Biodiversity Informatics
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Global climate change effect on Asian Mus musculus; Implication from last glacial maximum to the end of the 21st century
Full text linkGlobal climate change poses unprecedented challenges to biodiversity, prompting urgent investigations into its effects on various species. This study focuses on Mus musculus, a small rodent species and a crucial indicator of ecosystem health. Spanning from the last glacial maximum to the end of the 21st century, employed Species Distribution Models (SDMs) to assess the impacts of climate change on Mus musculus and its four subspecies across Asia (M. m musculus, M. m domesticus, M. m castaneus, and M. m bactrianus). The SDMs reveal nuanced responses among subspecies, with M. m. domesticus, M. m. musculus, and M. m. castaneus facing potential habitat contractions, while M. m. bactrianus shows habitat expansion. Variable importance analysis highlights the significance of temperature-related variables, indicating the growing impact of rising temperatures on distribution patterns. Findings underscore the ecological implications of these shifts, emphasizing the need for tailored conservation strategies. The robustness of models, as indicated by high Area Under the Curve (AUC) values, enhances confidence in the reliability of predictions. Despite data limitations, this study contributes valuable insights into the complex dynamics between climate change and Mus musculus populations, guiding future conservation efforts in the face of ongoing global environmental transformations.
 
A qualitative insight on stereotypes and prejudices toward mental disorders in Burkina Faso: the interaction of shame and fear as underlying influences of stigma
Full text linkBackground: Worldwide, stigma is recognized as a barrier limiting access to psychiatric care. The scope of the stigma varies across cultural contexts and contributes to the social inequalities in health observed in many low- and middle-income countries.
Aim and methods: In this paper, we explore the way mental disorders are stigmatized in Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso). We conducted 7 focus groups and 25 individual interviews with patients, family members, caregivers, and key informants. Interviews focused on stereotypes and attitudes toward individuals identified with mental disorders.
Results: A set of stereotypes is socially conveyed about people with mental disorders. The perceptions that these individuals are fragile, useless, dangerous, marginal, and adopt strange behaviors are common. These stereotypes could be related to emotional reactions, such as sadness, compassion, indifference, fear, disgust, and shame that justify, in some cases, discrimination and unequal treatments.
Discussion: This study suggests that affective reactions are crucial to understand stigma in Burkina Faso. The notion of shame seems to be rooted in a set of cultural norms and values, and fear seems to be related to structural stigma. Our results offer some insights for future anti-stigma programs in a context where resources are limited and where cultural characteristics must be considered
