bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Habits of affluence: unfeeling, enactivism and the ecological crisis of capitalism
Authors: Slaby Jan
Published: August 2024

In this text, I discuss the role that a range of habits in affluent societies play in upholding as well as masking an unsustainable status quo. I show that enactivism, as a philosophical approach to the embodied and embedded mind, offers resources for bringing into focus and critically interrogating suchhabits of affluenceand the environments enabling them. I do this in the context of a critical theory ofthe unfelt in society: the systematic production of lacunae of emotive concern in social collectives. The lack of proportionate affective and practical responses to the ecological crisis epitomizes this. The article starts with considerations on societal unfeeling, then reviews key elements of enactive approaches to habit, before a fuller picture of habits of affluence is developed, informed by Brand’s and Wissen’s concept of theimperial mode of living. Finally, two dimensions of habits of affluence are discussed in some detail, which will help flesh out a thematically expanded, politically engaged version of enactivism.
Analysis of bamboo fibres and their associated dye on a freshwater fish host-parasite system
Authors: MacAulay Scott , Masud Numair , Cable Jo
Published: August 2024

With the growth of the fashion and textile industries into the twenty-first century, associated pollution has become pervasive. Fibre-based microplastics are the most common types of plastics recovered from aquatic ecosystems encouraging the move towards organic fibre usage. Often marketed as biodegradable and ‘environmentally friendly’, organic textile fibres are seen as less harmful, but their impacts are understudied. Here, we assess the health effects of reconstituted bamboo-viscose fibres, processed bamboo-elastane fibres (both at 700 fibres/L) and their associated dye (Reactive Black-5, at 1 mg/L) on fish, with an emphasis on disease resistance utilising an established host-parasite system: the freshwater guppy host (Poecilia reticulata) and Gyrodactylus turnbulli (monogenean ectoparasite). Following 3 weeks exposure to the bamboo fibres and associated dye, half the experimental fish were infected with G. turnbulli, after which individual parasite trajectories were monitored for a further 17 days. Overall, exposures to reconstituted bamboo-viscose fibres, processed bamboo-elastane fibres or dye were not associated with any change in host mortality nor any significant changes in parasite infection burdens. When analysing the routine metabolic rate (RMR) of fish, uninfected fish had, on average, significantly impacted RMR when exposed to processed bamboo-elastane (increased RMR) and reconstituted bamboo-viscose (decreased RMR). Hosts exposed to reconstituted bamboo-viscose and the associated dye treatment showed significant changes in RMR pre- and post-infection. This study bolsters the growing and needed assessment of the potential environmental impacts of alternative non-plastic fibres; nevertheless, more research is needed in this field to prevent potential greenwashing.
Decomposition of partially submerged remains: a study on the reliability of insect colonisation for PMI/PMSI estimation
Authors: Bray SK. , Conlan XA. , Harvey ML.
Published: August 2024

The terrestrial decomposition of remains and associated insect colonisation have been highly researched, and recently studies have expanded to investigate the aquatic decomposition of remains. However, there are instances where remains may experience both terrestrial and aquatic conditions simultaneously due to partial submersion in tidal areas, or influx or efflux of water caused by flood or drought. Decomposition and post-mortem interval (PMI) research to date has focused on remains wholly exposed to either terrestrial or aquatic environments, with limited consideration of dual simultaneous exposure. This study was conducted in artificial lentic environments to ascertain how simultaneous zones of terrestrial and aquatic environments on a single body may impact decomposition. Three trials were completed over a period of 12 months, with each trial consisting of 12 stillborn piglets; three partially submerged head exposed, three partially submerged abdomen exposed, three fully submerged aquatic controls and three terrestrial controls. Decomposition stage and rate were inferred from physical characteristics and insect activity. The decomposition rate of the exposed region of each piglet was significantly faster than the submerged region. The exposed zone of each was colonised by insects and reached skeletonization, whereas the submerged zone without orifice exposure had no insect activity and had a significantly slower decomposition rate. This indicated the ability to utilise terrestrial entomological approaches to estimate a minimum PMI for the exposed portion of the remains. However, without the ability to determine the amount of time the remains may have been submerged for, this estimation represents only a minimum PMSI, with the possibility the remains were submerged for a period of time without insect access and colonisation.
Liquid territories: the configuration of geographic space in the cartography of the Mekong River’s catchment areas
Authors: Romanos Chris
Published: August 2024

The role played by the Mekong River in the organization of land and people is inextricably linked with a particular spatial category. The concept of the hydrological catchment extends the space of the river far beyond the limits of the river’s perennial waterbodies, to encompass vast areas inhabited by millions of people speaking different languages. Fundamental to the estimation of precipitation and water volume, areal denotations of the Mekong’s basin, delta and floodplain have been repeatedly drawn on maps by geographers, planners, engineers and cartographers. Mapped representations of the Mekong River however are not only the result of recording the flows of water, nor the domain of a single discourse. With diverging intentions, distinct and sometimes conflicting projections of the basin, delta and floodplain have prescribed the differentiation and unification of parts of mainland Southeast Asia, to articulate liquid territories that are outside a single state’s jurisdiction. To understand how the Mekong’s catchments emerge as the geographic reference for human activities, the paper examines the technical and cultural notions that underpin the preparation of these maps. Focusing on early European maps of the Mekong’s delta and floodplain, the paper draws on the discourses of hydrology, geography, and cartography to ask what territories are produced and maintained by evoking the geography of the river’s flows.
Persistent Extreme Surface Solar Radiation and Its Implications on Solar Photovoltaics
Authors: Senger G. , Chtirkova B. , Folini D. , Wohland J. , Wild M.
Published: August 2024

