Pi (United Kingdom)

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine recovery through lived experience. It is part of a series that explores candid accounts of addiction and recovery to identify important components in the recovery process. Design/methodology/approach The G-CHIME model comprises six elements important to addiction recovery (growth, connectedness, hope, identity, meaning in life and empowerment). It provides a standard against which to consider addiction recovery. It has been used in this series, as well as in the design of interventions that improve wellbeing and strengthen recovery. In this paper, a first-hand account is presented, followed by a semi-structured e-interview with the author of the account. Narrative analysis is used to explore the account and interview through the G-CHIME model. Findings This paper shows that addiction recovery is a remarkable process that can be explained using the G-CHIME model. The significance of each component in the model is apparent from the account and e-interview presented. Originality/value Each account of recovery in this series is unique, and as yet, untold.

Wind is the primary cause of errors in rainfall measurements, and understanding how wind affects the raindrops is critical to calculating and correcting the resulting undercatch. A range of algorithms has been developed to address undercatch, but they depend on accurate knowledge of droplet size, velocity and distribution (number of droplets over time), and wind speed. This paper introduces a cost-effective laser-based optical analyzer designed to integrate with a tipping-bucket rain gauge, capable of measuring droplets’ size, velocity, and distribution as they pass through a laser beam spanning the gauge. The analyzer setup incorporates a semiconductor laser, photodiode arrays, and analog front-end circuitry, specifically designed to detect voltage signal variations caused by passing droplets. Additionally, neural network-based algorithms were employed to predict the characteristics of the droplets, i.e., size and distribution, using the data provided by the analyzer. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed analyzer accurately estimates droplet sizes with a minimal deviation of only 0.475% and droplet distribution with a 3% error, offering a cost-effective solution for improving rainfall wind correction.

IntroductionDespite promising outcomes, lack of engagement and poor adherence are barriers to treating mental health using digital CBT, particularly in minority groups. After conducting guided focus groups, a current mental health app was adapted to be more inclusive for minorities living with SCD.MethodsPatients between the ages of 16–35 with SCD who reported experiencing anxiety or depression symptoms were eligible for this study. Once enrolled, participants were randomly assigned to receive one of two versions of a mental health app: 1) the current version designed for the general population or 2) the adapted version. Baseline measures for depression, anxiety, pain, and self-efficacy were completed at the start of the study and again at post-intervention (minimum 4 weeks).ResultsCompared to baseline, mean scores for pain decreased an average of 3.29 (p = 0.03) on a 10-point scale, self-efficacy improved 3.86 points (p = 0.007) and depression symptoms decreased 5.75 points (p = 0.016) for the group that received the adapted app. On average, control participants engaged with the app 5.64 times while the participants in the experimental group engaged 8.50 times (p = 0.40). Regardless of group assignment, a positive relationship (r = 0.47) was shown between app engagement and a change in depression symptoms (p = 0.042).DiscussionTarget enrollment for this study sought to enroll 40 participants. However, after difficulties locating qualified participants, enrollment criteria were adjusted to expand the population pool. Regardless of these efforts, the sample size for this study was still smaller than anticipated (n = 21). Additionally, irrespective of group approximately 40% of participants did not engage with the app. However, despite a small sample size and poor engagement, this study 1) demonstrated the feasibility of implementing socially relevant changes into a mental health app and 2) indicated that participants in the intervention group displayed better outcomes and showed trends for greater app interaction.ConclusionThese promising results should encourage future researchers to continue exploring ideal adaptations for implementing digital CBT in minority populations. Future studies should also consider implementing post-intervention surveys to help identify common factors relating to a lack of engagement.Trial registrationThis trial (NCT04587661) was registered on August 12th, 2020.

Dark matter as scalar particles consisting of multiple species is well motivated in string theory where axion fields are ubiquitous. A two-field fuzzy dark matter (FDM) model features two species of ultralight axion particles with different masses, $m_1 \neq m_2$, which is extended from the standard one-field model with $m_a \sim 10^{-22}\,{\rm eV}$. Here we perform numerical simulations to explore the properties of two-field FDM haloes. We find that the central soliton has a nested structure when $m_2 \gg m_1$, which is distinguishable from the generic flat-core soliton in one-field haloes. However, the formation of this nested soliton is subject to many factors, including the density fraction and mass ratio of the two fields. Finally, we study non-linear structure formation in two-field cosmological simulations with self-consistent initial conditions and find that the small-scale structure in two-field cosmology is also distinct from the one-field model in terms of DM halo counts and soliton formation time.

