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Impact of Vascularity on Spinal Disorders Outcomes, Underestimated yet Probably Crucial: The Example of a Comparative Cohort of Epidural Abscesses
No full textStudy Design: Retrospective comparative cohort.
Objective: (1) Describe the prevalence of the basivertebral vessel (BVV) in a cohort of spinal epidural abscesses (SEA) at lumbar or thoracic (2) correlate the presence of BVV to the risk of conservative treatment failure (CTF).
Methods: Twenty-six patients successfully managed without surgery were compared to 26 who required surgical management due to failed conservative management (lumbar and thoracic). Two observers sought the BVV on the sagittal T1 with contrast sequences of the initial MRI in a blinded fashion for Kappa score calculation. BVV-/BVV+: absence/presence. Demographic, radiological, and laboratory parameters, as well as functional scores, were recorded.
Results: For both observers, 29/52 patients had a BVV+ (55.7%); the agreement was 84% (Kappa: 0.80 CI 95% [0.70-0.90]). 5/23 (21.7%) BVV- patients had a successful medical treatment, while the proportion was 21/29 (72%) for BVV+ (P = .0003). The positive predictive value for BVV+, predicting successful conservative treatment, was 81%. The negative predictive value for BVV- predicting CTF was 69%. BVV- was predictive of CTF in multivariable logistic regression: OR = 40, CI 95% [5-880], P = .02, for agreed observations between observers. For both observers, the proportion of dorsal abscess was the highest for BVV+ (P = .01).
Conclusion: The BVV is part of the epidural network. The absence of BVV was strongly correlated with an increased risk of CTF, leading to the need for subsequent surgical treatment. SEA's location pattern varied according to BVV detection. Although the spinal vascular anatomy has been well-known for over 100 years, there are still very few studies on its pathophysiological implications
Touching Encounters: Vulnerability, Trust and Risk in Partnered Dance How can touch influence vulnerability, risk and trust in dancing that involves physical contact?
No full textAn ability to collaborate can be central to how we engage in professional and learning situations and yet collaboration is a complex form of social interdependence, requiring multifaceted approaches to trust. While communication can be seen as central to developing this trust, our modes of communication can be diverse. Touch is a fundamental yet easily overlooked aspect of social interaction (Paterson, 2020), communicating our sense of vulnerability, our willingness to engage in risks, and our development of trust. While previous research has highlighted the significance of nonverbal communication, the ways in which touch specifically intertwines with trust, vulnerability, and risk remain under-explored. Because of its deeply embodied nature, dance provides a valuable location to explore how touch contributes to this trust building in collaboration. This study therefore seeks to reveal the multidimensional effects of haptic encounters within dance partnerships, which can involve intentional and sustained physical contact, through the key research question: How can touch influence vulnerability, risk and trust in dancing that involves physical contact?
To explore this enquiry, this qualitative study engaged in interpretative phenomenological analysis, drawing on semi-structured interviews with four dancers whose practices involve physical contact. The participants come from diverse dance backgrounds, allowing for an in-depth examination of how touch is perceived, responded to, and interpreted in relation to physical, emotional, and creative dimensions of trust. Their experiences reveal the complexity of touch—it can foster trust and strengthen connections, yet also expose vulnerability and risk physical, emotional and creative harm. Through this analysis, this study provides a framework for understanding the complexity and multifaceted nature of tactile engagement and reveals how touch functions as an invitation, a negotiation, or a test—sometimes intuitive and affirming, yet at times unsettling or even intrusive
Comparing the leaf functional traits of the invasive plant Chrysanthemoides monilifera across different ecological scales in Auckland, New Zealand
No full textFunctional traits are the measurable adaptive aspects of the phenotype and are increasingly being used to understand the structure, composition, and functioning of plant communities. As the primary photosynthetic surface in vascular plants, the functional traits of leaves offer key insights into plant–environment interaction. However, uncertainty remains about which ecological scales contribute most to trait variation, limiting the broader applicability of studies conducted at a single scale. Moreover, linking leaf functional traits to invasion ecology can improve our understanding of the mechanisms driving biodiversity loss and
