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Objective: We aimed to evaluate the usability and acceptability of a co‐designed mobile health (mHealth) application (PrEP‐EmERGE) within a digital health pathway to support HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Methods: This was a cross‐sectional study to evaluate the usability and acceptability of the PrEP‐EmERGE app. Data were collected via an online survey sent to all PrEP EmERGE users in September 2021. Usability was assessed with a validated usability tool, the System Usability Scale (SUS). Acceptability was assessed using modified patient‐reported experience measures (PREMs). Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and/or inferential statistics and qualitative data (free text responses) using thematic analysis. Results: In total, 81/133 (61%) active PrEP EmERGE users completed the online survey, which was available directly from their PrEP EmERGE app: 78/81 (96%) identified as cis‐male, 74/81 (91%) reported their ethnicity as 'white', 69/81 (85%) reported daily PrEP use, 7/81 (9%) reported using an event‐based dosing schedule, and 5/81 (6%) were switching between dosing schedules. Overall, the median SUS score was 78/100 (interquartile range: 70–92). There were no differences in median SUS scores by PrEP dosing schedules (p = 0.78) or months of experience of using the app (p = 0.31). Overall, 73/81 (90%) would recommend the PrEP EmERGE app to a friend and 78/81 (96%) rated their satisfaction of the app as excellent, good or satisfactory. The free text responses generated three key themes: accessibility (for results and information); autonomy [taking responsibility for their (sexual) health] and functionality (including technical recommendations for app development and the digital health pathway). Conclusions: Innovative, co‐designed digital health pathways, such as PrEP EmERGE can help sexual health services to manage increasing numbers of people accessing PrEP – ensuring that they retain access for those who need to be seen face‐to‐face. We report high levels of acceptability and usability during the first 4 months of this novel pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Chemsex has been reported among men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV. There have been concerns about potentially harmful drug–drug interactions between chemsex drugs and antiretroviral therapy (ritonavir and cobicistat). We aimed to describe the prevalence and patterns of chemsex users in our HIV clinic population and to evaluate antiretroviral prescribing among chemsex users. Methods: We undertook a cross‐sectional study of patients attending our HIV clinic between January 2019 and December 2020. We collected data on patients who disclosed recent recreational drug use including chemsex in the previous 3 months. Results: In all, 2202/2501 (88%) patients were asked about recreational drug use and 514 (23%) disclosed recreational drug use. Eighty‐two (4%) of these disclosed recent chemsex; 73 (89%) used crystal methamphetamine, 51 (62%) used gamma‐hydroxybutyrate (GHB)/gamma‐butyrolactone (GBL), 55 (67%) reported poly‐drug use and 63 (76%) reported injecting drug use. The chemsex users were all cis‐male MSM and were significantly older (53 vs. 46 years, p < 0.0001), and more likely to have had previous syphilis (73% vs. 28%, p < 0.0001) than patients reporting non‐chemsex drug use. All chemsex users were prescribed antiretrovirals and 74 (90%) had an undetectable HIV viral load; 31 (38%) patients were taking either ritonavir (N = 12) or cobicistat (N = 19) as part of their antiretroviral regimen and this was similar to other patients attending for HIV care [31/82 (38%) vs. 768/2419 (31%), p = 0.25]. Conclusions: The prevalence of chemsex users among our HIV clinic attendants is 4%, and 38% of these were prescribed either ritonavir or cobicistat. Chemsex use should be a factor in antiretroviral therapy decision‐making to avoid potential harm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The British HIV Association (BHIVA) guidelines were amended during the coronavirus (COVID‐19) pandemic, allowing for less frequent monitoring of routine bloods. We assessed the impact of this on patient outcomes. Methods: Between April 2020 and March 2021, routine blood appointments at our HIV clinic were replaced by virtual consultations in 'stable' people living with HIV (PLWH), defined using standard operating procedure (SOP) criteria. All had an undetectable HIV viral load (VL) (<50 copies/mL). Demographic, HIV clinical information, and antiretroviral treatment (ART) data were collated using the electronic patient record (EPR). Blood results from before (baseline) and after (follow‐up) the omitted appointment were analysed for each parameter. Results: In all, 791/2395 PLWH were scheduled to have blood tests omitted; 381 were excluded for reasons including not fitting the SOP criteria or presenting to clinic early, and 410 were included in analysis. The demographics of the group were consistent with our whole HIV cohort. HIV VL became detectable in 8/410 individuals (1.95%, range 51–730 copies/mL). VL resuppressed in 6/8 after a median of 29 days. VL remained detectable in two individuals, both of whom remain in care. Routine blood monitoring revealed baseline and follow‐up blood parameters that were largely within normal range. Four out of 12 parameters had statistically significant changes but were not considered clinically significant; 59/410 (14.4%) changed ART, most commonly for simplification. Conclusion: For the majority of stable PLWH included in our evaluation, the omission of routine blood monitoring during the pandemic did not have a negative impact on HIV suppression or blood monitoring outcomes. ART switch was uncommon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents an investigation into the feasibility of repurposing end-of-life notebook computers as thin client computers. Repurposing is the identification of a new use for a product that can no longer be used in its original