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Intersectionality in good faith:Beyond normative claims and towards practical integration in energy justice research
Get PDFThe concept of intersectionality is increasingly referenced in energy justice research, requiring critical reflection on the value of intersectionality theory for the energy justice framework and research agenda. Conceptually, its incorporation seems intuitive – intersectionality theory, it is argued, can better integrate, or even transcend, often westernised justice conceptualisations, including through attention to feminist, anti-racist, Indigenous, and postcolonial justice theories. Methodologically, however, intersectionality theory integration into practice is less intuitive and the energy justice literature is currently lacking tangible recommendations. Indeed, the use of intersectionality is methodologically complex, requiring understanding of and attention to its core guiding principles, which must be applied appropriately in research from design to analysis and outputs in order to support its ambitious and politicised aims. This is especially true in the context of energy justice, where outputs are typically intended to inform future decision-making. In this perspective, we present the key literature to integrate intersectionality theory into energy justice research, then we highlight that there have been, so far, two different ways to integrate intersectionality: implicitly and explicitly. We then defend and support the explicit integration of intersectionality theory in energy justice work by providing recommendations to facilitate integration in research. Finally, we call for a politicised, radical research agenda informed by intersectionality theory in future academic work linked to the energy transition injustices
Public and professional stakeholders’ perceptions of alcohol marketing and availability policies: A qualitative study
Get PDFThe suppression of depression as multimediation:Psychiatric diagnoses under Myanmar's military dictatorship
No full textMyanmar has experienced decades of military dictatorship, civil wars, religious violence, economic crises, and natural disasters. While these conditions would suggest very high rates of depression and anxiety, government statistics report an exceptionally low depression rate of 0.00006%, compared to the global rate of 3.4%. This study combines analysis of epidemiological data, ethnographic observation of clinics, and in-depth interviews. I argue that Myanmar's low depression rates cannot be explained by the usual arguments about treatment gaps, lack of providers, or medication accessibility. Instead, I suggest that the military regime suppresses depression because it sees it as a form of political protest. While conditions like schizophrenia are readily diagnosed and treated as “purely biological,” mood disorders are suspect expressions of dissent. Through living value theory (LVT), I explore health as a process of multimediation. The dictatorship’s suppression of depression emerges as the strategic muting of medical interventions in favor of amplifying non-medical remediations
Genetic and morphometric support for the Atlantic pygmy devil ray, Mobula hypostoma (Bancroft, 1831), in the eastern Atlantic Ocean:Mobula hypostoma in the eastern Atlantic
Get PDFManta and devil rays are a diverse group of globally endangered elasmobranchs with a complicated taxonomic history. The emergence of genomic techniques has significantly improved our understanding of species units in the group, yet there is one species of devil ray for which uncertainty remains. Mobula rochebrunei (Vaillant, 1879), a pygmy devil ray inhabiting tropical waters of the eastern Atlantic, was recently synonymised with Mobula hypostoma (Bancroft, 1831), its western Atlantic counterpart. However, since there have been no sightings of the species in West and Central Africa for several decades, the revision was based on limited data, and further investigation was recommended. A dedicated monitoring effort in Cameroon recently led to the rare discovery of three pygmy devil rays, providing a unique opportunity to build on recent work. We use a combination of MinION sequencing and morphometric analysis to provide confirmation that pygmy devil rays on both sides of the Atlantic constitute the same species. Crucially, our work highlights the persistence of pygmy devil rays in West Africa despite concerns of disappearance and emphasises the need for urgent conservation action to avoid local extinction.</p
Advances in hybrid icing and frosting protection strategies for optics, lens, and photonics in cold environments using thin film acoustic waves
Get PDFFogging, icing, or frosting on optical lenses, optics/photonics, windshields, vehicle/ airplane windows, and solar panel surfaces have often shown serious safety concerns with hazardous conditions and impaired sight. Various active techniques, such as resistive heating, and passive techniques, such as icephobic treatments, are widely employed for their prevention and elimination. However, these methods are not always suitable, effective, or efficient. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals and recent advances of transparent thin film surface acoustic wave (SAW) technologies on glass substrates for monitoring and prevention/elimination of fogging, frosting, and icing. Key challenges related to fogging and icing on glass substrates are discussed, along with fundamental mechanisms that establish thin film surface acoustic waves (SAWs) as optimal solutions for these issues. Various types of thin film acoustic wave technologies are discussed, including recent wearable and flexible SAW devices integrated onto glass substrates for expanding future applications. The focus of this review are the principles and strategies for hybrid or integrated de-fogging/de-icing and sensing/monitoring functions. Finally, critical issues and future outlooks for thin film-based SAW technology on glass substrates in industry applications are presented