Climatic extreme events are important because they can strongly impact humans, infrastructure, and biodiversity and will be affected by a changing climate. Surface Solar Radiation (SSR) is the primary energy source for solar photovoltaics (PV), which will be indispensable in future zero‐emissions energy systems. Despite their pivotal role, extreme events in SSR remain under‐documented. We provide a starting point in extreme SSR analysis by focusing on events caused by internal variability alone and therefore building a baseline for future extreme SSR research. We analyze extreme SSR events using daily‐mean data from the pre‐industrial control simulations (piControl) of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project—Phase 6. We investigate their role in PV energy generation using the Global Solar Energy Estimator with the intent of strengthening the energy system's resilience. Our results show a pronounced asymmetry between consecutive days with extremely high and extremely low solar radiation over land, the former occurring more frequently than the latter. Moreover, our results call for detailed PV generation modeling that includes panel geometry. Simple models based on linear SSR representations prove insufficient due to pronounced seasonal variations and strong non‐linear SSR dependency of high extremes. Our results demonstrate how climate model results can be leveraged to understand persistent radiation extremes that are relevant for future energy systems.
Deformation Mechanisms During the Syn‐Orogenic Extrusion of the High‐Pressure Phyllites‐Quartzites Unit in the Central and Northern Peloponnese, Greece
Authors: Wicker Vincent , Bufféral Simon
Published: August 2024

The High‐Pressure Phyllites‐Quartzites (PQ) unit of the External Hellenides is exposed in tectonic windows in the central and northern Peloponnese (Greece). Understanding the deformation history of this unit is essential to interpreting the Oligo‐Miocene evolution of the External Hellenides belt and its associated exhumation events. This study integrates new field observations and microtectonic analyses with previous studies to offer a comprehensive deformation model of the PQ unit since the Late Oligocene. The first deformation phase (D1), captures the progressive incorporation of the PQ into an orogenic wedge. This phase is largely overprinted and only preserved as relict features. The second phase (D2) displays coeval top‐to‐the‐ENE and top‐to‐the‐WSW localized ductile shear. A transition is observed from top‐to‐the‐ENE non‐coaxial deformation at the upper parts of the nappe to intense isoclinal folding (refolding S1) at the lower structural levels. We associate D2 with the ductile syn‐orogenic exhumation of the PQ within an extrusion wedge, accompanied by greenschist‐facies retrogression. In the third phase (D3), semi‐brittle to brittle extensional fault planes cut through the previous ductile structures. D3 faults exhibit extensional kinematics in all directions on the flanks of exhumation domes. This phase correlates with a late‐orogenic doming event, marking the final exhumation stage of the PQ unit in the upper crust. The exhumation of high‐pressure units results from the interplay between ductile syn‐orogenic extrusion and continuous underplating within the subduction zone. This underplating maintains vertical movements and uplift of the units, initiating a 3D upper‐crustal extensional collapse along low‐angle normal faults.
Psychiatric neuroimaging designs for individualised, cohort, and population studies
Authors: Gell Martin , Noble Stephanie , Laumann Timothy O. , Nelson Steven M. , Tervo-Clemmens Brenden
Published: August 2024

Psychiatric neuroimaging faces challenges to rigour and reproducibility that prompt reconsideration of the relative strengths and limitations of study designs. Owing to high resource demands and varying inferential goals, current designs differentially emphasise sample size, measurement breadth, and longitudinal assessments. In this overview and perspective, we provide a guide to the current landscape of psychiatric neuroimaging study designs with respect to this balance of scientific goals and resource constraints. Through a heuristic data cube contrasting key design features, we discuss a resulting trade-off among small sample, precision longitudinal studies (e.g., individualised studies and cohorts) and large sample, minimally longitudinal, population studies. Precision studies support tests of within-person mechanisms, via intervention and tracking of longitudinal course. Population studies support tests of generalisation across multifaceted individual differences. A proposed reciprocal validation model (RVM) aims to recursively leverage these complementary designs in sequence to accumulate evidence, optimise relative strengths, and build towards improved long-term clinical utility.
Automatic heliostat learning for in situ concentrating solar power plant metrology with differentiable ray tracing
Authors: Pargmann Max , Ebert Jan , Götz Markus , Maldonado Quinto Daniel , Pitz-Paal Robert , Kesselheim Stefan
Published: August 2024

