Search Results (381)

Low-grade Cu-Ni-PGM concentrators increasingly operate under the combined constraints of declining ore grades, variable process water quality, and the need to optimise reagent suites for sustainable production. This study examines the performance of mixed thiol collectors under controlled inorganic electrolyte conditions representative of modern concentrator water circuits. A comprehensive review of mixed-collector flotation is followed by a bench-scale experimental programme using sodium isobutyl xanthate (SIBX), sodium diethyl dithiophosphate (SEDTP), and their mixtures, tested in synthetic plant water and in CaCl₂ and NaCl solutions at fixed ionic strength. Results show that increasing the SEDTP molar fraction significantly enhances froth stability, water recovery, and solids recovery across all water types, driven by stronger surface activity and the presence of surface-active impurities. Ca²⁺ bearing process water promoted the highest Cu and Ni recoveries but also intensified gangue recoveries at high SEDTP levels, lowering concentrate grades. In contrast, SIBX-rich mixtures yielded superior selectivity, particularly in Na⁺ containing process water. Mechanistic interpretation shows that combined effects of electrical double-layer compression, mineral activation, mixed-collector adsorption, and froth stabilisation behaviour govern the observed grade–recovery trends. Overall, this study demonstrates that thiol-collector synergy is strongly water-chemistry-dependent, and that optimising collector mixtures requires coordinated control of reagent composition and process water quality. The findings provide a mechanistic basis for water-responsive reagent design in Cu-Ni-PGM flotation circuits. Full article

Women Who Use Drugs (WWUD) are amongst the most stigmatised groups in society and are subject to stigma as they engage with services and within their own recovery communities. WWUD who are also mothers have been found to experience increased stigma and disproportionate surveillance by professionals when accessing services, leading to a constant fear of child removal and apprehension to accessing, engaging and seeking support. In this study, we report findings from a community asset mapping project conducted with drug and alcohol recovery services in the North-East of England. The aim of this study is to examine the gender-specific and recovery-related experiences of WWUD when accessing services and women-only spaces. Semi-structured interviews (n = 13) and focus groups (n = 4) were carried out with professionals working in the recovery community and women in recovery from substance use. A reflexive thematic analysis approach was used to analyse the data, resulting in three themes being identified: (1) The role of peer support in empowering women in recovery; (2) Navigating recovery as a mother; and (3) Working with women in recovery. Findings revealed that gender-specific groups provide a sense of safety, connection, identification, and empowerment for WWUD. This study further highlights the gender-based stigma WWUD experience when accessing services, and the challenges they experience where appropriate spaces are limited in the recovery community. We conclude by recognising the importance of sisterhood for WWUD and recommending the promotion of gender-specific peer support groups and for practitioners working with WWUD to reflect on their own stigmatising behaviour and how this can manifest in the increased monitoring of women and mothers in recovery. Full article

This study examines how the education sector in one Canadian province has navigated post-pandemic recovery between 2023 and 2025, drawing on cross-sectional survey data from a convenience sample of sector employees in the 2023–2024 (n = 1411) and 2024–2025 (n = 742) school years. The findings revealed selective improvement over time, including increased organizational commitment among teachers and other education workforce members, alongside reduced perceptions of students’ academic, social, and behavioural needs. Teachers indicated no corresponding increases in their perceived frequency of meeting students’ needs, whereas other educator sector employees indicated improvement in this area. In contrast, no year-over-year differences were found in the education workforce members’ and teachers’ stress, coping, well-being or connectedness, and job search behaviours remained high, ranging from 14 to 43%. Guided by the Job Demands–Resources (JD-R) model, these findings suggest that post-pandemic recovery reflects the establishment of a new and complex baseline. The coexistence of improved commitment with persistent job strain signals a paradox of stability amid depletion. Qualitative responses reinforced this interpretation, revealing how educators adapt to ongoing organizational resource constraints and shifting student needs. Together, the findings extend JD-R-informed understandings of post-crisis workforce adaptation and identify implications for leadership and policy aimed at supporting organizational health and workforce sustainability. Full article

