Temporal patterns in the recorded annual incidence of common mental disorders over two decades in the United Kingdom: a primary care cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Common mental disorders (CMDs) including depression, anxiety, and stress are very common, but it is unclear whether the last decades of social, economic, and political change have impacted incidence of CMD. This study explored temporal trends in the recorded incidence of CMD in the United Kingdom. METHODS: We used data from general practices in the United Kingdom (Clinical Practice Research Datalink) to estimate the annual recorded incidence of CMD for 2000-2020, including symptoms, diagnosis, or pharmaceutical treatment. Trends were explored by sex, age, ethnicity, region, deprivation, and comorbidity. RESULTS: We included 29 480 164 individuals who were followed up for 12.5 years on average (s.d. = 6.4 years). The recorded incidence of CMD episodes was 55.9 per 1000 person-years in 2000 [95% confidence interval (CI) 55.8-56.1], increasing to 79.6 per 1000 person-years in 2019 (95% CI 79.5-79.8). Females had higher recorded incidence rates, as did those living in more deprived areas. We observed striking patterns by age over time, with rates in ages 16-24 increasing from 40.2 per 1000 in 2000 (95% CI 39.8-40.5), to 107.8 per 1000 in 2019 (95% CI 107.0-108.6). In contrast, the rates in those aged ≥55 years decreased since 2014. There were differing patterns of incidence by ethnic group, with a steeper increase in Asian, Black, and mixed groups in recent years. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the incidence of recorded CMD in the UK general practice increased between 2000 and 2019 with a small decrease in 2020. The overall trends obscured important differences across population subgroups, which may have implications for prevention.

The interaction of size-selected Ru3 clusters with TiO2: depth-profiling of encapsulated clusters.

Ru is a metal of interest in catalysis. Monodisperse Ru3 clusters as catalytic sites are relevant for the development of catalysts because clusters use significantly lower amounts of precious materials for forming active sites due to the small size of the cluster. However, retaining the mono-dispersity of the cluster size after deposition is a challenge because surface energy could drive both agglomeration and encapsulation of the clusters. In the present work Ru3 clusters are deposited by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of Ru3(CO)12 and cluster source depositions of bare Ru3 onto radio frequency sputter-deposited TiO2 (RF-TiO2) substrates, TiO2(100), and SiO2. When supported on RF-TiO2, bare Ru3 is encapsulated by a layer of titania substrate material during deposition with a cluster source. Ligated Ru3(CO)12 is also encapsulated by a layer of titania when deposited onto sputter-treated RF-TiO2, but only through heat treatment which is required to remove most of the ligands. The titania overlayer thickness was determined to be 1-2 monolayers for Ru3(CO)12 clusters on RF-TiO2, which is thin enough for catalytic or photocatalytic reactions to potentially occur even without clusters being part of the very outermost layer. The implication for catalysis of the encapsulation of Ru3 into the RF-TiO2 is discussed. Temperature-dependent X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), angle-resolved XPS, and temperature-dependent low energy ion scattering (TD-LEIS) are used to probe how the cluster-surface interaction changes due to heat treatment and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) was used to image the depth of the surface from side-on.

Exploring the impact of 'hostile environment' policies on psychological distress of ethnic groups in the UK: a differences-in-differences analysis.

PURPOSE: In 2012, the UK government announced legislation changes and heightened immigration controls designed to create a 'hostile environment for illegal migration.' We measured changes in psychological distress among people from minoritised ethnic groups compared to White British controls before and throughout the implementation of these policies. METHODS: We used the UK Household Longitudinal Survey to estimate difference-in-difference models for six ethnic groups (Bangladeshi, African, Caribbean, Indian, Pakistani, and White British) in three eras: pre-policy (2009-2012); (2) transition (2012-2016); and (3) ongoing policy (2016-2020). We calculated the adjusted marginal mean psychological distress score at each era using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). RESULTS: In the pre-policy era, we found higher psychological distress for the Pakistani, Bangladeshi, and Caribbean groups compared to the White British group. We observed patterns consistent with increasing psychological distress during the transition era for the Pakistani and Bangladeshi groups, with further increases in the ongoing era for the Bangladeshi group. Levels of psychological distress the Indian and African groups were similar to the White British group in the pre-policy era and decreased over successive eras. A small decrease was observed in the Caribbean group across policy eras, while levels remained stable in the White British group. CONCLUSION: We found evidence that psychological distress increased among Pakistani and Bangladeshi individuals following the introduction of hostile environment policies but did not detect increased distress in other ethnic groups. This finding underscores the importance of disaggregating analyses by ethnic group to capture the distinct experiences.