form and has the potential to become a hybrid re-use/recycling end-of-life strategy for suitable e-waste when direct reuse is not economically or technically feasible. In this instance, it was targeted to produce thin client computers using motherboards, processors and memory from used laptops while recycling all other components. Notebook computers are of interest for this type of strategy due to having a substantial environmental impact in manufacturing but often not having the option of direct reuse as they are prone to damage and experience a rapid loss of value over time. They also contain multiple critical raw materials with very low recycling rates. The notebook computers were sourced from Civic Amenity sites (CA) and originated from business-to-consumer (B2C) channels. A total of 246 notebook computers were collected and analysed. The paper outlines a methodology developed to identify, test, analyse, and disassemble suitable devices for repurposing. The methodology consists of the following stages with associated pass rates; Visual Inspection & Power-on Test (32%) the Initial-stage functionality test comprised of Functionality Test (56%), Diagnostics (100%) and Benchmarking (86%). The Disassembly stage had a pass rate of 100% and the Post-Disassembly Test comprised of a Validation test (86%). The Final-stage functionality test had a pass rate of 61%. The overall results show that 9% of the notebook computers were suitable for repurposing as thin client computers. It recommends the following design changes to notebooks/laptops that would support repurposing; 1) PCB mounted Fan and Heatsink assembly, 2) Eliminate daughter and I/O boards, 3) A separate Power Button assembly, 4) Reduction in size of the motherboards surface area or physical size. These design changes would allow for a more efficient transition for a change of role. A streamlined lifecycle analysis based on Cumulative Energy Demand (CED) was undertaken to compare the impact of repurposed notebook computers with new thin client computers. The results indicated that there are significant potential savings to be made by extending lifetimes and offsetting the production of new thin client computers under a range of assumptions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Location-based social apps leverage mobile phones to provide face-to-face (FtF) social opportunities for physically proximate individuals, such as finding nearby people to socialize, date, or hook up. Prior work on dating and hookup apps has focused mostly on profiles and user goals, but this leaves open important questions of how, after constructing a profile, people use these apps to connect and realize their goals, and what these experiences are like. We report on 22 interviews with users of Grindr, a location-based social app for men who have sex with men. We examine interaction processes from viewing profiles to meeting up. Using the perspective of relational dialectics, we explore tensions around connecting with others, sharing information, and being predictable or novel. We find that profile presentations are flexible and subject to change, disinhibition challenges interaction and revealing goals, and social consequences increase through moving from profile browsing to meeting FtF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adoption of electric vehicles is increasing in a global trend toward decarbonization, yet the overall sustainability of these vehicles still poses many questions. The sourcing of many critical raw materials in battery production and their poorly-defined end-of-life management are among the underlined environmental challenges. The sustainability of battery placement in the transportation system in this sense needs to be supported by circular end-of-life strategies. While battery recycling for a secondary supply can be more favourable for producers, reuse disposition is regarded as being more environmentally attractive from a holistic lifecycle perspective. Cascading the life of batteries as such to reduce the environmental burdens is considered by both regulatory and industrial bodies. However, the uncertainties in cost breakdown and reliability of repurposed batteries reflected in naïve second-life market alignment and financial justification are barriers to current reuse policies and practices. For batteries with a variable lifetime subject to technical constraints in every application, the financial dynamics which underpin the choices of how and where to deploy them are challenging to investigate. While present studies make static assumptions about battery lifetime and operating costs, this work develops a dynamic investigation by incorporating battery degradation in hosts of different second-life applications into the financial analysis. This goal is approached by estimating the lifetime of the batteries in cascaded applications, and further evaluating their second-life contribution to energy and non-energy services in power systems. Findings indicate that settling on a lower purchase price for retired batteries and reducing the number of energy trading results in a justifiable return-on-investment. For batteries in early-failure vehicles such as 4-years-old, this arrangement is equally profitable compared to new ones when going below 26% of the original battery cell price, yet for older batteries such as 10-year-olds, the best performance is expected when contributing to grid services while keeping the investment value below 15%. [Display omitted] • Evaluating the techno-economic viability of reusing EV batteries. • 80% State-of-health is expected for batteries in 12-year-old disposed of vehicles. • Battery life decreases to a quarter when cycling numerously compared to grid-services. • Grid services were found to be the best reuse candidate in the grid-based stationery. • Retired battery values are below 26% and 15% in four and ten-year-old ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding flows of resource‐rich electrical and electronic equipment throughout its life cycle is