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In this paper, we reflect on how the development and mutations of debates on economic inequality since 2008 reveal striking features regarding the nature and dynamics of the UK public sphere in a time of intersecting crises. We show how economic inequality is an important case study. We draw attention to the dynamic qualities of public debate in the period 2008–2015, in which there was major cross over between academic research, intellectual debate and public engagement. Even though this debate has become less vibrant since 2015 and has been substantially disrupted by "culture war" discourse, it has not been completely closed down. We argue that economic inequality issues have endured through the stabilisation by which key institutional agents have made it a central part of their field positioning. Our contribution is to offer a counterpart to pessimistic conceptions of the public sphere by drawing attention to the durability of economic inequality discussions even after the initiating crises which inspired these discussions have faded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we elaborate on the significance of suffering in processes of embodied identity construction. Drawing on interviews with 62 chefs employed in elite kitchens around the world, we make two main contributions. First, we extend our understanding of suffering as a traumatic, alienating experience by theorizing it as a distinctive form of embodied identity work. We show how suffering can function as a mechanism through which people forge an understanding of who they are. Our second contribution extends the first by elaborating on what we call the aesthetics of suffering. We show how suffering can be perversely appreciable, distinguishing and endured in culturally significant, identity-implicative ways. Via this theorization, we progress our understanding of how identities are forged through (and read from) suffering bodies, and add an additional layer of interpretation to research in which matters of embodied identity and suffering are nascent but largely neglected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is often difficult to ascertain the durability or longevity of construction products. Two opportunities arose to examine old AAC masonry material that had been used in construction with a reasonable knowledge of the manufactured characteristics of the product. The first of these was from blocks sampled from three locations within the internal and external walls of the H+H factory in England that was being dismantled in 2013. In the second case, a partly demolished wall provided an opportunity to salvage two almost complete blocks for testing. This paper will describe the tests, and the results and compare the results with the predicted physical characteristics of the manufactured products [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An engineer's viewpoint on key areas for further research and industry initiatives to support the increased use of mass timber, particularly Cross Laminated Timber. The paper identifies issues related to project delivery in UK and global construction markets including design for durability, approaches to building design complexity, sustainable supply and the end of life scenarios of buildings, and emerging net zero carbon emissions strategies and the role of forestry for products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new Queensferry Crossing in Scotland, UK, is a durable structure designed to minimise degradation and withstand the challenging environment of the Forth estuary. High-performance materials, rigorous compliance testing and advanced protective measures have been employed to this end. An effective, integrated monitoring, inspection and maintenance system was developed to facilitate early intervention and maintain the bridge in a sustainable condition. A range of access facilities, including motorised gantries, shuttle trains and mechanical lifts have been provided to ensure safe and effective access, within touching distance, to all internal and external surfaces. An advanced structural health monitoring system has been installed to monitor the condition and integrity of the bridge, allowing rapid evaluation of structural integrity after extreme events and the identification of changes in condition over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The structure and dissolution behaviour of Na 2 O·CaO·(15– x)Al 2 O 3 · x B 2 O 3 ·SiO 2 and Na 2 O·MgO·(15– x)Al 2 O 3 · x B 2 O 3 ·SiO 2 glasses, relevant to compositions of UK nuclear waste glass, have been investigated using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and static dissolution experiments using the PCT protocol. Structural data from 11B, 27Al and 29Si NMR analyses show that increasing the [B 2 O 3 ]/([Al 2 O 3 ] + [B 2 O 3 ]) ratio of the alkali-alkaline-earth aluminoborosilicate glasses led to an overall decrease in the proportion of non-silicate tetrahedral species (IVAl + IVB) and a decrease in Si O X bonds (X B, Al). The Mg-containing glasses exhibited lower IVB fractions than their Ca-containing counterparts, which is thought to be due to the presence of IVMg tetrahedra in the network. The measured corrosion rates were similar for both Ca and Mg-containing glasses although unexpectedly some Ca-containing glasses exhibited higher corrosion losses than the Mg-containing ones for time periods up to 112 d. However, there was evidence of a greater tendency to rate resumption in the Mg containing than the Ca containing ones. Alteration products were found to contain Ca, Si and Al with the Ca containing glasses and Ca, Mg, Si and Al with the Mg containing glasses; Na was not detected in the alteration products although its presence cannot be ruled out based on the data obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There has been little published research critically examining