Acceptability of a technology-supported and solution-focused intervention (DIALOG+) for chronic depression: views of service users and clinicians.

BACKGROUND: Treating chronic depression represents a significant burden for the NHS, yet there is a lack of evidence-based interventions and research specifically focused on this condition. DIALOG+, a technology-assisted and resource-oriented intervention found effective for people with psychosis, may improve care for this service user group. The aim of this study was to explore the acceptability and relevance of DIALOG+ for the treatment of chronic depression in community-based settings. METHODS: A convenience sample of 16 mental health professionals and 29 service users with chronic depression tested the DIALOG+ intervention in routine community care appointments for 3 months across 3 different mental health NHS Trusts in England. Of these, 15 clinicians and 19 service users were individually interviewed about their experiences. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis by an analytic team which included a service user researcher. RESULTS: Analysis of the combined dataset identified five overarching themes: DIALOG+ Structure; Therapeutic Communication; Reflecting and Monitoring; Empowerment and Powerlessness; and The Impact of Technology. Overall, service users and clinicians were interested in the continued use of DIALOG+ as part of routine care. CONCLUSIONS: DIALOG+ was viewed as acceptable by both service users with chronic depression and their clinicians who work in community care settings, albeit with some caveats. Clinician training required significant improvements to address the issues that were referenced, most notably around support with using technology

Defect-free outer-selective hollow fiber thin-film composite membranes for forward osmosis applications

© 2019 Elsevier B.V. This study presents the successful fabrication of a novel defect-free outer-selective hollow fiber (OSHF) thin-film composite (TFC) membrane for forward osmosis (FO) applications. Thin and porous FO membrane substrates made of polyether sulfone (PES) with a dense and smooth outer surface were initially fabricated at different air-gap distances. A modified vacuum-assisted interfacial polymerization (VAIP) technique was then successfully utilised for coating polyamide (PA) layer on the hollow fiber (HF) membrane substrate to prepare OSHF TFC membranes. Experimental results showed that the molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) of the surface of the membrane substrate should be less than 88 kDa with smooth surface roughness to obtain a defect-free PA layer via VAIP. The FO test results showed that the newly developed OSHF TFC membranes achieved water flux of 30.2 L m−2 h−1 and a specific reverse solute flux of 0.13 g L−1 using 1 M NaCl and DI water as draw and feed solution, respectively. This is a significant improvement on commercial FO membranes. Moreover, this OSHF TFC FO membrane demonstrated higher fouling resistance and better cleaning efficiency against alginate-silica fouling. This membrane also has a strong potential for scale-up for use in larger applications. It also has strong promise for various FO applications such as osmotic membrane bioreactor (OMBR) and fertilizer-drawn OMBR processes

Surface modification of thin-film composite forward osmosis membranes with polyvinyl alcohol–graphene oxide composite hydrogels for antifouling properties

© 2020 Elsevier B.V. In this study, the polyamide (PA) layers of commercial thin-film composite (TFC) forward osmosis (FO) membranes were coated with glutaraldehyde cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel comprising of graphene oxide (GO) at various loadings to enhance their fouling resistance. The optimal GO concentration of 0.02 wt% in hydrogel solution was confirmed from the FO membrane performance, and its influence on membrane antifouling properties was studied. The properties of the modified membranes, such as surface morphology, surface charge and wettability, were also investigated. PVA/GO coating was observed to increase the smoothness and hydrophilicity of the membrane surface. The foulant resistances of the pristine, PVA-coated and PVA/GO-coated membranes were also reported. PVA hydrogel-coated TFC membrane with a GO loading of 0.02 wt% showed a 55% reduction in specific reverse solute flux, only a marginal reduction in the water flux, and the best antifouling property with a 58% higher flux recovery than the pristine TFC membrane. The significant improvement in the selectivity of the modified membranes meant that the hydrogel coating could be used to seal PA defects. The biocidal GO flakes in PVA hydrogel coating also improved the biofouling resistance of the modified membranes, which could be attributed to their morphologies and superior surface properties

Generating sustainable cement material from seawater with low-cost ultrafiltration (UF) membrane electrolysis