Concentrating solar power plants are a clean energy source capable of competitive electricity generation even during night time, as well as the production of carbon-neutral fuels, offering a complementary role alongside photovoltaic plants. In these power plants, thousands of mirrors (heliostats) redirect sunlight onto a receiver, potentially generating temperatures exceeding 1000°C. Practically, such efficient temperatures are never attained. Several unknown, yet operationally crucial parameters, e.g., misalignment in sun-tracking and surface deformations can cause dangerous temperature spikes, necessitating high safety margins. For competitive levelized cost of energy and large-scale deployment, in-situ error measurements are an essential, yet unattained factor. To tackle this, we introduce a differentiable ray tracing machine learning approach that can derive the irradiance distribution of heliostats in a data-driven manner from a small number of calibration images already collected in most solar towers. By applying gradient-based optimization and a learning non-uniform rational B-spline heliostat model, our approach is able to determine sub-millimeter imperfections in a real-world setting and predict heliostat-specific irradiance profiles, exceeding the precision of the state-of-the-art and establishing full automatization. The new optimization pipeline enables concurrent training of physical and data-driven models, representing a pioneering effort in unifying both paradigms for concentrating solar power plants and can be a blueprint for other domains.
Super-shear ruptures steered by pre-stress heterogeneities during the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquake doublet
Authors: Chen Kejie , Wei Guoguang , Milliner Christopher , Dal Zilio Luca , Liang Cunren , Avouac Jean-Philippe
Published: August 2024

The 2023 M7.8 and M7.5 earthquake doublet near Kahramanmaraş, Turkey, provides insight regarding how large earthquakes rupture complex faults. Here we determine the faults geometry using surface ruptures and Synthetic Aperture Radar measurements, and the rupture kinematics from the joint inversion of high-rate Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), strong-motion waveforms, and GNSS static displacement. The M7.8 event initiated on a splay fault and subsequently propagated along the main East Anatolian Fault with an average rupture velocity between 3.0 and 4.0 km/s. In contrast, the M7.5 event demonstrated a bilateral supershear rupture of about 5.0–6.0 km/s over an 80 km length. Despite varying strike and dip angles, the sub-faults involved in the mainshock are nearly optimally oriented relative to the local stress tensor. The second event ruptured a fault misaligned with respect to the regional stress, also hinting at the effect of local stress heterogeneity in addition to a possible free surface effect.
Structural dynamics of protein-protein association involved in the light-induced transition of Avena sativa LOV2 protein
Authors: Kim Changin , Yun So Ri , Lee Sang Jin , Kim Seong Ok , Lee Hyosub , Choi Jungkweon , Kim Jong Goo , Kim Tae Wu , You Seyoung , Kosheleva Irina , Noh Taeyoon , Baek Jonghoon , Ihee Hyotcherl
Published: August 2024

The Light-oxygen-voltage-sensing domain (LOV) superfamily, found in enzymes and signal transduction proteins, plays a crucial role in converting light signals into structural signals, mediating various biological mechanisms. While time-resolved spectroscopic studies have revealed the dynamics of the LOV-domain chromophore’s electronic structures, understanding the structural changes in the protein moiety, particularly regarding light-induced dimerization, remains challenging. Here, we utilize time-resolved X-ray liquidography to capture the light-induced dimerization of Avena sativa LOV2. Our analysis unveils that dimerization occurs within milliseconds after the unfolding of the A’α and Jα helices in the microsecond time range. Notably, our findings suggest that protein-protein interactions (PPIs) among the β-scaffolds, mediated by helix unfolding, play a key role in dimerization. In this work, we offer structural insights into the dimerization of LOV2 proteins following structural changes in the A’α and Jα helices, as well as mechanistic insights into the protein-protein association process driven by PPIs.
Impact of acute stress on the canine gut microbiota
Authors: Patel Krusha V. , Hunt Alysia B. G. , Castillo-Fernandez Juan , Abrams Christine , King Tammie , Watson Phillip , Amos Gregory C. A.
Published: August 2024

There is growing evidence that a relationship exists between mental and emotional wellbeing and the gut microbiota. Little is known regarding how the microbiota reacts to repeated acute stress events in dogs, and whether it is a predictor of stress response. In this study, we explored the impact on the gut microbiota and digestive health with two common events many pet dogs find stressful. Twenty healthy adult dogs, living within a colony, were exposed to either car travel or separation three times across eight-week intervals. Faecal samples were collected 24 h before, within 24 h, and 24–48 h after. Faecal quality and pH, and microbiota diversity and composition were analysed in context with wider published work on physiological stress measures. No significant changes were observed in faecal quality or pH with either stress event at any timepoint, indicating all pets remained in good digestive health. Microbiota analysis demonstrated no significant impact on alpha or beta diversity with either stressor. Microbial signatures previously linked to stress were not identified in these dogs and no changes were observed in the functional gut composition. Irrespective of whether the pet was considered “stressed” (i.e., exhibited an increase in serum cortisol), there was no effect on the microbiota and no taxa were predictive of stress response. Collectively, this work demonstrates, for this population, certain acute stress events have no meaningful impact on the canine gut microbiota, and it has no impact on the associated stress response.
Exploring motor skill acquisition in bimanual coordination: insights from navigating a novel maze task
Authors: Cienfuegos Miguel , Maycock Jonathan , Naceri Abdeldjallil , Düsterhus Tobias , Kõiva Risto , Schack Thomas , Ritter Helge
Published: August 2024

In this study, we introduce a novel maze task designed to investigate naturalistic motor learning in bimanual coordination. We developed and validated an extended set of movement primitives tailored to capture the full spectrum of scenarios encountered in a maze game. Over a 3-day training period, we evaluated participants’ performance using these primitives and a custom-developed software, enabling precise quantification of performance. Our methodology integrated the primitives with in-depth kinematic analyses and thorough thumb pressure assessments, charting the trajectory of participants’ progression from novice to proficient stages. Results demonstrated consistent improvement in maze performance and significant adaptive changes in joint behaviors and strategic recalibrations in thumb pressure distribution. These findings highlight the central nervous system’s adaptability in orchestrating sophisticated motor strategies and the crucial role of tactile feedback in precision tasks. The maze platform and setup emerge as a valuable foundation for future experiments, providing a tool for the exploration of motor learning and coordination dynamics. This research underscores the complexity of bimanual motor learning in naturalistic environments, enhancing our understanding of skill acquisition and task efficiency while emphasizing the necessity for further exploration and deeper investigation into these adaptive mechanisms.
Constructing neural networks with pre-specified dynamics
Authors: Mininni Camilo J. , Zanutto B. Silvano
Published: August 2024

A main goal in neuroscience is to understand the computations carried out by neural populations that give animals their cognitive skills. Neural network models allow to formulate explicit hypotheses regarding the algorithms instantiated in the dynamics of a neural population, its firing statistics, and the underlying connectivity. Neural networks can be defined by a small set of parameters, carefully chosen to procure specific capabilities, or by a large set of free parameters, fitted with optimization algorithms that minimize a given loss function. In this work we alternatively propose a method to make a detailed adjustment of the network dynamics and firing statistic to better answer questions that link dynamics, structure, and function. Our algorithm—termed generalised Firing-to-Parameter (gFTP)—provides a way to construct binary recurrent neural networks whose dynamics strictly follows a user pre-specified transition graph that details the transitions between population firing states triggered by stimulus presentations. Our main contribution is a procedure that detects when a transition graph is not realisable in terms of a neural network, and makes the necessary modifications in order to obtain a new transition graph that is realisable and preserves all the information encoded in the transitions of the original graph. With a realisable transition graph, gFTP assigns values to the network firing states associated with each node in the graph, and finds the synaptic weight matrices by solving a set of linear separation problems. We test gFTP performance by constructing networks with random dynamics, continuous attractor-like dynamics that encode position in 2-dimensional space, and discrete attractor dynamics. We then show how gFTP can be employed as a tool to explore the link between structure, function, and the algorithms instantiated in the network dynamics.
Lab-on-a-chip: Fabrication and Frontiers Aiming at Biomedicines
Authors: Ahmed Tanvir , Tisha Zarin Tasnim
Published: August 2024

The adoption of lab-on-a-chip (LOC) technology has significantly influenced the integration and miniaturization of analytical procedures in the field of biomedicine. This chapter focuses on a thorough exploration of the fabrication methods used to advance LOC devices, with a significant focus on their applications and developments in biomedicine. Microfluidics allows precise fluid manipulation, whereas micro- and nanofabrication techniques enable the combination of several capabilities onto a single chip. LOC technology has versatile uses in personalized medicine, disease diagnostics, and drug development. High-throughput screening is facilitated by these instruments, which enable quick biomarker identification. Sensing technologies have made considerable strides, particularly in nanoparticle-based detection and biosensors. These developments have significantly enhanced analytical capabilities, enabling more accurate and precise measurements across various applications. Furthermore, the advancement of organ-on-a-chip technology has facilitated the mimicking of physiological environments, hence offering valuable contributions to the domains of drug testing and disease simulation. The use of LOC technology offers significant promise for the development of innovative biomedical devices, resulting in a substantial impact on the areas of drug discovery, disease detection, and personalized medicine, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Role of Microfluidics in Drug Encapsulation for Point-of-care Diagnosis and Prognosis
Authors: Mishra Sarita , Harikrishnan Sekar , Perwez Ahmad , Wahabi Khushnuma , Dahiya Ujjwal Ranjan , Bano Subia
Published: August 2024

The recent decade has seen the emergence of microfluidics systems as a promising technology for drug encapsulation in point-of-care (POC) diagnosis and prognosis. Its unique ability to manipulate small amounts of fluids within microscale channels enables precise control over drug encapsulation and sustained delivery processes. In this chapter, we emphasize the role of microfluidics in the synthesis of nanocarriers, focusing on their applications in POC diagnostics and prognosis systems. Various techniques such as emulsion, precipitation, spray drying, etc. have been developed to efficiently encapsulate drugs into nanoparticles, liposomes, and other carriers, allowing for targeted and controlled drug release. However, variability in drug encapsulation can lead to inconsistencies in sustained drug release profiles, potentially compromising the efficacy of therapeutic treatments. Ensuring reproducible and precise drug loading and release remains a challenge in these conventional techniques. To overcome this, microfluidic-based drug delivery systems offer enhanced stability and bioavailability, providing better control over fluid dynamics for efficient mixing of drug components and carriers, leading to improved therapeutic outcomes. Moreover, in the context of POC applications, microfluidic drug encapsulation facilitates rapid and sensitive detection of biomarkers, enabling early diagnosis and accurate prognosis. Its advantages in rural areas, where access to healthcare facilities could be limited, and its cost-effectiveness make it a valuable technology for improving the quality and reach of healthcare outcomes in underserved communities by bringing lab-on-a-chip systems to where they are most needed.
Allies of Pioneering Women Chemists
Authors: Rayner-Canham Marelene , Rayner-Canham Geoff
Published: August 2024

Continuing their research uncovering the lives of women chemists at the turn of the 20th Century, Geoff and Marelene Rayner-Canham have turned their attention to some of the male chemists who enabled women to thrive in chemistry. This book provides an insight into the character of 14 male chemists and their female students. Using contemporary quotes, the authors build an interesting narrative, demonstrating how the support and encouragement of their students was reciprocated with significant contributions to their fame and research.

Beyond the lives of individuals, readers will explore a period of social change in chemistry, not only the acceptance of co-educational teaching, but also the development of domestic chemistry as a subject. Significantly, this period also saw the acceptance of women into the Chemical Society, championed by several of the men featured.
Array-based specific classification of bacterial species via ligands with dimethylamino/amino groups
Authors: Li Xizhe , Yang Fan , Li Haojie , Hu Zhi , Yu Weiting , Zhang Yuchen , Gao Jie
Published: August 2024

G+ or G− bacteria can selectively adsorb ligands containing dimethylamino/amino groups, generating distinct extracellular ligand residues, which undergo growth or aggregation reactions with AgNTs, leading to different color changes and visually classification of G− or G+ bacteria.
A label-free electrochemical biosensor based on a bimetallic organic framework for the detection of carbohydrate antigen 19-9
Authors: Zhao Tongxiao , Jin Baokang
Published: August 2024

A novel electrochemical immune sensor for sensitive detection of CA19-9 was constructed based on rGO@Ce-MOF-on-Fe-MOF@TB nanocomposites, which achieved a wide linear range (1–100 000 mU mL−1) and a low detection limit (0.34 mU mL−1).
Stepped copper sites coupling voltage-induced surfactant assembly to achieve efficient CO2 electroreduction to formate
Authors: Qiao Sicong , Zhang Guikai , Tian Dong , Xu Wenjie , Jiang Wei , Cao Yuyang , Qian Jun , Zhang Jing , He Qun , Song Li
Published: August 2024

Ligand modification for electrochemically formed stepped Cu sites can achieve higher formate selectivity during CO2 reduction. This study highlights the synergy of ligand effect and catalyst reconstruction at atomic and molecular levels.
Stable high-efficiency monolithic all-perovskite tandem solar cells enabled by a natural reactive oxygen species scavenger
Authors: Sun Ruitian , Wang Pengshuai , Zhang Lin , Liu Weijun , Wen Yanjie , Li Fan , Ge Zhizhong , Qiao Liang , Wang Tao , Ye Tianshi , Ji Peijun , Yang Xudong
Published: August 2024

A natural reactive oxygen species scavenger, 4-ethyl-2,6-dimethoxyphenol, enabled high efficiency narrow-bandgap perovskite solar cells and all-perovskite tandem solar cells with improved stability.
Energy deposition in liquid scintillators composed of CsPbBr3 colloidal nanocrystal dispersions
Authors: Baravaglio M. , Sabot B. , Maddalena F. , Birowosuto M. D. , Dang C. , Dujardin C. , Mahler B.
Published: August 2024

Halide perovskite nanocrystals act as efficient energy deposition centers and converters when used in liquid scintillation mixtures.
Docking-based computational analysis of guava (Psidium guajava) leaves derived bioactive compounds as a coagulation factor IXa inhibitor
Authors: De Luna Joseph G. , Gonzales Shanahi Chelledie B. , Nuqui Jimuel Jan M. , Capinding Evalyn S. , Sacdalan Corazon D.
Published: August 2024

This study identifies bioactive compounds from guava leaves that inhibit coagulation factor IXa, highlighting their potential for therapeutic applications in anticoagulant drug development.
The efficient synthesis of three-membered rings via photo- and electrochemical strategies
Authors: Han Xinyu , Zhang Na , Li Qiannan , Zhang Yu , Das Shoubhik
Published: August 2024

Three-membered rings, such as epoxides, aziridines, oxaziridines, cyclopropenes, vinyloxaziridines, and azirines, are recognized as crucial pharmacophores and building blocks in organic chemistry and drug discovery.
Nanomaterial combined engineered bacteria for intelligent tumor immunotherapy
Authors: Qin Shurong , He Guanzhong , Yang Jingjing
Published: August 2024

Compared to traditional therapies, tumor immunotherapy has received a lot of attention and research focus due to its potential to activate both innate and adaptive immunity, cause low toxicity to normal tissue, and induce long-term immune activity.
La bioexclusion en pratique
Authors: Cappelier Jean-Michel , Gogny Anne
Published: August 2024

L’application des règles de biosécurité en élevage doit permettre de réduire le risque d’introduction et de propagation d’agents infectieux. Bien que ces règles dérivent de principes d’hygiènes et de bon sens relativement simples, elles ne sont pas toujours appliquées correctement sur le terrain, soit parce qu’elles sont mal comprises, soit parce qu’elles impliquent des changements importants des pratiques et du comportement.

Afin de simplifier ce concept, le vétérinaire praticien doit proposer à l’exploitant une hiérarchisation des mesures en insistant sur les règles incontournables. Il paraît ainsi important d’insister sur la bioexclusion ou sur la biosécurité externe afin d’empêcher l’introduction des agents pathogènes à l’intérieur de l’exploitation.
Dans ce domaine, les mesures à privilégier sont celles qui concernent les animaux entrant dans l’exploitation, les visiteurs, les contacts avec d’autres animaux et le matériel. La quarantaine est une mesure essentielle bien trop souvent négligée et qui peut permettre la détection d’animaux à risque avant de les introduire dans le troupeau.

L’entrée des visiteurs professionnels dans l’exploitation doit se faire selon des règles strictes d’hygiène et de circulation. Des précautions simples doivent être mises en place de façon à protéger les animaux de l’élevage des contacts avec les animaux des exploitations voisines, les animaux de la faune sauvage, les insectes et rongeurs ainsi que les animaux domestiques. Le matériel qui peut jouer le rôle de vecteur passif de maladies infectieuses et être ainsi à l’origine de contamination croisée doit rester à l’intérieur de l’exploitation.

Les conseils prodigués par le vétérinaire pour l’application de ces mesures de bioexclusion doivent être adaptés à chaque exploitation. Une fois en place, elles devront être complétées par les mesures de biosécurité interne.
Nouvelles technologies de micro-affichage pour les lunettes connectées
Authors: Kress Bernard
Published: August 2024

Les casques de réalité virtuelle (VR), de réalité augmentée (AR) ou de réalité mixte (MR) et les lunettes intelligentes ont fait l'objet de nombreuses attentes au cours de la dernière décennie. Cependant, malgréleur potentiel, ces appareils n’ont pas été largementadoptés par les consommateurs, en partie à cause dumanque de cas d’utilisation universels, ainsi que deproblèmes de confort. Mais ces casques et lunettes ontconnu du succès sur les marchés des entreprises, de l’industrie et de la défense, où ils répondent à des cas d’utilisation spécialisés et à des applications de niche.Les développements technologiques – dont beaucoup sont rendus possibles par l’optique et la photonique – pourraient contribuer à combler ce fossé.
Integrating Environmental Justice into Child-Sensitive Social Protection: The Environmental Roots of Intergenerational Poverty in Amazonia
Authors: de Carvalho Thaís
Published: August 2024

Child-sensitive social protection (CSSP) is heralded as an investment in future human capital, based on the premise that changing poor families’ behaviours can interrupt cycles of poverty reproduction. However, funding for CSSP may come from extractive activities with high environmental costs for the same families that social programmes aim to support. Reflecting on this contradiction in Peruvian Amazonia, the study explores the tensions between State and parental understandings of impoverishment in an Indigenous village impacted by oil extraction. The findings are twofold: (i) although families are sceptical of CSSP’s potential to enhance children’s prospects, they embrace it as a form of compensation for resource dispossession. (ii) CSSP may fail to lift children out of poverty if it overlooks how environmental degradation engenders intergenerational impoverishment. The article makes a case for the adoption of an environmental justice lens into CSPP, emphasising the need for a more holistic understanding of intergenerational poverty.
New Invasive and Potential Pests in Sugarcane Agrosystems in Africa: How to Apprehend Them for Better Preparedness and Management?
Authors: Goebel François-Régis
Published: August 2024

Africa is a key sugarcane-producing continent, particularly in the eastern and southern regions with South Africa being the first producer of this commodity. However, sugarcane is attacked by insect pests of economic importance such as the stem borers, white grubs, armyworms, and sap-sucking insects and arthropods (e.g., aphids, thrips, scale insects, froghoppers, mites), some of which are vectors of important diseases. The African continent is particularly exposed to insect incursions due to the lack of biosecurity plans, phytosanitary control at the border and awareness. The actions taken by South Africa in terms of biosecurity represent a good example to follow and are comparable to what has been implemented in Australia, a country that is constantly threatened by outside pests and diseases. Several examples are given here to explain how an invasive pest can dramatically threaten small-scale farmers, particularly in resource-poor countries and how it is important to have an efficient biosecurity strategy for emergency response for pest and disease control.

Information

© The Author 2024
Investigation of Left Ventricular Layer-Specific Strain in Patients of Chronic Kidney Disease by 2-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography
Authors: Fu Li-yun , Zhang Qian-yi , Ruan Qin-yun , Huang Hui-mei , Yan Lei , You Zi-ling , Su Hong-da
Published: August 2024

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the characteristics of left ventricular layer-specific strain in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

METHODS

Eighty-five patients of chronic kidney disease in the Department of Nephrology of our hospital from March 2020 to August 2021 were selected and divided into three groups according to the estimated GFR: Group A (CKD stage 1–2), Group B (CKD stage 3–4), and Group C (CKD stage 5), 40 hypertensive patients without renal insufficiency were gathered as hypertension (HT) group and 40 gender and age-matched healthy volunteers were selected as the control group. Then, (i) Routine echocardiographic parameters: left ventricular diameter, left atrium diameter, wall thickness, LVEF. (ii) Myocardial strain: global longitudinal strain (GLS), longitudinal strain in endocardium (SL-endo), longitudinal strain in average (SL-ave), longitudinal strain in epicardium (SL-epi), global circumferential strain (GCS), global circumferential strain in endocardium (SC-endo), global circumferential strain in average (SC-ave), global circumferential strain in epicardium (SC-epi), and global radial strain (GRS) were analyzed.

RESULTS

(i) Compared with the control group, the structure of the left heart and LVEF in groups A and B had no significant changes, left ventricular remodeling appeared, and diastolic function declined in HT group and group C, LVEF decreased in group C (all P < 0.05). (ii) Only SL-endo decreased in the HT group. All of SL-endo, SL-ave, and SL-epi were reduced in the CKD group and were lowest in group C. Radial strain decreased only in group C (all P < 0.05). (iii) The global and layer-specific longitudinal strain were correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (r = 0.541–0.559, all P < 0.05), LVEF was correlated with longitudinal and circumferential strain (r = 0.406–0.424, all P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that longitudinal strain in different layers were independently correlated with different stages of CKD and the occurrence of secondary hypertension or not (β = −0.251 to −0.443, all P < 0.05). Circumferential strain in all layers were independently correlated with the appearance of secondary hypertension or not (β = −0.255 to −0.31, all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The degree and range of the impairment of left ventricular strain in CKD patients are related to the stage of eGFR and secondary hypertension, which may affect the global systolic pump function by involving the circumferential strain.
The National Health Service 2-week-wait skin cancer referral pathway: analysis and recommendations for process improvement
Authors: Madan Vishal
Published: August 2024

Background

Although pressures on the National Health Service skin cancer services pre-dated the COVID pandemic, the 2-week-wait (2WW) skin cancer standards that require hospitals to provide an appointment with a specialist within 2 weeks for anyone with symptoms that may indicate cancer have deteriorated post the pandemic.

Objectives

To undertake process mapping of the current 2WW skin cancer pathways and provide recommendations to streamline and improve the pathway to meet the 2WW standards.

Methods

The 2WW skin cancer pathway is analysed in this report utilizing 4 V typology encompassing the four dimensions of operations: volume, variety, variation and visibility, and a volume–variety matrix. A performance matrix of the 2WW skin cancer pathway and SIPOC (suppliers, inputs, processes, outputs and customers) analysis are also examined.

Results

Process analysis enabled the identification of some of the limitations of the 2WW skin cancer pathway. Following analysis and redesign of the process map of the pathway, recommendations, including lesion assessment using artificial intelligence, single-lesion assessment clinics and direct access skin surgery, all of which aim to expedite patient care and increase capacity in 2WW clinics, are provided.

Conclusions

The process analysis of the 2WW skin cancer pathway provides useful insights and helps identify bottlenecks in the system. Recommendations following remapping the process offer potential solutions to help reduce time to referral and to increase capacity. These recommendations should help reduce waiting times for patients receiving an initial diagnosis and subsequent definitive treatment for suspected skin cancers.
The impact of quality of life on the survival of elderly patients with end-stage renal disease: a prospective multicenter cohort study in Korea
Authors: Chung Yu-Kyung , Lim Jeong-Hoon , Jeon Ye-na , Jeon You Hyun , Jung Hee-Yeon , Choi Ji-Young , Park Sun-Hee , Kim Chan-Duck , Kim Yong-Lim , Cho Jang-Hee
Published: August 2024

Background

Quality of life (QOL) is associated with mortality in dialysis patients. However, the impact of QOL index or score on elderly patients undergoing maintenance dialysis is unclear. We analyzed the relationship between QOL domains and survival in elderly end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on dialysis.

Methods

We included 492 incident ESRD patients aged ≥65 years from a Korean nationwide prospective cohort study who were assessed for QOL with a follow-up duration of 67.3 ± 34.6 months after dialysis initiation. Their QOL was evaluated using the Kidney Disease Quality of Life (KDQOL) instrument, and the effect of each QOL domain on mortality was analyzed. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was performed to identify independent risk factors for death after adjusting for confounding factors.

Results

Low physical component summary (PCS) and Short Form-36 score were significantly associated with low survival rate (P < .001 and P = .017, respectively), whereas the mental component summary and ESRD-targeted item scores were not correlated with survival rate. Multivariable Cox regression analysis confirmed that only a high PCS score was associated with better survival (hazard ratio 0.71; 95% confidence interval 0.52–0.97; P = .031). Linear regression analysis revealed that age, sex, modified Charlson comorbidity index, albumin and intact parathyroid hormone were associated with PCS. Among the PCS items, only the physical functioning score was significantly associated with mortality (P = .017).

