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Assimilation of Ground and Satellite Magnetic Observations Unravels the Ionospheric, Magnetospheric, and Induced Fields During the May and October 2024 Geomagnetic Storms
Get PDFThe geomagnetic storms of May and October 2024 were the strongest storms of solar cycle 25, with the index as low as −412 nT and auroras down to low latitudes. To investigate these extreme events, we developed a global magnetic field model of magnetospheric, ionospheric, and Earth-induced contributions obtained by assimilating magnetic observations. To leverage both ground observatory and multi-satellite magnetic data from the Swarm, CryoSat-2, GRACE-FO, and MSS-1 satellites, we used a new modeling approach to separate the magnetospheric and ionospheric sources, and to model both external and the Earth-induced fields with a 1-hr time resolution. The high spatio-temporal resolution of the model enables investigating the coupling between the mid-latitude ionospheric and magnetospheric field sources during all phases of the geomagnetic storms. The model reveals the total magnetic field disturbance at satellite and ground altitudes, providing critical input for space weather and a more accurate representation of the geomagnetic field
Beyond birth support: how doulas navigate anti-racism advocacy for refugee and asylum-seeking women in UK maternity care
Get PDFBackground: Asylum-seeking and refugee women face significant maternal health disparities in the UK, prompting the emergence of doula and birth companion organisations to provide advocacy and support. This study examines how these organisations train volunteers on advocating for anti-racism in maternity care settings and supporting their clients.Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with representatives from 12 doula service organisations across the UK, plus two training experts. Interviews explored organisational structure, volunteer recruitment and training, and mechanisms for reporting discriminatory incidents. Data were analysed using grounded theory approaches.Results: Three key themes emerged: volunteer motivations and expertise varied significantly, with many lacking lived experiences of forced migration; organisations demonstrated inconsistent capacity to document and report racism but saw the need to implement systems; and volunteer demographics often failed to reflect client populations due to structural barriers limiting participation from marginalised communities.Conclusion: While birth companion organisations provide essential advocacy for asylum-seeking women, systemic barriers limit their full potential. Moving toward paid positions and addressing underlying healthcare racism are necessary for meaningful change. Doula service organisations should be better funded and integrated into the national health system
Turning points in eating disorder recovery among individuals from marginalised communities using objects:A qualitative study
Get PDFEating disorder (ED) recovery narratives provide valuable insights into the recovery process. While existing research identifies key turning points in ED recovery, most studies focus on majority populations, neglecting the experiences of minoritised individuals. This study aimed to explore the turning points in ED recovery among diverse individuals and examine the role of symbolic objects in understanding recovery processes. English-speaking adults with lived experiences of ED who identify as part of underserved groups were recruited for an adapted photovoice study involving individual interviews (n = 11) and two subsequent focus group discussions (n = 4 per group). Participants shared objects symbolising their recovery journeys. Using reflexive thematic analysis, we generated three themes: (1) Up, Down, and Around: Recovery was described as non-linear, with positive and negative turning points; (2) Growing awareness and readiness of recovery; and (3) From feeling disconnected to belonging. The findings show that recovery was often non-linear for these individuals, with social belonging and identity integration being crucial. The study also illuminates how everyday objects can be used as a research method to encapsulate turning points in recovery by representing progress and offering motivation. The findings are also consistent with minority stress theory which shows how one's mental health intersects with social stressors and marginalisation.</p
GradSTL: Comprehensive Signal Temporal Logic for Neurosymbolic Reasoning and Learning