Carbon Nitride Loaded with an Ultrafine, Monodisperse, Metallic Platinum-Cluster Cocatalyst for the Photocatalytic Hydrogen-Evolution Reaction.

For the realization of a next-generation energy society, further improvement in the activity of water-splitting photocatalysts is essential. Platinum (Pt) is predicted to be the most effective cocatalyst for hydrogen evolution from water. However, when the number of active sites is increased by decreasing the particle size, the Pt cocatalyst is easily oxidized and thereby loses its activity. In this study, a method to load ultrafine, monodisperse, metallic Pt nanoclusters (NCs) on graphitic carbon nitride is developed, which is a promising visible-light-driven photocatalyst. In this photocatalyst, a part of the surface of the Pt NCs is protected by sulfur atoms, preventing oxidation. Consequently, the hydrogen-evolution activity per loading weight of Pt cocatalyst is significantly improved, 53 times, compared with that of a Pt-cocatalyst loaded photocatalyst by the conventional method. The developed method is also effective to enhance the overall water-splitting activity of other advanced photocatalysts such as SrTiO3 and BaLa4 Ti4 O15 .

Device-measured sedentary behaviour and anxiety symptoms during adolescence: a 6-year prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Sedentary behaviour is potentially a modifiable risk factor for anxiety disorders, a major source of global disability that typically starts during adolescence. This is the first prospective study of associations between repeated, device-based measures of sedentary behaviour and anxiety symptoms in adolescents. METHODS: A UK cohort with 4257 adolescents aged 12 at baseline (56% female). Main exposures were sedentary behaviour and physical activity measured using accelerometers for 7-days at ages 12, 14, and 16. Primary outcome was anxiety symptom scores at age 18 from a Clinical Interview Schedule-Revised. We used adjusted negative binomial regression and iso-temporal substitution methods to analyse the data. RESULTS: We found a positive association between sedentary behaviour at ages 12, 14, and 16, with anxiety symptoms at age 18, independent of total physical activity volume. Theoretically replacing an hour of daily sedentary behaviour for light activity at ages 12, 14, and 16, was associated with lower anxiety symptoms by age 18 by 15.9% (95% CI 8.7-22.4), 12.1% (95% CI 3.4-20.1), and 14.7% (95% CI 4-24.2), respectively. Whereas, theoretically replacing an hour of sedentary behaviour with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was not associated with differences in anxiety symptoms. These results were robust to a series of sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION: Sedentary behaviour is a possible risk factor for increasing anxiety symptoms during adolescence, independent of total physical activity volume. Instead of focusing on moderate-to-vigorous activity, replacing daily sedentary behaviour with light activity during adolescence could be a more suitable method of reducing future anxiety symptoms.

Impact of replacing sedentary behaviour with other movement behaviours on depression and anxiety symptoms: a prospective cohort study in the UK Biobank.

