Economic evaluation of participation in community led organisations for individuals living in disadvantaged areas in the UK

This paper presents an economic evaluation of community-led and -owned organisations that deliver activities to support health and wellbeing. Because community-led organisations (CLOs) are a vital part of the social and solidarity economy, they increasingly feature in public health policies targeting disadvantaged populations. However, little is known about the value CLOs generate as few economic evaluations of them exist and those available focus on isolated activities (such as exercise classes) and/or specific populations (e.g., men-only collectives). The novelty of our work lies in the inclusion of multiple CLOs, comprehensive coverage of their activities, breadth of participants studied, and control group methodology applied in creating new knowledge of the health and wellbeing outcomes of CLOs and resources consumed to achieve them. We conducted cost-effectiveness and cost-consequence analyses of data collected via a 12-month longitudinal study. We compared 331 CLO participants in 14 UK-based CLOs to a 'do nothing' synthetic control group (n = 100). Health and wellbeing were measured using the ICECAP-A capability measure for adults, EuroQol EQ-5D-5L, Short-form Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale and the Revised Social Connectedness Scale. Resource use data included health, social care, and other community sector resources. Data collection occurred at four-points over the study period supported by publicly available accounts and data provided by each CLO. We found an incremental cost per year in full capability of £35,813 and an incremental cost per quality adjusted life year of £29,827. Statistically significant improvement in both social connectedness, and mental wellbeing were observed over the 12 month follow up. This work supports CLOs as an intervention to improve health and wellbeing in disadvantaged communities and identifies challenges for traditional evaluation methodology with regards to costing and comparator groups

EP250207b is not a collapsar fast X-ray transient. Is it due to a binary compact object merger?

Fast X-ray transients (FXTs) are short-lived extragalactic X-ray sources. Recent progress through multiwavelength follow-up of Einstein Probe-discovered FXTs has shown that several are related to collapsars, which can also produce -ray bursts (GRBs). In this paper, we investigate the nature of the FXT EP250207b. The Very Large Telescope/Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer spectra of a nearby (15.9 kpc in projection) lenticular galaxy reveal no signs of recent star formation. If this galaxy is indeed the host, EP250207b lies at a redshift , implying a peak observed absolute magnitude for the optical counterpart of . At the time when supernovae (SNe) would peak, it is substantially fainter than all SN types. These results are inconsistent with a collapsar origin for EP250207b. The properties favour a binary compact object merger-driven origin. The X-ray, optical, and radio observations are compared with predictions of several types of extragalactic transients, including afterglow and kilonova models. The data can be fitted with a slightly off-axis viewing angle afterglow. However, the late-time ( d) optical/near-infrared counterpart is too bright for the afterglow and also for conventional kilonova models. This could be remedied if that late emission is due to a globular cluster or the core of a (tidally disrupted) dwarf galaxy. If confirmed, this would be the first case where the multiwavelength properties of an FXT are found to be consistent with a compact object merger origin, increasing the parallels between FXTs and GRBs. We finally discuss whether the source could originate in a higher redshift host galaxy

A numerical parametric analysis for NO_x reduction and combustion performance of ammonia fuels blended with direct and cracked hydrogen

Ammonia possesses significant potential in clean energy applications. However, its inherently low flammability somehow confronts a major challenge for its direct applications, necessitating the utilization of effective strategies to enhance its combustion. Among these, the combustion of hydrogen-ammonia mixtures has emerged as a promising approach for improving the combustion characteristics of ammonia. Nevertheless, the presence of nitrogen, a by-product of in-line ammonia cracking, causes the two fuel systems—one with cracked hydrogen and one with direct hydrogen—to behave differently during combustion. In this study, a chemical kinetic analysis was conducted to study the combustion characteristics of hydrogen-ammonia mixtures from different sources. Key combustion parameters—including laminar burning velocity, ignition delay time, and NOx emissions—were evaluated across a wide range of conditions: equivalence ratios (0.7–1.4), hydrogen blending ratios (0–0.3), oxygen content of oxidizer (0.21–0.71), and inlet temperatures (298–2000 K) and pressures (1–60 atm). Sensitivity analysis was also performed to identify the important reactions involved. The optimal hydrogen blending ratio was determined to be 30 vol% based on its enhancement of laminar burning velocity and its favorable NOx emission levels, benchmarked against a baseline methane flame. Four key fundamental reactions exerted significant influence on both flame propagation and ignition. A two-stage combustion strategy demonstrated considerable advantages, with the lowest NOx emission intensity observed when the overall equivalence ratio was 0.65 and the ratio of secondary to primary oxygen flow was maintained between 75 and 80 %. These findings provide guidance for developing efficient, low-emission combustion strategies for hydrogen-ammonia fuels.</p

Agomelatine 3D-printed microneedles as a potential drug delivery system for the treatment of depression

Microneedles (MNs) are small devices that help to overcome the skin barrier and, thus, increase the effectiveness of transdermal drug delivery. This approach could be beneficial, especially for drugs characterised by low oral bioavailability, such as the antidepressant agomelatine (AGM), which is now only available on the market as an oral tablet. The aim of this study was to obtain agomelatine-loaded microneedle systems for potential use in the treatment of depression, using the 3D-printing methods. 3D-printing is an emerging technology enabling the manufacture of drug dosage forms or devices in a personalised, fast, and cost-efficient manner. Three 3D-printing techniques, different drug loading methods, and various shapes of microneedles were investigated along with the mechanical and physicochemical evaluation, release, stability, and toxicity studies of the obtained samples. Masked Stereolithography (MSLA) and PolyJet methods were successful in obtaining good-quality microneedle systems. Additionally, the MSLA method allowed for easy combining of the resin with the drug. The presence of the drug in the product was confirmed, and the drug release pattern depended on the loading method. Mechanical testing showed that Pyramid and Cone geometries were the most promising in puncture tests, and stability testing revealed the need for light- and moisture-resistant packaging. The formulations selected based on the obtained results will be further investigated on the way to create a transdermal alternative to agomelatine oral tablets and increase the effectiveness of depression treatment

Does being a service user of social work or an unpaid carer influence motivation to study social work?

This study draws upon findings from a cross-sectional survey of 278 social work students enrolled at one of six universities across Ireland. Multivariate multiple regression was used to examine the effects of being a past or current user of social work services, or a past or current unpaid carer, on their motivation to become a social worker. Most respondents were 23–30 years old and female. Wanting to help people and overcoming oppression were the main motivators to engage in professional training. Half identified as past or current unpaid carers, which significantly predicted motivation to become a social worker. Less than a third reported previous/current social work support due to witnessing domestic abuse, or the consequences of mental ill health or addiction as a child or adolescent. Others disclosed firsthand experiences of poverty, mental illness, addiction, bereavement or custody battles with ex-partners. Being a past or current service user significantly predicted motivation to become a social worker. The discussion suggests that universities explore ways to improve support for care experienced students or student carers to prevent withdrawals. Examples include a more robust and accessible mental health service, increased financial support, flexible approaches to assessment and meeting the requirements of placements.<br/