Trends in alcohol-specific deaths in England, 2001–22: an observational study

Background Following the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries saw large increases in rates of alcohol-specific deaths, including England. This study aimed to examine whether there have been changes in the characteristics of those dying by specific cause of death, age, sex, and area-level deprivation. Methods Using annual mortality data in England published by the Office for National Statistics, we describe the prevalence and 95% CI of age-standardised rates of alcohol-specific deaths overall and by age, sex, area-level deprivation measured by quintiles of the Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD), and cause of death between 2001 and 2022. We also compared demographic profiles of those dying before the COVID-19 pandemic (2017–19) and after (2020–22); calculated crude absolute differences in rates and relative rate ratios across age, sex, and IMD; and used a multivariable Poisson regression model to calculate the rate ratio and adjusted absolute differences for deaths by IMD quintile for each period, adjusting for age and sex. Findings Age-standardised rates of alcohol-specific deaths in England remained largely unchanged until 2019, before rising sharply by 19·4% in 2020 and continuing to rise by a further 13·5% to the highest level on record in 2022: 14·7 (95% CI 14·4–15·0) per 100 000 people. There were few relative demographic changes in alcohol-specific mortality between 2017–19 (pre-pandemic) and 2020–22 (after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic) because the largest absolute increases in alcohol-specific mortality were seen among groups that had the highest pre-pandemic rates, including men (absolute rate increase, 3·87; relative increase, 25·9%) and those from areas of higher deprivation (absolute rate increase, 4·72; relative increase, 22·5%). When examining causes of deaths, the largest absolute increase was in alcohol-related liver disease (2·37; relative increase, 27·2%), with the largest relative increase in acute causes (absolute rate increase, 0·49; relative increase, 35·4%), although these accounted for a smaller proportion of deaths compared to alcohol-related liver disease. There was little to no change in deaths from alcohol dependence syndrome (absolute rate increase, 0·02; relative increase, 5·8%). Interpretation Alcohol-specific deaths in England remain high and increased after the COVID-19 pandemic. Policies should aim to reduce rates of alcohol consumption at the population level. Substantial investment is also required to facilitate early detection of liver disease and effective treatment. Funding Cancer Research U

Computational fluid dynamics of polymer flow-induced crystallization using the polySTRAND model

A computational model for predicting regions of flow-induced crystallization (FIC) during processing of a polydisperse polymer melt is presented. Flow produces local alignment of polymer segments that reduces the energy barrier for nucleation, which can lead to a dramatic increase in the rate of formation of crystal nuclei. However, simulating FIC in a complex flow geometry is challenging due to the need to couple a molecular-level description of chain configuration to the macroscale flow dynamics. This is compounded in polydisperse melts as the most marked flow-induced effects occur from the long-chain species at low undercooling. In this work, we use the Rolie-Double-Poly (RDP) model [Boudara et al., J. Rheol. 63, 71–91 (2019)] in combination with the polySTRAND model [Read et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 124, 147802 (2020)] to create a computationally viable method for modeling FIC. This model is used to examine flow-induced crystallization in a contraction-expansion geometry, where previous experiments [Scelsi et al., J. Rheol. 53, 859–876 (2009)] found a highly localized region of crystal formation at and downstream of the wall of the constriction

Validated antimalarial drug target discovery using genome-scale metabolic modeling

Given the rapid resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to antimalarial drugs, there is a continual need for new treatments. A genome-scale metabolic (GSM) model was developed with integrated metabolomics and constraint-based, experimental flux-balance data to predict genes essential for P. falciparum growth as drug targets. We selected the highly ranked P. falciparum UMP-CMP kinase (UCK) to test its necessity and the ability to inhibit parasite growth in the presence of inhibitors. Conditional deletion mutants using the DiCre recombinase system, generated by CRISPR-Cas genome editing, exhibited defective asexual growth and stage-specific developmental arrest. Based on in silico and in vitro screening, inhibitors were identified that are selective for P. falciparum UCK and exhibit antiparasitic activity. This study, for the first time, shows assertions from a GSM model identifying novel, validated “druggable” targets. These findings show a role for GSM models in antimalarial drug discovery and identify P. falciparum UCK as a novel, valid malaria drug target

Undesired agglomeration in agitated filter dryers: A critical review

Agitated filter dryers (AFDs) are commonly used in many industries, however the mechanisms driving undesired agglomeration remain poorly understood. Undesired agglomeration can have several consequences, including out of specification product, equipment damage, additional downstream processing and increased cycle times and cost. This review explores the influence of key material and process parameters on agglomeration in AFDs, highlighting the lack of mechanistic understanding that has hindered the development of accurate predictive models. To address this, insights from wet granulation are applied to propose a novel mechanism consisting of three rate processes governing agglomeration during agitated drying: (1) formation of loosely bound agglomerates, (2) consolidation and coalescence, and (3) solidification of liquid bridges. The review examines how various parameters influence each rate process in this mechanism, offering a more predictive framework for agglomeration behaviour. Additionally, existing modelling efforts for AFDs are reviewed, revealing that many studies focus on heat transfer while neglecting agglomeration. Comparisons with wet granulation models highlight opportunities to integrate established agglomeration and scale-up approaches into AFD models. By advancing the mechanistic understanding, this work aims to improve prediction, control, and scalability of agglomeration in agitated drying

