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BrewDog’s ‘Equity for Punks’ fuelled its rapid rise – but may have contributed to its struggles
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Hildebrand, Jayne. <i>Novel Environments: Science, Description, and Victorian Fiction</i>
No full textGlobal diversity and evolution of Salmonella enterica serovar Panama:a genomic epidemiology study
No full textBackground Non-typhoidal Salmonella is a globally important bacterial pathogen, typically associated with foodborne gastrointestinal infection. Some non-typhoidal Salmonella serovars can also colonise typically sterile sites in people to cause invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella disease. Salmonella enterica serovar Panama is responsible for a substantial number of cases of human bloodstream infection, but despite its global dissemination, numerous outbreaks, and a reported association with invasive non-typhoidal Salmonella disease, S enterica serovar Panama (S Panama) is understudied. We aimed to describe the genomic epidemiology and evolutionary history of S Panama to provide a vital baseline of understanding for this globally important serovar. Methods In this genomic epidemiology study, we analysed S Panama genomes derived from historical collections, national surveillance datasets, and publicly available epidemiological and whole-genome sequencing data which span the years 1931-2019. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylodynamic approaches were used to investigate population structure and evolutionary history and to infer geotemporal dissemination. A combination of different bioinformatic approaches with short-read and long-read data were used to characterise geographical and clade-specific trends in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and genetic markers for invasiveness. Findings We analysed 836 S Panama genomes, of which 559 (67%) were sequenced as part of this study. The collection represents all inhabited continents and includes isolates collected between 1931 and 2019. We identified the presence of four geographically linked S Panama clades (C1 [ie, the Latin America and the Caribbean clade; n=338], C2 [ie, the European clade; n=124], C3 [ie, the Martinique clade; n=131], and C4 [ie, the Asia and Oceania clade; n=104]) and regional trends in AMR profiles. Most isolates (715 [86%] of 836) were pan-susceptible to antibiotics and belonged to clades circulating in Latin America and the Caribbean (64%, n=458). Most antibiotic-resistant isolates in our collection (113 [93%] of 121) fell within clades C4 (ie, the Asia and Oceania clade) and C2 (ie, the European clade), the latter of which had the highest invasiveness index values based on the conservation of 196 extraintestinal predictor genes. Interpretation This first large-scale phylogenetic analysis of S Panama has revealed important information about the population structure, AMR, global ecology, and genetic markers of invasiveness of the identified genomic subtypes. Our findings provide an important baseline for understanding S Panama infection. The presence of multidrug-resistant clades with elevated invasiveness index values should be monitored through ongoing surveillance, as such clades could pose an increased public health risk
Reliable reconstruction of cricket song from biophysical models and preserved specimens
No full textPredicting the function of a biological structure solely from its morphology can be a very powerful tool in several fields of biology, but especially in evolutionary reconstruction. In the field of invertebrate acoustic communication, reconstructing the acoustic properties of sound-producing forewings in crickets has been based on two very divergent methods, finite element modelling (FEM) and vibrometric measurements from preserved specimens. Both methods, however, make strong simplifying assumptions that have not been tested and the reliability of inferences made from either method remains in question. Here, we rigorously test and refine both reconstruction methods using the well-known Teleogryllus oceanicus model system and determine the appropriate conditions required to reconstruct the vibroacoustic behaviour of male forewings. We find that when using FEM it is not necessary to assume simplified boundary conditions if the appropriate parameters are found. When using preserved specimens, we find that the sample needs to be rehydrated for reliable reconstruction; however, it may be possible to accomplish rehydration in silico using FEM. Our findings provide a refined methodology for the reliable reconstruction of cricket songs, whether from fossils or preserved specimens from museums or field collections
A Brazilian bioregionalization reappraisal based on Angiosperm distribution:a biogeographical and conservation overview