BACKGROUND: Sedentary behaviour is potentially a modifiable risk factor for depression and anxiety disorders, but findings have been inconsistent. To assess the associations of sedentary behaviour with depression and anxiety symptoms and estimate the impact of replacing daily time spent in sedentary behaviours with sleep, light, or moderate to vigorous physical activity, using compositional data analysis methods. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study in 60,235 UK Biobank participants (mean age: 56; 56% female). Exposure was baseline daily movement behaviours (accelerometer-assessed sedentary behaviour and physical activity, and self-reported total sleep). Outcomes were depression and anxiety symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalised Anxiety Disorders-7) at follow-up. RESULTS: Replacing 60 min of sedentary behaviour with light activity, moderate-to-vigorous activity, and sleep was associated with lower depression symptom scores by 1.3% (95% CI, 0.4-2.1%), 12.5% (95% CI, 11.4-13.5%), and 7.6% (95% CI, 6.9-8.4%), and lower odds of possible depression by 0.95 (95% CI, 0.94-0.96), 0.75 (95% CI, 0.74-0.76), and 0.90 (95% CI, 0.90-0.91) at follow-up. Replacing 60 min of sedentary behaviour with moderate-to-vigorous activity and sleep was associated with lower anxiety symptom scores by 6.6% (95% CI, 5.5-7.6%) and 4.5% (95% CI, 3.7-5.2%), and lower odds of meeting the threshold for a possible anxiety disorder by 0.90 (95% CI, 0.89-0.90) and 0.97 (95%CI, 0.96-0.97) at follow-up. However, replacing 60 min of sedentary behaviour with light activity was associated with higher anxiety symptom scores by 4.5% (95% CI, 3.7-5.3%) and higher odds of a possible anxiety disorder by 1.07 (95% CI, 1.06-1.08). CONCLUSIONS: Sedentary behaviour is a risk factor for increased depression and anxiety symptoms in adults. Replacing sedentary behaviour with moderate-to-vigorous activity may reduce mental health risks, but more work is necessary to clarify the role of light activity.

Primary photodissociation mechanisms of pyruvic acid on S1: observation of methylhydroxycarbene and its chemical reaction in the gas phase.

Pyruvic acid, a representative alpha-keto carboxylic acid, is one of the few organic molecules destroyed in the troposphere by solar radiation rather than by reactions with free radicals. To date, only its stable final products were identified, often with contribution from secondary chemistry, making it difficult to elucidate photodissociation mechanisms following excitation to the lowest singlet excited-state (S1) and the role of the internal hydrogen bond in the most-stable Tc conformer. Using multiplexed photoionization mass spectrometry we report the first direct experimental evidence, via the observation of singlet methylhydroxycarbene (MHC) following 351 nm excitation, supporting the decarboxylation mechanism previously proposed. Decarboxylation to MHC + CO2 represents 97-100% of product branching at 351 nm. We observe vinyl alcohol and acetaldehyde, which we attribute to isomerization of MHC. We also observe a 3 ± 2% yield of the Norrish Type I photoproducts CH3CO + DOCO, but only from d1-pyruvic acid. At 4 Torr pressure, we measure a photodissociation quantum yield of 1.0+0-0.4, consistent with IUPAC recommendations. However, our measured product branching fractions disagree with IUPAC. In light of previous calculations, these results support a mechanism in which hydrogen transfer on the S1 excited state occurs at least partially by tunneling, in competition with intersystem crossing to the T1 state. We present the first evidence of a bimolecular reaction of MHC in the gas phase, where MHC reacts with pyruvic acid to produce a C4H8O2 product. This observation implies that some MHC produced from pyruvic acid in Earth's troposphere will be stabilized and participate in chemical reactions with O2 and H2O, and should be considered in atmospheric modeling.

Community interventions for improving adult mental health: mapping local policy and practice in England.

