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ITER is of key importance in the European fusion roadmap as it aims to prove the scientific and technological feasibility of fusion as a future energy source. The EUROfusion consortium of labs within Europe is contributing to the preparation of ITER scientific exploitation and operation and aspires to exploit ITER outcomes in view of DEMO. The paper provides an overview of the major progress obtained recently, carried out in the frame of the new (initiated in 2021) EUROfusion work-package called ' Pr eparation of I TER O peration' (PrIO). The overview paper is directly supported by the eleven EUROfusion PrIO contributions given at the 29th Fusion Energy Conference (16–21 October 2023) London, UK [www.iaea.org/events/fec2023]. The paper covers the following topics: (i) development and validation of tools in support to ITER operation (plasma breakdown/burn-through with evolving plasma volume, new infra-red synthetic diagnostic for off-line analysis and wall monitoring using Artificial Intelligence techniques, synthetic diagnostics development, development and exploitation of multi-machine databases); (ii) R&D for the radio-frequency ITER neutral beam sources leading to long duration of negative deuterium/hydrogen ions current extraction at ELISE and participation in the neutral beam test facility with progress on the ITER source SPIDER, and, the commissioning of the 1 MV high voltage accelerator (MITICA) with lessons learned for ITER; (iii) validation of neutronic tools for ITER nuclear operation following the second JET deuterium–tritium experimental campaigns carried out in 2021 and in 2023 (neutron streaming and shutdown dose rate calculation, water activation and activated corrosion products with advanced fluid dynamic simulation; irradiation of several materials under 14.1 MeV neutron flux etc). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to examine the effects of physical environment design (PED) and its antecedents on consumers' emotional well-being (EWB). Drawing on place identity and emotional theories, the study aims to provide a new perspective to retail store experiences. Design/methodology/approach: A survey of 800 respondents was conducted in London, out of which 764 responses were constructively used. The data was collected from international retail outlets, and structural equation modelling was used to analyse the data. Findings: The empirical results show that PED has a positive effect on consumers' EWB. Among the antecedents, visual identity does not have any significant effect on PED and EWB. In contrast, communication had a significant effect on PED but did not have any effect on EWB, and further, cultural heritage had a positive effect on both PED and EWB. Further, moderator analysis identifies the boundary conditions under which specific theories hold. Practical implications: The value of this paper lies in its potential to be used for creating the perfect design planning in retail stores. Significant implications for managers and researchers are highlighted. Originality/value: This paper presents an innovative approach to develop the principles of retail store's PED to support the EWB of consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The construction of sub‐daily pressure series is described for the cities of London (GB) and Paris (FR). The series extend back 1692 and 1748, respectively, and as such they represent two of the longest sub‐daily series of barometric pressure available. These series are updated from the previously documented London and Paris daily series and offer more homogeneous series, and in the case of the London series a more temporally complete sequence of data. A pairwise homogenization procedure has been applied to the two series alongside the long series of pressure that exists for De Bilt (NL). The De Bilt series has been available for some time in the International Surface Pressure Dataset (ISPD), but further quality control and homogeneity‐checking procedures have been applied to the data in this paper and therefore the three series are released together in this dataset. The series are of immediate interest for understanding changes to storm activity across the English Channel and North Atlantic region over an extended timeframe but may also be assimilated into reanalysis datasets such as the 20th‐century reanalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adsorption of polymers on solid surfaces is common in many industrial applications, such as coatings, paints, catalysis, colloids, and adhesion processes. The properties of absorbed polymers commonly vary with temperature. In this paper, inverse gas chromatography at infinite dilution was used to determine the physicochemical characterization of PMMA adsorbed on silica. A new method based on the London dispersion equation was applied with a new parameter associating the deformation polarizability with the harmonic mean of the ionization energies of the solvent. More accurate values of the dispersive and polar interaction energies of the various organic solvents adsorbed on PMMA in bulk phase and PMMA/silica at different recovery fractions were obtained, as well as the Lewis acid–base parameters and the transition temperatures of the different composites. It was found that the temperature and the recovery fraction have important effects on the various physicochemical and thermodynamic properties. The variations in all the interaction parameters showed the presence of three transition temperatures for the different PMMA composites adsorbed on silica with various coverage rates, with a shift in these temperatures for a recovery fraction of 31%. An important variation in the polar enthalpy and entropy of adsorption, the Lewis acid–base parameters and the intermolecular separation distance was highlighted as a function of the temperature and the recovery fraction of PMMA on silica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adaptations to flood‐proof individual properties (referred to here as property‐level adaptation, PLA) provide a potential means of reducing flood risk at isolated properties, whilst conventional community‐scale flood protection (CSFP) is usually more economical in protecting high‐density urban spaces. This paper develops a risk‐based framework to identify the tipping point when PLA measures become more cost‐beneficial when compared to CSFP in different urban densities. The framework was demonstrated using a hypothetical case study based on a residential area in Teddington, London. Sensitivity analysis was performed by varying the building densities in the urban space. Results show that PLA can have a role to supplement CSFP even in dense urban areas if the CSFP standard of protection is low. However, adding some element of CSFP to PLA can be more cost‐effective than implementing a single higher protection standard of PLA. Given the unique flood risk condition of most urban spaces, and the sensitivity of cost‐effectiveness of flood adaptation measures such as those demonstrated in this work, this approach can provide additional information to assist decisions in finding a sensible portfolio of measures that match that risk condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The determination of the polar surface free energy, polar properties, and Lewis's acid base of solid materials is of capital importance in many industrial processes, such as adhesion, coatings, two-dimensional films, and adsorption phenomena. (1) Background: The physicochemical properties of many solid particles were characterized during the last forty years by using the retention time of injected well-known molecules into chromatographic columns containing the solid substrates to be characterized. The obtained net retention time of the solvents adsorbed on the solid, allowing the determination of the net retention volume directly correlated to the specific surface variables, dispersive, polar, and acid–base properties. (2) Methods: Many chromatographic methods were used to quantify the values of the different specific surface variables of the solids. However, one found a large deviation between the different results. In this paper, one proposed a new method based on the London dispersion equation that allowed the quantification of the polar free energy of adsorption, as well as the Lewis's acid–base constants of many solid surfaces. (3) Results: The newly applied method allowed us to obtain the polar enthalpy and entropy of adsorption of polar model organic molecules on several solid substrates, such as silica, alumina, MgO, ZnO, Zn, TiO2, and carbon fibers. (4) Conclusions: our new method based on the separation