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When a mean can be meaningless: evaluating mosquito infections with Plasmodium parasites
Get PDFSeveral malaria control measures aim to reduce infection levels in mosquitoes, and evaluation of these measures usually relies on experimental infections of mosquitoes or evaluation in field populations. Both require robust statistical tools to account for multiple variables and non-normal distributions of parasites in the vector host. We argue that a well-chosen generalized linear or mixed model is the most appropriate statistical tool for analysing and interpreting these biological data. We suggest specific methods to overcome datasets where some groups have zero/close to zero prevalence, or many zero counts of parasite numbers (as would be seen with an effective transmission blocking intervention). These methods are more broadly applicable across many parasitic infections with similar patterns of parasite numbers across hosts
A modular and community-driven FAIR teaching and training handbook for higher education institutions
Get PDFThe FAIR principles have had a transformative effect on research data management. Based on this, there is a growing need to increase awareness, understanding and adoption of this topic in higher education at all levels and to provide guidance on how to teach it in bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programmes. This article discusses a collaborative, co-creative approach to construct a body of knowledge and a set of tools addressing this gap, that have been summarised in a teaching and training handbook. We outline how the handbook was written using a large community of volunteers working together remotely. We then discuss the overall content of the handbook, including lesson plans, guidance on how to develop appropriate lessons, a detailed overview of FAIR-related competencies and learning outcomes, and guidelines on how to implement FAIR within an institution. Finally, we discuss the uptake of the handbook, and examples of how the handbook has or could be used in a variety of different training settings
ARO60: Neolithic timber halls and a Bronze Age settlement with hoard at Carnoustie, Angus
No full textThe Carnoustie excavation produced exceptional results. Traces of the longest early Neolithic timber hall in Scotland, the remains of another large hall and also a smaller hall. Later Neolithic activities centred around pit groups. A round house settlement of the later Bronze Age produced a buried, rare late Bronze Age metalwork hoard of a sword, spearhead with gold decoration and a long pin wrapped in textile and sheep-skin
Taking Stock: A Diverse and Anti-racist Teaching Profession in Scotland?
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Co-production of a youth advocacy video on the harms of e-cigarette advertising in Scotland
Get PDFThis study aimed to investigate young people’s exposure to and perceptions of e-cigarette advertising to co-produce an advocacy video. This focus on e-cigarette marketing and its targeted appeal to young people comes at a crucial juncture, as policymakers in the UK and Scotland channel considerable efforts into shaping new regulations in response to these concerns, such as banning disposable e-cigarettes. The research to co-design a video was conducted with 33 young people aged between 12 and 16 living in the Central Belt of Scotland. The research comprised four stages: workshops, photo elicitation, focus groups and video development. Young people expressed concerns regarding the potential health effects of e-cigarettes, the ubiquity of e-cigarette advertising and products seemingly directed at young people, and the use of e-cigarettes among their peers. While none of our participants identified themselves as e-cigarette users, and all were below the age of 18, some mentioned seeing targeted advertisements for e-cigarettes online. These concerns were also reflected in participants’ contributions to the video production process. Our findings highlight that young people feel overly exposed to e-cigarette advertising and they identified aspects of these adverts (including the use of vibrant colours and flavour variations) that they felt were designed to appeal specifically to young people. These findings suggest the need for stronger legislation to protect young people from the advertising and marketing of e-cigarettes. Further research might also usefully contribute to understanding counterarguments and marketing from public health advocates to limit the appeal of e-cigarettes to young people
Enhancing interferometry using weak value amplification with real weak values