Membrane electrolysis offers a promising avenue for in-situ generation of hydroxide ions (OH−), facilitating the recovery of magnesium (Mg2+) and calcium (Ca2+) ions from seawater as alkaline earth hydroxide precipitates. This process paves the way for an alternative greener method in the production of raw materials for cement manufacturing compared to limestone mining. Despite its potential, the application of conventional ion migration membranes, such as anion exchange membrane (AEM) and cation exchange membrane (CEM), is hampered by their high cost and low mechanical quality, posing significant barriers to industrial scalability. In this work, we introduce the utilization of commercially available high mechanical strength ultrafiltration (UF) membrane within a two-chamber electrochemical system, repurposing it as an ion migration membrane due to its distinct advantages in terms of simplicity and relative cost-efficiency than conventional AEM. This research demonstrates that the UF membrane exhibited a comparable performance to AEM in terms of OH− production. Both membranes achieved 97–99 % removal of Mg2+ and Ca2+ within 3 h at a current density of 8 mA/cm2 and maintained comparable migration rate of SO42− ion. Compared to AEM, a notable distinction of the UF membrane is its reduced migration rate of Cl− ions, resulting in lower membrane discoloration/oxidation. Furthermore, the investigation reveals that utilizing a Na2SO4 solution as an alternative anolyte, despite being slower for OH− production, offers economic advantages and facilitates higher selective recovery of Mg2+ over Ca2+. The end products of this process, MgO and CaO, are viable raw materials for cement production, underscoring a sustainable and low carbon approach compared to conventional limestone mining of cement production

On the valence shell spectroscopy of 1,2-dichlorobenzene

Funding Information: MHFB acknowledges the Brazilian agency Coordenaç˜ ao de Aperfei çoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) and together with LVSD and ASB the support from the Brazilian agency Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq). LVSD, ASB and MHFB also acknowledge Prof. Carlos A. M. de Carvalho for computational support at LFTC-DFis-UFPR and at LCPAD-UFPR. The authors wish to acknowledge the beam time at the ISA synchrotron, Aarhus University, Denmark. The research leading to this result has been supported by the project CALIPSOplus under the Grant Agreement 730872 from the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation HORIZON 2020. PLV acknowledges the Portuguese National Funding Agency (FCT) through research grant CEFITEC (UIDB/00068/2020), his visiting professor position at Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil and the support from CAPES PrInt/UFPR. This work was also supported by Radiation Biology and Biophysics Doctoral Training Programme (RaBBiT, PD/00193/2012) and UCIBIO (UIDB/04378/2020).We report high-resolution vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photoabsorption spectrum of 1,2-dichlorobenzene in the photon energy range 4.0–10.8 eV (310–115 nm). The electronic state spectroscopy of ortho-C6H4Cl2 has been investigated together with quantum chemical calculations at different levels of theory, also providing vertical excitation energies and oscillator strengths. The valence, mixed valence-Rydberg and Rydberg character of the electronic transitions is accompanied by fine structure which has been mainly assigned to in-plane breathing with C–Cl stretching, v7′a1, ring breathing and C–C stretching, v8′a1, in-plane ring breathing, v9′a1, C–Cl symmetric stretching, v10′a1, and in-plane C–Cl bending v11′a1 modes. The experimental absolute photoabsorption cross sections have been used to calculate the photolysis lifetime of 1,2-dichlorobenzene in the Earth's atmosphere (0–50 km), showing that solar photolysis is expected to be a weak sink at altitudes lower than 20 km relative to [rad]OH radical reactions. Potential energy curves for the lowest-lying excited electronic states, as a function of the C–Cl stretching and in-plane C–Cl bending coordinates, were also obtained employing the time dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) method. The results show the importance of the complex quasi-degenerate nature of the lowest-lying electronic states which in the intricate nuclear dynamics of the reaction coordinates, yield relevant internal conversion from Rydberg to valence character and in the asymptotic limit bond excision.publishersversionpublishe

Potentiation of Acetylcholine-Induced Relaxation of Aorta in Male UC Davis Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (UCD-T2DM) Rats: Sex-Specific Responses