between the dispersive and polar free surface energy allowed us to better characterize the solid materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research is to investigate the thermal impact of urban green systems (UGS) (trees and living facades) and high albedo pavements on reducing the urban heat island (UHI) effect in London at the pedestrian street level. The research assesses the impact of UGS by suggesting practicable urban greenery-covering densities (25% and 50%) and using high albedo pavement in current and future climatic scenarios (2050 and 2080). This approach is intended to encourage pedestrians to walk longer distances for longer durations during the warmer months, following the Transport for London's (TfL) 2017 Healthy Streets initiative. The research seeks to measure the advantages and assess the possible impact on the comfort and activities within urban streets. The study adopts a quantitative research design using ENVI-met modelling and questionnaires. Simulation results, the subject of this paper, confirmed that, across three climatic scenarios, the optimal UGS for thermal comfort is 50% trees followed by 25% trees, dependent on street orientation and solar access. Living facades (LF) with 25% and 50% covering had no discernible effect on the comfort of pedestrians, whereas high albedo pavement increases heat stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Muon spins precess in transversemagnetic fields and emit a positron preferentially in the spin direction at the instant of decay, enabling muon spin rotation (µSR) as a precise probe of localmagnetic fields in matter. µSR has been used to characterize superconducting radio-frequency (SRF)materials since 2010. At TRIUMF, a beamof 4.2MeV μ+ is implanted at a material-dependent depth of approximately 150 μm. A dedicated spectrometer was developed to measure the field of first vortex penetration and pinning strength in SRF materials in parallel magnetic fields of up to 300mT. A low-energy beam available at PSI implants μ+ at variable depth in the London layer allowing for direct measurements of the London penetration depth from which other material parameters relevant for SRF applications, such as the lower critical field and the superheating field, can be calculated. Beta-detected nuclear magnetic resonance (β-NMR) is a technique similar to low-energy µSR using beams of low-energy β radioactive ions. With a recent upgrade, it is capable of detecting the penetration of parallel magnetic vortices, depth resolved with nanometer resolution at applied fields of up to 200mT. In this paper, we reviewthe impact and capabilities of these techniques for SRF research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is devoted to an accurate determination of the London dispersive, polar free energy of adsorption, Lewis acid γ s + and Lewis base γ s − components of the polar surface energy γ s A B of 2D single-crystalline and polycrystalline covalent organic frameworks such as TAPPy-TPA-COFs. The obtained results showed the highest values of polar and total surface energy of the polycrystalline COF relative to those of the single-crystalline COF. Inverse gas chromatography (IGC) at infinite dilution was used to quantify the various surface parameters of the different materials. The net retention times of the adsorption of n-alkanes and several polar solvents on single-crystalline and polycrystalline covalent organic frameworks were obtained from IGC measurements. The free surface Gibbs energy of adsorption was obtained for the various organic molecules at different temperatures from their net retention volume values. The separation between the London dispersive energy and the polar energy of adsorbed molecules was carried out by using a new thermodynamic parameter P S X chosen as new indicator variable and taking into account the deformation polarizability and the harmonic mean of the ionization energies of solvents and solid materials, derived from the London dispersion equation. The obtained results gave higher acidity ( K A = 0.22) for the 2D polycrystalline COF than that of the single-crystalline COF ( K A = 0.15) and an equivalent basicity of the two COFs. The obtained results are very promising for the accurate determination of the surface thermodynamic parameters of adsorption of organic solvents on solid surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although age is the biggest known risk factor for dementia, there remains uncertainty about other factors over the life course that contribute to a person's risk for cognitive decline later in life. Furthermore, the pathological processes leading to dementia are not fully understood. The main goals of Insight 46—a multi-phase longitudinal observational study—are to collect detailed cognitive, neurological, physical, cardiovascular, and sensory data; to combine those data with genetic and life-course information collected from the MRC National Survey of Health and Development (NSHD; 1946 British birth cohort); and thereby contribute to a better understanding of healthy ageing and dementia. Methods/Design: Phase 1 of Insight 46 (2015–2018) involved the recruitment of 502 members of the NSHD (median age = 70.7 years; 49% female) and has been described in detail by Lane and Parker et al. 2017. The present paper describes phase 2 (2018–2021) and phase 3 (2021–ongoing). Of the 502 phase 1 study members who were invited to a phase 2 research visit, 413 were willing to return for a clinic visit in London and 29 participated in a remote research assessment due to COVID-19 restrictions. Phase 3 aims to recruit 250 study members who previously participated in both phases 1 and 2 of Insight 46 (providing a third data time point) and 500 additional members of the NSHD who have not previously participated in Insight 46. Discussion: The NSHD is the oldest and longest continuously running British birth cohort. Members of the NSHD are now at a critical point in their lives for us to investigate successful ageing and key age-related brain morbidities. Data collected from Insight 46 have the potential to greatly contribute to and impact the field of healthy ageing and dementia by combining unique life course data with longitudinal multiparametric clinical, imaging, and biomarker measurements. Further protocol enhancements are planned, including in-home sleep measurements and the engagement of participants through remote online cognitive testing. Data collected are and will continue to be made available to the scientific community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aviation emissions that are dispersed into the Earth's atmosphere affect the climate and air pollution, with significant spatiotemporal variation owing to heterogeneous aircraft activity. In this paper, we use historical flight trajectories derived from Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B) telemetry and reanalysis weather data for 2019–2021 to develop the Global Aviation emissions Inventory based on ADS-B (GAIA). In 2019, 40.2 million flights collectively travelled 61 billion kilometres using 283 Tg of fuel, leading to CO 2 , NO X and non-volatile particulate matter (nvPM) mass and number emissions of 893 Tg, 4.49 Tg, 21.4 Gg and 2.8 × 10 26 respectively. Global responses to COVID-19 led to reductions in the annual flight distance flown and CO 2 and NO X emissions in 2020 (- 43 %, - 48 % and - 50 % respectively relative to 2019) and 2021 (- 31 %, - 41 % and - 43 % respectively), with significant regional variability. Short-haul flights with durations < 3 h accounted for 83 % of all flights but only for 35 % of the 2019 CO 2 emissions, while long-haul flights with durations > 6 h (5 % of all flights) were responsible for 43 % of CO 2 and 49 % of NO X emissions. Globally, the actual flight trajectories flown are, on average, ∼ 5 % greater than the great circle path between the origin and destination airports, but this varies by region and flight distance. An evaluation of 8705 unique flights between London and Singapore showed large variabilities in the flight trajectory profile, fuel consumption and emission indices. GAIA captures the spatiotemporal distribution of aviation activity and emissions and is provided for use in future studies to evaluate the negative externalities arising from global aviation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper constitutes an original and new methodology for the determination of the surface properties of carbon fibers in two forms, namely, oxidized and untreated, using the inverse gas chromatography technique at infinite dilution based on the effect of temperature on the surface area of various organic molecules adsorbed on