increasingly important in the development of global circular economies, reflected by heavy legislative focuses on waste prevention and resource use efficiency. This research facilitates broader material flow analysis by characterizing flows of professional IT equipment within the Republic of Ireland, emphasizing the flow of legal exports for the purposes of refurbishment and reuse. The analysis of transboundary movement of non‐waste used equipment contributes to a less often measured, but influential, facet of material flows. Eight key exporters of used equipment, comprising original equipment manufacturers, information technology asset disposition companies, and waste treatment facilities, were interviewed to characterize the sector, map the flow of materials, and identify gaps in existing reporting. Interviewed organizations declared exports of used equipment by category using a voluntary declaration form. Two key flows were identified representing currently unreported and unmeasured flows of non‐waste professional equipment. A total of 441,261 units of equipment were declared to be exported for reuse from the Republic of Ireland through these previously unmeasured flows in 2019. Product keys developed by United Nations University were used to estimate the weight of total units exported as approximately 576 metric tons, amounting to an additional approximately 9% of the weight of IT equipment collected in the Republic of Ireland in 2018, or 0.1 kg per inhabitant. These quantifications of IT equipment exported for reuse will be a key component of future material flow analyses in the development of a circular economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent legislation has focused attention on the supply chains of tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold (3TG), specifically those originating from the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The unique properties of these so-called "conflict minerals" lead to their use in many products, ranging from medical devices to industrial cutting tools. This paper calculates per product use of 3TG in several information, communication, and technology (ICT) products such as desktops, servers, laptops, smart phones, and tablets. By scaling up individual product estimates to global shipment figures, this work estimates the influence of the ICT sector on 3TG mining in covered countries. The model estimates the upper bound of tin, tungsten, tantalum, and gold use within ICT products to be 2%, 0.1%, 15%, and 3% of the 2013 market share, respectively. This result is projected into the future (2018) based on the anticipated increase in ICT device production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper describes the life cycle engineering of an integrated desktop computer system from the perspective of a small to medium enterprise (SME). Using a novel approach which considers the motivations of actors at various stages during the life cycle of the PC it attempts to engineer the lifecycle through design features which have been chosen to influence these critical decision points leading to more desirable pathways from an environmental perspective. Using these motivations it extracts design principles and ultimately design and service features to (1) promote long lifetime with the original user (2) facilitate refurbishment and reuse (3) be easy to disassemble and (4) contain minimal valueless fractions at end of life. This has been achieved largely through two specific design features and supported by post-sale services to the consumer. The first of these features is a high quality finish using a solid hardwood chassis to create an emotionally durable product that is easy to refurbish and eliminates negative value plastic fractions at end of life. The second feature is a strong focus on ease of disassembly to facilitate upgrade, refurbishment and deep disassembly at end of life. The service offering is also crucial and upgrade services and buy back are available. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Intermittent energy sources require demand side flexibility to minimise curtailment. [•] Financial savings can be achieved concurrently with increased demand on wind energy. [•] Peak-time demand reduction offers little benefit for wind generation. [•] Price optimisation results in a fortuitous increase in wind energy consumption. [•] Price optimisation of load provides benefits for consumers and grid operators alike. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study highlights the struggle of fans of English Premier League club, Everton FC, to influence the governance of their football club. The author is Secretary of Keeping Everton in Our City (KEIOC), a group that was instrumental in opposing their board of directors’ plans to remove the club out of the City of Liverpool in order to set up a stadium in the neighbouring Merseyside borough of Knowsley. This work affords us a first-hand experience and understanding of the football club fan-owner struggle. As well as offering an insight into the group’s ability to mobilize opposition to unpopular, commercially driven stratagems devised by and for the benefit of the club owners, the author also highlights the part played by KEIOC in the launch of a major community project to regenerate run-down districts of inner-city Liverpool. This study acknowledges the efforts of fans in recognizing that the cultural capital of football is not only something that can be commodified for the benefit of football club owners, but can also be harnessed for local social ends. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This paper proposes a signaling methodology for personal computers. Signaling may be viewed as an ecodesign strategy that can positively influence the consumer to consumer (C2C) market process. A number of parameters are identified that can provide the basis for signal implementation. These include operating time, operating temperature, operating voltage, power cycle counts, hard disk drive (HOD) self-monitoring, and reporting technology (SMART) attributes and operating system (OS) event information. All these parameters are currently attainable or derivable via embedded technologies in modern desktop systems. A case study detailing a technical implementation of how the development of signals can be achieved in personal computers that incorporate Microsoft Windows operating systems is presented. Collation of lifetime temperature data from a system processor is demonstrated as a possible means of characterizing a usage profile for a desktop system. In addition, event log data is utilized for devising signals indicative of OS quality. The provision of lifetime usage data in the form of intuitive signals indicative of both hardware and software quality can in conjunction with consumer education facilitate an optimal remarketing strategy for used systems. This implementation requires no additional hardware. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adverse selection is a significant contributor to market failure in secondary personal computer (PC) markets. Signaling can act as a potential solution to adverse selection and facilitate superior remarketing of second-hand PCs. Signaling is a means whereby usage information can be utilized to enhance consumer perception of both value and utility of used PCs and, therefore, promote lifetime extension for these systems. This can help mitigate a large portion of the environmental impact associated with PC system manufacture. In this paper, the computer buying and selling behavior of consumers is characterized via a survey of 270 Irish residential users. Results confirm the existence of adverse selection in the Irish market with 76% of potential buyers being unwilling to purchase and 45% of potential vendors being unwilling to sell a used PC. The so-called "closet affect" is also apparent with 78% of users storing their PC after use has ceased. Results also indicate that consumers place a higher emphasis on specifications when considering a second-hand purchase. This contradicts their application needs which are predominantly Internet and word-processing/spreadsheet/presentation applications, 88% and 60% respectively. Finally, a market solution utilizing self monitoring and reporting technology (SMART) sensors for the purpose of real time usage monitoring is proposed, that can change consumer attitudes with regard to second-hand computer equipment [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A fibre-optic sensor for the monitoring of hazardous exhaust gases is described. The sensor based on ultraviolet (UV) differential optical absorption spectroscopy (DOAS) was developed for the simultaneous monitoring of several exhaust gases from passenger cars. Experimental results describing the operation of this sensor with calibrated cylinder gases as well as in a full-size engine are presented. The sensor has been developed to operate within an exhaust environment and have low susceptibility to interferences from other gases present. The lower limit of detection for the sensor was found to be 5ppm for nitric oxide (NO), 1ppm for both nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2) and response time was found to be 3.4s. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper describes a technique for the uniform and reproducible coating of unclad optical fibres with epoxies that have been doped with photoluminescent phosphors in order to create distributed optical fibre ultra violet sensors. The technique involves spinning the fibres both axially and radially simultaneously after application of the coating to create a coating of uniform thickness. The fibres are also tested for their responses to a range of ultra violet radiation conditions controlled using a test unit specifically designed for this purpose. The test unit involves an array of ultra violet LED''s that can be switched on and off in specific sequences which are controlled through a graphical user interface on a PC. This method of testing enables the interrogation and comparison of outputs when specific points are irradiated along these distributed sensors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A fabrication process for distributed multi-point fibre optic sensors based on cladding luminescence is presented. Fibres which have had their cladding removed are coated using a rig which pneumatically dispenses an epoxy phosphor mixture whilst the syringe is being moved axially along the length of the rotating fibre. The new coatings have uniform thickness on the fibre both radially and axially as well as having the same dopant density throughout the coating. A cross-sectional micrograph of a coated fibre is shown as well as the thickness distribution along the fibre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Journal of Industrial Ecology explores the intersection of natural and economic systems, focusing on methodologies to minimize environmental impacts of material goods. The special issue on product lifetimes delves into the complexities of extending product lifetimes to reduce environmental impacts, with a focus on repairability, value frameworks, and barriers to longevity. The articles highlight the need for interdisciplinary approaches and empirical validation to develop effective strategies for product lifetime extension within a circular economy framework. [Extracted from the article]