BACKGROUND: Public mental health (PMH) aims to improve wellbeing and prevent poor mental health at the population level. It is a global challenge and a UK priority area for action. Communities play an important role in the provision of PMH interventions. However, the evidence base concerning community-based PMH interventions is limited, meaning it is challenging to compare service provision to need. Without this, the efficient and equitable provision of services is hindered. Here, we sought to map the current range of community-based interventions for improving mental health and wellbeing currently provided in England to inform priority areas for policy and service intervention. METHOD: We adopted an established mapping exercise methodology, comparing service provision with demographic and deprivation statistics. Five local authority areas of England were selected based on differing demographics, mental health needs and wider challenging circumstances (i.e. high deprivation). Community-based interventions were identified through: 1) desk-based research 2) established professional networks 3) chain-referral sampling of individuals involved in local mental health promotion and prevention and 4) peer researchers' insight. We included all community-based, non-clinical interventions aimed at adult residents operating between July 2019 and May 2020. RESULTS: 407 interventions were identified across the five areas addressing 16 risk/protective factors for PMH. Interventions for social isolation and loneliness were most prevalent, most commonly through social activities and/or befriending services. The most common subpopulations targeted were older adults and people from minority ethnic backgrounds. Interventions focusing on broader structural and environmental determinants were uncommon. There was some evidence of service provision being tailored to local need, though this was inconsistent, meaning some at-risk groups such as men or LGBTQ+ people from minority ethnic backgrounds were missed. Interventions were not consistently evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: There was evidence of partial responsiveness to national and local prioritising. Provision was geared mainly towards addressing social and individual determinants of PMH, suggesting more integration is needed to engage wider service providers and policy-makers in PMH strategy and delivery at the community level. The lack of comprehensive evaluation of services to improve PMH needs to be urgently addressed to determine the extent of their effectiveness in communities they serve.

Creation of High-Performance Heterogeneous Photocatalysts by Controlling Ligand Desorption and Particle Size of Gold Nanocluster.

Recently, the creation of new heterogeneous catalysts using the unique electronic/geometric structures of small metal nanoclusters (NCs) has received considerable attention. However, to achieve this, it is extremely important to establish methods to remove the ligands from ligand-protected metal NCs while preventing the aggregation of metal NCs. In this study, the ligand-desorption process during calcination was followed for metal-oxide-supported 2-phenylethanethiolate-protected gold (Au) 25-atom metal NCs using five experimental techniques. The results clearly demonstrate that the ligand-desorption process consists of ligand dissociation on the surface of the metal NCs, adsorption of the generated compounds on the support and desorption of the compounds from the support, and the temperatures at which these processes occurred were elucidated. Based on the obtained knowledge, we established a method to form a metal-oxide layer on the surface of Au NCs while preventing their aggregation, thereby succeeding in creating a water-splitting photocatalyst with high activity and stability.

Looking at the bigger picture: Identifying the photoproducts of pyruvic acid at 193 nm.

Photodissociation of pyruvic acid (PA) was studied in the gas-phase at 193 nm using two complementary techniques. The time-sliced velocity map imaging arrangement was used to determine kinetic energy release distributions of fragments and estimate dissociation timescales. The multiplexed photoionization mass spectrometer setup was used to identify and quantify photoproducts, including isomers and free radicals, by their mass-to-charge ratios, photoionization spectra, and kinetic time profiles. Using these two techniques, it is possible to observe the major dissociation products of PA photodissociation: CO2, CO, H, OH, HCO, CH2CO, CH3CO, and CH3. Acetaldehyde and vinyl alcohol are minor primary photoproducts at 193 nm, but products that are known to arise from their unimolecular dissociation, such as HCO, H2CO, and CH4, are identified and quantified. A multivariate analysis that takes into account the yields of the observed products and assumes a set of feasible primary dissociation reactions provides a reasonable description of the photoinitiated chemistry of PA despite the necessary simplifications caused by the complexity of the dissociation. These experiments offer the first comprehensive description of the dissociation pathways of PA initiated on the S3 excited state. Most of the observed products and yields are rationalized on the basis of three reaction mechanisms: (i) decarboxylation terminating in CO2 + other primary products (∼50%); (ii) Norrish type I dissociation typical of carbonyls (∼30%); and (iii) O-H and C-H bond fission reactions generating the H atom (∼10%). The analysis shows that most of the dissociation reactions create more than two products. This observation is not surprising considering the high excitation energy (∼51 800 cm-1) and fairly low energy required for dissociation of PA. We find that two-body fragmentation processes yielding CO2 are minor, and the expected, unstable primary co-fragment, methylhydroxycarbene, is not observed because it probably undergoes fast secondary dissociation and/or isomerization. Norrish type I dissociation pathways generate OH and only small yields of CH3CO and HOCO, which have low dissociation energies and further decompose via three-body fragmentation processes. Experiments with d1-PA (CH3COCOOD) support the interpretations. The dissociation on S3 is fast, as indicated by the products' recoil angular anisotropy, but the roles of internal conversion and intersystem crossing to lower states are yet to be determined.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical predictors of lithium response in bipolar disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical predictors of lithium response in bipolar disorder. METHODS: Systematic review of studies examining clinical predictors of lithium response was conducted. Meta-analyses were performed when ≥2 studies examined the same potential predictor. RESULTS: A total of 71 studies, including over 12 000 patients, identified six predictors of good response: mania-depression-interval sequence [odds ratio (OR): 4.27; 95% CI: 2.61, 6.97; P < 0.001], absence of rapid cycling (OR for rapid cycling: 0.30; 95% CI: 0.17, 0.53; P < 0.001), absence of psychotic symptoms (OR for psychotic symptoms: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.34, 0.79; P = 0.002), family history of bipolar disorder (OR: 1.61; 95% CI: 1.03, 2.52; P = 0.036), shorter prelithium illness duration [standardised mean difference (SMD): -0.26; 95% CI: -0.41, -0.12; P < 0.001] and later age of onset (SMD: 0.17; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.36; P = 0.029). Additionally, higher body mass index was associated with poor response in two studies (SMD: -0.61; 95% CI: -0.90, -0.32; P < 0.001). There was weak evidence for number of episodes prior to lithium treatment (SMD: -0.42; 95% CI: -0.84, -0.01; P = 0.046), number of hospitalisations before lithium (SMD: -0.40; 95% CI: -0.81, 0.01; P = 0.055) and family history of lithium response (OR: 10.28; 95% CI: 0.66, 161.26; P = 0.097). CONCLUSIONS: The relative importance of these clinical characteristics should be interpreted with caution because of potential biases and confounding.

