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Caenorhabditis elegans in microgravity: An omics perspective
Get PDFYesThe application of omics to study Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) in the context of spaceflight is increasing, illuminating the wide-ranging biological impacts of spaceflight on physiology. In this review, we highlight the application of omics, including transcriptomics, genomics, proteomics, multi-omics, and integrated omics in the study of spaceflown C. elegans, and discuss the impact, use, and future direction of this branch of research. We highlight the variety of molecular alterations that occur in response to spaceflight, most notably changes in metabolic and neuromuscular gene regulation. These transcriptional features are reproducible and evident across many spaceflown species (e.g., mice and astronauts), supporting the use of C. elegans as a model organism to study spaceflight physiology with translational capital. Integrating tissue-specific, spatial, and multi-omics approaches, which quantitatively link molecular responses to phenotypic adaptations, will facilitate the identification of candidate regulatory molecules for therapeutic intervention and thus represents the next frontiers in C. elegans space omics research
Hindu nationalist statecraft, dog-whistle legislation, and the vigilante state in contemporary India
Get PDFYesThe ideology and politics of Hindu nationalism has always been predicated on an antagonistic discursive construction of �dangerous others,� notably Muslims but also Christians. This construct has served to define India as first and foremost a Hindu nation, thereby de facto relegating religious minorities to the status of not properly belonging to the nation. However, under the leadership of the current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Hindu nationalism has acquired an unprecedented political force. A key consequence of this has been that the discursive construction of dangerous others is now increasingly being written into law, through a process of Hindu nationalist statecraft. The result is, we argue, not just a de facto but increasingly also a de jure marginalization and stigmatization of religious minorities. We substantiate this argument by analysing the intent and effect of recent pieces of legislation in two Indian states regulating, among other things, religious conversions, inter?faith relationships, and population growth. Conceiving of such laws as dog?whistle legislation, we argue that they are, in fact, geared towards the legal consolidation of India as a Hindu state. We also analyse the intimate entanglement between these laws and the collective violence of vigilante groups against those minorities that Hindu nationalists frame as dangerous, anti?national others
Monitoring damage of concrete beams via self-sensing cement mortar coating with carbon nanotube-nano carbon black composite fillers
Get PDFYesSelf-sensing concrete used in coating form for structural health monitoring of concrete structures has the merits of cost-effectiveness, offering protective effect on structural components, enabling electrical measurements unaffected by steel reinforcement and is also convenient to maintain and replace. This paper investigates the feasibility of using self-sensing cement mortar coating containing carbon nanotube-nano carbon black (CNT-NCB) composite fillers (CNCFs) for damage monitoring of concrete beams. The self-sensing cement mortar coated to concrete beams demonstrated outstanding electrical conductivity (resistivity ranging from 18 to 85 Ω·cm). Under monotonic flexural loadings, self-sensing cement mortar coating with 1.8 vol.% CNCFs featured sensitive self-sensing performance in terms of capturing the initiation of vertical cracks at pure bending span of concrete beams, with fractional change in resistivity (FCR) reaching up to 60.6%. Moreover, FCR variations of self-sensing cement mortar coating exhibited good synchronization and stability with the variation of mid-span deflections of concrete beams during cyclic flexural loadings irrespective of the contents of CNCFs and cyclic amplitudes. Remarkably, it was found that FCR of cement mortar coating basically showed a progressive upward tendency, representing irreversible increase in the resistance during cyclic loading. The irreversible residual FCR indicated the crack occurrence and damage accumulation of concrete beams.National Science Foundation of China (52368031, 51978127 and 52178188) and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (2022M710973
The anticancer/cytotoxic effect of a novel gallic acid derivative in non-small cell lung carcinoma A549 cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy individuals and lung cancer patients
Get PDFYesGallic acid (GA) is a naturally occurring polyphenol with a strong antioxidant capacity. GA stimulates the apoptosis of cancer cells, thereby suppressing cancer cell invasion. However, the low oral permeability of GA limits its therapeutic use. In order to enhance the antioxidant capacity and oral permeability of GA, a series of compounds analogous to GA were synthesized: 4-methoxybenzenesulfonamide (MBS), 3,4-dimethoxybenzenesulfonamide (DMBS) and 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzenesulfonamide (TMBS). In the new compounds, hydroxyl groups were replaced with various numbers of methoxy groups (stronger electron-donating groups), to increase hydrophobicity and oral permeability compared to GA. In addition, the carboxylic group was replaced with a sulfonyl group (a stronger electron-withdrawing group), to increase the molecular polarity and antioxidative activities of the compounds. The cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to detect the effect of GA, MBS, DMBS, and TMBS on cell proliferation and apoptosis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy individuals and non-small cell lung carcinoma A549 cells. Additionally, the comet assay was used to assess the genotoxicity of these compounds in PBMCs from healthy individuals, lung cancer patients, and A549 cells. Compared to untreated cells, TMBS reduced DNA damage more effectively than GA in PBMCs from lung cancer patients and healthy donors. Furthermore, in comparison to GA, TMBS was more cytotoxic in A549 cells. Moreover, TMBS was not cytotoxic in healthy PBMCs, suggesting that TMBS demonstrates therapeutic potential in cancer.University of Bradfor
‘Beyond the Binary’: Funerary Archaeology, Gendered Identity, and its Impact on Contemporary Society
No full textSex and gender are considered fundamental aspects of identity. Funerary archaeology is used as the access point to identity in the past, with these materials providing the basis for conclusions. Within interpretations, the sex and gender binaries are often relied upon, causing issues with reliability and validity of conclusions as the categories of ‘male’ and ‘female’ do not account for identities outside this binary.
