PDFFace Recognition (FR) technology has made significant strides with the emergence of deep learning. Typically, most existing FR models are built upon Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN) and take RGB face images as the model's input. In this work, we take a closer look at existing FR paradigms from high-efficiency, security, and precision perspectives, and identify the following three problems: (i) CNN frameworks are vulnerable in capturing global facial features and modeling the correlations between local facial features. (ii) Selecting RGB face images as the model's input greatly degrades the model's inference efficiency, increasing the extra computation costs. (iii) In the real-world FR system that operates on RGB face images, the integrity of user privacy may be compromised if hackers successfully penetrate and gain access to the input of this model. To solve these three issues, we propose two novel FR frameworks, i.e., TransFace and TransFace++, which successfully explore the feasibility of applying ViTs and image bytes to FR tasks, respectively. Firstly, as revealed from our observations, we find that ViTs perform vulnerably when applied to FR scenarios with extremely large datasets. We investigate the reasons for this phenomenon and discover that the existing data augmentation approaches and hard sample mining strategies are incompatible with ViTs-based FR backbone due to the lack of tailored consideration on preserving face structural information and leveraging each local token information. To remedy these problems, we first propose a superior FR model called TransFace, which contains a patch-level data augmentation strategy named Dominant Patch Amplitude Perturbation (DPAP) and a hard sample mining strategy named Entropy-guided Hard Sample Mining (EHSM). Furthermore, to improve inference efficiency and user privacy protection, we investigate the intrinsic property of image bytes and propose a superior FR model termed TransFace++. The proposed model is trained directly on image bytes, presenting a novel approach to address the aforementioned issues. Specifically, considering the importance of local correlations in bytes, an image bytes compression strategy named Topology-based Image Bytes Compression (TIBC) is introduced to extract prominent features from the raw bytes and integrate these features with byte embeddings, effectively mitigating information loss during the bytes mapping process. Moreover, to strengthen the model's perception on geometric information encoded in image bytes, a novel cross-attention module named Structure Information-guided Cross-Attention (SICA) is designed to inject structure information into byte tokens for information interaction, significantly improving the model's generalization ability. Experiments on popular face benchmarks demonstrate the superiority of our TransFace and TransFace++.</p