the carbon fibers. The studied thermal effect showed a large deviation from the classical methods or models relative to the new determination of the surface properties of carbon fibers, such as the dispersive component of their surface energy, the free surface energy, the free specific energy, and the enthalpy and entropy of the adsorption of molecules on the carbon fibers. It was highlighted that the variations in the London dispersive surface energy of the carbon fibers as a function of the temperature satisfied excellent linear variations by showing large deviations between the values of γ s d   (T) , calculated using different models, which can reach 300% in the case of the spherical model. All models and chromatographic methods showed that the oxidized carbon fibers gave larger specific free enthalpy of adsorption whatever the adsorbed polar molecules. The obtained specific enthalpy and entropy of the adsorption of the polar solvents led to the determination of the Lewis acid–base constants of the carbon fibers. Different molecular models and chromatographic methods were used to quantify the surface thermodynamic properties of the carbon fibers, and the results were compared with those of the thermal model. The obtained results show that the oxidized carbon fibers gave more specific interaction energy and greater acid–base constants than the untreated carbon fibers, thus highlighting the important role of oxidization in the acid–base of fibers. The determination of the specific acid–base surface energy of the two carbon fibers showed greater values for the oxidized carbon fibers than for the untreated carbon fibers. An important basic character was highlighted for the two studied carbon fibers, which was larger than the acidic character. It was observed that the carbon fibers were 1.4 times more acidic and 2.4 times more basic. The amphoteric character of the oxidized fibers was determined, and it was 1.7 times more important than that of the untreated fibers This tendency was confirmed by all molecular models and chromatographic methods. The Lewis acid and base surface energies of the solid surface, γ s + and γ s − , as well as the specific acid–base surface energy γ s A B of the carbon fibers at different temperatures were determined. One showed that the specific surface energy γ s A B of the oxidized fibers was 1.5 times larger than that of the untreated fibers, confirming the above results obtained on the strong acid–base interactions of the oxidized carbon fibers with the various polar molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper examines the leverage effects and the spillover effects in the base metal cash and futures market. The study also attempts to find the trend and the pattern of volatility clustering in the base metal markets of India. Further, the significance of the risk premium and the possible downside risk of the market are also examined. The study confirms that unlike aluminium futures market, leverage effect is found for copper futures traded at MCX, India. Similar to aluminium, it is evident that the market advances generate larger volatility than the market turbulence in the cash and futures market of nickel. The study finds that the variance term () is not statistically significant for both cash and futures markets, which indicates that the risk premium of the asset is not significant to hedge. Further, unlike copper and aluminium, short-run volatility spillover is absent from the futures to the cash market of nickel. The paper concludes that the long-run volatility shock of futures has a persistent effect on the cash market of aluminium, copper and nickel and vice-versa. Future research might address the crossvolatility spillover between the base metal futures market. Further, the spillover between the Indian and London base metal futures markets is left for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The processes of urbanisation and climate change are necessitating the transformation of cities towards sustainable cities that are robustly adapted to natural hazards, while simultaneously reducing energy and resource usage to mitigate further climatic change. Frequently such objectives conflict with each other, negatively affecting sustainability as a whole. For example, urban intensification with the intention of lowering transport energy costs has been found to exacerbate urban heat islands, increase flood risk and lead to poor health outcomes. This paper presents the use of an evolutionary computing spatial optimisation framework as one method by which multiple positively and negatively correlated sustainability objectives can be evaluated in time and space to assist urban planning. A coupled genetic algorithm and pareto optimisation approach is used to evaluate spatial configurations of future development against sustainability objectives (e.g., reduced heat risk, minimal flood risk, brown field development, optimal mobility). The developed approach is evaluated in a Greater London Authority (GLA) case study that simulates future urban development patterns that satisfy projected population growth whilst being sensitive to climate induced hazards and current planning policies. The spatial optimization framework developed significantly improves upon the existing urban development plan with the Pareto-front found to be 35% better than the proposed spatial plan for London. However, trade-offs between objectives were found to exist, most notably it was not possible to achieve a pairwise optimization between heat and flood risk and urban sprawl and heat risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Child pedestrian injuries in Greater London are studied. • A host of exposure measures, built environment and socio-economic factors are considered. • School enrolment was found to be a better proxy exposure measure compared to number of schools. • Social inequities are found to be strongly associated with child pedestrian safety. Introduction: Child pedestrian safety remains a challenge despite the remarkable progress that has been attained in recent years, particularly, in high income jurisdictions such as London. This study sought to identify and quantify the magnitude of the effects of various explanatory variables, from the domains of transport, built and natural environment, socio-demographic and economic factors, on ward level child pedestrian injury frequencies in Greater London. Method: We adopted a multilevel random parameters model to investigate the factors associated with child pedestrian injuries given the hierarchical nature of the data comprising of wards nested within boroughs. Results: We found that crime, the Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) population, school enrollment, and the proportion of the population who walk five times a week had an increasing effect on the number of child pedestrian casualties. Conversely, the proportion of the population with a level 4 qualification and the number of cars per household had a decreasing effect. Conclusions: Our study identified high child pedestrian injury frequency wards and boroughs: Stratford and New Town had the highest expected child pedestrian injury frequencies followed by Selhurst, Westend, and Greenford Broadway. Some inner London boroughs are among the highest injury frequency areas; however, a higher number of high child pedestrian injury boroughs are in outer London. Practical Applications: The paper provides recommendations for policy makers for targeted child pedestrian safety improvement interventions and prioritization to optimize the utilization of often constrained resources. The study also highlights the importance of considering social inequities in policies that aim at improving child traffic safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to assess the factors affecting caudal screw loosening after spinopelvic fixation for adult patients with spinal deformity. This meta-analysis calculated the weighted mean difference (WMD) and odds ratio (OR) using Review Manager ver. 5.3 (RevMan; Cochrane, London, UK). The loosening group was older than the control group (WMD, 2.17; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.48-3.87; p =0.01). The S2 alar-iliac (S2AI) could prevent the caudal screw from loosening (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.20-0.94; p =0.03). However, gender distribution (p =0.36), the number of fusion segments (p =0.24), rod breakage (p =0.97), T-score (p =0.10), and proximal junctional kyphosis (p =0.75) demonstrated no difference. Preoperatively, only pelvic incidence (PI) in the loosening group was higher (WMD, 5.08; 95% CI, 2.71-7.45; p <0.01), while thoracic kyphosis (p =0.09), lumbar lordosis (LL) (p =0.69), pelvic tilt (PT) (p =0.31), pelvic incidence minus lumbar lordosis (PI-LL) (p =0.35), sagittal vertical axis (SVA) (p =0.27), and T1 pelvic angle (TPA) demonstrated no difference (p =0.10). PI-LL (WMD, 6.05; 95% CI, 0.96-11.14; p =0.02), PT (WMD, 4.12; 95% CI, 0.99-7.26; p =0.01), TPA (WMD, 4.72; 95% CI, 2.35-7.09; p <0.01), and SVA (WMD, 13.35; 95% CI, 2.83-3.87; p =0.001) were higher in the screw loosening group immediately postoperatively. However, TK (p =0.24) and LL (p =0.44) demonstrated no difference. TPA (WMD, 8.38; 95% CI, 3.30-13.47; p <0.01), PT (WMD, 6.01; 95% CI, 1.47-10.55; p =0.01), and SVA (WMD, 23.13; 95% CI, 12.06-34.21; p <0.01) were higher in the screw loosening group at the final follow-up. However, PI-LL (p =0.17) demonstrated no significant difference. Elderly individuals were more susceptible to the caudal screw loosening, and the S2AI screw might better reduce the caudal screw loosening rate than the iliac screws. The lumbar lordosis and sagittal alignment should be reconstructed properly to prevent the caudal screw from loosening. Measures to block sagittal alignment deterioration could also prevent the caudal screw from loosening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The textile industry's resource use, waste, and emissions have led to severe scrutiny, worsened by fast fashion's rise, making clothing disposable. The circular economy (CE) offers a solution to address these issues but achieving circular fashion requires systemic and comprehensive stakeholder engagement across the value chain. Current research often overlooks wider stakeholders beyond internal company members, neglecting calls to incorporate a systems perspective in CE transitions. Moreover, the potential of stakeholder engagement for social learning, where stakeholders mutually share and acquire knowledge, remains largely untapped. To this end, this paper provides a systematic methodology of stakeholder engagement based on an empirical setting of transition towards CE in fashion textiles in London. It entails identifying contexts, aligning stakeholders' actions, negotiating interventions, and communicating insights effectively. Based on the learnings from an empirical stakeholder engagement process, findings suggest a lack of alignment in the understanding of the CE concept across actors, that is underpinned by a fragmented knowledge of the overall value chain, often leading to also fragmented siloed policy approaches. While this paper uses fashion textiles as an illustrative case study, the process-led framework is largely applicable across different areas of the CE transition. • Stakeholder engagement fosters social learning in circular transitions. • The fashion industry lacks alignment on circularity interventions across the value chain. • Actors in fashion lack a cohesive understanding of the value chain. • Circular fashion requires design, business models, and behaviour changes. • The stakeholder engagement framework applies to circular economy transitions in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The iron-based superconductors (IBSs) of the recently discovered 1144 class, unlike many other IBSs, display superconductivity in their stoichiometric form and are intrinsically hole doped. The effects of chemical substitutions with electron donors are thus particularly interesting to investigate. Here, we study the effect of Co substitution in the Fe site of CaKFe 4 As 4 single crystals on the critical temperature, on the energy gaps, and on the superfluid density by using transport, point-contact Andreev-reflection spectroscopy (PCARS), and London penetration depth measurements. The pristine compound ( T c ≃ 36 K) shows two isotropic gaps whose amplitudes ( Δ 1 = 1.4–3.9 meV and Δ 2 = 5.2–8.5 meV) are perfectly compatible with those reported in the literature. Upon Co doping (up to ≈7% Co), T c decreases down to ≃20 K, the spin-vortex-crystal order appears, and the low-temperature superfluid density is gradually suppressed. PCARS and London penetration depth measurements perfectly agree in demonstrating that the nodeless multigap structure is robust upon Co doping, while the gap amplitudes decrease as a function of T c in a linear way with almost constant values of the gap ratios 2 Δ i / k B T c . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aim: London Protocol (LP) and Classification allied to high-resolution manometry (HRM) technological evolution has updated and enhanced the diagnostic armamentarium in anorectal disorders. This study aims to evaluate LP reproducibility under water-perfused HRM, provide normal data and new parameters based on 3D and healthy comparison studies under perfusional HRM. Methods: Fifty healthy (25 F) underwent water-perfused 36 channel HRM based on LP at resting, squeeze, cough, push, and rectal sensory. Additional 3D manometric parameters were: pressure-volume (PV) 104mmHg2.cm (resting, short and long squeeze, cough); highest and lowest pressure asymmetry (resting, short squeeze, and cough). Complementary parameters (CP) were: resting (mean pressure, functional anal canal length); short squeeze (mean and maximum absolute squeeze pressure), endurance (fatigue rate, fatigue rate index, capacity to sustain); cough (anorectal gradient pressure); push (rectum-anal gradient pressure, anal canal relaxation percent); recto-anal inhibitory reflex (anal canal relaxation percent). Results: No difference to genders: resting (LP, CP, and 3D); short squeeze (highest pressure asymmetry); endurance (CP); cough (CP, highest and lowest pressure asymmetry); push (gradient pressure); rectal sensory. Higher pressure in men: short squeeze (maximum incremental, absolute, and mean pressure, PV, lowest pressure asymmetry); long squeeze (PV); cough (anal canal and rectum maximum pressure, anal canal PV); push (anal canal and rectum maximum pressure). Anal canal relaxation was higher in women (push). Conclusions: LP reproducibility is feasible under water-perfused HRM, and comparative studies could bring similarity to dataset expansion. Novel 3D parameters need further studies with healthy and larger data to be validated and for disease comparisons. Key points: • London Protocol and Classification allied with the technological evolution of HRM (software and probes) has refined the diagnostic armamentarium in anorectal disorders. • Novel 3D and deepening the analysis of manometric parameters before the London Classification as a contributory diagnostic tool. • Comparison of healthy volunteers according to the London Protocol under a perfusional high-resolution system could establish equivalence points. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed COI barcode sequences from 138 over-a-century old specimens of Calinaga including 36 name-bearing type specimens stored at the Natural History Museum London. These new data, combined with previously available RPS5 sequences, divide the Calinaga samples into four well-supported mitochondrial lineages that together with a novel wing-pattern analysis, support the recognition of six species (lhatso, buddha, brahma, aborica, formosana and davidis), with all other names subsumed either as subspecies or synonyms. One new taxon is described, Calinaga aborica naima Vane-Wright, ssp. n. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies of prognostication in advanced cancer use a wide range of outcomes and outcome measures, making it difficult to compare these studies and their findings. Core Outcome Sets facilitate comparability and standardisation between studies and would benefit future prognostic research. This qualitative study, the second step in a wider study developing such a Core Outcome Set, aimed to explore the perceptions and experiences of patients with advanced cancer, informal caregivers, and clinicians regarding the potential outcomes to assess the impact of prognostication. Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with patients living with advanced cancer (n = 8), informal caregivers (n = 10), and clinicians (n = 10) recruited from palliative care services across three sites in London, United Kingdom. Interviews were conducted in-person, via telephone, or video conferencing, and were audio-recorded. Data were analysed using framework analysis. Findings were compared with outcomes identified in a previously published systematic review. Results: We identified 33 outcomes, 16 of which were not previously reported in the literature. We grouped these outcomes into 10 domains, nine from the COMET taxonomy, plus a tenth domain (spiritual/religious/existential functioning/wellbeing) which we added further to the previous systematic review. These findings highlighted discrepancies between the priorities of existing research and those of stakeholders. Novel outcomes highlight the more personal and emotional impacts of prognostication, whilst other outcomes confirm the relevance of survival length, depression, anxiety, pain, hope dynamics, emotional distress, and the quality of patient-clinician relationships for assessing the impact of prognostication. Conclusions: This study offers valuable insights into outcomes which matter to key stakeholders, particularly patients and informal caregivers, highlights discrepancies between their priorities and those identified in previous studies, and underscores the need for a patient-centred approach in research and clinical practice in prognostication in advanced cancer. This work will contribute to developing a Core Outcome Set for assessing the impact of prognostication in advanced cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People on low-incomes in the UK develop multiple long-term health conditions over 10 years earlier than affluent individuals. Financial diaries -new to public health- are used to explore the lived experiences of financially-vulnerable individuals, diagnosed with at least one long-term condition, living in two inner-city London Boroughs. Findings show that the health status of these individuals is a key barrier to work opportunities, undermining their income. Their precarious and uncertain financial situation, sometimes combined with housing issues, increased stress and anxiety which, in turn, contributed to further deteriorate participants' health. Long-term health conditions limited the strategies to overcome moments of financial crisis and diarists frequently used credit to cope. Restrictions to access reliable services and timely support were connected to the progression of multiple long-term conditions. Models that integrate healthcare, public health, welfare and financial support are needed to slow down the progression from one to many long-term health conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermal surface properties of graphenes and carbon materials are of crucial importance in the chemistry of materials, chemical engineering, and many industrial processes. Background: The determination of these surface properties is carried out using inverse gas chromatography at infinite dilution, which leads to the retention volume of organic solvents adsorbed on solid surfaces. This experimental and fundamental parameter actually reflects the surface thermodynamic interactions between injected probes and solid substrates. Methods: The London dispersion equation and the Hamieh thermal model are used to quantify the London dispersive and polar surface energy of graphenes and carbon fibers as well their Lewis acid-base constants by introducing the coupling amphoteric constant of materials. Results: The London dispersive and polar acid-base surface energies, the free energy of adsorption, the polar enthalpy and entropy, and the Lewis acid-base constants of graphenes and carbon materials are determined. Conclusions: It is shown that graphene exhibited the highest values of London dispersive surface energy, polar surface energy, and Lewis acid-base constants. The highest characteristics of graphene justify its great potentiality and uses in many industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vortices in superconductors can help identify emergent phenomena but certain fundamental aspects of vortices, such as their entropy, remain poorly understood. Here, we study the vortex entropy in underdoped Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+x by measuring both magneto-resistivity and Nernst effect on ultrathin flakes (≤2 unit-cell). We extract the London penetration depth from the magneto-transport measurements on samples with different doping levels. It reveals that the superfluid phase stiffness ρs scales linearly with the superconducting transition temperature Tc, down to the extremely underdoped case. On the same batch of ultrathin flakes, we measure the Nernst effect via on-chip thermometry. Together, we obtain the vortex entropy and find that it decays exponentially with Tc or ρs. We further analyze the Nernst signal above Tc in the framework of Gaussian superconducting fluctuations. The combination of electrical and thermoelectric measurements in the two-dimensional limit provides fresh insight into high temperature superconductivity. The authors study the vortex entropy in ultrathin flakes of the underdoped cuprate superconductor Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8+x by measuring both magneto-resistivity and Nernst effect. They find that, while the superfluid phase stiffness varies linearly with Tc, the vortex entropy decreases exponentially at lower Tc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research was devoted to study the effect of the tacticity on the surface physicochemical properties of PMMA. (1) Background: The determination of the surface free energy of polymers is generally carried out by inverse gas chromatography (IGC) at infinite dilution. The dispersive, polar and surface acid-base properties of PMMA at different tacticities were obtained via IGC technique with the help of the net retention time and volume of adsorbed. (2) Methods: The London dispersion equation was used to quantify the polar free energy of adsorption, while the London dispersive surface energy γ s d (T) of PMMAs was determined using the thermal model. (3) Results: The results showed non-linear variations of γ s d (T) of atactic, isotactic, and syndiotactic PMMAs with three maxima characterizing the three transition temperatures of PMMAs. The obtained values of the enthalpic and entropic Lewis's acid-base parameters showed that the basicity of the atactic PMMA was about four times larger than its acidity. (4) Conclusions: A large difference in the behavior of the various PMMAs was proven in the different values of the polar acid and base surface energies of the three PMMAs with an important effect of the tacticity of PMMA on its acid-base surface energies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Safety from crime is a fundamental human need. In Maslow's hierarchy, safety is one of the foundational needs of well-being. The built environment should be safe to use at all times of the day and for all groups of people. After dark, the appearance of the outdoor environment changes dramatically, and this could impact the opportunities for crime. This study investigated the impact of daylight on the rates of different types of crime by comparing the crime rates during selected periods of daylight and darkness. The study used records of crime data from the Metropolitan Police Service. By studying crimes in the week on either side of the twice-yearly clock change, it is possible to compare periods that are dark in one week and light in the other at the same clock time. Where the time at which the crime took place was known, and using the GPS coordinates of the specific crime, the solar altitude was calculated and used to determine if it was light or dark at the time of the crime. A similar calculation was used to see if the crime would have been in the dark or light in the week on the other side of the clock change. The headline result is that there was 4.8% (OR 1.07) more crime in the dark periods than the light ones. However, this increase was not uniform across all crime types, and there were some further complications in some results due to potential changes in the behavior of some victims after dark. For the crimes of theft from a person and robbery of personal property, there was a significant increase during the dark period. The availability of light had an impact on the rate of certain crimes. Whilst this does not provide any information about the impact of street lighting on crime, it does provide some idea of by how much crime could be reduced if better lighting was provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Load shapes derived from smart meter data are frequently employed to analyze daily energy consumption patterns, particularly in the context of applications like Demand Response (DR). Nevertheless, one of the most important challenges to this endeavor lies in identifying the most suitable consumer clusters with similar consumption behaviors. In this paper, we present a novel machine learning based framework in order to achieve optimal load profiling through a real case study, utilizing data from almost 5000 households in London. Four widely used clustering algorithms are applied specifically K-means, K-medoids, Hierarchical Agglomerative Clustering and Density-based Spatial Clustering. An empirical analysis as well as multiple evaluation metrics are leveraged to assess those algorithms. Following that, we redefine the problem as a probabilistic classification one, with the classifier emulating the behavior of a clustering algorithm, leveraging Explainable AI (xAI) to enhance the interpretability of our solution. According to the clustering algorithm analysis the optimal number of clusters for this case is seven. Despite that, our methodology shows that two of the clusters, almost 10% of the dataset, exhibit significant internal dissimilarity. As a result, these clusters have been excluded from consideration for DR programs. The scalability and versatility of our solution makes it an ideal choice for power utility companies aiming to segment their users for creating more targeted DR programs. • Assessment of four ML clustering algorithms of different nature. • Re-definition of the problem using probabilistic classification and xAI. • Optimization of demand-side management clusters combining ML and empirical knowledge. • Experimental application on historical data from 4438 households in London. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last four decades, studies have investigated the incorporation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into education. A recent prominent AI-powered technology that has impacted the education sector is ChatGPT. This article provides a systematic review of 14 empirical studies incorporating ChatGPT into various educational settings, published in 2022 and before the 10th of April 2023—the date of conducting the search process. It carefully followed the essential steps outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) guidelines, as well as Okoli's (Okoli in Commun Assoc Inf Syst, 2015) steps for conducting a rigorous and transparent systematic review. In this review, we aimed to explore how students and teachers have utilized ChatGPT in various educational settings, as well as the primary findings of those studies. By employing Creswell's (Creswell in Educational research: planning, conducting, and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research [Ebook], Pearson Education, London, 2015) coding techniques for data extraction and interpretation, we sought to gain insight into their initial attempts at ChatGPT incorporation into education. This approach also enabled us to extract insights and considerations that can facilitate its effective and responsible use in future educational contexts. The results of this review show that learners have utilized ChatGPT as a virtual intelligent assistant, where it offered instant feedback, on-demand answers, and explanations of complex topics. Additionally, learners have used it to enhance their writing and language skills by generating ideas, composing essays, summarizing, translating, paraphrasing texts, or checking grammar. Moreover, learners turned to it as an aiding tool to facilitate their directed and personalized learning by assisting in understanding concepts and homework, providing structured learning plans, and clarifying assignments and tasks. However, the results of specific studies (n = 3, 21.4%) show that overuse of ChatGPT may negatively impact innovative capacities and collaborative learning competencies among learners. Educators, on the other hand, have utilized ChatGPT to create lesson plans, generate quizzes, and provide additional resources, which helped them enhance their productivity and efficiency and promote different teaching methodologies. Despite these benefits, the majority of the reviewed studies recommend the importance of conducting structured training, support, and clear guidelines for both learners and educators to mitigate the drawbacks. This includes developing critical evaluation skills to assess the accuracy and relevance of information provided by ChatGPT, as well as strategies for integrating human interaction and collaboration into learning activities that involve AI tools. Furthermore, they also recommend ongoing research and proactive dialogue with policymakers, stakeholders, and educational practitioners to refine and enhance the use of AI in learning environments. This review could serve as an insightful resource for practitioners who seek to integrate ChatGPT into education and stimulate further research in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ovarian cancer is the most lethal and endometrial cancer the most common gynaecological cancer in the UK, yet neither have a screening program in place to facilitate early disease detection. The aim is to evaluate whether online search data can be used to differentiate between individuals with malignant and benign gynaecological diagnoses. Methods: This is a prospective cohort study evaluating online search data in symptomatic individuals (Google user) referred from primary care (GP) with a suspected cancer to a London Hospital (UK) between December 2020 and June 2022. Informed written consent was obtained and online search data was extracted via Google takeout and anonymised. A health filter was applied to extract health-related terms for 24 months prior to GP referral. A predictive model (outcome: malignancy) was developed using (1) search queries (terms model) and (2) categorised search queries (categories model). Area under the ROC curve (AUC) was used to evaluate model performance. 844 women were approached, 652 were eligible to participate and 392 were recruited. Of those recruited, 108 did not complete enrollment, 12 withdrew and 37 were excluded as they did not track Google searches or had an empty search history, leaving a cohort of 235. Results: The cohort had a median age of 53 years old (range 20–81) and a malignancy rate of 26.0%. There was a difference in online search data between those with a benign and malignant diagnosis, noted as early as 360 days in advance of GP referral, when search queries were used directly, but only 60 days in advance, when queries were divided into health categories. A model using online search data from patients (n = 153) who performed health-related search and corrected for sample size, achieved its highest sample-corrected AUC of 0.82, 60 days prior to GP referral. Conclusions: Online search data appears to be different between individuals with malignant and benign gynaecological conditions, with a signal observed in advance of GP referral date. Online search data needs to be evaluated in a larger dataset to determine its value as an early disease detection tool and whether its use leads to improved clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly lactic acid (PLA) is one of the most commonly used bio-derived thermoplastic polymers in 3D and 4D printing applications. The determination of PLA surface properties is of capital importance in 3D/4D printing technology. The surface thermodynamic properties of PLA polymers were determined using the inverse gas chromatography (IGC) technique at infinite dilution. The determination of the retention volume of polar and non-polar molecules adsorbed on the PLA particles filling the column allowed us to obtain the dispersive, polar, and Lewis's acid–base surface properties at different temperatures from 40 °C to 100 °C. The applied surface method was based on our recent model that used the London dispersion equation, the new chromatographic parameter function of the deformation polarizability, and the harmonic mean of the ionization energies of the PLA polymer and organic molecules. The application of this new method led to the determination of the dispersive and polar free surface energy of the adsorption of molecules on the polymeric material, as well as the glass transition and the Lewis acid–base constants. Four interval temperatures were distinguished, showing four zones of variations in the surface properties of PLA as a function of the temperature before and after the glass transition. The acid–base parameters of PLA strongly depend on the temperature. The accurate determination of the dispersive and polar surface physicochemical properties of PLA led to the work of adhesion of the polar organic solvents adsorbed on PLA. These results can be very useful for achieving reliable and functional 3D and 4D printed components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A building's age of construction is crucial for supporting many geospatial applications. Much current research focuses on estimating building age from facade images using deep learning. However, building an accurate deep learning model requires a considerable amount of labelled training data, and the trained models often have geographical constraints. Recently, large pre-trained vision language models (VLMs) such