Childhood interleukin-6, C-reactive protein and atopic disorders as risk factors for hypomanic symptoms in young adulthood: a longitudinal birth cohort study.

BACKGROUND: There are no existing longitudinal studies of inflammatory markers and atopic disorders in childhood and risk of hypomanic symptoms in adulthood. This study examined if childhood: (1) serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP); and (2) asthma and/or eczema are associated with features of hypomania in young adulthood. METHOD: Participants in the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, a prospective general population UK birth cohort, had non-fasting blood samples for IL-6 and CRP measurement at the age of 9 years (n = 4645), and parents answered a question about doctor-diagnosed atopic illness before the age of 10 years (n = 7809). These participants completed the Hypomania Checklist at age 22 years (n = 3361). RESULTS: After adjusting for age, sex, ethnicity, socio-economic status, past psychological and behavioural problems, body mass index and maternal postnatal depression, participants in the top third of IL-6 values at 9 years, compared with the bottom third, had an increased risk of hypomanic symptoms by age 22 years [adjusted odds ratio 1.77, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.10-2.85, p < 0.001]. Higher IL-6 levels in childhood were associated with adult hypomania features in a dose-response fashion. After further adjustment for depression at the age of 18 years this association remained (adjusted odds ratio 1.70, 95% CI 1.03-2.81, p = 0.038). There was no evidence of an association of hypomanic symptoms with CRP levels, asthma or eczema in childhood. CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of systemic inflammatory marker IL-6 in childhood were associated with hypomanic symptoms in young adulthood, suggesting that inflammation may play a role in the pathophysiology of mania. Inflammatory pathways may be suitable targets for the prevention and intervention for bipolar disorder.

Violent and non-violent crime against adults with severe mental illness.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the relative extent of crime against people with severe mental illness (SMI). AIMS: To assess the prevalence and impact of crime among people with SMI compared with the general population. METHOD: A total of 361 psychiatric patients were interviewed using the national crime survey questionnaire, and findings compared with those from 3138 general population controls participating in the contemporaneous national crime survey. RESULTS: Past-year crime was experienced by 40% of patients v. 14% of controls (adjusted odds ratio (OR) = 2.8, 95% CI 2.0-3.8); and violent assaults by 19% of patients v. 3% of controls (adjusted OR = 5.3, 95% CI 3.1-8.8). Women with SMI had four-, ten- and four-fold increases in the odds of experiencing domestic, community and sexual violence, respectively. Victims with SMI were more likely to report psychosocial morbidity following violence than victims from the general population. CONCLUSIONS: People with SMI are at greatly increased risk of crime and associated morbidity. Violence prevention policies should be particularly focused on people with SMI.