ecosystem dysfunction. To address this gap, I examined variability in eight key leaf functional traits—leaf area (LA), leaf dry matter content (LDMC), specific leaf area (SLA), leaf thickness (Lth), leaf mass per area (LMA), leaf nitrogen content (LNC), leaf carbon content (LCC), and leaf water content (LWC)— of an invasive species, boneseed (Chrysanthemoides monilifera), across three nested ecological scales (region, individual plant, and leaf) in Auckland, New Zealand. My results showed that the regional scale accounted for the largest proportion of total variance, while within-plant variation contributed the second largest share for all traits, except for leaf area. Two key conclusions emerged: (1) trait relationships in the invasive species boneseed do not completely align with those predicted by the global leaf economics spectrum, and (2) within-plant variation can play a significant role in shaping trait patterns, highlighting the importance of multiscale analyses in invasion ecology. Trait variation at each ecological scale reflects distinct ecological processes influencing plant–environment interactions, although these processes are not directly measured in this research
Conceptual and ethical considerations in invasion science
No full textAbstract
Invasion science addresses interconnected ecological, economic, and social challenges posed by the introduction of nonnative species. Therefore, invasion scientists have to consider and reconcile interdisciplinary needs while addressing the potential implications of their findings. Navigating diverse disciplines, including environmental sciences, ecology, economics, and the humanities, invasion scientists seek to arrive at informed decisions on invasion risk, impact, and management. Individual biases, uncertainties, and systemic pressures influence the ability to maintain objectivity and resist pressures that might otherwise distort their findings or applications. In the present commentary, we examine conceptual and ethical dilemmas within the field of invasion science, particularly reputational and the risks of the discipline perpetuating its own relevance by framing invasions as insurmountable challenges. In the discussion, we highlight how incentive structures, biased assessments and framing, and conflicts of interest may compromise the discipline's integrity. We also explore questions surrounding human responsibility to animal welfare and highlight ethical conundrums in the management of invasive species.</jats:p
Comparing Tau Pathology Profiles in Frontotemporal Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease
No full textTau dysfunction is known to be involved in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and other related neurodegenerative diseases, collectively known as ‘tauopathies’. There is evidence that circulating biomarkers can detect hyperphosphorylated tau protein (pTau) in tauopathies; however, it has not yet been demonstrated that these changes reflect pathology in the brain. Immunohistochemical studies of pTau in human brain tissue are scarce and have been limited by single- or double-labelling. In the current study, we aimed to quantify six different pTau species including AT8 (pS202-T205), pT217, AT100 (pT212-S214), pT181, pT231 and pS396 and measure their abundance in the hippocampus of both AD and FTD (primary tauopathy) using multiplex immunohistochemistry. The current study found that AT8, but not other pTau species, is significantly increased in the AD hippocampus compared to primary tauopathy cases. We found that AD presents with a specific pattern of pTau abundance throughout hippocampal regions, with the highest pTau load in CA1, CA2, CA3, and subicular cortex. AT8 was the predominant marker in most hippocampal regions, and pT181 exhibited the lowest abundance in all hippocampal regions. Primary tauopathies did not exhibit any specific pattern of regional abundance throughout the hippocampus and did not present with a pTau marker that was consistently more predominant than the others. By utilizing sophisticated immunohistochemical studies of post-mortem human brain samples we have revealed novel differences in pTau abundance and localization between and within FTD and AD cases, thereby complementing fluid biomarker studies
Chicken Feathers as Sustainable Flame Retardant Adjuvants in Polymeric Composites
No full textFlame retardant and sustainable reinforced polymeric composites are in demand for several applications in today’s world. This thesis focuses on developing a cost-efficient, mass manufacturable flame-retardant polypropylene composites while utilising waste chicken
feathers as the reinforcement filler. The major objectives are to identify the challenges keratinous feather-reinforced polymeric composites face to be an acceptable substitute for commercially available flame-retardant additives and propose a product suitable for market utilisation.
A comprehensive understanding of the intricate interplay between material structure and performance is achieved through systematic characterisation techniques to define its flame retardation abilities. To facilitate this objective, a treatment method for improved flame
retardancy and acceptable tensile strength is formulated while keeping the cost of production in check and sustainability factors like water footprint, atom utilisation and a few others within an acceptable range. The fire performance is studied elaborately for the composites symbiotic -synergistic behaviour in the presence of chicken feathers that promotes their firefighting abilities. The presence of treated feathers helps improve the interfacial bond with polymeric composites, enabling enhanced mechanical performance compared to that of the commercially accepted flame-retardant formulation for polypropylene composites.