Untangling deliverability, additionality and double counting related to renewable energy certificates for improved scope 2 emissions accounting
Get PDFThe co-occurrence of autism and Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID):A prevalence-based meta analysis
No full textObjectiveAvoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is a feeding and eating disorder characterized by extensive avoidance and/or restriction of food. Existing research demonstrates that ARFID is over-represented in Autistic populations and vice-versa, with both groups exhibiting shared characteristics. This meta-analysis investigated the co-occurrence between ARFID and autism via determination of autism prevalence in ARFID populations, and ARFID prevalence in Autistic groups.MethodThis review systematically identified literature evaluating those with ARFID and Autistic individuals. Literature was searched for using SCOPUS, MEDLINE, and Web of Science. Selected publications included Autistic individuals and those with ARFID who either received a formal diagnosis of autism and/or ARFID or met clinical threshold cut-off scores on validated autism and/or ARFID questionnaires. Prevalence was reported in proportion-based values alongside 95% confidence intervals (CIs).ResultsThis meta-analysis identified 21 studies (kARFID = 18 papers; kAutism = 3 papers) comprising of n = 7442 participants (nARFID = 1708; nAutism = 5734). Prevalence of autism diagnoses was 16.27% in those with ARFID (95% CI = 8.64%–28.53%), and ARFID prevalence in Autistic groups was 11.41% (95% CI = 2.89%–35.76%). Gender and ethnicity served as significant sources of heterogeneity in ARFID papers. There was insufficient data to provide comparator values or prevalence across study population and distinct underpinning drivers of ARFID.DiscussionMeta-analytic findings highlight significant rates of co-occurrence between autism and ARFID, suggesting that in clinical settings, it may be beneficial to consider screening Autistic individuals for ARFID and vice-versa. Future research should further investigate co-occurrence across ARFID profiles, gender, and ethnicity
Host hepatocyte senescence determines the success of hepatocyte transplantation in a mouse model of liver injury
No full textBackground & Aims: Hepatocyte transplantation has shown promise for genetic diseases of the hepatocytes but to date has shown limited efficacy for non-genetic forms of severe liver injury. Limited cell engraftment and poor function of donor hepatocytes in recipient livers impacts the clinical utility of hepatocyte cell therapy. The mechanisms underpinning this are poorly understood. We explored this in a liver injury model, where predictable levels of injury and hepatocyte senescence were induced in AhCreMdm2 fl/fl mice through genetic excision of hepatocyte Mdm2. Methods: Freshly isolated mouse or human cryopreserved hepatocytes were delivered via intrasplenic injection into AhCreMdm2 fl/fl (immune competent and deficient strains) mice. Engraftment kinetics, donor cell engraftment and host liver function were assessed. Paired transcriptomic and proteomic analyses were performed on healthy vs. senescent mouse hepatocytes. Results: We found inhibition of host hepatocyte proliferation and liver injury is a requirement for donor hepatocyte engraftment and long-term repopulation, improving liver repair and function, but excessive senescence inhibited this process, causing a decline in graft function due to transmission of senescence from host to donor cells. Paired proteomic and transcriptomic analyses of healthy vs. senescent hepatocytes reveal a unique senescent signature associated with paracrine senescence. Modification of the host niche prior to transplantation with the senotherapeutic drug ABT737 improved donor cell proliferative capacity. Conclusions: The host niche impacts the initial engraftment and long-term function of transplanted hepatocytes. Targeting paracrine senescence may be a way to improve donor hepatocyte function, optimise therapy and guide translation into the clinic. Impact and Implications: Hepatocyte transplantation has shown promise for genetic diseases but has limited efficacy for acute and severe liver injury. Poor engraftment and functionality have prevented large-scale clinical application. We show that host senescence provides the required non-competitive niche for donor hepatocytes to repopulate the recipient liver, but can, paradoxically, negatively impact donor function. These findings demonstrate a requirement for a clear understanding of the host niche prior to cell transfusion. This has significant implications not only for hepatocellular therapies, but also when developing and optimising any preclinical and clinical cell therapies.</p
Recent research in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome:an evidence map
No full textBACKGROUND: Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome is a chronic condition, classified by the World Health Organization as a nervous system disease, impacting around 17 million people worldwide. Presentation involves persistent fatigue and postexertional malaise (a worsening of symptoms after minimal exertion) and a wide range of other symptoms. Case definitions have historically varied; postexertional malaise is a core diagnostic criterion in current definitions. In 2022, a James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership established research priorities relating to myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome.OBJECTIVE(S): We created a map of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome evidence (2018-23), showing the volume and key characteristics of recent research in this field. We considered diagnostic criteria and how current research maps against the James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership research priorities.METHODS: Using a predefined protocol, we conducted a comprehensive search of Cochrane, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. We included all English-language research studies published between January 2018 and May 2023. Two reviewers independently applied inclusion criteria with consensus involving additional reviewers. Studies including people diagnosed with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome using any criteria (including self-report), of any age and in any setting were eligible. Studies with < 10 myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome participants were excluded. Data extraction, coding of topics (involving stakeholder consultation) and methodological quality assessment of systematic reviews (using A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews 2) was conducted independently by two reviewers, with disagreements resolved by a third reviewer. Studies were presented in an evidence map.RESULTS: Of the 11,278 identified studies, 742 met the selection criteria, but only 639 provided sufficient data for inclusion in the evidence map. These reported data from approximately 610,000 people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. There were 81 systematic reviews, 72 experimental studies, 423 observational studies and 63 studies with other designs. Most studies (94%) were from high-income countries. Reporting of participant details was poor; 16% did not report gender, 74% did not report ethnicity and 81% did not report the severity of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Forty-four per cent of studies used multiple diagnostic criteria, 16% did not specify criteria, 24% used a single criterion not requiring postexertional malaise and 10% used a single criterion requiring postexertional malaise. Most (89%) systematic reviews had a low methodological quality. Five main topics (37 subtopics) were included in the evidence map. Of the 639 studies; 53% addressed the topic 'what is the cause?'; 38% 'what is the problem?'; 26% 'what can we do about it?'; 15% 'diagnosis and assessment'; and 13% other topics, including 'living with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome'.DISCUSSION: Studies have been presented in an interactive evidence map according to topic, study design, diagnostic criteria and age. This evidence map should inform decisions about future myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome research.LIMITATIONS: An evidence map does not summarise what the evidence says. Our evidence map only includes studies published in 2018 or later and in English language. Inconsistent reporting and use of diagnostic criteria limit the interpretation of evidence. We assessed the methodological quality of systematic reviews, but not of primary studies.CONCLUSIONS: We have produced an interactive evidence map, summarising myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome research from 2018 to 2023. This evidence map can inform strategic plans for future research. We found some, often limited, evidence addressing every James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership priority; high-quality systematic reviews should inform future studies.FUNDING: This article presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Evidence Synthesis programme as award number NIHR159926.</p
Titanium nitride sensor for selective NO2 detection
No full textEfficient detection methods are needed to monitor nitrogen dioxide (NO2), a major NOx pollutant from fossil fuel combustion that poses significant threats to both ecology and human health. Current NO2 detection technologies face limitations in stability and selectivity. Here, we present a transition metal nitride sensor that exhibits exceptional selectivity for NO2, demonstrating a sensitivity 30 times greater than that of the strongest interfering gas, NO. The sensor maintains stability over 6 months and does not utilize platinum or other precious metals. This notable performance has been achieved through preparation of highly active titanium nitride (TiNx) nanoparticles with exceptionally large surface area and a high concentration of nitrogen vacancies. By contrast, a commercial sample of TiN shows no gas sensing activity. Such devices are potentially scalable for everyday NO2 detection and demonstrate that robust high-performance gas sensors based on inexpensive metal nitrides without precious metals are leading candidates for environmental monitoring technologies
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