This research challenges the analytical processes within funerary archaeology by demonstrating a unique approach to materials that does not rely on this binary model. The results, along with other archaeological and contemporary materials that challenge ideas around sex and gender were incorporated into workshops that determined the role that archaeological materials can play in discussions around sex and gender identity and improving mental health and wellbeing today.
There are issues relating to sex and gender identity today, such as inequality and discrimination. These issues have a negative impact on wellbeing, with the LGBTQ+ community having a higher risk of developing mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
The analysis of the funerary remains removes the restrictions of sex categorisations, allowing for broader discussions of identity and allows other patterns of evidence to come to the forefront. These results used in the workshops showed that the past is a powerful instigator of conversation around identity and can challenge perceptions and biases. This can improve contemporary attitudes by providing a sense of history and heritage and providing marginalised groups a voice in constructing their pasts
Exploring variation in implementation of multifactorial falls risk assessment and tailored interventions: a realist review
Get PDFYesFalls are the most common safety incident reported by acute hospitals. In England national guidance recommends delivery of a multifactorial falls risk assessment (MFRA) and interventions tailored to address individual falls risk factors. However, there is variation in how these practices are implemented. This study aimed to explore the variation by examining what supports or constrains delivery of MFRAs and tailored interventions in acute hospitals.
A realist review of literature was conducted with searches completed in three stages: (1) to construct hypotheses in the form of Context, Mechanism, Outcome configurations (CMOc) about how MFRAs and interventions are delivered, (2) to scope the breadth and depth of evidence available in Embase to test the CMOcs, and (3) following prioritisation of CMOcs, to refine search strategies for use in multiple databases. Citations were managed in EndNote; titles, s, and full texts were screened, with 10% independently screened by two reviewers.
Two CMOcs were prioritised for testing labelled: Facilitation via MFRA tools, and Patient Participation in interventions. Analysis indicated that MFRA tools can prompt action, but the number and type of falls risk factors included in tools differ across organisations leading to variation in practice. Furthermore, the extent to which tools work as prompts is influenced by complex ward conditions such as changes in patient condition, bed swaps, and availability of falls prevention interventions. Patient participation in falls prevention interventions is more likely where patient directed messaging takes individual circumstances into account, e.g., not wanting to disturb nurses by using the call bell. However, interactions that elicit individual circumstances can be resource intensive and patients with cognitive impairment may not be able to participate despite appropriately directed messaging.
Organisations should consider how tools can be developed in ways that better support consistent and comprehensive identification of patients' individual falls risk factors and the complex ward conditions that can disrupt how tools work as facilitators. Ward staff should be supported to deliver patient directed messaging that is informed by their individual circumstances to encourage participation in falls prevention interventions, where appropriate.
PROSPERO: CRD42020184458.This research is funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Research (HSDR) Programme (project number NIHR129488)
Dual-tasking while using two languages: Examining the cognitive resource demands of cued and voluntary language production in bilinguals
Get PDFYesThe way bilinguals switch languages can differ depending on the context. In cued dual-language environments, bilinguals
select a language in response to environmental cues (e.g., a monolingual conversation partner). In voluntary dual-language
environments, bilinguals communicating with people who speak the same languages can use their languages
more freely. The control demands of these types of language-production contexts, and the costs of language switches,
have been argued to differ (Adaptive Control Hypothesis). Here, we used a dual-task paradigm to examine how cued
and voluntary bilingual production differ in cognitive resources used. Forty Mandarin-English bilinguals completed
two language-switching paradigms as the primary task; one in response to cues and one while using two languages
freely. At the same time, they also had to respond to the pitch of tones (secondary task). Response times (RTs) on
the secondary task, as well as naming times on the primary task, were shorter under the voluntary- than cued-naming
condition. Task workload ratings were also higher under the cued- than voluntary-naming condition. This suggests
more attentional resources are needed in a cued-naming context to monitor cues and select languages accordingly.
However, the costs associated with switching from one language to the other were similar in both voluntary- and
cued-naming contexts. Thus, while cued-naming might be more effortful overall, cued and voluntary switching recruited
similar levels of cognitive resources
What are lay UK public perceptions of frailty: a scoping review
Get PDFYesRationale and Perceptions of frailty can influence how families cope, quality of life and access to support services.
Yet little is known of how lay members of the UK general public perceive frailty. This scoping review aimed to explore how
frailty is perceived among the lay public in the United Kingdom.
Methods: The established scoping review methodology by Arksey and O’Malley was followed and searches were conducted
across eight electronic databases and grey literature websites for articles published between 1990 and August 2022. In total,
6,705 articles were identified, of which six were included in the review. Data were analysed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic
analysis framework.
Results: Three key themes were identified; frailty as a normal part of ageing, perceived consequences of frailty and coping with
frailty. Overall, frailty has negative connotations and is perceived as linked to a natural part of the ageing process, increased
dependency, loss of identity and social exclusion and stigma. However, it is unclear whether these perceptions have a direct
bearing on access to support services for communities.
Conclusion and implications: This review identifies that it is imperative for health and social care service providers to
consider the individual meaning of frailty for older people and families, to understand and integrate their particular needs
and preferences when planning and delivering person centred frailty care and support. There is also a need for development
of interventions that focus on increasing education and reducing stigma around frailty in order to change frailty perceptions
in the UK.This report is independent research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, Yorkshire and Humber Applied Research Collaborations NIHR200166
Air pollution in Iran: The current status and potential solutions
Get PDFYesAir pollution has been integrated into global challenges over the last few years due to its negative impact on the health of human beings, increasing socio-economic risks and its contribution to climate change. This study attempts to evaluate the current status of Iran's air pollution with regard to the sources of emissions, control policies, as well as the health and climate consequences that have resulted through available data from monitoring stations reported in the literature, official documents and previous published papers. Many large cities in Iran surpass the permissible concentration of air pollutants, particularly particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, black carbon and ozone. Although regulations and policies are in place and enormous efforts are being made to address air pollution issues in the country, implementation and enforcement are not as effective as they could be. The significant challenges may be regarded as the inefficiency of regulation and supervision systems, the lack of air quality monitoring systems and technology, particularly in industrial cities rather than Tehran as well as the lack of continual feedback and investigations on the efficiency of regulation. Providing such an up-to-date report can bring opportunities for international collaboration, which is essential in addressing the air pollution worldwide. We suggest that a way forward could be more focused on conducting systematic reviews using scientometric methods to show an accurate picture and trend in air pollution and its association in Iran, implementing an integrated approach for both climate change and air pollution issues, collaborating with international counterparts to share knowledge, tools, and techniques
Production of blue ammonia as a clean fuel in Qatar
Get PDFYesThe production of blue ammonia is considered an alternative fuel to reduce CO2 emissions in the ecosystem. Qatar aims to construct the world's largest blue ammonia plant, with an annual capacity of 1.2 million tons (MT), in the first quarter of 2026. Blue ammonia is produced by combining nitrogen with "blue" hydrogen from natural gas feedstocks, with carbon dioxide captured and stored safely. Blue Ammonia can be transported by conventional ships and utilized in power stations to produce low-carbon electricity and potential future applications in decarbonized industries. The new plant will be located in Mesaieed Industrial City (MIC) and operated by QAFCO as part of its integrated facilities. QAFCO is already a significant ammonia and urea producer worldwide, with an annual production capacity of 3.8 million MT of ammonia and 5.6 million MT of urea per annum. Furthermore, QAFCO is the largest producer of urea and ammonia at a single facility worldwide. Qatar Energy Renewable Solutions (QERS) will develop and manage integrated carbon capture and storage facilities to capture and sequester 1.5 MT of CO2 per year for the blue ammonia plant. QERS will also provide more than 35 MW of renewable electricity to the Ammonia-7 facility from its upcoming PV Solar Power Plant in MIC. This project is a step towards reducing the carbon intensity of energy products and is a crucial pillar of Qatar’s sustainability and energy transition strategy to align with Qatar’s 2030 National Vision