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Advancing transdisciplinary research on Madagascar's grassy biomes to support resilience in ecosystems and livelihoods
No full textGrassy biomes (savanna and grasslands) are globally extensive and host a unique biodiversity that is of central importance to human livelihoods. We focus here on the island of Madagascar—a microcosm of the global tropics, covered in 80% grassy biomes—to illustrate how transdisciplinary approaches to research can clarify ecosystem dynamics, from evolutionary history to human land use. Research on Madagascar's human-environment interactions has sparked debates about the role of past and current land use in shaping grassy biomes (e.g., pastoralism, cultivation, fire use). These debates echo those in other regions globally, and highlight obstacles to understanding and supporting both ecosystem and livelihood resilience. Like many tropical biodiversity hotspots, Madagascar faces converging challenges that can be aided by transdisciplinary research, including food and health insecurity, economic inequities, biodiversity loss, climate change, land conversion, and limited resource access. We present a framework to guide transdisciplinary research centered on improved understanding and management of grassy biomes on Madagascar by: (1) establishing a globally common terminology; (2) summarizing data contributions and scientific knowledge gaps relating to Madagascar's grassy biomes; (3) identifying priority research questions for Madagascar with applicability in other regions; and (4) highlighting transdisciplinary, inclusive approaches to research that can co-benefit people and the ecosystems with which they interact
Abattoir-based prevalence and histopathological analysis of paramphistomes (Platyhelminthes: Digenea) in the livers and rumens of ruminants
No full textParamphistomosis, a parasitic disease of ruminants caused by flukes of the family Paramphistomidae (Platyhelminthes: Digenea) and leads to significant economic losses. Primarily, their predilection site is rumen as evident from their common name “ruminal flukes” and occasionally find in other visceral organs. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of paramphistome infection in the rumens and livers of livestock followed by histopathological examination of the affected tissues. A total of 384 animals were screened for paramphistome infection at a local abattoir in the Narowal district. Liver and rumen tissue samples from infected animals were excised, fixed in buffered formalin, and processed using the paraffin-embedding technique. Tissue-paraffin blocks were sectioned with the thickness of 5 µm through microtome and stained using the Harri’s Haematoxilin and Eosin methods. The prevalence of paramphistomosis in ruminants was 49.74% with sex and age of host having a statistically significant association (P<0.05) with the magnitude of infection; however, species of host and months were not significantly associated (P>0.05). Of the total cases having rumens positive for paramphistomes, 7.29% were also tested positive for liver infections; however, no adult or immature Fasciola spp. were detected. Infected rumens had significantly (P<0.05) reduced epithelial thickness (30.50 ± 1.83 µm), accompanied by severe hemorrhages in hepatic tissues and blood congestion in hepatic vessels. Further, the central hepatic vein was found having a significantly larger diameter (39.56 ± 2.72 µm) as compared to that of healthy livers (29.76 ± 3.15 µm). The paper provides a maiden data on the paramphistome infection in livers along with rumens of ruminants in Pakistan. Hence, the findings suggest that paramphistome infection may pose a potential threat to nutrient absorption and overall metabolic health in ruminants
Between/within/across a landscape of practice: Teaching, learning, and the ScotGEESE community
No full textThis paper describes a new community for Scottish geography, earth, and environmental sciences educators (i.e. the ScotGEESE community). It explores the formation of our community including our aims, distinguishing features, and influences through the metaphor of geese behaviour: hatching, honking, flocking, and flying. We identify tensions that have arisen including the visibility and access to our disciplines and the lack of communication between the educational levels and GEES disciplines. We also present the community through the lens of social learning theory ‘landscapes of practice’ [Wenger-Trayner et al., Citation2014. Learning in landscapes of practice: Boundaries, identity, and knowledgeability in practice-based learning. Routledge] and describe the challenges and strengths of working between/within/across our professional communities. We invite those from early years, primary, secondary, further, higher, alternative and public education to come together to foster professional learning and to acknowledge and celebrate the similarities and differences of teaching between/within/across our disciplines
‘Being an outsider’ and ‘being an insider’:A focused ethnography of family members' visitation experiences in an adult ICU
No full textAimsTo explore how the restricted visitation policy impacts family members' visitation experiences and perceptions in an adult intensive care unit (ICU).DesignFocused ethnography.MethodsData collection included 39 observation sessions (totalling 65.3 h), 19 semi-structured interviews with family members, and document analysis of policies relevant to ICU visitation. Fieldwork was conducted in a general adult ICU at a tertiary hospital in China from April 2021 to December 2021. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsFamily visitation was represented by ‘being an outsider’ and ‘being an insider.’ ‘Being an outsider’ illustrates that the restricted visitation policy operated as a structural mechanism constructing the ICU as the staff's territory, positioning families as outsiders by limiting their access, information, and involvement in patient care. ‘Being an insider’ captures how family members constructed the waiting area as a socially meaningful family space where they reclaimed presence and formed a supportive community.ConclusionFamily visitation was shaped by the intersection of structural constraints, culturally embedded family roles, and relational dynamics among families. Restricted visitation policies reinforced family members’ powerlessness and limited their involvement
Uncertainty Quantification for Multi‐Input Fluvial Flood Inundation Using GPR‐ and PCE‐Based Surrogates
No full textWith increasing computational capabilities, the implementation of statistical approaches to quantify and propagate input uncertainties through hydrodynamic models has become increasingly feasible and crucial to capture the full range of output scenarios. However, full robust uncertainty quantification remains computationally expensive and out of reach for general purposes. In this study, we demonstrate that by utilizing advanced response surface surrogate modeling techniques, specifically Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) and Polynomial Chaos Expansion (PCE), we have developed efficient and high-fidelity emulators for capturing the uncertainty in flood extents of realistic fluvial flood scenarios. With proper tuning, both emulators requiring only 9 model evaluations, provide near-perfect estimates where we have two uncertain flow magnitudes being modeled. In the more complex three-inputs scenario, where a time lag between river flow peaks is introduced, accurate flood extent emulation becomes more challenging. The computational cost required to build one surrogate for acceptable estimation accuracy increases to 27 full model runs for GPR and PCE-Regression methods. The largest of 0.66 was obtained by the PCE-Regression method with a Halton quasi-sampling experimental design. GPR outperforms PCE in capturing lower extreme flood extents due to its ability to model uncertainty and fine-tune variance across the input space. Our findings highlight the effectiveness of both GPR and PCE in capturing broad trends and extremes within response surfaces, offering substantial computational savings compared to the exponentially more expensive FMC simulations. However, when the hydrodynamic response becomes more complex, we have identified significant challenges in constructing high-fidelity emulators
Community perspectives on health system responses and recovery efforts in the war-affected areas of Ukraine:Voices from the front line
No full textIncorporating communities’ views in health system recovery helps to ensure that related efforts are relevant, effective and sustainable. Based on a series of semi-structured qualitative interviews and focus group discussions, this report presents evidence of the views of people living and working close to the front line in Ukraine (in the Kherson, Mykolaiv and Zaporizhzhia oblasts) and of internally displaced persons (in the Dnipro, Mykolaiv and Poltava oblasts) in relation to their experiences of, and aspirations for, health system recovery
“FBT Is for the Rich”:A qualitative study examining clinicians' experiences and perceptions of treatment access and engagement for diverse families in family-based treatment
Get PDFObjective: Family-based treatment (FBT) is the leading evidence-based treatment for adolescent eating disorders, but research exploring access and engagement in FBT is sparse. This paper focuses on findings from a broader study, specifically addressing the social determinants of health (SDH) impeding access and engagement in FBT for diverse families (i.e., families belonging to identity groups subject to systemic barriers and prejudices). Methods: Forty-one FBT clinicians were recruited globally using purposive and snowball sampling. Clinicians participated in individual interviews or focus groups, discussing their experiences engaging diverse families in FBT. Qualitative data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: The findings underscore the pervasive impact of SDH on equitable access to FBT, specifically, the critical need for tailored approaches by clinicians to enhance access and engagement in FBT for diverse families experiencing practical, resource, and systemic barriers. Recommendations include broader dissemination of FBT knowledge, telehealth options to mitigate geographical barriers, community resource collaborations, and sensitivity to cultural and systemic factors impacting treatment engagement. Discussion: Results of this study may inform future FBT planning (tailoring treatment approaches to address barriers), clinician training, clinical decision-making tools, and opportunities for supporting under-resourced families within the model, leading to more equitable FBT treatment access and engagement for diverse families.</p