Warm proglacial lake temperatures and thermal undercutting enhance rapid retreat of an Arctic glacier

Determining the characteristics of Arctic proglacial lakes is essential for understanding their current and future influence on glacier mass loss, capacity as a carbon sink and the associated impacts for downstream hydrology and ecology. Field observations of how proglacial lake properties influence rates of glacier mass loss remain sparse yet are increasingly critical for accurate projection of lake-terminating glacier responses to warming air and lake temperatures, particularly in high-latitude Scandinavia under the influence of Arctic amplification. Here we combine satellite and field observations of Kaskasapakte Glacier (KG) (a lake-terminating glacier in Arctic Sweden) to reveal the interplay between lake parameters and glacier mass loss from 2008 to 2019. We present the first field evidence of warmer-than-expected water temperatures (> 4 °C at the ice front) at a Scandinavian proglacial lake and illustrate how these drove rapid thermo-erosional undercutting and calving at the terminus, with width-averaged retreat rates of up to 25 m yr−1 and frontal ablation accounting for ∼ 30 % of glacier volume loss between 2015 and 2019

Industrial-scale fractionation of fava bean, chickpea, and red lentil: A comparative analysis of composition, antinutrients, nutrition, structure, and functionality

Legumes are emerging as sustainable protein sources that can replace animal proteins and help meet global dietary needs. This study systemically compared the compositional profiles, antinutritional factors, amino acid profiles, protein quality, structural characteristics, and techno-functional properties of fava bean, chickpea, and red lentil flours, along with their dry- and wet-fractionated protein-enriched fractions (PFs). Wet-fractionated PFs exhibited higher protein content (58.36 – 83.79 g/100 g), while dry-fractionated PFs retained more total dietary fibre (7.62 – 14.64 g/100 g). Wet-fractionated fava bean (84.12 %) and red lentil (84.06 %) showed the highest in vitro protein digestibility (IVPD), while dry-fractionated chickpea showed the highest IVPDCAAS at 62.43 %. The protein composition was generally preserved after fractionation, though changes in secondary structure varied depending on legume source. Surface hydrophobicity (H₀ 62,739 – 99,381) increased following wet fractionation. In terms of functionality, wet-fractionated PFs showed the highest water-holding capacity (2.83 g/g, red lentil), foaming capacity (139.1 %, fava bean) and emulsifying capacity (108.1 m²/g, red lentil), but with relatively poor foaming and emulsifying stability. Conversely, dry-fractionated PFs exhibited higher protein solubility, lower least gelation concentration (8–10 %), and superior oil-holding capacity (3.98 g/g, Chickpea), likely due to reduced structural disruption, which limited protein aggregation and denaturation. Despite higher levels of antinutritional factors, dry fractionation emerges as a promising, cost-effective, and sustainable technology to produce legume protein concentrates with improved functionality and nutritional quality comparable to those obtained by wet-fractionated

Thousand cuts: a realistic route to decarbonise the UK cement and concrete sector by 2050

To meet net-zero CO2 targets by 2050, the United Kingdom (UK)’s cement and concrete sector must implement decarbonisation strategies of different readiness levels and effectiveness. These strategies have been presented thoroughly in UK and European Union decarbonisation roadmaps. However, it is challenging to predict, with confidence, whether the UK's 2050 net-zero targets are achievable. This study aims to balance the expectations placed on low-maturity (LM) and high-maturity (HM) strategies such as utilising a lower clinker factor and the use of carbon capture technologies respectively to determine a realistic route in which the UK can reach net-zero targets through a decomposition analysis of each strategy. The sector's carbon emissions were determined by performing a material flow analysis and life cycle assessment. The results showed that by 2050, 11 MtCO2eq/yr is expected to be emitted in 2050 under the business-as-usual scenario. HM strategies have an abatement potential of 4.2 MtCO2eq/yr, while LM strategies are expected to abate 3.4 MtCO2eq/yr. However, LM strategies are limited by industry's willingness to shift from current practices, while the implementation of HM strategies are impeded by financial and resource constraints. Accordingly, it is improbable for the sector to meet UK net-zero carbon targets with confidence unless the yearly concrete demand is reduced by 40 %. To enable the maximum potential of reusing the UK's building stock, direct public incentives, shifts in economic models and policy frameworks are needed