A study of mixed-anion hydride lithium-ion conductors for application in all-solid-state batteries

Solid state lithium ion conductors are important in the development of electrolytes for all-solid-state lithium ion batteries. Complex hydrides are one such area of interest due to their thermal and chemical stability as well as their light weight and in this thesis the Li-BH_4-NH-NH_2 phase space was investigated. The structures of two lithium borohydride-imides: one orthorhombic with the formula Li_5(BH_4)_3NH, and another cubic with the formula Li_3BH_4NH have been determined through powder diffraction methods. The reaction of lithium imide and lithium borohydride was studied through both in-situ and ex-situ powder diffraction methods and highlighted the formation of a melt upon heating. The studies also showed Li_5(BH_4)_3NH formed rapidly upon heating whilst Li_3BH_4NH did not form until late in the cooling process. Further investigation into the reaction of lithium amide-imide and lithium borohydride also identified another phase, a new hexagonal lithium amide-borohydride-imide, Li_4BH_4NHNH_2. It was subsequently revealed that Li_4BH_4NHBH_2 was apparently the most thermodynamically stable of the three structures, forming upon slow cooling of the Li_2NH + LiBH_4 reaction mixture. Investigations into the lithium ion conductivities of the materials produced promising results, with high conductivities at room temperature. All three materials displayed higher conductivities than lithium borohydride and their mechanical properties made them much more robust when manufacturing half cells as compared to lithium imide

Against Immateriality: 3D CGI and Contemporary Art

Against Immateriality: 3D CGI and Contemporary Art is a practice-led research project exploring three-dimensional computer-generated images (3D CGI), still and animated, as a mode of artistic expression. A post-photographic image paradigm that is habitually associated with soft power, spectacle and commodity forms, in recent years 3D CGI has emerged as a compelling way through which artists might express, represent and comprehend the effects of digitisation on art and life. Across three thematically linked but distinct chapters—Materialising, Corpsing, and Becoming 3D—I argue for the cultural, social and political realities associated with 3D CGI, investigating its unique characteristics as a sensual, multi-perspectival mode of image, object and world building. Through an exegesis of my own artistic practice, one in which I produce 3D computer-generated artefacts before translating them into physical objects and spatial installations, I examine the conditions of 3D CGI production, presentation and dissemination. I contextualise this practice within a broader movement within contemporary art of artists that use 3D CGI to comprehend and interrogate digital culture, analysing artworks by Mark Leckey, Ed Atkins, Sondra Perry, and the research group, Forensic Architecture. Each of these diverse examples provides a distinctive perspective on the implications of this mode of digital image making, including its role in refiguring notions of embodiment and materiality, how it can be used to vision aspects of contemporary society that are often occluded, and its ability to (re)construct images of traumatic pasts, turbulent presents and speculative futures. Ultimately, I argue that 3D CGI allows for reflection on and critique of digital technologies by underlining their immanent materiality and the lived, bodily effects these so-called immaterial images have the power to produce

The immune environment of the mammary gland fluctuates during post-lactational regression and correlates with tumour growth rate

Post-lactational mammary gland regression encompasses extensive programmed cell death and removal of milk-producing epithelial cells, breakdown of extracellular matrix components and redifferentiation of stromal adipocytes. This highly regulated involution process is associated with a transient increased risk of breast cancer in women. Using a syngeneic tumour model, we show that tumour growth is significantly altered depending on the stage of involution at which tumour cells are implanted. Tumour cells injected at day 3 involution grew faster than those in nulliparous mice, whereas tumours initiated at day 6 involution grew significantly slower. These differences in tumour progression correlate with distinct changes in innate immune cells, in particular among F4/80-expressing macrophages and among TCRδ(+) unconventional T cells. Breast cancer post-pregnancy risk is exacerbated in older first-time mothers and, in our model, initial tumour growth is moderately faster in aged mice compared with young mice. Our results have implications for breast cancer risk and the use of anti-inflammatory therapeutics for postpartum breast cancers

Performance evaluation of on-chip wavelength conversion based on InP/In1−x_{1-x}Gax_xAsy_yP1−y_{1-y} semiconductor waveguide platforms

We propose and design the high confinement InP/In1-xGaxAsyP1-y semiconductor waveguides and report the results of effective wavelength conversion based on this platform. Efficient confinement and mode field area fluctuation at different wavelength is analyzed to achieve the high nonlinear coefficient. The numerical results show that nearly zero phase-mismatch condition can be satisfied through dispersion tailoring of InP/In1-xGaxAsyP1-y waveguides, and the wavelength conversion ranging over 40 nm with the maximum conversion efficiency -26.3 dB is achieved for fixing pump power 100 mW. Meanwhile, the influences of the doping parameter y and pumping wavelength on the bandwidth and conversion efficiency are also discussed and optimized. It is indicated the excellent optical properties of the InP/In1-xGaxAsyP1-y waveguides and pave the way towards direct integration telecom band devices on stand semiconductor platforms.Comment: 21 page

Dual-frequency sweeping light source based on four-wave mixing in silicon-on-insulator nano-waveguide

Four-wave mixing (FWM) is a well-known technique to achieve all-optical control wavelength conversion. We propose a well-designed silicon nano-waveguide based on silicon-on-insulator (SOI) to achieve FWM conversion. Particularly, the original signal light continuously sweeps along the C band, and the generated idler light is correspondingly sweeping as the original signal is swept. The wavelengths of the idler and signal lights are symmetric with respect to the pump light wavelength. Simulation and experimental results of the FWM conversion properties are well-matched. With the pump light filtered out, a dual-frequency continuously sweeping laser source is achieved, which could be applied in dual-frequency scanning interferometry to eliminate dynamic errors in practical use

