Integrated non-destructive testing for assessing manufacturing defects in melt-fusion bonded thermoplastic composite pipes.

The thermoplastic composite pipe (TCP) manufacturing process introduces defects that impact their performance, such as voids, misalignment, and delamination. Consequently, there is an increasing demand for effective non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques to assess the influence of these manufacturing defects on TCP. The objective is to identify and quantify internal defects at a microscale, thereby improving quality control. A combination of methods, including NDT, has been employed to achieve this goal. The density method is used to determine the void volume fraction. Microscopy and void analysis are performed on pristine samples using optical micrography and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), while advanced techniques like X-ray computer tomography (XCT) and ultrasonic inspections are also applied. The interlayer between the reinforced and inner layers showed good consolidation, though a discontinuity was noted. Microscopy results confirmed solid wall construction, with SEM aligning with the XY axis slice, showing predominant fibre orientation around ±45° and ±90°, and deducing the placement orientation to be ±60°. Comparing immersion, 2D microscopy, and XCT methods provided a comparative approach, even though they could not yield precise void content values. The analysis revealed a void content range of 0-2.2%, with good agreement between microscopy and Archimedes' methods. Based on XCT and microscopy results, an increase in void diameter at constant volume increases elongation and reduces sphericity. Both methods also indicated that most voids constitute a minority of the total void fraction. To mitigate manufacturing defects, understanding the material's processing window is essential, which can be achieved through comprehensive material characterization of TCP materials

The lifecycle of a social media beauty trend: a case study of the Instagram body. [Article]

This article explores the evolution of the Instagram body as an example of a social media beauty trend and theorises an updated lifecycle model to convey this phenomenon. The advent and evolution of social media has led to an online beauty culture and ecosystem, with new influential creators, and consumers driving trends and standards in online spaces. Lifecycle models exist across a range of contexts, with the fashion lifecycle being the most relevant to the current study. However, these models have not been adapted to reflect the phenomenon of social media and the current study aims to address that gap. The current research consists of a qualitative case study of the Instagram body as an example of a social media beauty trend. Interviews were carried out with influential stakeholders (fitness professionals, content creators and a cosmetic surgeon) who could observe and provide insights into changing behaviour and beauty ideals. Archival data were collected through an analysis of song lyrics and music videos to underpin the timing of specific stages in the lifecycle. A six-stage life-cycle model is proposed, consisting of emergence, mainstreaming, normalisation/peak, criticism/fatigue, discard and retrospective phases. Themes around gender disparity in the production and consumption of contemporary beauty trends were uncovered, providing direction for future research in this area. This research has implications for future research in body image, fashion, media and cultural studies

SSRI antidepressants and perceived loss of lean muscle in men: a qualitative exploration of some online anecdotal concerns.

This study examines anecdotal reports from online discussion forums suggesting possible links between SSRI antidepressants and loss of lean muscle mass, particularly in men. Given limited existing scientific research, this study bolsters academic discourse. The specific research question was, "Do self-reported experiences from internet forums indicate a perceived connection between SSRI use and muscle mass reductions?". A Google keyword search identified 202 posts from 14 randomly selected online antidepressant discussion forums. Posts were collected and thematically analysed. Forum users reported difficulties in maintaining or gaining lean muscle after commencing SSRI treatment. Key themes included frustration, confusion, and attempts to rationalise perceived changes. Findings suggest an area for further exploration, regarding the physiological impact of SSRIs on muscle composition. While reports remain anecdotal, they highlight concerns immediately relevant to both patients and healthcare professionals. As the study is based on self-reported experiences from anonymous sources, findings lack scientific validation, but highlight requirements for further studies to explore prevalence and broader applicability. Research observations spotlight a need for further, structured clinical research to investigate possible effects of SSRIs on muscle mass. Future research should include controlled clinical trials and longitudinal studies to examine a potential association in more detail

From geothermal brine to battery: balancing technological innovation with environmental and social responsibility: a case study from Lithium Valley.