In summary, this PhD thesis contributes to advancing sustainable treatment strategies for chicken feathers to improve the mechanical behaviour with excellent flame retardant properties of the keratinous fibre reinforced polypropylene composites, establishing a foundation for future strides in a greener and more efficient solution that shows excellent potential for future applications
Teachers’ reported responses to children’s anxiety in New Zealand primary schools
No full textAnxiety is a prevalent mental health concern for youth worldwide, yet responses to children’s anxiety in New Zealand (NZ) primary schools remain understudied. This study surveyed 540 teachers using the Teachers’ Responses to Anxiety in Children (TRAC) questionnaire. Results showed that experienced teachers were less likely to use sanctions. Female teachers were more likely to use overprotection and avoidance reinforcement, while male teachers were more likely to use sanctions. Each additional year teaching in a single-cell classroom was associated with increased use of overprotection and avoidance reinforcement responses and decreased use of rewards and sanctions. Recognising teaching as an ethical profession, this research emphasises that teachers do not intentionally respond in harmful ways. Instead, the findings highlight the complexities teachers face when managing children’s anxiety at school, shaped by societal beliefs, gender expectations, and limited professional training
Examining the Antecedents, Prevalence and Trajectories of Reactionary Collective Action Intentions Among Europeans Over Time
No full textReactionary movements—movements that effectively increase inequality by advancing the rights of structurally advantaged groups—are of increasing concern in contemporary politics. Yet few studies assess support for these movements over time. We address this oversight in two studies examining reactionary collective action intentions over 9 years in a nationwide sample of New Zealand Europeans (Ntotal = 54,561). Random intercept cross‐lagged panel modelling (Study 1) and latent class growth analysis (Study 2) reveal that high ethnic identification, social dominance orientation and conservatism, but low system justification, predict both within‐person increases in, and class trajectories of, reactionary collective action intentions over time. Although most Europeans (86.62%) reported low and declining reactionary collective action intentions, a subgroup of Reactionaries (13.38%) emerged whose intentions increased over time. Collectively, these results highlight how and when reactionary collective action intentions emerge over time and illustrate the need to monitor social movements seeking to promote inequality
Supercapacitor-Assisted Low-Frequency Converters for DC Microgrids, DC Homes, and DC Appliances for Increased End-to-End Efficiency: Implementation Example of a DC-Converted Refrigerator
No full textMore recently, researchers and the industrial community have started researching DC appliances and DC microgrids as a means of increasing the end-to-end efficiency of systems. Given the fluctuating nature of renewable resources, energy storage becomes mandatory in powering households with minimal AC grid supply, and rechargeable battery packs with maximum power point tracking controllers with inverters are used. However, this approach is not the most efficient due to losses in the power converters used in the energy supply path, while short life and environmental concerns of battery storage also come into play. With the rapid development of commercial super-capacitors, with longer life, higher power density and wider operational temperature range, this device family can be at the center of a new development era, for power converters for DC homes and DC appliances. The new family of converters and protection systems known as supercapacitor-assisted techniques is a unique new approach to minimize or eliminate batteries while improving the ETEE. These new SCA techniques are based on a new theoretical concept now published as supercapacitor-assisted loss management theory. In this paper, we will demonstrate how we extend SCALoM theory to develop SCA converters for whiteware, with the example of a DC-converted commercial double-door refrigerator with implementation details
Dealing with the unexpected in research
No full textQualitative research in social work can create unexpected ethical challenges. While ethics committee approval of social work research projects is almost always the first step in undertaking research, ethical considerations are present from when one begins the project to when one begins writing up their findings. Three elements of ethics can be set out: procedural ethics (the prior approval of an institutional ethics committee); ethics in practice (ethical issues that arise while conducting the research); and research ethics that relate to professional codes of ethics or conduct. This chapter draws on the authors’ experiences of addressing and writing about an unanticipated phenomenon in a long-term ethnographic study of social workers in children's services in England. We observed social workers’ interactions and relationships, as well as direct practice in visits and meetings. Social media use in social work practice was not an intended focus of the study, but its use emerged during field observations. Our observation led to a robust discussion of the ethical aspects of this usage. This chapter explores the decisions that were made about these unexpected findings within a framing of research ethics and context