Self-harm among young women has been rising internationally and in Australia, yet many are not in contact with formal services. Peer support may play an important role in managing self-harm; however, it remains under-investigated. This qualitative study explored how young Australian women perceive peer support for managing self-harm. Using purposive sampling, twenty-seven women (M = 20.9, SD = 2.1) with lived or living experiences of self-harm participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Five themes highlighted perceived benefits and risks of peer support: 1. Affirmation—peer support offers understanding and validation that reduce shame and stigma; 2. Connection to community—shared experience reduces isolation and supports learning; 3. Empowerment—peer support promotes hope, autonomy, and help-seeking; 4. Capacity matters—limited psychological knowledge and emotional resources can constrain or burden peers; 5. Perception can be distorted—in un-moderated online contexts, normalisation, glamorisation, and competitive dynamics of self-harm may increase risk. These findings offer insight into how young women understand the different aspects of peer support for self-harm and may inform the development of structured and moderated peer support options. Future research should focus on the design and evaluation of safe and effective peer support initiatives. Full article

Background: The compaction of formulation blends is a critical stage in pharmaceutical tablet manufacturing, particularly when drug substances or functional excipients exhibit limited flowability and tabletability. Objectives: This study systematically examined the mechanical behaviour of viscoelastic microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and brittle anhydrous dibasic calcium phosphate (DCPA), as well as their mixtures, to check how deformation mechanisms influence powder handling and tablet performance. Methods: A compaction simulator, mimicking a small rotary tablet press, was used to evaluate tablet weight variability, densification profiles, die-filling height, force–displacement behaviour, and in-die Heckel analysis. Additional assessments included compression times, breaking force, tensile strength, elastic recovery, as well as in-die and out-of-die tablet thickness across various compositions and compaction pressures. Results/Conclusions: Bulk density values from the simulator showed strong correlation with pharmacopeial measurements (R² ≥ 0.997). Measurable differences in true density and cohesiveness led to poor flowability for MCC and good flow for DCPA, with mixtures containing higher DCPA concentration displaying markedly improved flow characteristic. Compaction analyses confirmed extensive plastic deformation for MCC and fragmentation for DCPA. Increasing MCC content elevated die-fill height, compaction energy, and tablet weight variability, whereas higher DCPA fractions decreased apparent density of tablets and reduced energy demand. Tabletability and compressibility profiles reflected that MCC generated hard tablets but exhibited higher elastic recovery, while DCPA formed softer tablets with closer to linear strength–pressure relationships. Energy profiling demonstrated that MCC stored more elastic energy and required higher overall compression work, whereas DCPA reduced elastic accumulation. Overall, blending viscoelastic and brittle excipients offers a robust strategy for optimizing manufacturability, mechanical strength, and energy efficiency in tablet production. Full article

The growing demand for copper, together with the environmental limitations of conventional recovery methods, has intensified the search for extractants capable of operating directly in acidic mining solutions. In this work, a combined experimental–theoretical approach is presented to understand the coordination and extraction behaviour of Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions with the ligand HDDMP (4-hexyl-dithiocarboxylate-5-hydroxy-3-methyl-1-phenylpyrazole). Experimental solvent-extraction tests show that copper forms stable coordination complexes even under highly acidic conditions (pH ≈ 0), unlike Ni²⁺, Co²⁺ and Cd²⁺, which require higher pH values for efficient extraction. DFT calculations reveal that Cu²⁺ promotes a spontaneous, low-barrier deprotonation–coordination process that is exergonic and electronically stabilised through strong Cu–S orbital interactions. This mechanism explains the exceptional selectivity of HDDMP towards copper, in which the copper ion acts simultaneously as both a coordinating centre and a deprotonating agent. These findings provide a molecular basis for designing new extractants suited to hydrometallurgical environments, offering direct industrial relevance for acidic copper-recovery circuits, minimising reagent consumption and improving selectivity in solvent-extraction processes widely used in mining operations. Full article