The association between exaggeration in health related science news and academic press releases: retrospective observational study

Objective To identify the source (press releases or news) of distortions, exaggerations, or changes to the main conclusions drawn from research that could potentially influence a reader’s health related behaviour. Design Retrospective quantitative content analysis. Setting Journal articles, press releases, and related news, with accompanying simulations. Sample Press releases (n=462) on biomedical and health related science issued by 20 leading UK universities in 2011, alongside their associated peer reviewed research papers and news stories (n=668). Main outcome measures Advice to readers to change behaviour, causal statements drawn from correlational research, and inference to humans from animal research that went beyond those in the associated peer reviewed papers. Results 40% (95% confidence interval 33% to 46%) of the press releases contained exaggerated advice, 33% (26% to 40%) contained exaggerated causal claims, and 36% (28% to 46%) contained exaggerated inference to humans from animal research. When press releases contained such exaggeration, 58% (95% confidence interval 48% to 68%), 81% (70% to 93%), and 86% (77% to 95%) of news stories, respectively, contained similar exaggeration, compared with exaggeration rates of 17% (10% to 24%), 18% (9% to 27%), and 10% (0% to 19%) in news when the press releases were not exaggerated. Odds ratios for each category of analysis were 6.5 (95% confidence interval 3.5 to 12), 20 (7.6 to 51), and 56 (15 to 211). At the same time, there was little evidence that exaggeration in press releases increased the uptake of news. Conclusions Exaggeration in news is strongly associated with exaggeration in press releases. Improving the accuracy of academic press releases could represent a key opportunity for reducing misleading health related news

First large-scale study of antimicrobial susceptibility data, and genetic resistance determinants, in Fusobacterium necrophorum highlighting the importance of continuing focused susceptibility trend surveillance

Objectives: The objective of the study was to explore antimicrobial resistance gene determinant, and phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility, data for Fusobacterium necrophorum from a collection of UK strains. In addition, antimicrobial resistance genes detected in publicly available assembled whole genome sequences were investigated for comparison.Methods: Three hundred and eighty five F. necrophorum strains (1982-2019) were revived from cryovials (Prolab). Subsequent to sequencing (Illumina) and quality checking, 374 whole genomes were available for analysis. These genomes, in addition to publicly available assembled F. necrophorum genetic data, were interrogated using BioNumerics (bioMérieux; v 8.1), for the presence of known antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). Agar dilution susceptibility results for 313 F. necrophorum isolates (2016-2021) were also examined.Results: The phenotypic antibiotic test data for the 313 contemporary strains demonstrated potential resistance to penicillin, without increased dosing, in only three isolates. Otherwise, all strains were susceptible to ceftriaxone, clindamycin, co-amoxiclav, meropenem, metronidazole, penicillin and piperacillin/tazobactam, using EUCAST (v 11.0) interpretive guidance. The tet(O), tet(M), tet(40), aph(3’)-III, ant(6)-la and blaOXA-85 ARGs were present in publicly available assembled genomes. tet(M), tet(32), erm(A) and erm(B) were found within the UK strains, with correspondingly raised clindamycin and tetracycline minimum inhibitory concentrations.Conclusions: Current antibiotics recommended for the treatment of infections caused by F. necrophorum, including Lemierre’s disease, are likely to be effective in most cases. However, with evidence of potential ARG transmission from oral bacteria, and the detection of a transposon-mediated beta-lactamase resistance determinant in F. necrophorum, surveillance of both phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial susceptibility trends must continue, and increase.<br/

A mixed methods systematic review of digital interventions to support the psychological health and well-being of people living with dermatological conditions

Background: Dermatological conditions can have a substantial impact on psychological as well as physical health yet dedicated face-to-face psychological support for patients is lacking. Thus, individuals may require additional support to self-manage dermatological conditions effectively. Digital technology can contribute to long-term condition management, but knowledge of the effectiveness of digital interventions addressing psychological (cognitive, emotional, and behavioural) aspects of dermatological conditions is limited. Objectives: To identify, determine the effectiveness, and explore people’s views and experiences of digital interventions supporting the psychological health of people with dermatological conditions. Methods: A mixed methods systematic review informed by JBI methodology. The protocol was registered on PROSPERO. Eight electronic databases were searched for papers written between January 2002 and October 2021. Data screening and extraction were conducted in Covidence. The methodological quality of studies were scrutinised against JBI critical appraisal tools. Intervention characteristics were captured using the Template for Intervention Description and Replication checklist and guide. Data were synthesised using a convergent segregated approach. The results were reported in a narrative summary. Results: Twenty-three papers were identified from 4,883 references, including 15 randomised controlled trials. Nineteen interventions were condition-specific, 13 were delivered online, 16 involved an educational component, and 7 endorsed established, evidence-based therapeutic approaches. Improvements in knowledge, mood, quality of life, the therapeutic relationship, and reduced disease severity in the short to medium term, were reported, although there was substantial heterogeneity within the literature. Thirteen studies captured feedback from users, who considered various digital interventions as convenient and helpful for improving knowledge, emotion regulation, and personal control, but technical and individual barriers to use were reported. Use of established qualitative methodologies was limited and, in some cases, poorly reported. Conclusion: Some web-based digital psychological interventions seem to be acceptable to people living with mainly psoriasis and eczema. Whilst some digital interventions benefitted cognitive and emotional factors, heterogeneity and inconsistencies in the literature meant definitive statements about their effectiveness could not be drawn. Interdisciplinary and patient-centred approaches to research are needed to develop and test quality digital interventions supporting the psychological health of adults living with common and rare dermatological conditions