A New Approach to the Synthesis of Conjugated Polymer: Nanocrystal Composites for Heterojunction Optoelectronics

We report a simple one pot process for the preparation of lead sulphide (PbS) nanocrystals in the conjugated polymer MEH-PPV, and we demonstrate electronic coupling between the two components.Comment: 3 pages, 2 figures, accepted Chem. Comm

Identification of antisense nucleic acid hybridization sites in mRNA molecules with self-quenching fluorescent reporter molecules

We describe a physical mRNA mapping strategy employing fluorescent self-quenching reporter molecules (SQRMs) that facilitates the identification of mRNA sequence accessible for hybridization with antisense nucleic acids in vitro and in vivo, real time. SQRMs are 20–30 base oligodeoxynucleotides with 5–6 bp complementary ends to which a 5′ fluorophore and 3′ quenching group are attached. Alone, the SQRM complementary ends form a stem that holds the fluorophore and quencher in contact. When the SQRM forms base pairs with its target, the structure separates the fluorophore from the quencher. This event can be reported by fluorescence emission when the fluorophore is excited. The stem–loop of the SQRM suggests that SQRM be made to target natural stem–loop structures formed during mRNA synthesis. The general utility of this method is demonstrated by SQRM identification of targetable sequence within c-myb and bcl-6 mRNA. Corresponding antisense oligonucleotides reduce these gene products in cells

The Symptom Monitoring with Feedback Trial (SWIFT):protocol for a registry‑based cluster randomised controlled trial in haemodialysis

BACKGROUND: Kidney failure prevalence is increasing worldwide. Haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis or kidney transplantation are undertaken to extend life with kidney failure. People receiving haemodialysis commonly experience fatigue, pain, nausea, cramping, itching, sleeping difficulties, anxiety and depression. This symptom burden contributes to poor health-related quality of life (QOL) and is a major reason for treatment withdrawal and death. The Symptom monitoring WIth Feedback Trial (SWIFT) will test the hypothesis that regular symptom monitoring with feedback to people receiving haemodialysis and their treating clinical team can improve QOL. METHODS: We are conducting an Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant (ANZDATA) registry-based cluster randomised controlled trial to determine the clinical- and cost-effectiveness at 12 months, of 3-monthly symptom monitoring using the Integrated Palliative Outcome Scale-Renal (IPOS-Renal) survey with clinician feedback, compared with usual care among adults treated with haemodialysis. Participants complete symptom scoring using a tablet, which are provided to participants and to clinicians. The trial aims to recruit 143 satellite haemodialysis centres, (up to 2400 participants). The primary outcome is change in health-related QOL, as measured by EuroQol 5-Dimension, 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) instrument. Secondary outcomes include overall survival, symptom severity (including haemodialysis-associated fatigue), healthcare utilisation and cost-effectiveness. DISCUSSION: SWIFT is the first registry-based trial in the Australian haemodialysis population to investigate whether regular symptom monitoring with feedback to participants and clinicians improves QOL. SWIFT is embedded in the ANZDATA Registry facilitating pragmatic recruitment from public and private dialysis clinics, throughout Australia. SWIFT will inform future collection, storage and reporting of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) within a clinical quality registry. As the first trial to rigorously estimate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of routine PROMs collection and reporting in haemodialysis units, SWIFT will provide invaluable information to health services, clinicians and researchers working to improve the lives of those with kidney failure. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12620001061921. Registered on 16 October 2020 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-022-06355-0

A single-electron transistor made from a cadmium selenide nanocrystal

The techniques of colloidal chemistry permit the routine creation of semiconductor nanocrystals, whose dimensions are much smaller than those that can be realized using lithographic techniques. The sizes of such nanocrystals can be varied systematically to study quantum size effects or to make novel electronic or optical materials with tailored properties. Preliminary studies of both the electrical and optical properties of individual nanocrystals have been performed recently. These studies show clearly that a single excess charge on a nanocrystal can markedly influence its properties. Here we present measurements of electrical transport in a single-electron transistor made from a colloidal nanocrystal of cadmium selenide. This device structure enables the number of charge carriers on the nanocrystal to be tuned directly, and so permits the measurement of the energy required for adding successive charge carriers. Such measurements are invaluable in understanding the energy-level spectra of small electronic systems, as has been shown by similar studies of lithographically patterned quantum dots and small metallic grains.Comment: 3 pages, PDF forma

Addressing the climate challenge

In 2021, colleagues from across the University of Birmingham community were invited to write articles about topics relevant to the COP26 climate change summit. In this series of articles, experts from across many different disciplines provide new insight and evidence on how we might all understand and tackle climate change

A Concord of Alchemy with Theology: Isaac Newton's Hermeneutics of the Symbolic Texts of "Chymistry" and Biblical Prophecy

That early modern natural philosophers such as Isaac Newton were deeply preoccupied by religious concerns, which were entwined with their study of nature, has become—at last—a fairly uncontroversial commonplace. In the area of the relationship between Newton’s natural philosophy, alchemy, and theology, Dobbs’ Janus Faces of Genius has had an enduring impact. However, the new historiography of alchemy and insights gained from the application of book history to the history of science—particularly the bookishness of alchemy—require Newton’s alchemy and theology to be revisited. Accordingly, this dissertation makes two main arguments: 1) Specific connections between Newton’s alchemy, or, to use the more inclusive term, “chymistry”, and his theology can be found by considering Newton’s methods of interpreting symbolic texts—as opposed to searching for specific unity of subject matter. Analysis of Newton’s textual research methods reveals his cross-comparative organization of textual sources and his particular descriptive-translational approach to symbolic texts: figurative alchemical texts and the prophetic texts of the Bible. 2) General connections between Newton’s chymistry and theology can be seen as his overall trend to incorporate statements of God into his natural philosophy was specifically manifested in physico-theological and divine metaphysical arguments that he built from chymical phenomena in his optical writing, particularly the Queries to the Opticks. The dissertation develops these arguments through analysis of Newton’s reading practices, evidenced by his particular method of dog-earing the books he owned and his organizational lists of hermeneutical rules and figurative vocabulary. Additionally, it analyses Newton’s integration of chymical sources and experimentation into his published optical work and its accompanying natural-philosophical discourse of God. While the necessary connectedness of Newton’s thought, the “unified mind” thesis articulated by Dobbs, may no longer be a viable way of conceiving Newton’s various intellectual (and practical) pursuits, this does not mean that they were unrelated. On the contrary, a uniquely textual connection can be seen within Newton’s work with the symbolic texts of alchemy and prophecy: his descriptive-translational approach. Moreover, Newton’s well-documented integration of matter theory and concepts of God are revealed to have an essential foundation in alchemical experimentation and theory.Ph.D