The rapid development of ophthalmic surgery in recent years has made big steps forward, making interventions such as penetrating and lamellar keratoplasty or trabeculectomy widely practiced. However, the use of non-absorbable sutures in these procedures poses significant challenges. Indeed, unequal tension between the various stitches can lead to deformations of the cornea or lens and consequently to problems such as post-operative astigmatism or anisometropia. To overcome these problems, sutures with improved closure via a highly stretchable behaviour together with an excellent elastic return are a credible solution. Accordingly, to widen the plethora of superelastic polymeric materials, in the present study a novel solution deriving from two furan-based polyesters, poly(pentamethylene furanoate), PPeF, and poly(hexamethylene furanoate), PHF, was successfully obtained. Of note, these homopolymers are also entirely derived from sustainable sources. The two homopolymers were physically and chemically mixed to obtain copolymers with different block lengths, which were characterised from molecular, thermal, mechanical, and surface wettability points of view, showing interesting properties which were easily modulated as a function of block length. Lastly, all the materials showed good stability over time and cell viability and, for some of them, a great mechanical recovery upon deformation was also observed. Full article

The high-temperature performance of asphalt mastic is a critical factor influencing the resistance of asphalt mixtures to permanent deformation. Despite the importance of this material phase, no standardized test exists for evaluating asphalt mastic behaviour at high temperatures. Therefore, researchers often use the Multiple Stress Creep Recovery Test (MSCRT), originally designed for asphalt binder, although its applicability to asphalt mastic is limited. This study proposes a novel rheological method referred to as Single Shear Creep Test (SSCT) as a more robust alternative for assessing the performance of asphalt mastic at high temperatures. The SSCT applies a constant shear stress over an extended period, allowing for the determination of the steady-state creep rate as a rheological performance indicator. A comprehensive experimental program involving 45 asphalt mastic variants, produced by using 11 asphalt binder types, 15 mineral fillers, and different filler-to-asphalt binder ratios. Each variant was tested using both MSCRT and SSCT in a Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR). The results demonstrated that SSCT provides more consistent and rheological meaningful differentiation between materials. The results show that asphalt binder type and the filler-to-bitumen (f/b) ratio strongly influence asphalt mastic behaviour at high temperature. Filler type has a limited influence, except for hydrated lime. Full article

Use of the upper limb to engage in everyday activities is a key indicator of functional recovery of stroke survivors. In addition to functional capacity, personal and environmental factors contribute to real-world upper limb use post-stroke. We aimed to combine data from the experience sampling method (ESM), a method used to capture real-time engagement in daily activities, with accelerometry, an objective measurement of arm use, to evaluate arm use behaviours of adult stroke survivors living in real-world environments. Thirty mild–moderately impaired stroke survivors and 30 age-standardized healthy individuals were monitored over 7 days, using accelerometers on both wrists and four ESM beeps per day to capture individual experiences in daily activities. Stroke survivors showed significantly lower use of the affected arm across all activity domains compared to the non-dominant arm of healthy participants and reported perceived lower skill and higher challenge levels. Physical context, motor capabilities and activity type were associated with affected arm use behaviour, with greater use observed during social settings and in physically demanding tasks. These findings demonstrate that combining ESM with accelerometry provides a novel, ecologically valid framework to capture and interpret the interplay between capacity, context, and behaviour in everyday life. This approach offers opportunities to design personalized, context-aware rehabilitation strategies that promote meaningful functional reintegration after stroke. Full article