Previous reports suggest that diabetes may differentially affect the vascular beds of females and males. The objectives of this study were to examine whether there were (1) sex differences in aortic function and (2) alterations in the relative contribution of endothelium-derived relaxing factors in modulating aortic reactivity in UC Davis Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (UCD-T2DM) rats. Endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation (EDV) in response to acetylcholine (ACh) was measured in aortic rings before and after exposure to pharmacological inhibitors. Relaxation responses to sodium nitroprusside were assessed in endothelium-denuded rings. Moreover, contractile responses to phenylephrine (PE) were measured before and after incubation of aortic rings with a nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor in the presence of indomethacin. Metabolic parameters and expression of molecules associated with vascular and insulin signaling as well as reactive oxygen species generation were determined. Diabetes slightly but significantly impaired EDV in response to ACh in aortas from females but potentiated the relaxation response in males. The potentiation of EDV in diabetic male aortas was accompanied by a traces of nitric oxide (NO)- and prostanoid-independent relaxation and elevated aortic expression of small- and intermediate conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels in this group. The smooth muscle sensitivity to NO was not altered, whereas the responsiveness to PE was significantly enhanced in aortas of diabetic groups in both sexes. Endothelium-derived NO during smooth muscle contraction, as assessed by the potentiation of the response to PE after NOS inhibition, was reduced in aortas of diabetic rats regardless of sex. Accordingly, decreases in pAkt and peNOS were observed in aortas from diabetic rats in both sexes compared with controls. Our data suggest that a decrease in insulin sensitivity via pAkt-peNOS-dependent signaling and an increase in oxidative stress may contribute to the elevated contractile responses observed in diabetic aortas in both sexes. This study demonstrates that aortic function in UCD-T2DM rats is altered in both sexes. Here, we provide the first evidence of sexual dimorphism in aortic relaxation in UCD-T2DM rats

Recent Development of Atmospheric Water Harvesting Materials: A Review

The lack of freshwater has been threatening many people who are living in Africa, the Middle East, and Oceania, while the discovery of freshwater harvesting technology is considered a promising solution. Recent advances in structured surface materials, metal-organic frameworks, hygroscopic inorganic compounds (and derivative materials), and functional hydrogels have demonstrated their potential as platform technologies for atmospheric water (i.e., supersaturated fog and unsaturated water) harvesting due to their cheap price, zero second energy requirement, high water capture capacity, and easy installation and operation compared with traditional water harvesting methods, such as long-distance water transportation, seawater desalination, and electrical dew collection devices in rural areas or individual-scale emergent usage. In this contribution, we highlight recent developments in functional materials for "passive" atmospheric water harvesting application, focusing on the structure-property relationship (SPR) to illustrate the transport mechanism of water capture and release. We also discuss technical challenges in the practical applications of the water harvesting materials, including low adaptability in a harsh environment, low capacity under low humidity, self-desorption, and insufficient solar-thermal conversion. Finally, we provide insightful perspectives on the design and fabrication of atmospheric water harvesting materials

Experiences of reduction and discontinuation of antipsychotics: a qualitative investigation within the RADAR trial

Background Antipsychotics are a core treatment for psychosis, but the evidence for gradual dose reductions guided by clinicians is under-developed. The RADAR randomised controlled trial (RCT) compared antipsychotic reduction and possible discontinuation with maintenance treatment for people with recurrent psychotic disorders. The current study explored participants’ experiences of antipsychotic reduction or discontinuation within this trial. Methods This qualitative study was embedded within the RADAR RCT (April 2017–March 2022) that recruited 253 participants from specialist community mental health services in 19 public healthcare localities in England. Participants were adults with recurrent non affective psychosis who were taking antipsychotic medication. Semi-structured interviews, lasting 30–90 min, were conducted after the trial final 24-month follow-up with 26 people who reduced and/or discontinued antipsychotics within the trial, sampled purposively for diversity in sociodemographic characteristics, trial variables, and pre-trial medication and clinical factors. Data were analysed using thematic analysis and findings are reported qualitatively. Findings Most participants reported reduced adverse effects of antipsychotics with dose reductions, primarily in mental clouding, emotional blunting and sedation, and some positive impacts on social functioning and sense of self. Over half experienced deteriorations in mental health, including psychotic symptoms and intolerable levels of emotional intensity. Nine had a psychotic relapse. The trial context in which medication reduction was explicitly part of clinical care provided various learning opportunities. Some participants were highly engaged with reduction processes, and despite difficulties including relapses, developed novel perspectives on medication, dose optimisation, and how to manage their mental health. Others were more ambivalent about reduction or experienced less overall impact. Interpretation Experiences of antipsychotic reductions over two years were dynamic and diverse, shaped by variations in dose reduction profiles, reduction effects, personal motivation and engagement levels, and relationships with prescribers. There are relapse risks and challenges, but some people experience medication reduction done with clinical guidance as empowering. Clinicians can use findings to inform and work flexibly with service users to establish optimal antipsychotic doses