Get PDFWe introduce an ultrasensitive interferometric protocol that combines weak value amplification (WVA) with traditional interferometry. This protocol WVA+interferometry uses weak value amplification of the relative delay between two paths to enhance interferometric sensitivity. As an example, we demonstrate a proof-of-principle experiment that achieves few-attosecond timing resolution (few nanometer path length resolution) with a double-slit interferometer using only common optical components. Since our example uses only the spatial shift of double-slit interference fringes, its precision is not limited by the timing resolution of the detectors but is instead limited by the fundamental shot noise associated with classical light and the diminished technical noise. We experimentally demonstrate that the signal-to-noise ratio can be improved by one to two orders of magnitude relative to a measurement that does not use WVA. Two key conclusions are drawn: (i) Most conventional interferometric techniques primarily rely on determining the path difference (time delay or longitudinal phase), with their precision constrained by technical noise. Our protocol offers a robust solution for minimizing the technical noise in traditional interferometry, with precision in principle approaching the shot-noise limit. (ii) Although WVA has achieved significant advancements in ultrasensitive longitudinal phase measurement, its applicability is constrained by the need for broad spectral bandwidths and high-resolution spectrometers. Contrary to previous assumptions, we demonstrate that quantum-limited WVA time delay measurements are achievable with narrow band light using real weak values. Thus, the cost-effectiveness and practicality of the proposed WVA+interferometry protocol using narrow band light broaden the scope of WVA applications. This protocol holds potential for broad applications in optical metrology, quantum optics and quantum information, biomedical imaging, and interferometric telescopes for astrophysics
Encyclopedia of Mathematical Physics, 2nd edition, Volume 3: Integrable Systems
No full textEncyclopedia of Mathematical Physics, Second Edition provides a complete resource for researchers, students, and lecturers with an interest in mathematical physics. The book enables readers to access basic information on topics peripheral to their own areas by providing a repository of core information that can be used to refresh even the experienced researcher’s memory and aid teachers in directing students to entries relevant to their course-work. The impressive amount of information in this work - approximately 270 chapters - has been distilled, organized into 10 distinct sections and presented as a complete reference tool to the user
The book is a stimulus for new researchers working in mathematical physics—or in areas using the methods originating from work in mathematical physics—providing them with focused, high-quality background information
Réflexions sur la détresse existentielle
No full textThis paper offers some reflections on the role of literature and existential philosophy in response to existential distress, as well as on the spiritual resources they can provide to the distressed individual, the caregiver, or the companion. Centered on the categories of "existence," existential distress involves a breakdown of means and practices, disrupting self-mastery and the autonomy of an individual's capacities. This turmoil is often accompanied by a crisis of intimate disorientation, uncertainty, and a "metaphysical" questioning that affects the reasons for being and the transcendent motives that once legitimized our existence. Existential distress concerns not only the mastery of oneself—one’s emotions, feelings, and thoughts—but, more profoundly, the meaning of a personal life confronted with suffering, finitude, and the imminence of death
Heterogeneous metabolic response of endothelial cells from different vascular beds to experimental hyperglycaemia and metformin
Get PDFEndothelial cells (ECs) are highly glycolytic, with mitochondria primarily serving a signalling function. Metabolic disruptions are early contributors to endothelial dysfunction, a primary feature of diabetic vascular complications, such as retinopathy, impaired wound healing and cerebral small vessel disease. The degree to which metabolism varies amongst such different vascular beds is unknown. Mitochondrial function was therefore characterised in human aortic, dermal, retinal and cerebral ECs in vitro, aiming to determine whether basal metabolism influences the response and susceptibility of vascular beds experimental hyperglycaemia (HG). Furthermore, the potential of metformin to maintain endothelial function independent of glycaemic control was assessed. Using a Seahorse analyser, metabolic function of human primary ECs from different vascular beds was compared under basal conditions, as well as HG and metformin treatment. ECs differed significantly in respiratory profile and glycolytic function. For example aortic ECs were preferentially aerobic, whereas dermal ECs were glycolytic. HG significantly lowered mitochondrial network area but elicited modest effects upon respiratory function at the same time as influencing glycolytic function in a manner that was possibly conditional upon basal utilisation. Metformin inhibited basal respiratory function at the same time as significantly enhancing glycolysis in retinal and brain ECs. These data suggest that EC responses to HG and metformin are influenced by the basal metabolic profile, highlighting the potential of targeting EC metabolism to preserve function in a diabetic condition. A nuanced approach is needed to address diabetic vascular complications and endothelial metabolic health in diabetes, both in the investigation of pathophysiology and in prospective therapeutics
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