A dominant narrative surrounding smartphone lifespans suggests that their objective functional capabilities deteriorate rapidly and that if only devices were more repairable consumers would use them longer thereby reducing demand for new production and e-waste generation. Here we use a big-data approach to help unpack this narrative and examine two related yet distinct aspects: smartphone performance and obsolescence, and consumers interest in repair. Examining over 3.5 million iPhone benchmarking test scores, we reveal that the objective performance of devices remains very stable over time and does not rapidly deteriorate as common wisdom might suggest. In contrast, testing frequency varies substantially. This discrepancy suggests that factors other than objective performance meaningfully influence consumers' perceptions of smartphone functionality and obsolescence. Relatedly, our analysis of 22 million visits to a website offering free repair manuals revels that interest in repair declines exponentially over time and that repairability does not necessarily prolong consumer's interest in repair. Taken together, our findings indicate that non-technical aspects, such as mental depreciation and perceived obsolescence play a critical role in determining smartphone lifespans, and suggest that focus on the technical aspects of repairability as currently discussed by policy makers is unlikely to yield the desired extension in smartphone lifespan. We propose that sustainability advocates try to avoid narratives of planned obsolescence which might have counterproductive impacts on perceived obsolescence and consumer's' interest in repair, and instead highlight how well devices perform over time. More broadly, this work demonstrates the potential of using novel datasets to directly observe consumer behavior in natural settings, and improve our general understanding of issues such as planned obsolescence and repair. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work investigated the potential of collecting consumer Information & Communication Technology (ICT) Waste Electrical & Electronic Equipment (WEEE) for preparation for reuse in workplaces in Ireland. A series of WEEE to Work and public collection events were held where people were incentivized to return their data-bearing devices (Laptops, Tablets & Smartphones) with free data wiping and destruction being offered on all devices. The collected devices were sent to an approved preparation for reuse organisation where the devices were tested and assessed for their suitability for reuse using both technical and economic criteria. 283 kg of laptops, smartphones and tablets were collected from 10 events of which 60 kg (28%) was suitable for preparation for reuse. A further 308 kg of WEEE outside of the scope of the research was also collected and recycled during the events. • WEEE to Work events to encourage & promote preparation for reuse. • Potential to supplement collection targets with WEEE to Work events. • Incentivise returns by offering free data destruction. • Increase the return of devices with low collection rates. • IT Asset Disposal sector to become preparation for reuse organisations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the impact of Covid-19 restrictions on the wellbeing and access to care among people living with HIV (PLWH) in the UK. A cross-sectional anonymous online survey was circulated to PLWH attending care at three HIV services in Sussex. The questionnaire covered key themes: socio-demographic characteristics; changes in physical and mental health; accessibility of essential health services and information; and socio-economic concerns. Free-text qualitative responses were examined through framework analysis. Quantitative data from 653 respondents were available, with a subset of 385 free-text qualitative responses. In terms of mental health, 501 (77.6%) respondents reported feeling more anxious; 464 (71.8%) reported feeling more depressed than usual; and 128 (19.8%) reported having suicidal thoughts since the start of the pandemic. Respondents worried about running out of HIV medicine (n = 264, 40.7%); accessing HIV services (n = 246, 38.0%) as well as other health services (n = 408, 63.0%). Widespread resilience was also noted: 537 (83.3%) of respondents felt that living with HIV had equipped them with the strength to adapt to the Covid-19 pandemic. Findings highlight important gaps between the multifaceted needs of PLWH. Multisectoral collaborations and investments are needed to adequately support PLWH and to build resilience to future shocks within HIV services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantifying waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) not arising in documented and formal WEEE collection is a major challenge. This paper presents a method to characterize and estimate quantities of WEEE arising in scrap metal. Two European Catalogue List of Waste, codes 17 04 05, construction and demolition wastes—iron and steel and 20 01 40, metals separated out from municipal, household, commercial, and industrial waste, were analyzed on arrival to scrap metal sites. Metal scrap originated from household and business sources and excluded end‐of‐life vehicles and batteries. The point of sampling eliminated risks of double counting. Four representative sites across Ireland were surveyed over the course of 1 year. UNU‐Keys were used to assign estimated masses based on identification of WEEE items as they arrived in loads entering scrap metal sites. In total, 415 tonnes of metal scrap were sampled and 747 individual WEEE items were identified. It is estimated that 3.91% ± 1.88% of the mass sampled was WEEE equating to 2.28 kg/capita. Although large equipment dominated the count and mass‐based assessments of untreated WEEE in metal scrap, 35% of items identified were classified as small equipment. Professional equipment made up 29% of the estimated mass and 25% of WEEE items observed. Policy makers tasked with enhancing WEEE collection rates need to consider interventions targeting construction, demolition, and renovation, especially planning so that impending WEEE items such as photovoltaic panels are appropriately treated in the future. This article met the requirements for a gold–silver JIE data openness badge described in http://jie.click/badges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Repair practices are driven not only by consumers' internal motivation, but also by external infrastructural, social including cultural, financial, and political factors. We explore these factors with the goal of understanding the public repair of electrical and electronic products (e‐products) from a systems perspective to help devise