Stability and structure of the aqueous LiTFSI-LiCl interface.

It has recently been demonstrated that aqueous lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) and lithium chloride (LiCl) solutions can form stable liquid-liquid biphasic systems when both electrolyte phases have sufficiently high concentrations. In this work, we combine molecular dynamics simulations and experimental analysis to investigate what drives the formation of the interface and how the interfacial molecular structure correlates with its thermodynamic stability. We observe that at the liquid-vapour interface, TFSI- anions exhibit surfactant-like properties, leading to a reduction in surface tension and an increase in interfacial thickness. In contrast, the interfacial stability of the LiTFSI-LiCl biphasic systems increases with the concentration of both salts, as evidenced by the increasing surface tension and decreasing interfacial thickness. The opposing effects that the ionic concentration has on the thermodynamic stability of the different interfaces are linked to the anions' interfacial adsorption/desorption, which in turn affects the number and strength of water-water hydrogen bonds, the interfacial molecular structure and the diffusion of cations across the interface. Finally, calculations and experiments indicate that the liquid-liquid separation is driven primarily by the concentration of LiCl, and is the result of a 'salting out' effect.

Trends and inequalities in distance to and use of nearest natural space in the context of the 20-min neighbourhood: A 4-wave national repeat cross-sectional study, 2013 to 2019.

The 20-min neighbourhood is a policy priority for governments worldwide; a key feature of this policy is providing access to natural space (NS) within 800 m of home. The study aims were to (1) examine the association between distance to nearest NS and frequent use over time and (2) examine whether frequent use and changes in use were patterned by income and housing tenure over time. Bi-annual Scottish Household Survey data were obtained for 2013 to 2019 (n:42128 aged 16+). Adults were asked the walking distance to their nearest NS, the frequency of visits to this space and their housing tenure, as well as age, sex and income. We examined the association between distance from home of nearest NS, housing tenure, and the likelihood of frequent NS use (visited once a week or more). Two-way interaction terms were further applied to explore variation in the association between tenure and frequent NS use over time. We found that 87% of respondents lived within 10 min walk of a NS, meeting the policy specification for a 20-min neighbourhood. Greater proximity to NS was associated with increased use; individuals living a 6-10 min walk and over 10 min walk were respectively 53% and 78% less likely to report frequent NS use than those living within a 5 min walk. Housing tenure was an important predictor of frequent NS use; private renters and homeowners were more likely to report frequent NS use than social renters. Our findings provide evidence that proximity to NS is a strong predictor of frequent use. Our study provides important evidence that time-based access measures alone do not consider deep-rooted socioeconomic variation in use of NS. Policy makers should ensure a nuanced lens is applied to operationalising and monitoring the 20-min neighbourhood to safeguard against exacerbating existing inequalities.

Invasive para-aortic Candida glabrata: a multidisciplinary management challenge.

A 69-year-old man was admitted with recurrent fungal bloodstream infection on a background of abdominal aneurysm, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Investigations revealed a para-aortic mass, previously thought to be lymphoma, which was culture positive for Candida glabrata on biopsy. Diagnosis and management involved multidisciplinary teamwork, diagnostic uncertainty and significant risk taking.

Change in time spent visiting and experiences of green space following restrictions on movement during the COVID-19 pandemic: a nationally representative cross-sectional study of UK adults.

OBJECTIVES: Green space positively influences health and well-being; however, inequalities in use of green space are prevalent. Movement restrictions enforced due to the COVID-19 pandemic could have exacerbated existing inequalities regarding who visits green space. Therefore, this study aimed to explore how movement restrictions have changed the time spent visiting green space and experience of green space in the United Kingdom (UK) and how these differed by individual-level demographic characteristics. DESIGN AND OUTCOME MEASURES: A nationally representative cross-sectional survey administered through YouGov between 30 April and 1 May 2020. Data were collected on the time spent visiting green space and change in the experience of green space, including missing social interaction, increased physical activity and feeling greater mental health benefits in green space. Demographic information was collected on sex, age, ethnicity, social grade and dog ownership. Associations between specific outcome variables and predictors were assessed using logistic regression. SETTING: UK, with population weights applied. PARTICIPANTS: 2252 adults aged 18 years and over. RESULTS: Overall, 63% of respondents reported a decrease in time spent visiting green space following movement restrictions. Lower social grade respondents were less likely to visit green space before and after restrictions were enforced (OR: 0.35 (95% CI 0.24 to 0.51); OR: 0.77 (95% CI 0.63 to 0.95)). Female respondents were more likely than male respondents to agree that green space benefited their mental health more following restrictions (PP: 0.70 vs 0.59). Older (65+ years) respondents were less likely than middle-aged (25-64 years) respondents to have visited green space following the restrictions (OR: 0.79 (95% CI 0.63 to 0.98)). CONCLUSIONS: Inequalities in green space use were sustained, and possibly exacerbated, during movement restrictions. Our findings emphasise the importance of green spaces remaining open globally in any future 'lockdowns'/pandemics. Further investigation is required to determine how visit patterns and experiences change through the different stages of the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK.