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The Idea of Waste: On the Limits of Human Life
No full textAn exploration of both the reality and the spectre of waste throughout history.
The Idea of Waste starts with the premise that waste is inevitable in human society. It explores how we have grappled with both the material reality and the spectre of this shape-shifting phenomenon throughout history – utilizing it, dreaming of overcoming it, yet never escaping it. John Scanlan investigates what waste is and why it seems to be intrinsic to human life, at every turn, in every age and epoch. He demonstrates how waste never disappears completely but rather only proliferates anew. The compelling narrative shows waste to be both an enduring material consequence of human activity and an idea or state of being
Organisational and Social Dynamics journal Book review: A Social Dreaming Experience at the Time of Covid by Pasini, E. and Trimboli, C. Springer International Publishing 2023 pp 121 ISBN: 978-3-031-42497-7
No full textImmune checkpoint expression and therapeutic implications in IDH1-mutant and wild-type glioblastomas
No full textProgrammed cell death protein 1 (PDCD1) and cluster of differentiation 274 (CD274) expression is implicated in escaping tumors from immune surveillance. Immune checkpoint inhibitors show promise in cancer therapy, yet their efficacy in glioblastomas, particularly with IDH1 mutations, remains unclear. This study analyzed two independent NGS datasets (n = 577 and n = 153) from TCGA to investigate the expression of PDCD1 and CD274 in glioblastomas and their relationship with IDH1 mutations. We used cBioPortal for mutation analysis, RNA seq for expression analysis, miRDB and miRabel for differential expression of miRNAs, and Kaplan-Meier for survival prediction. We found that 5.4% of glioblastomas harbored IDH1 mutations, correlating with improved overall survival (OS) (p = 2.196e-3). Different glioblastoma cohorts showed a diverse IDH1 mutational prevalence (4-31%). Despite this, IDH1Mu was consistently associated with better OS (p = 8.235e-5). Notably, PDCD1 and CD274 were statistically significantly highly expressed in both IDH1Wt (p < 0.0001) and IDH1Mu tumors (p < 0.0001), with higher expression linked to poorer survival outcomes (PDCD1: p = 0.009; CD274: p = 0.02). Differential co-expression analyses revealed distinct gene and miRNA profiles for IDH1Wt and IDH1Mu glioblastomas, with specific upregulation of PTEN and downregulation of MUC16 in IDH1Wt, and upregulation of PIK3R1 in IDH1Mu. Additionally, PIK3R1 and ITGB2 emerged as critical druggable targets. Our findings indicate that PDCD1 and CD274 are highly expressed irrespective of IDH1 mutation statuses, suggesting that glioblastomas could benefit from immunotherapy. Moreover, IDH1Mu glioblastomas may require a combination of PI3K/AKT/mTOR inhibitors and immunotherapy due to PIK3R1 overexpression
The effect of C-terminal deamidation on bacterial susceptibility and resistance to modelin-5
Get PDFThe C-terminal amide carried by AMPs can play a variable role in their antibacterial action and here, this role is investigated here for the synthetic peptide modelin-5 (M5-NH2). The peptide showed potent activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MLC = 5.9 µM), with strong binding to the cytoplasmic membrane (CM) (Kd = 21.5 μM) and the adoption of high levels of amphiphilic α-helical structure (80.1 %) which promoted strong CM penetration (9.6 mN m-1) and CM lysis (89.0 %). In contrast, Staphylococcus aureus was resistant to M5-NH2 (MLC = 139.6 µM), probably due electrostatic repulsion effects mediated by Lys-PG in the organism’s CM. These effects promoted weak CM binding (Kd = 120.6 μM) and the formation of low levels of amphiphilic α-helical structure (30.1 %), with low levels of CM penetration (4.8 mN m-1) and lysis (36.4 %). C-terminal deamidation had a variable influence on the antibacterial activity of M5-NH2, and in the case of S. aureus, loss of this structural moiety had no apparent effect on activity. The resistance of S. aureus to M5-NH2 isoforms appeared to be facilitated by the high level of charge carried by these peptides, as well as the density and distribution of this charge. In the case of P. aeruginosa, the activity of M5-NH2 was greatly reduced by C-terminal deamidation (MLC = 138.6 µM), primarily through decreased CM binding (Kd = 118.4 μM) and amphiphilic α-helix formation (39.6 %) that led to lower levels of CM penetration (5.1 mN m-1) and lysis (39.0 %)
A Value Driven Framework for Cybersecurity Innovation in Transportation & Infrastructure
Get PDFThis paper introduces a value-driven cybersecurity innovation framework for the transportation and infrastructure sectors, as opposed to the traditional market-centric approaches that have dominated the field. Recontextualizing innovation categories into sustaining, incremental, disruptive, and transformative, we aim to foster a culture of self-innovation within organizations, enabling a strategic focus on cybersecurity measures that directly contribute to business value and strategic goals. This approach enhances operational effectiveness and efficiency of cyber defences primarily, while also aligns cybersecurity initiatives with mission-critical objectives. We detail a practical method for evaluating the business value of cybersecurity innovations and present a pragmatic approach for organizations to funnel innovative ideas in a structured and repeatable manner. The framework is designed to reinforce cybersecurity capabilities against an evolving cyber threat landscape while maintaining infrastructural integrity. Shifting the focus from general market appeal to sector-specific needs, our framework provides cybersecurity leaders with the strategic cyber-foresight necessary for prioritizing impactful initiatives, thereby making cybersecurity a core business enabler rather than a burden
Time on Task Effects during Interactive Visual Search
Get PDFThere is a major shift taking place in airports across the globe, changing from 2D dual-view X-ray screening to 3D CT screening. 3D CT screening is believed to improve target detection since it enables screeners to interact with images of passenger baggage (i.e., rotating and zooming into the displays). The change in screening technology is moving what was once a purely visual search task to an interactive search task. Here, we conducted two experiments with a large sample size during February of 2023 (695 participants) to examine (1) changes in search performance between a simulated dual-view and simulated interactive search task and (2) the effects of time on task upon performance. Consistent with past research, we found that interactive search, when compared with dual-view search, produced higher response accuracy rates coupled with increased reaction times. However, while we found effects of time on task (RTs reduced, and participants became more likely to respond ‘absent’ as the experiments progressed) there was no evidence that these effects differed across simulated dual-view and simulated interactive searches. The results are discussed in relation to benefits of interactive search for supporting target detection by airport screeners
Optimization of sustainable concrete incorporating coarse recycled aggregate using a customized single-factor response surface methodology (CSFRSM) approach
Get PDFThis study systematically optimizes the coarse recycled aggregate (RA) content in concrete using a customized Single-Factor Response Surface Methodology (CSFRSM). It focuses exclusively on coarse recycled aggregate content as the sole variable to comprehensively evaluate its effects on compressive strength, flexural strength, splitting tensile strength, and workability. A Python-based correlation analysis was integrated to reveal interdependencies among concrete properties and enhance the optimization process. The results demonstrate that increasing RA content from 0 to 50% reduces compressive strength (41.35–28.41 MPa), flexural strength (5.26–4.10 MPa), and splitting tensile strength (3.58–3.36 MPa). The optimal mix was achieved at 27.5% RA replacement, yielding a slump value of 26.90 mm, flexural strength of 4.73 MPa, splitting tensile strength of 3.51 MPa, and compressive strengths of 25.85 MPa at 7 days and 35.10 MPa at 28 days. The findings highlight that CSFRSM provides a robust framework for optimizing concrete properties, supporting the advancement of sustainable construction practices
The Co-operative College and a Century of Social Change: Internationalism, Co-operativism and Learning
Get PDFThis open access book explores the Co-operative College’s distinctive adult educational tradition over the past century as it provided education for co-operative leaders, employees and members in addition to developing a range of wider educational initiatives and ideas internationally. The Co-operative College is a British educational charity established in 1919, founded on co-operative principles. It played a crucial role in co-operative education in the British Empire and subsequently in the independent nations. In doing so, it brought together vocational and liberal education as well as educating members as part of a movement that fostered significant social change. It draws on original archival research at the National Co-operative Archive in Manchester as well as other material at the National Archives, Bishopsgate Institute and the British Library. Furthermore, the rich archives of the National Co-operative Archive allow for the development of a rich visual history of the movement to be explored
Equity in doctoral education: Policy or action?
No full textThis chapter presents four distinctive perspectives to scrutinise the realisation (or lack thereof) of equity in doctoral education. At a personal level, the reflections presented here explore individual experiences of (in)equity, emphasising how personal biases and subjective experience influence one’s engagement with equity issues. At the institutional level, the chapter investigates how organisational structures and policies either facilitate or hinder equity. The authors also seek to examine the role of political leverage in shaping equity agendas, scrutinising how political dynamics and power structures affect the prioritisation and implementation of equity in doctoral education. While acknowledging instances of excellent equitable practices across many higher education institutions, the purpose of this chapter is to spotlight areas where these practices are absent but have potential for implementation
Efficacy and Safety of Tenofovir plus Entecavir Combination Therapy versus Tenofovir Monotherapy in Chronic HBV Patients with Resistance or Partial Response to Entecavir: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
No full textBackground and Objectives
Chronic Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) remains a significant cause of liver disease in the developing world, leading to sequelae such as hepatocellular carcinoma. While ETV (Entecavir) serves as a first-line treatment, its growing resistance rates underscore the need to explore viable alternatives. Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) monotherapy and entecavir plus tenofovir (TDF+ETV) combination therapy are both employed as treatments, but one’s efficacy over another is in question. This meta-analysis aims to investigate any primacy of either treatment.
Methods
We conducted a comprehensive literature search across PubMed/Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central, Web of Science, and CNKI from inception till 7th October 2024. Studies comparing the safety and efficacy of TDF monotherapy versus TDF+ETV combination therapy in patients resistant to entecavir were considered. Data about the virologic response (VR), virologic breakthrough, HbeAg seroconversion, HbeAg/HbsAg seroclearance, and ALT normalisation were extracted. Relative Risks (RR) and their corresponding 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) were calculated, pooled, and analysed in a random-effects model. P-value < 0.05 was regarded as significant for all analyses.
Results
9 studies, comprising 335 patients undergoing monotherapy and 352 patients undergoing combination therapy, satisfied the criteria. TDF+ETV combination therapy was found slightly advantageous to TDF monotherapy stimulating a VR at 48 weeks (RR 1.081 95% CI [1.001-1.167] p=0.046, I2= 0%), along with the HbeAg seroconversion rate (RR 1.711 95% CI [1.005-2.913] p=0.048, I2= 0%). There were no significant adverse events in individual studies to warrant a meta- analysis.
Conclusions
TDF+ETV shows slightly better efficacy to TDF monotherapy over a 48-week treatment regimen, with minimal safety concerns. However, further high-quality studies like randomised controlled trials are needed to further solidify conclusions, with this meta-analysis only achieving borderline significances.
Registration
This review is registered on the PROSPERO database (ID: CRD42024581443