Domestic and sexual violence against patients with severe mental illness.

BACKGROUND: Domestic and sexual violence are significant public health problems but little is known about the extent to which men and women with severe mental illness (SMI) are at risk compared with the general population. We aimed to compare the prevalence and impact of violence against SMI patients and the general population. METHOD: Three hundred and three randomly recruited psychiatric patients, in contact with community services for ⩾ 1 year, were interviewed using the British Crime Survey domestic/sexual violence questionnaire. Prevalence and correlates of violence in this sample were compared with those from 22 606 general population controls participating in the contemporaneous 2011/12 national crime survey. RESULTS: Past-year domestic violence was reported by 27% v. 9% of SMI and control women, respectively [odds ratio (OR) adjusted for socio-demographics, aOR 2.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.7-4.0], and by 13% v. 5% of SMI and control men, respectively (aOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.0-2.8). Past-year sexual violence was reported by 10% v. 2.0% of SMI and control women respectively (aOR 2.9, 95% CI 1.4-5.8). Family (non-partner) violence comprised a greater proportion of overall domestic violence among SMI than control victims (63% v. 35%, p < 0.01). Adulthood serious sexual assault led to attempted suicide more often among SMI than control female victims (53% v. 3.4%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the general population, patients with SMI are at substantially increased risk of domestic and sexual violence, with a relative excess of family violence and adverse health impact following victimization. Psychiatric services, and public health and criminal justice policies, need to address domestic and sexual violence in this at-risk group.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of premature mortality in bipolar affective disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To review and complete meta-analysis of studies estimating standardised mortality ratios (SMRs) in bipolar affective disorder (BPAD) for all-cause and cause-specific mortalities. METHOD: Cause-specific mortality was grouped into natural and unnatural causes. These subgroups were further divided into circulatory, respiratory, neoplastic and infectious causes, and suicide and other violent deaths. Summary SMRs were calculated using random-effects meta-analysis. Heterogeneity was examined via subgroup analysis and meta-regression. RESULTS: Systematic searching found 31 studies meeting inclusion criteria. Summary SMR for all-cause mortality = 2.05 (95% CI 1.89-2.23), but heterogeneity was high (I(2) = 96.2%). This heterogeneity could not be accounted for by date of publication, cohort size, mid-decade of data collection, population type or geographical region. Unnatural death summary SMR = 7.42 (95% CI 6.43-8.55) and natural death = 1.64 (95% CI 1.47-1.83). Specifically, suicide SMR = 14.44 (95% CI 12.43-16.78), other violent death SMR = 3.68 (95% CI 2.77-4.90), deaths from circulatory disease = 1.73 (95% CI 1.54-1.94), respiratory disease = 2.92 (95% CI 2.00-4.23), infection = 2.25 (95% CI 1.70-3.00) and neoplasm = 1.14 (95% CI 1.10-1.21). CONCLUSION: Despite considerable heterogeneity, all summary SMR estimates and a large majority of individual studies showed elevated mortality in BPAD compared to the general population. This was true for all causes of mortality studied.

Pt17 nanocluster electrocatalysts: preparation and origin of high oxygen reduction reaction activity.