the vibration loading that battery assemblies within large sized electric two wheelers (ETWs) experience during their lifetime. Much of the existing research has been focused on assessing the battery packs of electric passenger vehicles, which have a different dynamic response to their two wheeled counterparts. Existing automotive procedures, therefore, cannot be applied to these modes of transport. It is important therefore that the magnitude and frequency of the vibration inputs that the ETW battery will be exposed to during the vehicle's life is understood. For the first time, this study describes a methodology to derive random power spectral density (PSD) profiles that are representative of 60,000 miles of UK customer electric motorcycle (EM) usage for a vehicle operating in the large traditional motorcycle class. The derived PSDs are suitable for testing frame mounted batteries for mechanical durability using modern shaker table facilities and are derived utilising vibration measurements from a contemporary EM (Harley Davidson Livewire). In addition, it compares the measurements from a current production EM to that of profiles derived from passenger electric vehicles (EVs) published within existing studies to highlight the key differences between vibration environments experienced by batteries within passenger EVs and EMs. • Representative electric motorcycle (EM) random road vibration profiles are derived. • The derived PSDs are suitable for testing frame mounted batteries. • The profiles apply vibration from 5 to 200Hz ensuring application on shaker systems. • PSD shows greater magnitudes for the EM compared to an EV in the X and Z axes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

UK-based Johnson Matthey has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Plug Power in the US, to establish a roadmap that will accelerate the joint development of high-performance electrolyser technology with improved durability, increased performance, and greater energy efficiency than currently available systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article "Gonarthrosis: How smoothly do second implants function?" is about the durability of second implants in patients with knee joint arthritis. The authors evaluated the national "joint registry" of the United Kingdom and published the results of an analysis of 33,292 revision implants over a period of 15 years. The study found that the revision rates in men were 20% higher than in women after ten years, and that younger patients (<55 years) also had a higher revision rate of 21%. Furthermore, it was observed that a shorter duration of stability after the second surgery was associated with a worse outcome in terms of a third revision. The results were published in The Lancet Rheumatology. [Extracted from the article]

Highlights: [•] Significant research synergy exists between UK and China in the field of sustainable solutions for the built environment. [•] Considerable opportunity exists to deploy UK-based knowledge to leading Chinese universities and research institutions. [•] Proof-of-concept studies in China confirmed the applicability of UK-based tests for structural durability assessment. [•] The reported work is aimed at enhancing the structural health performance of concrete bridges in marine environments. [•] The international collaborative programme described is of interest and benefit to other organisations active in this field. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Crying behaviour largely attributed to the breakdown and leaching of excess MgCl 2. • Investigated RH and temperature values do not affect the stability of certain MgO boards. • Mechanical properties were not affected by long term exposure conditions. • Certain MgO boards anticipated to remain stable for at least 33 years in average UK climate. Evolving construction methods and an increased demand for materials with enhanced fire resistance have created a demand for novel materials within the construction industry. In recent years, MgO boards have become more widely used as a solution to the needs of modern construction. This paper explores the behaviour of magnesium oxide boards during exposure to various temperatures and high levels of moisture. More than 1000 samples were prepared for analysis and the laboratory test durations extended beyond 2 years. Findings indicate that magnesium chloride hydroxide hydrate phases within well proportioned magnesium oxide boards remained stable after exposure to various conditions. Additionally, the mechanical properties were relatively unaffected by exposure to high levels of moisture for extended durations. Findings also indicate that magnesium oxide boards based on magnesium oxysulphate cement are not susceptible to the 'crying' phenomenon. By correlating laboratory performance of magnesium oxide boards with weather data it was possible to ascertain that well proportioned boards would remain stable for at least 33 years in-service in the average UK location. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Abdominal aortic aneurysm management guidelines from the National Institute for Clinical Excellence in 2020, based heavily on randomized controlled trials in an early era of infrarenal endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), suggested that the long-term outcomes after EVAR jeopardize its use in elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. We hypothesized that, in a rapidly evolving surgical field, the era of aneurysm repair may have a significant influence on long-term patient outcomes., Methods: Using a single-center retrospective cohort design, we identified two EVAR cohorts, the early cohort (n = 166) who underwent EVAR from 2008 to 2010, and a contemporary late cohort (n = 129) from 2015 to 2017. We assessed patient preoperative demographics and era of repair against the primary outcomes of reinterventions, reintervention-free