This study provides a comparative thermochemical analysis of coconut husk, rice husk and mineral coal, assessing their potential for use in sustainable energy applications. Standardised proximate and ultimate analyses, thermogravimetric (TGA/DTG) evaluations and combustibility index measurements were performed under identical laboratory conditions to ensure consistent comparisons could be made. Coconut husk exhibited the lowest ignition temperature (320.88 °C) and the highest combustibility index (2.385). This indicates its suitability for rapid combustion and biochar production. Its low ash and sulphur content enhances its environmental performance. Rice husk demonstrated moderate thermal behaviour and a high ash yield owing to its elevated silica content, suggesting greater potential for non-energy applications, such as silica recovery and advanced materials production. Mineral coal displayed the highest carbon content and calorific value (24.38 MJ/kg), reflecting high energy density, but also a considerable sulphur content that raises environmental concerns. Unlike many studies that address these materials separately, this work provides a direct, side-by-side comparison under controlled conditions. This offers practical insights for selecting materials in energy systems. The results reinforce the potential of agro-industrial residues in cleaner energy strategies, while emphasising the need for emission control measures when using fossil fuels. Full article

Background/Objectives: Mild Encephalopathy with Reversible Splenial Lesion (MERS) is a potential complication of certain viral infections, but adult cases involving influenza are rare in the literature. Here, we report a case of a 31-year-old Chinese gentleman with an atypical presentation of Influenza B-associated mild encephalopathy with reversible splenial lesion (MERS). Methods: This is a case report with a detailed chronology followed by a discussion of pathophysiology. Results: The patient presented acutely to the tertiary hospital with a severe headache and a peculiar automatism pattern of behaviour involving intermittent screaming, involuntary jerking movements of the upper limbs, and incoherent speech, which culminated in an episode of tonic–clonic seizure lasting 3 min. Symptoms started on the day that the patient was diagnosed with Influenza B and given the antiviral Baloxavir by his GP. Clinically, there was high anion gap metabolic acidosis with hyperlactatemia, rhabdomyolysis, hepatitis transaminitis and absolute lymphopenia. Nasopharyngeal swab PCR and immunofluorescence was positive for Influenza B. EEG was normal, but an MRI of the brain showed a cytotoxic lesion of the splenium of the corpus callosum. The patient was started on Oseltamivir and made a complete neurological recovery, with a repeat MRI showing resolution of the splenial lesion at 3 months. MERS is a rare clinic-radiological syndrome characterized by a transient encephalopathy and a reversible lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum, which has been reported mostly in the pediatric population. Conclusions: This case report of an influenza B-triggered MERS in an adult highlights the importance of maintaining MERS as a differential for acute encephalopathy in adults with a viral prodrome. Full article

The clinical management of major depressive disorder remains hampered by a trial-and-error approach to treatment selection, a challenge that current diagnostic and static predictive models have failed to address. While artificial intelligence (AI) applications have focused on classifying a patient’s present state, they lack the ability to forecast the trajectory of their future response. This study addresses this critical gap by proposing a new theoretical framework that conceptualises depression treatment response as a complex dynamic system. Drawing a powerful analogy from the engineering field of structural health monitoring and damage prognosis, which forecasts the remaining useful life of a system, we shift the paradigm from diagnosis to prognosis. We introduce three core constructs: the Patient State Vector (PSV), a multimodal baseline of a patient’s clinical, biological, and digital phenotype; the Therapeutic Impulse Function (TIF), a formal representation of a treatment’s properties; and the Predicted Recovery Trajectory (PRT), the forecasted path of symptom severity over time. The central thesis of the framework is that a patient’s PRT emerges from the dynamic interaction between their initial PSV and a given TIF. We present a series of testable propositions, such as how early fluctuations in PRT can classify patients into distinct “dynamic phenotypes” predictive of long-term outcomes. By integrating mechanisms across neurobiology, behaviour, and pharmacology within an SHM-inspired framework, this prognostic theory aims to provide a new systems-based paradigm for personalised psychiatry, moving beyond static prediction to a mechanistic understanding of recovery. This cross-disciplinary adaptation illustrates how SHM-derived principles of state assessment, load modelling, and prognosis can inform new frontiers in predictive health modelling. Full article