Get PDFWe present GradSTL, the first fully comprehensive implementation of signal temporal logic (STL) suitable for integration with neurosymbolic learning. In particular, GradSTL can successfully evaluate any STL constraint over any signal, regardless of how it is sampled. Our formally verified approach specifies smooth STL semantics over tensors, with formal proofs of soundness and of correctness of its derivative function. Our implementation is generated automatically from this formalisation, without manual coding, guaranteeing correctness by construction. We show via a case study that using our implementation, a neurosymbolic process learns to satisfy a pre-specified STL constraint. Our approach offers a highly rigorous foundation for integrating signal temporal logic and learning by gradient descent
Semiparametric efficient estimation of small genetic effects in large-scale population cohorts
Get PDFPopulation genetics seeks to quantify DNA variant associations with traits or diseases, as well as interactions among variants and with environmental factors. Computing millions of estimates in large cohorts in which small effect sizes and tight confidence intervals are expected, necessitates minimizing model-misspecification bias to increase power and control false discoveries. We present TarGene, a unified statistical workflow for the semi-parametric efficient and double robust estimation of genetic effects including k-point interactions among categorical variables in the presence of confounding and weak population dependence. k-point interactions, or Average Interaction Effects (AIEs), are a direct generalization of the usual average treatment effect (ATE). We estimate genetic effects with cross-validated and/or weighted versions of Targeted Minimum Loss-based Estimators (TMLE) and One-Step Estimators (OSE). The effect of dependence among data units on variance estimates is corrected by using sieve plateau variance estimators based on genetic relatedness across the units. We present extensive realistic simulations to demonstrate power, coverage, and control of type I error. Our motivating application is the targeted estimation of genetic effects on trait, including two-point and higher-order gene-gene and gene-environment interactions, in large-scale genomic databases such as UK Biobank and All of Us. All cross-validated and/or weighted TMLE and OSE for the AIE k-point interaction, as well as ATEs, conditional ATEs and functions thereof, are implemented in the general purpose Julia package TMLE.jl. For high-throughput applications in population genomics, we provide the open-source Nextflow pipeline and software TarGene which integrates seamlessly with modern high-performance and cloud computing platforms.</p
A ‘brotherhood of the rink’? Curling, Freemasonry and the Royal Caledonian Curling Club, 1600–1939
Get PDFThis article examines the relationship of the sport of curling with freemasonry and associated customs. Prior to the 1840s local curling societies and clubs initiated members in their organisations using ‘mysteries’ such as a ‘word’ and a ‘grip’; some held a ceremony known as a ‘curling court’, used for initiations as well as adjudicating unwritten rules of conduct. The formation of the Grand Caledonian Curling Club—later the Royal Caledonian Curling Club (RCCC)—in 1838 was an effort to reconcile the various traditions of ‘mysteries’ more than it was an attempt to draw uniform rules for the sport. RCCC officials enforced these rules because they believed that these quasi-masonic traditions represented an attempt to forge intra-class socialisation; their strength of belief, however, was sometimes reflective of their own status as freemasons. Ultimately, it is questionable that these ‘mysteries’ were successful in achieving an egalitarian culture in curling. Many Canadian curlers, whose clubs had a significant presence in the RCCC, either refused to take part in them or were altogether ignorant of them (and it was impossible for the RCCC to enforce this). A large number of Scottish curlers did not initiate. The presence of women in the sport, banned from mainstream freemasonry, further indicates accommodations with non-masonic culture
Older adults’ outdoor activities and quality of life: a personal projects approach
Get PDFThis study used the personal project approach to explore how socio-ecological environments influence healthy aging. The study employed a quantitative design, combining validated measures of personal projects and health outcomes with data on environmental factors. Thirty-six adults aged 50+ in Scotland, UK, participated. Findings revealed complex interactions between personal goals, environmental factors, and wellbeing. Both objective and subjective environmental barriers shaped mobility and activity patterns. While social interactions can enhance outdoor engagement, they may also introduce pressure and judgment. Perceived difficulty was initially linked to reduced enjoyment of outdoor activities but lost significance when considering other project dimensions. Addressing physical and social barriers may support meaningful personal projects, ultimately contributing to improved quality of life and long-term health. Further research is recommended to examine how visibility affects wellbeing and the role it plays in shaping social experiences in later life