We recently found that [Pt17(CO)12(PPh3)8]z (Pt = platinum; CO = carbon monoxide; PPh3 = triphenylphosphine; z = 1+ or 2+) is a Pt nanocluster (Pt NC) that can be synthesized with atomic precision in air. The present study demonstrates that it is possible to prepare a Pt17-supported carbon black (CB) catalyst (Pt17/CB) with 2.1 times higher oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity than commercial Pt nanoparticles/CB by the adsorption of [Pt17(CO)12(PPh3)8]z onto CB and subsequent calcination of the catalyst. Density functional theory calculation strongly suggests that the high ORR activity of Pt17/CB originates from the surface Pt atoms that have an electronic structure appropriate for the progress of ORR. These results are expected to provide design guidelines for the fabrication of highly active ORR catalysts using Pt NCs with a diameter of about 1 nm and thereby enabling the use of reduced amounts of Pt in polymer electrolyte fuel cells.

Reduction and Diffusion of Cr-Oxide Layers into P25, BaLa4Ti4O15, and Al:SrTiO3 Particles upon High-Temperature Annealing.

Chromium oxide (Cr2O3) is a beneficial metal oxide used to prevent the backward reaction in photocatalytic water splitting. The present work investigates the stability, oxidation state, and the bulk and surface electronic structure of Cr-oxide photodeposited onto P25, BaLa4Ti4O15, and Al:SrTiO3 particles as a function of the annealing process. The oxidation state of the Cr-oxide layer as deposited is found to be Cr2O3 on the surface of P25 and Al:SrTiO3 particles and Cr(OH)3 on BaLa4Ti4O15. After annealing at 600 °C, for P25 (a mixture of rutile and anatase TiO2), the Cr2O3 layer diffuses into the anatase phase but remains at the surface of the rutile phase. For BaLa4Ti4O15, Cr(OH)3 converts to Cr2O3 upon annealing and diffuses slightly into the particles. However, for Al:SrTiO3, the Cr2O3 remains stable at the surface of the particles. The diffusion here is due to the strong metal-support interaction effect. In addition, some of the Cr2O3 on the P25, BaLa4Ti4O15, and Al:SrTiO3 particles is reduced to metallic Cr after annealing. The effect of Cr2O3 formation and diffusion into the bulk on the surface and bulk band gaps is investigated with electronic spectroscopy, electron diffraction, DRS, and high-resolution imaging. The implications of the stability and diffusion of Cr2O3 for photocatalytic water splitting are discussed.

Impact of mental health problems on case fatality in male cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Although mortality rates are elevated in psychiatric patients relative to their healthy counterparts, little is known about the impact of mental health on survival in people with cancer. METHODS AND RESULTS: Among 16 498 Swedish men with cancer, survival was worse in those with a history of psychiatric hospital admissions: multiply-adjusted hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) comparing cancer mortality in men with and without psychiatric admissions: 1.59 (1.39, 1.83). CONCLUSION: Survival in cancer patients is worse among those with a history of psychiatric disease. The mechanisms underlying this association should be further explored.

Multiple ovulation and embryo transfer in sheep: Effects of embryo developmental stage and quality on viability in vivo under farm conditions.

Multiple ovulation and embryo transfer (MOET) technologies are integral to genetic improvement programs in the sheep industries. Despite the protocols being well established, previous findings regarding the effects of embryo properties on MOET success remain contradictory. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of embryo developmental stage and quality on embryo viability following transfer to recipient ewes. Data including details of 377 embryos collected from 45 Merino donor ewes were obtained from MOET trials conducted on three separate farms on day 6 after laparoscopic artificial insemination (AI). A total of 270 embryos were classified as being of transferrable grade (grade 1: n = 233; grade 2: n = 37). One or two transferrable grade embryos were transferred to each of 256 synchronised recipient ewes and pregnancy diagnosis was performed on day 36 after embryo transfer. Embryos at the hatched blastocyst stage tended to have greater viability in vivo compared to embryos at the late morula stage (59.0 ± 10.6% vs. 36.2 ± 9.7%; P = 0.083). The viability of grade 1 embryos was greater than that of grade 2 embryos (53.6 ± 7.8% vs. 35.9 ± 10.2%; P < 0.05). The results suggest that the success of the MOET trials was influenced by the transfer of embryos at the late morula stage, almost half of which were classified as grade 2 embryos. These findings highlight the importance of following strict embryo quality grading criteria to inform the most economical management of recipient ewes and maximize pregnancy outcomes.