This study synthesizes current research on lithium extraction, focusing on technological advances, the growing demand for lithium in the energy transition, and the environmental and social challenges associated with its production. It uses the Lithium Valley project in Imperial County, California, as a case study to examine these issues in detail. The analysis includes a review of literature, industry reports, and public meeting records related to lithium extraction. It examines conventional methods such as brine evaporation and compares them to emerging direct lithium extraction (DLE) technologies. The study also assesses the environmental impacts, community concerns, and economic factors influencing the development of lithium extraction projects, particularly in Lithium Valley. The results indicate that lithium demand will increase dramatically due to the expansion of electric vehicle production and renewable energy storage that rely on lithium-ion batteries. DLE technologies offer a promising alternative to traditional methods, with the potential for reduced water consumption, land use and carbon emissions. The Lithium Valley Project, with its access to geothermal brines, represents a significant opportunity for domestic lithium production. However, the project faces challenges related to water resource management, air quality, and ensuring equitable benefits for local communities. Community engagement and transparent decision-making are essential to address these concerns and promote environmental justice. The economic viability of lithium extraction depends on technological innovation, efficient resource management and the ability to responsibly convert resources into reserves. The physical availability of lithium is not a limiting factor, but rather the ability to invest in environmentally and socially responsible extraction methods. This review integrates diverse perspectives from industry reports and scientific literature to provide a comprehensive analysis of lithium extraction methods, focusing on technical, economic, and social dimensions. Through a systematic evaluation of projects such as Lithium Valley, it highlights the critical need for comparative assessment of different lithium production pathways. The analysis underscores the importance of including stakeholder perspectives traditionally overlooked in academic and policy discussions, thereby promoting more inclusive and responsible development in the clean energy sector

When trade meets tradition: unpacking cultural differences and their impact on China's international trade.

Amidst renewed trade tensions and heightened uncertainty in global financial markets, this paper examines the impact of cultural differences on China's international trade. Departing from majority of prior studies treating cultural disparities as static, we employ dynamic models to capture cultural differences over 2001-2021 with its 44 key trading partners. We incorporate Hofstede's six cultural dimensions and apply both linear and non-linear models. Our findings show a consistent negative effect of cultural distance on China's trade. The non-linear analysis uncovers a S-shaped curve relationship, highlighting the subtle influence of cultural differences confirmed by robustness tests in export and import trades. We argue that the impact of trade tensions can be lessened by aligning with the evolving nature of consumer preferences and psychological factors

Hydrogen at RGU: expertise, projects and facilities.

In this presentation Professor Nadimul Faisal highlights some of the hydrogen research projects being undertaken at Robert Gordon University to support the development of renewable hydrogen technologies needed to support the Scottish Government's ambition of 5GW installed hydrogen production capacity by 2030. The testing facility, Hy-One, which will be established at the NSC, is a comprehensive one-stop hydrogen storage testing facility, providing plug-and-play testing and demonstrations for hydrogen storage systems and prototypes. Scalable metamaterial thermally sprayed catalyst coatings for nuclear reactor based high temperature solid oxide water electrolysis (METASIS), aims to design, fabricate, and test thermally sprayed novel large-scale and large-length scale meta-surface area coatings for anode supported solid oxide water electrolysis (SOWE) cell in the steam electrolysis mode for hydrogen production over a temperature range of 800 °C to 900 °C. Thermally sprayed coatings for thermochemical electrolysis at nuclear reactors (THERMOSIS) project aims to develop solution for zero emission hydrogen production by designing, fabricating, and testing thermally sprayed novel large metasurface area coatings for anode supported solid oxide steam electrolysis (SOSE). This will be an innovative electrolyser catalyst and cell design that will warrant efficient hydrogen production with stable structure for high temperature operation at nuclear reactor. H2Gen Hydrogen Fuel Cell UPS (EETF) is to develop a novel, scalable Hydrogen-cell based modular Energy Storage System (H2GEN) to eliminate the usage of Lead-Acid battery in UPS in public buildings, mitigated power supply interruptions, and provide storage for excess renewable generated energy to be used or sold to grid during peak demand

Geomechanical failure of underground hydrogen storage (UHS) systems.