A mammalian-like piRNA pathway in Axolotl indicates the origins of piRNA-directed DNA methylation
Get PDFThe piRNA pathway protects animal germlines from active transposons. Mammals employ a cytoplasmic pathway to destroy transposon transcripts during germline reprogramming. This post-transcriptional mechanism is ancient and found throughout the animal kingdom. A nuclear piRNA pathway mediates transposon DNA re-methylation, which is believed to be bespoke to mammals. However, when piRNA-directed DNA methylation evolved remains unknown. We found that a mammalian-like piRNA pathway evolved early in tetrapod evolution and is found and expressed in its current configuration in the axolotl salamander. Analysis of axolotl testes and oocytes revealed diverse repertoires of piRNAs and pervasive post-transcriptional targeting of young transposons. We identified high levels of genome methylation in axolotl spermatozoa with full-length transposons being heavily methylated. Our findings reveal that the mammalian nuclear piRNA pathway has ancient vertebrate origins, and it has likely been safeguarding the germline across most of tetrapod evolution. The emergence of piRNA-directed DNA methylation is a pivotal epigenetic evolutionary event that laid the foundation for the evolution of germline reprogramming and genomic imprinting
Naegleria fowleri:emerging therapies and translational challenges
Get PDFINTRODUCTION: Naegleria fowleri is a rare but fatal free-living ameba with > 97% mortality rate. Despite advances in clinical and scientific understanding, therapeutic options remain limited, and diagnosis is often delayed, presenting significant public health challenges. AREAS COVERED: We reviewed recent literature from the last decade, using Google Scholar and PubMed on N. fowleri treatment, emerging drug candidates, repurposed therapeutics, and innovative delivery strategies. Advancements in drug screening are highlighted, unveiling novel therapeutic targets and mechanisms of action. Additionally, the role of climate change and environmental factors in geographic expansion and increased incidence of infections is explored, posing a growing public health risk. EXPERT OPINION: Effective management of N. fowleri infections hinges on early detection and addressing research gaps, particularly in understanding transmission/disease mechanisms. Recent advances in therapeutics, diagnostics, and water treatment to reduce environmental contamination by N. fowleri show promise for lowering infection risk and improving outcomes for primary amebic meningoencephalitis. Collaboration among academic institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and water industries is essential, with research advancing treatments and vaccines, and water industries contributing by reducing environmental contamination/human exposure to N. fowleri. A combination of treatment strategies and stringent surveillance will be crucial to limit future outbreaks and improve patient prognosis. </p
The work of the consultation in general practice:a comparison of affluent and deprived areas of Scotland using a novel consultation workload index
Get PDFBACKGROUND: The workload within general practitioner (GP) consultations, and how this varies by deprivation, is not well known.AIM: To examine how deprivation influences GP consultation workload by developing and applying a novel consultation workload index (CWI).DESIGN & SETTING: Secondary analysis of a cross-sectional postal survey of patients who had recently consulted a GP in deprived and affluent areas of Scotland.METHOD: The CWI was developed using patient-reported data on: (1) whether more than one problem was discussed in the consultation; (2) whether a complex problem (defined as involving both physical and psychosocial issues) was discussed; and (3) the presence of a disability or limiting long-term condition. Results were analysed by area-level deprivation and consultation modality (face-to-face versus telephone).RESULTS: Analysis included 721 patients. Correlations between the three variables of the CWI were low (rho<0.2), suggesting that each was capturing a distinct aspect of consultation workload. Using the CWI, over half of all consultations in deprived areas had 'high' (25%) or 'very high' (29%) workload, compared with around a quarter in affluent areas ('high' 20%, 'very high' 6%). This was evident across both face-to-face and telephone consultations.CONCLUSION: Greater patient need and complexity in deprived areas is reflected in higher GP workload in the consultation as measured by the CWI. Ways of operationalising the CWI routinely, for example through real-time AI analysis of consultations, should be explored, and if robust, could be used to inform the resource allocation to general to help address the inverse care law.</p
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