PurposeThis paper aims to explore the transition from addiction to recovery. It is the second in a series of recovery stories that examine candid accounts of addiction and recovery. Shared components of recovery are considered, along with the change and growth needed to support the transition.Design/methodology/approachThe CHIME framework comprises five elements important to recovery (Connectedness, Hope, Identity, Meaning and Empowerment). It provides a standard to qualitatively study mental health recovery, having also been applied to addiction recovery. In this paper, an element for Growth is included in the model (G-CHIME), to consider both recovery, and sustained recovery. A first-hand account of addiction recovery is presented, followed by a semi-structured e-interview with the author of the account. This is structured on the G-CHIME model.FindingsThis paper shows that addiction recovery is a remarkable process that can be effectually explained using the G-CHIME model. The significance of each element in the model is apparent from the biography and e-interview presented.Originality/valueEach account of recovery in this series is unique, and as yet, untold.

Current transmission grating sensors are unsuitable for use in typical samples that absorb and scatter light.

Black Holes are possibly the most enigmatic objects in our Universe. From their detection in gravitational waves upon their mergers, to their snapshot eating at the centres of galaxies, black hole astrophysics has undergone an observational renaissance in the past 4 years. Nevertheless, they remain active playgrounds for strong gravity and quantum effects, where novel aspects of the elusive theory of quantum gravity may be hard at work. In this review article, we provide an overview of the strong motivations for why "Quantum Black Holes" may be radically different from their classical counterparts in Einstein's General Relativity. We then discuss the observational signatures of quantum black holes, focusing on gravitational wave echoes as smoking guns for quantum horizons (or exotic compact objects), which have led to significant recent excitement and activity. We review the theoretical underpinning of gravitational wave echoes and critically examine the seemingly contradictory observational claims regarding their (non-)existence. Finally, we discuss the future theoretical and observational landscape for unraveling the "Quantum Black Holes in the Sky".

O mesotelioma maligno é um tumor primitivo do tecido conjuntivo, que atinge as serosas pleural, pericárdica e peritoneal. É um tumor raro, com incidência de cerca de 1-2 casos em cada milhão de habitantes por ano, sendo que o atingimento peritoneal isolado se limita a 10-20% dos casos. Sua incidência é mais comum em homens (2:1), com idades entre os 40 e 70 anos. O quadro clínico é variado, podendo manifestar-se sob forma de síndrome de dor abdominal, ascite, massa abdominal ou alterações do trânsito intestinal. A inespecificidade de achados clínicos, radiológicos e histológicos leva, frequentemente, ao diagnóstico tardio. A exposição ao asbesto (amianto) é apontada como principal fator de risco. O diagnóstico é feito com a laparoscopia com biópsia do peritônio, sendo a imuno-histoquímica importante no diagnóstico diferencial definitivo. Relato de caso: Paciente do sexo feminino, 56 anos, assintomática, realizou exames de rotina. Diabética e hipertensa. Nega tabagismo e etilismo. TC de abdômen: ascite de pequeno volume; espessamento e aumento difuso da atenuação da raiz do mesentério e do mesocólon transverso e do omento maior. CA- 125: 1.230 U/ml. Biópsia de epíplon constatou mesotelioma maligno epitelioide. O estudo imunohistoquímico revelou expressão de citoceratina, calretinina e de podoplanina, com negatividade para MOC-31. Na laparoscopia, visualizou-se mesotelioma com comprometimento da raiz do mesentério. Foi realizada ressecção parcial de tumor com finalidade de biópsia. Seguimento com quimioterapia com cisplatina a cada 21 dias. Paciente respondeu bem a quimioterapia, finalizando-a após 4 anos. Encontra-se viva e sem evidência de doença 9 anos após o diagnóstico.