as GPT-4 Vision, which demonstrate significant generalisation capabilities, have emerged as potential training-free tools for dealing with specific vision tasks, but their applicability and reliability for building information remain unexplored. In this study, a zero-shot building age classifier for facade images is developed using prompts that include logical instructions. Taking London as a test case, we introduce a new dataset, FI-London, comprising facade images and building age epochs. Although the training-free classifier achieved a modest accuracy of 39.69%, the mean absolute error of 0.85 decades indicates that the model can predict building age epochs successfully albeit with a small bias. The ensuing discussion reveals that the classifier struggles to predict the age of very old buildings and is challenged by fine-grained predictions within 2 decades. Overall, the classifier utilising GPT-4 Vision is capable of predicting the rough age epoch of a building from a single facade image without any training. The code and dataset are available at https://zichaozeng.github.io/ba_classifier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying factors linked to autism traits in the general population may improve our understanding of the mechanisms underlying divergent neurodevelopment. In this study we assess whether factors increasing the likelihood of childhood autism are related to early autistic trait emergence, or if other exposures are more important. We used data from 536 toddlers from London (UK), collected at birth (gestational age at birth, sex, maternal body mass index, age, parental education, parental language, parental history of neurodevelopmental conditions) and at 18 months (parents cohabiting, measures of socio-economic deprivation, measures of maternal parenting style, and a measure of maternal depression). Autism traits were assessed using the Quantitative Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (Q-CHAT) at 18 months. A multivariable model explained 20% of Q-CHAT variance, with four individually significant variables (two measures of parenting style and two measures of socio-economic deprivation). In order to address variable collinearity we used principal component analysis, finding that a component which was positively correlated with Q-CHAT was also correlated to measures of parenting style and socio-economic deprivation. Our results show that parenting style and socio-economic deprivation correlate with the emergence of autism traits at age 18 months as measured with the Q-CHAT in a community sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An increasing number of studies suggest adverse effects of exposure to ambient air pollution on cognitive function, but the evidence is still limited. We investigated the associations between long-term exposure to air pollutants and cognitive function in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA) cohort of older adults. Methods: Our sample included 8,883 individuals from ELSA, based on a nationally representative study of people aged ≥ 50 years, followed-up from 2002 until 2017. Exposure to air pollutants was modelled by the CMAQ-urban dispersion model and assigned to the participants' residential postcodes. Cognitive test scores of memory and executive function were collected biennially. The associations between these cognitive measures and exposure to ambient concentrations of NO2, PM10, PM2.5 and ozone were investigated using mixed-effects models adjusted for time-varying age, physical activity and smoking status, as well as baseline gender and level of education. Results: Increasing long-term exposure per interquartile range (IQR) of NO2 (IQR: 13.05 μg/m3), PM10 (IQR: 3.35 μg/m3) and PM2.5 (IQR: 2.7 μg/m3) were associated with decreases in test scores of composite memory by -0.10 (95% confidence interval [CI]: -0.14, -0.07), -0.02 [-0.04, -0.01] and -0.08 [-0.11, -0.05], respectively. The same increases in NO2, PM10 and PM2.5 were associated with decreases in executive function score of -0.31 [-0.38, -0.23], -0.05 [-0.08, -0.02] and -0.16 [-0.22, -0.10], respectively. The association with ozone was inverse across both tests. Similar results were reported for the London-dwelling sub-sample of participants. Conclusions: The present study was based on a long follow-up with several repeated measurements per cohort participant and long-term air pollution exposure assessment at a fine spatial scale. Increasing long-term exposure to NO2, PM10 and PM2.5 was associated with a decrease in cognitive function in older adults in England. This evidence can inform policies related to modifiable environmental exposures linked to cognitive decline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calls to decolonize global health have highlighted the continued existence of colonial structures in research into diseases of public health importance particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). A key step towards restructuring the system and shaping it to local needs is equitable leadership in global health partnerships. This requires ensuring that researchers in LMICs are given the opportunity to successfully secure grant funding to lead and drive their own research based on locally defined priorities. In February 2022, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine hosted a workshop aimed at bringing together funders and early- and mid-career researchers (EMCRs) to identify funder initiatives that have worked to improve equitable leadership, to better understand barriers faced by researchers, and collectively brainstorm approaches to overcome these barriers. The workshop transcript was analyzed using a deductive thematic approach based on the workshop topic to identify key emerging themes. Barriers identified were the lack of individual and institutional level support and flawed funding structures for EMCRs in LMIC settings. Strategies on how equitable leadership can be further facilitated include institutional reforms for funders to facilitate equity, diversity, and inclusion in their partners through consultative engagement and in addition, reshaping how research priorities are defined; diversified funding streams for research organizations, building partnerships and dedicated funding for capacity building of EMCRs. Intentional advances to overcome funding barriers in global health speak directly to its decolonization. Urgently required and complex changes in practice must be intentional and do require uncomfortable shifts which will take time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The contribution describes some aspects related to the representation of special curves; recalling mechanisms created specifically for the design of these curves, which have particular characteristics. Through the construction of a simple apparatus, consisting of two pendulums—which oscillate at the same time- it is possible to graphically reproduce Lissajous' experiments on the commuting vibrations of the diapasons. This equipment was first built by Samuel Charles Tisley (London 1829-Unknown), under the name of harmonographer. The contribution aslo illustrates the essential characteristics of the harmonograph—born as a means of analysing vibrations—but which, by its principle belongs to mechanics, for its applications to acoustic science and geometry for the ability to draw "harmonious" curves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last few years, community empowerment has become a central focus when discussing the sustainability of large-scale urban regeneration processes, especially those related to the implementation of nature-based solutions. In this article, the authors describe the experience of the CLEVER Cities project in the city of London, by looking at the dynamics of the early stages of co-creation and the implications on co-governance, motivation and policy. Particular attention is given to the importance of carefully evaluating the project context to guide where emphasis is given on the use of specific co-creation strategies such as building trust, raising awareness or networking. In this case, a set of strategies emerge that are a response to several factors but are strongly influenced by the backdrop of limited social structuring encountered in South Thamesmead, South London. The methods are derived based on a qualitative and looped observation approach over three phases applied to three urban living labs in the project area. Finally, to structure the results, an iterative co-production of knowledge approach is used to cluster the strategies into ten more synthetic recommendations based on collaborative governance, communication and capacity building, as