Biodiversity Informatics
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The Fair Dealing Exception Explained: A 20 Year Retrospective
Get PDFThis paper is intended for library practitioners and information professionals, presenting a deep dive into the Canadian case law that relates to fair dealing, a user’s right, with a particular focus on CCH and subsequent cases from 2004 to 2024. Readers will learn the importance of fair dealing, discovering how decisions from the courts can be used to help users of copyrighted works conduct fair dealing analyses by considering the six fair dealing factors prescribed by the Supreme Court of Canada in CCH. This “paper” does not follow a typical structure expected of a research paper, and is not meant to be read as a complete work. Rather, the summaries and excerpts provided below are to be used as references for those researching fair dealing or conducting fair dealing analyses. The genesis of the 2024 ABC Copyright Conference presentation, available in the ABC 2024 collection and copies of all cases referenced in both our presentation and this paper are available in an open reading list
Research Synthesis of Environmental Health Impacts on Mental & Physical Wellness
No full textMental health and wellness is one of the single most important indicators of quality of life in human beings, however it is a subject which is still not cohesively quantified against other areas of research. The aim of this assessment was to bridge the gap between mental and environmental health conditions in Olathe, Kansas by synthesizing existing environmental and human health data together to form a narrative about the most important threats to mental and environmental health, their potential mitigation strategies, and the expected impacts of those strategies in the community. The following sections provide a condensed version of the research findings from a separate and more comprehensive capstone project report. The work being done to bring these two areas of research together is of growing importance as we continue to see a rise in climate-related health outcomes and mental health awareness and advocacy reach a wider public audienc
Targeting Streptococcus salivarius in Peri-Implantitis: Two Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Peptides
Get PDFPeri-implantitis, a persistent complication associated with dental implants, is driven by complex, antibiotic-resistant oral biofilms. Antimicrobial Peptides (AMPs) may represent novel, safe, and effective therapies against Streptococcus salivarius, a key early colonizer in peri-implant biofilms. S. salivarius was isolated and identified by 16S sequencing from human saliva, followed by standardized growth and biofilm assays to establish a physiologically relevant testing model. RR12 is a novel peptide that was rationally designed, synthesized, and characterized for structural integrity for comparison against KR12, a natural LL-37 derivative known to be effective against bacteria. Both peptides demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of S. salivarius biofilm formation, but KR12 consistently achieved superior antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects with lower cytotoxicity. These findings underscore the necessity of biological validation in peptide development and support the use of AMPs as promising alternatives to traditional antibiotics. AMP-based coatings and gels for dental implants could offer localized, resistance-proof infection control
Ratio of Distal to Proximal Epidermal Nerve Fiber Density in Small Fiber Neuropathy
Get PDFIntraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD) assessment is an important tool for diagnosing small fiber neuropathy (SFN), with distal leg and proximal thigh biopsies commonly performed to evaluate length dependency. Although age-dependent normative data exist for distal leg IENFD, some patients with paresthesias exhibit normal values at both sites but a markedly lower distal IENFD compared to proximal density. The aim of this study is to assess the diagnostic value of the distal-to-proximal IENFD ratio in SFN. Charts of patients who underwent skin biopsy for evaluation of SFN between May 2020 and May 2023 at the Neurology Department, University of Kansas Medical Center, were retrospectively reviewed. IENFD was measured at the distal leg and proximal thigh, and the distal-to-proximal ratio calculated. Patients were classified as having possible or probable SFN based on NEURODIAB criteria, or as not meeting diagnostic criteria. Of 64 charts reviewed, 56 were enrolled, the female-to-male ratio was 3:1 and mean age was 50±26 years. Forty-six patients met clinical criteria for SFN (16 possible, 30 probable), with IENFD abnormal in 23 and normal in 23, showing mean ratios of 0.5 and 0.6, respectively. Patients without a clinical diagnosis of neuropathy had a mean ratio of 0.9, and among patients with clinical SFN but normal biopsy results, the mean ratio was significantly lower than in those without clinical SFN (p=0.02). These findings suggest that, in patients with normal IENFD but high clinical suspicion for SFN, the distal-to-proximal IENFD ratio may serve as an additional parameter to improve diagnostic sensitivity
From #Hashtags to the Streets: The Rising Tide of African Protests and the Quest for Leadership Accountability
Get PDFThis paper explores the recent wave of protest movements across Africa, notably the Nigeria\u27s #EndBadGovernance, Kenya\u27s #KOT movement, and Uganda\u27s #UgandaParliamentExhibition. These movements have been interpreted as indicators of a burgeoning collective consciousness among citizens (Honwana, 2014; Chiamogu et al., 2021). However, this emerging awareness prompts critical inquiries into whether these protests can truly drive substantive change, especially considering Africa\u27s long history of similar movements. The paper delves into whether these contemporary protests can achieve what previous ones could not, particularly in terms of altering the entrenched attitudes of African ruling elites known for poor governance. It is reasonable to question whether what is perceived as a conscious awakening is actually driven by the sheer number of public participation, individuals tweeting, and blogging about these issues, thereby creating a theatricalized media presence that fuels rolling news coverage. Suffice it to say that while each perception and action can provoke significant responses from protest movements, these responses typically occur instinctively and rapidly, without conscious awareness. While these protests are praiseworthy for their impact, the paper argues that they represent instinctual, rapid responses rather than deliberate, informed actions. Consequently, while these movements are vital in highlighting grievances, they are ultimately insufficient to enacting meaningful, systemic change of leadership in Africa, because they lack the strategic depth and sustained effort necessary to address the continent\u27s deep-rooted issues in the absence of a fundamental revolution of thought.