Conclusion

PCS was an independent risk factor for death in elderly ESRD patients. A higher physical functioning score was associated with a better outcome, suggesting the importance of physical condition in elderly dialysis patients.
Drivers of Intraspecific Variation in Thermal Traits and Their Importance for Resilience to Global Change in Amphibians
Authors: Cocciardi Jennifer M , Ohmer Michel E B
Published: August 2024

Synopsis

Intraspecific variation can be as great as variation across species, but the role of intraspecific variation in driving local and large-scale patterns is often overlooked, particularly in the field of thermal biology. In amphibians, which depend on environmental conditions and behavior to regulate body temperature, recognizing intraspecific thermal trait variation is essential to comprehensively understanding how global change impacts populations. Here, we examine the drivers of micro- and macrogeographical intraspecific thermal trait variation in amphibians. At the local scale, intraspecific variation can arise via changes in ontogeny, body size, and between the sexes, and developmental plasticity, acclimation, and maternal effects may modulate predictions of amphibian performance under future climate scenarios. At the macrogeographic scale, local adaptation in thermal traits may occur along latitudinal and elevational gradients, with seasonality and range-edge dynamics likely playing important roles in patterns that may impact future persistence. We also discuss the importance of considering disease as a factor affecting intraspecific variation in thermal traits and population resilience to climate change, given the impact of pathogens on thermal preferences and critical thermal limits of hosts. Finally, we make recommendations for future work in this area. Ultimately, our goal is to demonstrate why it is important for researchers to consider intraspecific variation to determine the resilience of amphibians to global change.
A Practical Guide to Avoiding Biased Communication in Reproductive Biology
Authors: Baker Zoe , Hayssen Virginia
Published: August 2024

Synopsis

When cultural biases pervade communication, whether visual or text-based, objectivity is impaired. Anthropocentrism (human-centered bias) and androcentrism (male-centered bias) in particular distort perspectives in mammalian reproductive biology. This paper provides a resource for professionals who understand how cultural biases can be reinforced with language, visuals, and conceptual framing. After brief explanations, we present neutral alternatives to biased terminology as well as ways to avoid bias in illustrations. Since this paper is animal-centric, we hope to inspire the creation of similar resources across a more diverse biota and, thus, move towards a more neutral perspective across reproductive biology.
Analysis of the Borreliaceae Pangenome Reveals a Distinct Genomic Architecture Conserved Across Phylogenetic Scales
Authors: Lemieux Jacob E
Published: August 2024

The family Borreliaceae contains arthropod-borne spirochetes that cause two widespread human diseases, Lyme disease and relapsing fever. Lyme disease is a subacute, progressive illness with variable stage and tissue manifestations. Relapsing fever is an acute febrile illness with prominent bacteremia that may recur and disseminate, particularly to the nervous system. Clinical heterogeneity is a hallmark of both diseases. While human clinical manifestations are influenced by a wide variety of factors, including immune status and host genetic susceptibility, there is evidence that Borreliaceae microbial factors influence the clinical manifestations of human disease caused by this family of spirochetes. Despite these associations, the spirochete genes that influence the severity and manifestations of human disease are, for the most part, unknown. Recent work has identified lineage-specific expansions of lipoproteome-rich accessory genome elements in virulent clones of Borrelia burgdorferi. Using publicly available genome assemblies, it is shown that all Borreliaceae lineages for which sufficient sequence data are available harbor a similar pattern of strongly structured, lineage-specific expansions in their accessory genomes, particularly among lipoproteins, and that this pattern holds across phylogenetic scales including genera, species, and genotypes. The relationships among pangenome elements suggest that infrequent episodes of marked genomic change followed by clonal expansion in geographically and enzootically structured populations may account for the unique lineage structure of Borreliaceae. This analysis informs future genotype–phenotype studies among Borreliaceae and lays a foundation for studies of individual gene function guided by phylogenetic patterns of conservation, diversification, gain, and/or loss.
Liability for AI-related IP infringements in the European Union
Authors: Rački Marinković Ana
Published: August 2024

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology develops and more AI systems are put on the market, concern about the implications of such AI systems on humans is growing. A particular area of concern is the impact of AI systems on intellectual property rights (IPRs) as infringement might occur in relation to the use of AI systems. IPR infringements can be committed by training an AI system, as well as by using or when operating an AI system. This raises the question of liability for such IPR infringements.

This research covers situations where IPR infringements are committed by training an AI system, as well as those where infringements are committed by using or operating an AI system. One hypothetical situation of an AI system created solely for the purpose of infringing IPRs is investigated, but also includes situations where otherwise legitimate AI systems are misused in criminal activities as tools for the production and sale of infringing goods. These areas are analysed in relation to the proposed AI Liability Directive and other relevant European Union legislation to identify what rules would be applicable to liability for damage in such cases. The research also considers the recently enacted AI Act. In instances where the damage is caused by AI-enabled products and services, the study shows how the ‘rebuttable presumption of causality’ provided for under the AI Liability Directive could be applied.