appropriate change interventions. We document (a) behavioral aspects, (b) techno‐economic factors, and (c) intervention strategies aimed at promoting repair practices. To gauge this, a survey was administered among 922 volunteers across 14 countries with experience in repairing e‐products at public repair events. Findings suggest that while behavioral constructs including personal values, beliefs, and attitudes toward product repair are the main proximal drivers of intention to repair, the ability to repair plays an important role. Further, these individual factors are influenced by the techno‐economic settings such as access to repair services, economic benefits, and the ease of product repair stands out as the key enablers for product lifetime extension. As per intervention strategies, the results highlight economic incentives, regulatory requirements, and public awareness as the key drivers. However, influencing repair behavior directly may not always be the most effective strategy. New initiatives to improve involvement should focus on more repairable products, exploiting the innovative potentials of commercial as well as non‐profit repair initiatives, education, and supporting the development of skills among volunteer repairers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Re-use and preparation for re-use are currently in sharp focus across the European Union's (EU) emerging legislation on waste management and the circular economy. Lifetime extension is of particular importance to electrical and electronic equipment due to the critical nature of many of the raw materials involved and their potential status as hazardous waste. During this research interviews were conducted with stakeholders in the preparation for re-use of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) in the United Kingdom, Belgium, France, and Austria, where these systems are considered successful, and in Spain, the first country in the EU to have deemed preparation for re-use targets separate to those for recycling necessary. Similar interviews were conducted in Ireland, where the preparation for re-use system has not yet developed to a successful level, and factors reported to be facilitating or inhibiting the success of preparation for re-use were compared. Factors in successful preparation for re-use systems included involving social enterprise, requiring the use of quality standards, providing preparation for re-use organizations access to material at the point of end user surrender, and facilitating positive relationships between preparation for re-use organizations and the producer representative organizations organizing the waste streams. These factors were found to be largely absent in Ireland. This paper recommends these factors be supported in countries which are not yet reporting significant levels of preparation for re-use. Furthermore, where preparation for re-use had not been established practice prior to the WEEE directive, targets separate from those for recycling are recommended as necessary to align the interests of the Producer Representative Organisations and organisations which seek to promote it. • Preparation for re-use is resisted in EU countries which do not have a history of the practice. • Distinct preparation for re-use targets, separate from those for recycling, are recommended. • Successful preparation for re-use organizations access material close to end user. • Use of quality standards contributes to success in preparation for re-use systems. • Involvement of social enterprise benefits preparation for re-use systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous arenaviruses have been identified throughout the Americas and a subset of these viruses cause viral hemorrhagic fever in humans. This study compared the pathology and viral RNA distribution in Hartley guinea pigs challenged with two human-disease causing New World arenaviruses, Junin virus (JUNV) or Guanarito virus (GTOV). Histopathologic analysis and RNA in situ hybridization revealed similar pathology and viral RNA distribution for both groups of animals challenged with either JUNV or GTOV on days 3, 7, 10 and 12 post exposure (PE). Gross lesions were first observed on day 7 and primarily involved the lungs and liver. The most severe histologic lesions occurred in the lymph nodes, spleen, and thymus and included lymphoid depletion and necrosis which increased in severity over time. Extensive necrosis was also observed in the bone marrow on day 12. Minimal to mild inflammation with and without necrosis was observed in the choroid plexus of the brain, choroid of the eye, intestinal tract, lung and adrenal gland. Significant liver lesions were rare, consisting predominantly of hepatocyte vacuolation. Viral RNA labeling was identified in nearly all organs examined, was often extensive in certain organs and generally increased over time starting on day 7. Our data demonstrate the guinea pig may serve as a useful model to study New World arenavirus infection in humans and for the evaluation and development of medical countermeasures. Author summary: Arenaviruses are a type of RNA virus that primarily exist within rodent reservoirs, which are often virus specific. The family of arenaviruses are divided into two large groups, new world and old world, based upon the geographic region where they were initially isolated. A subset of arenaviruses are capable of being transmitted to humans, where they may cause viral hemorrhagic fever (VHF), a condition characterized by multiorgan system involvement, immune and vascular system dysregulation and that ultimately results in bleeding/hemorrhage and can lead to death. Licensed vaccines and therapies do not exist for many VHF causing arenaviruses. Two such viruses include Junin virus and Guanarito virus. Guinea pigs have previously used as a model to study disease pathogenesis following new world arenavirus infection. Herein we describe in detail and compare the organ system specific pathology and viral RNA distribution following separate infection in Guinea pigs, with Junin virus and Guanarito virus. This study provides valuable insight into the time course of infection, viral target tissues and similarities between two different new world arenaviruses, that will ultimately aid in development of therapies that may be effective across the spectrum of new world arenaviruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The letter to the editor comments on how doctors can challenge the inappropriate marketing strategy of some pharmaceutical companies.