Green hydrogen gas produced from electrolysis of water using off-peak electricity from renewable sources is a clean energy source. Large-scale hydrogen production for energy generation will therefore help in achieving a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and global net-zero targets. Underground Hydrogen Storage (UHS) in salt caverns, saline aquifers and depleted oil and gas reservoirs has recently been recognised as a critical enabling technology for the large-scale storage of hydrogen gas. However, the UHS system environment may be adversely affected by complex processes driven by fluid flow, geochemical and geomechanical phenomena and governed by evolutionary changes in the subsurface stress regime and the interactions between the pore fluids, formation rock minerals and the injected/stored hydrogen gas. In addition, injection of hydrogen gas into subsurface formations can cause over-pressurisation and induced seismicity which may lead to formation failure. In this work, we develop a hydro-chemo-mechanical model to determine formation failure potential in underground hydrogen gas storage systems. This model captures the complex combined processes of fluid flow, geochemistry and geomechanics. Analysis of the results, based on changes in the volumes of the constituent minerals in the formation and the Mohr-Coulomb failure criterion, shows significant changes in the porosity and permeability and some impact on the geomechanical integrity of the storage formation

Analysis of UK repository platforms: who is using what and why?

Primarily focusing on the UK Higher Education sector, the author aims to investigate the variety of repository platforms currently in use based on available data from UKCORR. Through an analysis of the data, the author attempts to determine whether there are any particular trends - geographic, financial or otherwise - evident from the current spread of platforms across the sector. Additionally, the author draws on informal and anecdotal evidence from repository staff to begin exploring institutional decision-making behind switching repository platforms

Interventions to mitigate infant food insecurity in high-income countries: an overview of current evidence.

Infant food insecurity (IFI) is a critical and often overlooked issue in high-income countries. This scoping review aims to identify and summarise interventions that reduce food insecurity or improve nutrition amongst families with infants in these regions. We searched the major electronic databases and websites of relevant UK and international organisations from 2010 to 2023 to identify reports written in English assessing food insecurity affecting infants (aged 0 to 2 years). The findings were presented in tables and summarised narratively. Out of 6194 records identified, 104 studies were screened, with only two studies meeting the inclusion criteria. Both studies were conducted in the USA. The KIND (Keeping Infants Nourished and Developing) intervention improved preventive care for food-insecure families, increasing lead level test completion rates and well-infant visits, but it did not affect weight-for-length at 9 months. The GWCC (Group Well-Child Care) intervention aimed at promoting responsive feeding amongst low-income caregivers but showed no significant impact on infant growth in the first year. However, caregiver interviews revealed important feeding-related themes. Evidence on interventions addressing infant food insecurity is limited, with none found in the UK. The KIND and GWCC interventions showed mixed outcomes, improving some aspects of care but not significantly affecting infant growth metrics. These findings highlight the need for further research to develop more effective strategies to address the nutritional needs of vulnerable infants in high-income countries

Citrus fruit detection based on an improved YOLOv5 under natural orchard conditions.

Accurate detection of citrus can be easily affected by adjacent branches and overlapped fruits in natural orchard conditions, where some specific information of citrus might be lost due to the resultant complex occlusion. Traditional deep learning models might result in lower detection accuracy and detection speed when facing occluded targets. To solve this problem, an improved deep learning algorithm based on YOLOv5, named IYOLOv5, was proposed for accurate detection of citrus fruits. An innovative Res-CSPDarknet network was firstly employed to both enhance feature extraction performance and minimize feature loss within the backbone network, which aims to reduce the miss detection rate. Subsequently, the BiFPN module was adopted as the new neck net to enhance the function for extracting deep semantic features. A coordinate attention mechanism module was then introduced into the network's detection layer. The performance of the proposed model was evaluated on a home-made citrus dataset containing 2000 optical images. The results show that the proposed IYOLOv5 achieved the highest mean average precision (93.5%) and F1-score (95.6%), compared to the traditional deep learning models including Faster R-CNN, CenterNet, YOLOv3, YOLOv5, and YOLOv7. In particular, the proposed IYOLOv5 obtained a decrease of missed detection rate (at least 13.1%) on the specific task of detecting heavily occluded citrus, compared to other models. Therefore, the proposed method could be potentially used as part of the vision system of a picking robot to identify the citrus fruits accurately