survival, and mortality, addressing their relationships to anatomic selection criteria, graft durability, endoleak, and aneurysm diameter to 5 years after the procedure., Results: Early cohort patients had decreased reintervention-free survival (early 80.1% vs late 93.3%) and decreased overall survival (early 71.3% vs late 81%) at 3 years and throughout follow-up. The preoperative anatomy judged suitable for EVAR in early cohort patients was more variable than for late cohort patients, including 104% larger proximal and 106% larger distal landing zone diameters, with a mean 11.6-mm shorter length infrarenal aortic and 13.3-mm shorter length iliac sealing zones in the early group. Early cohort patients had more complications during follow-up, including graft kinking and endoleaks, and 24.4% of early vs 8.5% of late patients underwent one or more reinterventions., Conclusions: Although technical skill in EVAR implantation may not evolve significantly after a threshold of cases, surgical judgement, relating to anatomic selection and device sizing, requires feedback from long-term sequalae and significantly impacted EVAR outcomes by era. EVAR patients from an early repair era had significantly worse outcomes, with more complications, reinterventions, and a decrease in survival., (Copyright © 2021 Society for Vascular Surgery. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Corrosion of reinforced concrete (RC) structures costs the UK GBP 23b annually and is one of the main durability problems contributing to the development of rust, spalling, cracking, delamination, and structural deterioration. This paper intends to demonstrate the benefit of using tailored self-healing bacteria-based concrete for RC corrosion minimisation and service life increase. The purpose was to evaluate the enhancement in the lifespan of the structure exposed to a harsh marine microenvironment by utilising a probabilistic performance-based method. Comparison is made with the performance of a commercially available solution and in terms of embodied carbon impact. Three different concretes, using CEM I 52.5N, CEM II/A-D, and CEM III/A, were tested with and without an iron-respiring bioproduct (BIO) and an added admixture corrosion inhibitor (AACI). Results show that bioproduct significantly contributes to service life increase of RC structures with CEMIII/A. The repair solution with self-healing behaviour not only increases RC service life, but also enables us to decrease the required cover thickness from 60 mm to 50 mm in an XS2 chloride environment. In both XS2 and XS3 environments, a comparison of CEMIII/A+BIO and CEMII/A-D+AACI concrete shows the benefit of using bioproduct in corrosion inhibition context, besides contributing to an embodied carbon reduction of more than 20%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• In-container vitrification (ICV) is assessed for thermal treatment of nuclear waste. • UK specific wastes were blended with glass forming additives (e.g. soil) by ICV. • The vitrified products were variably heterogeneous in nature. • Low release rates for radionuclide surrogates during aqueous leaching were achieved. • Products performed similar to or better than HLW glass acceptable for disposal. Materials from GeoMelt® In-Container Vitrification (ICV)™ of simulant UK nuclear wastes were characterised to understand the partitioning of elements, including inactive surrogates for radionuclide species of interest, within the heterogeneous products. Aqueous durability analysis was performed to assess the potential disposability of the resulting wasteforms. The vitrification trial aimed to immobilise a variety of simulant legacy waste streams representative of decommissioning operations in the UK, including plutonium contaminated material, Magnox sludges and ion-exchange materials, which were vitrified upon the addition of glass forming additives. Two trials with different wastes were characterised, with the resultant vitreous wasteforms comprising olivine and pyroxene crystalline minerals within glassy matrices. Plutonium surrogate elements were immobilised within the glassy fraction rather than partitioning into crystalline phases. All vitrified products exhibited comparable or improved durability to existing UK high level waste vitrified nuclear wasteforms over a 28 day period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Predicting likely durability of glucose-lowering therapies for people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) could help inform individualised therapeutic choices., Methods: We used data from UKPDS patients with newly-diagnosed T2D randomised to first-line glucose-lowering monotherapy with chlorpropamide-glibenclamide-basal insulin or metformin. In 2339 participants who achieved one-year HbA 1c values <7.5% (<59 mmol/mol)-we assessed relationships between one-year characteristics and time to monotherapy-failure (HbA 1c  ≥ 7.5% or requiring second-line therapy). Model validation was performed using bootstrap sampling., Results: Follow-up was median (IQR) 11.0 (8.0-14.0) years. Monotherapy-failure occurred in 72%-82%-75% and 79% for those randomised to chlorpropamide-glibenclamide-basal insulin or metformin respectively-after median 4.5 (3.0-6.6)-3.7 (2.6-5.6)-4.2 (2.7-6.5) and 3.8 (2.6- 5.2) years. Time-to-monotherapy-failure was predicted primarily by HbA 1c and BMI values-with other risk factors varying by type of monotherapy-with predictions to within ±2.5 years for 55%-60%-56% and 57% of the chlorpropamide-glibenclamide-basal insulin and metformin monotherapy cohorts respectively., Conclusions: Post one-year glycaemic durability can be predicted robustly in individuals with newly-diagnosed T2D who achieve HbA 1c values  < 7.5% one year after commencing traditional monotherapies. Such information could be used to help guide glycaemic management for individual patients., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)