Objectives: HIV pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is now available in the UK. However, some men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to use HIV post‐exposure prophylaxis following sexual exposure (PEPSE) and are not using PrEP. It is important to characterize MSM having condomless anal sex who are not using PrEP. Methods: In a cross‐sectional analysis, we compared the characteristics of MSM who used PEPSE in 2021 with MSM using PEPSE in 2017. Results: Overall, 126 MSM used PEPSE in January to June 2017 and 28 MSM used PEPSE in January to June 2021, a 78% decline in PEPSE use. Those MSM using PEPSE in 2021 were significantly younger (27 vs. 35 years, p < 0.01), more likely to identify as black or from another minority ethnic group [29% (8/28) vs. 8% (10/126); p < 0.01], more likely to attend as a result of a group sex encounter [35% (10/28) vs. 16% (10/126); p = 0.03], more likely to attend following sex involving recreational drug use [32% (9/28) vs. 13% (16/126); p = 0.02], and more likely to initiate PEPSE in the emergency department [35% (10/28) vs. 19% (24/126); p = 0.04] compared with MSM attending in 2017. Those MSM using PEPSE in 2021 were significantly less likely to attend follow‐up appointments compared with the 2017 cohort [71% (20/28) vs. 87% (110/126); p < 0.05]. Ninety‐five per cent of MSM using PEPSE in 2021 were initiated on PrEP at follow‐up. Conclusions: Despite PrEP being readily available, some MSM continue using PEPSE and these MSM are significantly more likely to be younger, from black or minority ethnic groups, to engage in group sex involving recreational drugs and to attend the emergency department for PEPSE compared with MSM attending in 2017. Increasing the accessibility of PrEP for this group of MSM is important in order to optimize HIV prevention strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: An optical fibre presented is capable of monitoring the presence of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide in the exhaust system of petrol engines. At present there exists no commercial sensor, which is capable of providing online measurements of these exhaust gases as required by European legislation. The design of this sensor using low cost and compact mid-infrared components, which make it suitable for insertion into a vehicle, is presented. Results are presented for 200ppm step changes in concentration of carbon monoxide supplied from a laboratory controlled supply is presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This paper describes an optical fibre based system suitable for monitoring the presence of carbon dioxide, “the Greenhouse gas”, in the exhaust system of a motor vehicle. Conventional automotive pollution sensors fail to meet monitoring requirements as specified by the European Commission for various reasons. The design of this sensor using low cost and compact mid-infrared components, which make it suitable for insertion into a vehicle, is discussed. The response of the sensor to carbon dioxide supplied from a cylinder in the laboratory is presented. An initial measurement of the carbon dioxide concentration in the exhaust system of a commercial diesel engine using the optical fibre sensor is also presented. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Sexually active men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV are at risk of acquiring other sexually transmitted infections including syphilis.[1] Early syphilis in people living with HIV (PLWH) is associated with a transient loss of HIV virological control.[[1], [3], [5], [7], [9]] The mechanisms underlying the effect of syphilis on HIV pathophysiology are poorly understood. Syphilis increases HIV viral load and decreases CD4 cell counts in HIV-infected patients with new syphilis infections. We included patients who had an HIV viral load (VL) sample taken within a month of their syphilis diagnosis and an undetectable (<40 copies/ml) HIV VL 6 months before. [Extracted from the article]

Background Demographic data show an increasingly aging human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) population worldwide. Recent concerns over dolutegravir-related neuropsychiatric toxicity have emerged, particularly amongst older people living with HIV (PLWH). We describe the pharmacokinetics (PK) of dolutegravir (DTG) 50 mg once daily in PLWH aged 60 and older. Additionally, to address calls for prospective neuropsychiatric toxicodynamic data, we evaluated changes in sleep quality and cognitive functioning in this population after switching to abacavir (ABC)/lamivudine (3TC)/DTG over 6 months. Methods PLWH ≥60 years with HIV–viral load <50 copies/mL on any non–DTG-based antiretroviral combination were switched to ABC/3TC/DTG. On day 28, 24-hour PK sampling was undertaken. Steady-state PK parameters were compared to a published historical control population aged ≤50 years. We administered 6 validated sleep questionnaires and neurocognitive (Cogstate) testing pre-switch and over 180 days. Results In total, 43 participants enrolled, and 40 completed the PK phase. Overall, 5 discontinued (2 due to sleep-related adverse events, 4.6%). DTG maximum concentration (Cmax) was significantly higher in patients ≥60 years old versus controls (geometric mean 4246 ng/mL versus 3402 ng/mL, P =.005). In those who completed day 180 (n = 38), sleep impairment (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) was marginally higher at day 28 (P =.02), but not at days 90 or 180. Insomnia, daytime functioning, and