Ensuring the continuous supply and availability of food during long-term disruptions remains a critical challenge for agri-food supply chains (ASCs). Traditional resilience strategies, which focus on short-term recovery, often fall short during prolonged or systemic crises. This study examines how ASCs adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating that sustained food access was achieved through systemic adaptations that moved beyond resilience to a more enduring state of viability. Using qualitative data from interviews and focus group discussions across urban, semi-urban, and rural regions (spatial ecologies), the study explores event-level adaptations made by stakeholders within production, logistics, and consumption segments of the agri-food channels. To explain consumer decision-making when switching between ASC channels, a four-mode ASC classification (M1–M4) and a Cost–Availability–Quality (CAQ) framework were developed. Here, a channel represents a distinct route through which fresh agri-food products flow from producers to consumers. Behaviour Over Time (BOT) graphs illustrate how channel usage evolved before, during, and after disruption. Findings reveal that viability was achieved through interconnected adaptations shaped by spatial context and enabled by digital tools, community networks, and policy support. The study provides a structured foundation for understanding ASC viability through real-world adaptation and offers a basis for future systems-modelling research. Full article

The growing demand for sustainable proteins has driven interest in Limnospira platensis (Spirulina) due to its high protein content. However, the presence of the cell wall limits the availability and recovery of proteins within it. Conventional alkaline extraction is widely applied but often results in low yields and excessive solvent consumption. This study compares the efficiency and functional properties of Spirulina proteins extracted using an alkaline method and high-pressure homogenisation (HPH) at 20, 50, 80 and 100 MPa. Following isoelectric precipitation, proteins were collected in precipitate and supernatant fractions and characterized for yield, solubility, phycobiliproteins content, emulsifying and foaming properties, water– and oil–holding capacity, thermal stability and rheological behaviour. Microscopy confirmed progressive cell disruption with increasing homogenization pressures. HPH at 50 MPa increased protein extraction by 28% compared to alkaline extraction and significantly (p < 0.05) improved solubility, oil-holding capacity, foaming and emulsion properties. Phycobiliproteins, particularly C–phycocyanin, were more efficiently recovered in HPH supernatants, achieving a higher purity index than the alkaline method. Rheological analysis showed weak gel-like network formation, whereas excessive mechanical stress reduced functionality. Overall, HPH emerges as an interesting method for obtaining Spirulina proteins with enhanced technological properties; however, pressure optimisation is required to avoid denaturation and functionality loss. Full article

The growing need for effective antimicrobial polymeric materials has prompted extensive development of functional chitosan derivatives with enhanced physicochemical and biological properties. In this work, the conjugates of chitosan with 4-anisaldehyde (ChT-AA) were synthesised through Schiff base formation at various molar ratios and characterised using FT-IR, ¹H NMR, and thermal analysis techniques (TGA/DSC). The spectral data confirmed the successful formation of imine (C=N) linkages and the incorporation of aromatic anisaldehyde fragments into the chitosan structure. Thermal analysis demonstrated increased stability and a higher glass transition temperature for ChT-AA compared with native chitosan, indicating reduced polymer chain mobility and enhanced structural rigidity. Viscoelastic gels based on the synthesised ChT-AA (1:3) and methylcellulose were prepared and evaluated for their rheological properties and antimicrobial performance. Rheological studies revealed non-Newtonian shear-thinning behaviour of these gels with pronounced thixotropy, confirming reversible network recovery after shear deformation. Antimicrobial evaluation of chitosan, its 4-anisaldehyde conjugate (ChT–AA, 1:3), and free 4-anisaldehyde revealed distinct activity patterns. The gels showed no inhibition in the disk diffusion assay, likely due to limited diffusion of the active components. In liquid media, both ChT and ChT–AA exhibited identical minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against E. coli (0.313 mg/mL) and C. albicans (1.250 mg/mL), whereas ChT–AA showed two-fold stronger activity against S. aureus (0.313 mg/mL vs. 0.625 mg/mL for ChT). Free 4-anisaldehyde was most active against S. aureus (MIC = 0.175 mg/mL) but less effective against the other strains, confirming its narrower spectrum. These results indicate moderate antimicrobial efficacy in solution but limited activity in gel form due to restricted diffusion. Full article