well as incentives and motivation. Further, guidance is given by highlighting priorities to inform policy and place-based planning actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many landscapes worldwide, fire regimes and human–fire interactions were reorganised by colonialism and continue to be shaped by neo-colonial processes. The introduction of fire suppression policies and state-centric property-rights systems across conservation areas and the intentional erasure of Indigenous governance systems and knowledge have served to decouple Indigenous fire-dependent communities from culturally mediated fire regimes and fire-adapted landscapes. This has driven a decline in anthropogenic fires while simultaneously increasing wildfire risk where Indigenous people have been excluded, resulting in widespread social–ecological vulnerabilities. Much contemporary fire research also bears colonial legacies in its epistemological traditions, in the global geographical distribution of research institutions, and the accessibility of research outputs. We report on a two-day workshop titled 'Fire Management Across Contested Landscapes' convened concurrently in Nairobi, Kenya, and London, UK. The workshop formed part of a series of workshops on 'Decolonising Fire Science' held by the Leverhulme Centre for Wildfires, Environment and Society, UK. The workshop in Nairobi invited diverse Kenyan stakeholders to engage in participatory activities that facilitate knowledge sharing, aiming to establish an inclusive working fire network. Activities included rich pictures, world café discussions, participatory art, and the co-development of a declaration to guide fire management in Kenya. Meanwhile, in London, Leverhulme Wildfires researchers explored participatory research methodologies including rich pictures and participatory video, and developed a declaration to guide more equitable research. There were opportunities throughout the workshop for participants in Nairobi and London to engage in dialogue with one another, sharing their experiences and understandings of complex fire challenges in Kenya and globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth of public transport networks in the late-nineteenth and early-twentieth centuries had profound effects on commuting in the industrialized world, yet the consequences for labor markets during this important period of historical development remains largely unstudied. This paper draws on a unique dataset combining individual commuting and wage information for working-class residents of London, circa 1930, to analyze, for the first time, the nature of and returns to commuting shortly after when networks were first built. A sizeable majority of working-class Londoners worked within a short walk of their residence in 1890. By 1930, over 70 percent commuted at least one kilometer. Commuting allowed workers to search for jobs over a wider geographic area and across a larger number of potential employers. This, in turn, potentially increased workers' bargaining power and improved employer-employee matching. We show that wage returns to commuting were on the order of 1.5–3.5 percent per kilometer travelled. Access to public transport increased both the probability of commuting and distance commuted but had little or no direct effect on the probability of being employed or on earnings. We argue that these results are consistent with a search and matching framework; commuting led to workers finding jobs more suited to their skills and to better matches with employers. We also provide descriptive evidence from contemporary sources to describe the impact of commuting on improving quality of life by reducing urban crowding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to the implementation of a national policy of shielding to safeguard clinically vulnerable patients. To ensure consistent care for high-risk patients with hypertension, NHS England introduced the BP@home initiative to enable patients to self-monitor their blood pressure by providing them with blood pressure monitors. This study aimed to identify barriers and facilitators to the implementation of the initiative based on the experience and perspectives of programme managers and healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in its implementation in London. Methods and findings: We conducted five semi-structured focus groups and one individual interview with a total of 20 healthcare professionals involved at different levels and stages in the BP@home initiative across four of the five London Integrated Care Systems (ICSs). All focus groups and interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically following the Framework Method. Respondents reported being challenged by the lack of adequate IT, human and financial resources to support the substantial additional workload associated with the programme. These issues resulted in and reinforced the differential engagement capacities of PCNs, practices and patients, thus raising equity concerns among respondents. However respondents also identified several facilitators, including the integration of the eligibility criteria into the electronic health record (EHR), especially when combined with the adoption of practice-specific, pragmatic and opportunistic approaches to the onboarding of patients. Respondents also recommended the provision of blood pressure monitors (BPMs) on prescription, additional funding and training based on needs assessment, the incorporation of BP@home into daily practice and simplification of IT tools, and finally the adoption of a person-centred care approach. Contextualised using the second iteration of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), these findings support key evidence-based recommendations to help streamline the implementation of the BP@home initiative in London's primary care setting. Conclusions: Programs such as BP@Home are likely to become more common in primary care. To successfully support HCPs' aim to care for their hypertensive patients, their implementation must be accompanied by additional financial, human and training resources, as well as supported task-shifting for capacity building. Future studies should explore the perspectives of HCPs based in other parts of the UK as well as patients' experiences with remote monitoring of blood pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychiatry has often had an uneasy relationship with popular culture as depictions of mental health may be stigmatising and inaccurate. A recent critically acclaimed series, Top Boy, set in a crime-filled fictional housing estate in the London Borough of Hackney offers an informed and fairly balanced insight into broad mental health-related themes including racial trauma embodied in social inequities, the syndemic of mental disorder, substance misuse and gangbased crime as well as the psychosocial ramifications of illustrated mental health conditions. From both idiographic and nomothetic perspectives, Top Boy touches on a rich variety of structural determinants of mental health, as well as individual and environmental predisposition to mental disorder and substance misuse. The show offers an opportunity for education for both the broader society and the groups which suffer these syndemics. An understanding of how structural factors epidemiologically affect what psychiatric conditions individuals are likely to suffer, how they can be better reached by psychiatric services, and what interventions can help improve the socioeconomic factors that lead to the behaviours/paths that individuals end up is vital for public mental health policy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many of the world's major cities have recently seen large episodes of social unrest. What is the relationship between the changes these cities have experienced, particularly in the form of gentrification, and urban riots? We address this question by examining how local gentrification affected participation in the 2011 London riots. We use an instrumental variable strategy that exploits exogenous variation in the amount of local destruction caused by the Blitz; this is a strong predictor of local gentrification in London in 2001–2011. We find that gentrifying neighborhoods had a lower participation rate than other areas; this was a result of changes in the type of resident (a composition effect) and in the context in which the residents made their participation decisions (a contextual effect). Our findings are consistent with qualitative evidence from the United Kingdom and the United States, and highlight the effect that urban change can have on social order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]