No full textBioregionalizations constitute an important tool to synthesize biodiversity knowledge, essential for conservation planning. Bioregions currently recognized in the Neotropics have been delineated using different methods and biologicalgroups, frequently suggesting conflicting results. This study aimed to reevaluate the circumscription of bioregions using the distribution of angiosperm species. Angiosperm records were compiled from online herbaria and filtered fortaxonomical and geographical accuracy according to Flora e Funga do Brasil. A network analysis was performed with InfoMap Bioregions and similarity amongst recognized bioregions was evaluated with an Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean. Beta diversity patterns were modelled using Generalized Dissimilarity Modelling (GDM) and five climatic variables. A conservation overview was constructed comparing sampling, conservation coverage, deforestation and fire occurrence across bioregions. Seven bioregions were identified and hierarchically clustered: Brazilian subregion (subdivisions not recovered in our analysis); Chacoan subregion, comprised of the Chacoan dominion (four provinces) and the Paraná dominion (two provinces). GDM recognized other heterogeneous areas within these bioregions. The Paraná dominion presented the largest historical anthropization, the Chacoan dominion presented the highest density of fire spots, and the Brazilian subregion had the highest coverage of conservation units while encompassing unknown biodiversity
Scoping review of evidence-based practice guidelines for the evaluation and care of young children with developmental disabilities in LMIC settings:evidence for action
No full textIntroduction: Childhood disability is increasingly prevalent, particularly in low-income and middle-income countries, as more children survive worldwide. Global practice guidelines are essential to address the need for timely identification, evaluation and management of children with developmental disabilities, particularly in resource-limited settings. This scoping review aims to summarise recent evidence-based practice guidelines for the assessment and care of children aged 0–5 years at risk or with developmental disabilities and identify those practice guidelines that are suitable for use across both global and resource-limited settings. Methods: We searched PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL as well as websites for professional associations using Google to identify evidence-based practice guidelines for specific developmental disabilities with established global prevalence estimates. We identified additional literature through snowballing. Practice guidelines were included if they were published between September 2012 and June 2024, were in English, and demonstrated a systematic process of reviewing available evidence, which then provided information on the detection, diagnosis, treatment and management of children under five with developmental disabilities. Three reviewers independently screened results by title, abstract and full text. Study characteristics and outcome data were extracted, and results were narratively synthesised. Results: 43 practice guidelines met the eligibility search criteria. Few evidence-based practice guidelines were generated from resource-limited settings (n=3, 7.0%). Of these, two were published in Malaysia and one from Cameroon. Most of the practice guidelines focused on both assessment and management (n=20, 46.5%), with some addressing only assessment (n=9, 20.9%) or management of the conditions (n=14, 32.6%). Conclusions: Practice guidelines focusing on the identification and support of children with developmental disabilities, chiefly published within high-income settings, are available to be selectively adapted and utilised across similar localities globally. All young children with developmental disabilities worldwide have the right to access equitable, timely and quality health and developmental care services
Frex: dependently typed algebraic simplification
No full textWe present a new design for an algebraic simplification library structured around concepts from universal algebra: theories, models, homomorphisms, and universal properties of free algebras and free extensions of algebras. The library's dependently typed interface guarantees that both built-in and user-defined simplification modules are terminating, sound, and complete with respect to a well-specified class of equations. We have implemented the design in the Idris 2 and Agda dependently typed programming languages and shown that it supports modular extension to new theories, proof extraction and certification, goal extraction via reflection, and interactive development
Rapid gram-scale microwave-assisted synthesis of organic anodes for sodium-ion batteries with environmental impact assessment
No full textDevelopment of sustainable synthesis methods of organic electrode materials (OEMs) for sodium (Na)-ion batteries must take hold rapidly in large scale-synthesis if subsequent commercialisation is to occur. We report a facile and rapid gram-scale synthesis method based on microwave irradiation for disodium naphthalene-2,6-dicarboxylate (Na-NDC) and mono/disodium benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate (Na-BDC) as model compounds. Phase purity and formation of materials was confirmed by various characterisation techniques. The electrochemical performance was tested in both half and full cell formats and compared to material obtained via smaller scale synthesis, revealing state-of-the art performance in terms of capacity retention and cyclability. The environmental impacts upon organic anode synthesis were quantified according to cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA). The results allow for the identification of environmental hotspots during production, indicating areas for future process optimisation. Interestingly, remarkably reduced impacts are obtained compared to conventional syntheses at milligram scale. Additionally, this work suggests potential significant improvements upon additional upscaling and solvent recycling