fatigue test scores did not change statistically over time. Conclusions DTG Cmax was significantly higher in older PLWH. Our data provides clinicians with key information on the safety of prescribing DTG in older PLWH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In addition to the DNA contributed by sperm and oocytes, embryos receive parent-specific epigenetic information that can include histone variants, histone post-translational modifications (PTMs), and DNA methylation. However, a global view of how such marks are erased or retained during gamete formation and reprogrammed after fertilization is lacking. To focus on features conveyed by histones, we conducted a large-scale proteomic identification of histone variants and PTMs in sperm and mixed-stage embryo chromatin from C. elegans, a species that lacks conserved DNA methylation pathways. The fate of these histone marks was then tracked using immunostaining. Proteomic analysis found that sperm harbor ∼2.4 fold lower levels of histone PTMs than embryos and revealed differences in classes of PTMs between sperm and embryos. Sperm chromatin repackaging involves the incorporation of the sperm-specific histone H2A variant HTAS-1, a widespread erasure of histone acetylation, and the retention of histone methylation at sites that mark the transcriptional history of chromatin domains during spermatogenesis. After fertilization, we show HTAS-1 and 6 histone PTM marks distinguish sperm and oocyte chromatin in the new embryo and characterize distinct paternal and maternal histone remodeling events during the oocyte-to-embryo transition. These include the exchange of histone H2A that is marked by ubiquitination, retention of HTAS-1, removal of the H2A variant HTZ-1, and differential reprogramming of histone PTMs. This work identifies novel and conserved features of paternal chromatin that are specified during spermatogenesis and processed in the embryo. Furthermore, our results show that different species, even those with diverged DNA packaging and imprinting strategies, use conserved histone modification and removal mechanisms to reprogram epigenetic information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regulatory measures that hold producers accountable for their products at end of life are increasingly common. Some of these measures aim at generating incentives for producers to design products that will be easier and cheaper to recover at the postconsumer stage. However, the allocation of recovery costs to individual producers, which can facilitate realization of the goals of these policies, is hindered by the practical barrier of identification and/or sorting of the products in the waste stream. Technologies such as radio frequency identification (RFID) can be used for brand or model recognition in order to overcome this obstacle. This article assesses the read rate of RFID technology (i.e., the number of successful retrievals of RFID tag data ['reads'] in a given sample of tagged products) and the potential role of RFID tags in the management of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) at current levels of technical development. We present the results of RFID trials conducted at a civic amenity site in the city of Limerick, Ireland. The experiment was performed for fixed distances up to 2 meters on different material substrates. In the case of white goods (i.e., large household appliances), a 100% read rate was achieved using an RFID handheld reader. High read rates were also achieved for mixed WEEE. For a handheld scan of a steel cage containing mixed WEEE, read rates varied from 50% to 73% depending on the ultrahigh frequency (UHF) metal mount tag employed and the relative positioning of the tags within the cage. These results confirm that from a technical standpoint, RFID can achieve much greater brand or model identification than has been considered feasible up to now, and thus has a role to play in creating a system that allocates recovery costs to individual producers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endogenous small interfering RNAs (endo-siRNAs) regulate diverse gene expression programs in eukaryotes by either binding and cleaving mRNA targets or mediating heterochromatin formation; however, the mechanisms of endo-siRNA biogenesis, sorting, and target regulation remain poorly understood. Here we report the identification and function of a specific class of germline-generatecl endo-siRNAs in Caenorhabditis elegans that are 26 nt in length and contain a guanine at the first nucleotide position (i.e., 26G RNAs). 26G RNAs regulate gene expression during spermatogenesis and zygotic development, and their biogenesis requires the ERI-1 exonuclease and the RRF-3 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP). Remarkably, we identified two nonoverlapping subclasses of 26G RNAs that sort into specific RNA-induced silencing complexes (RISC5) and differentially regulate distinct mRNA targets. Class I 26G RNAs target genes are expressed during spermatogenesis, whereas class II 26G RNAs are maternally inherited and silence gene expression during zygotic development. These findings implicate a class of endo-siRNAs in the global regulation of transcriptional programs required for fertility and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel optical-fibre-based sensor for measurement of CO2 gas emission concentrations in exhaust systems of a motor vehicle is reported. The sensing principle is based on open-path direct absorption spectroscopy in the mid-infrared range. The sensor system comprises of low cost and compact mid-infrared components, which make it suitable for insertion into the exhaust system of automotive vehicles. The sensor utilizes a calcium fluoride CaF2 narrow band pass (NBP) filter for detection of CO2 gas without cross-sensitivity to other gases present in the exhaust system. Furthermore, it can be integrated into the mechanical and electronic interface systems of existing vehicles without any problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]