Efficacy of eating disorder focused family therapy for adolescents with anorexia nervosa:A systematic review and meta-analysis
Get PDFObjective: To systematically review and evaluate the efficacy of eating disorder focused family therapy (FT-ED) in comparison to all other forms of psychotherapy for children and adolescents with anorexia nervosa. A secondary aim is to assess the relative efficacy of different variations of FT-ED (e.g., shorter vs. longer dose, parent-focused). Methods: A search with relevant terms was systematically conducted on four databases. Twenty-three publications across 18 randomized controlled trials met inclusion criteria. Outcomes of interest included variables related to weight, eating psychopathology, and remission status. Study quality was assessed, and data were extracted by two independent researchers. Results: Adolescents receiving FT-ED gained significantly more weight by the end of treatment in comparison to those receiving individual psychotherapy. FT-ED that was delivered just to parents or to parents and child separately offered preferable weight outcomes and rates of recovery at the end of treatment in comparison to conjoint FT-ED. No other outcomes tested in the meta-analysis were statistically significant at the end of treatment or follow-up. Discussion: Currently available data suggest the use of FT-ED in its conjoint or separated/parent focused format is the best outpatient treatment option for adolescents with anorexia nervosa when immediate weight gain is paramount. The variability of outcome measurement, including the tools used and timepoints chosen, limit comparison among no more than a handful of studies. The field would benefit from the standardization of measurement and reporting guidelines for future clinical trials. Trial Registration: PROSPERO number: CRD42023396263.</p
Intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke and cerebral microbleeds:results from the ENCHANTED trial
Get PDFOBJECTIVE: To determine associations between cerebral microbleeds (CMB) and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) as well as functional recovery after thrombolysis in participants of the Enhanced Control of Hypertension and Thrombolysis Stroke Study (ENCHANTED).METHODS: ENCHANTED recruited acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients eligible for thrombolytic therapy from 111 clinical centres in 13 countries. We included those with T2*-weighted or susceptibility-weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging within 6 hours after AIS. Associations between CMB (primary predictor), burden (0, 1, 2-4, or ≥5 CMBs), and location (deep, lobar, mixed) and any intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) (primary outcome), symptomatic ICH (sICH), 90-day disability or death (modified Rankin scale [mRS] score 2-6), and other unfavorable functional outcomes (mRS 3-6, 6, and shift) were explored in logistic regression models, and in a stratification by alteplase dose.RESULTS: Of 311 eligible AIS participants, 111 (35.7%) had CMB(s) and this was not associated with an increase in any ICH (adjusted odds ratio 1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.87-2.54) or sICH (2.05, 0.92-4.56). However, the presence of CMB(s) was associated with 90-day disability or death (1.75, 1.04-2.94) and other unfavorable functional outcomes. Comparable associations were seen between CMB burden (defined ordinally categorical; any ICH 1.16 [0.90-1.50]; mRS 2-6 1.44 [1.11-1.87]) or mixed deep-lobar distribution (any ICH 1.42 [0.61-3.29]; mRS 2-6 3.66 [1.48-9.05]) and these outcomes. There were no differences in associations between CMB presence/burden/distribution and outcomes between two different alteplase doses (Pinteraction >0.087).CONCLUSIONS: In ENCHANTED, CMB(s) was associated with 90-day unfavorable function recovery but not with a significantly increased likelihood of ICH in post-intravenous thrombolytic AIS. Low-dose alteplase may not offer a better profile for AIS with CMB(s).REGISTRATION NO: Clinicaltrials.gov (identifier no. NCT01422616).</p
The Isle of Voices:A Graphic Adaptation and Poetry Inspired by the Work of Robert Louis Stevenson
Get PDFA graphic adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s short story, ‘The Isle of Voices’ by Hawaiian artist, Solomon Enos alongside a poem inspired by the story by Samoan poet Caroline Sinavaian Gabbard. The adaptation is the outcome of the AHRC funded research project, Remediating Stevenson: Decolonizing Robert Louis Stevenson’s Pacific fiction through graphic adaptation, arts education and community engagement. The book contains a wordless graphic adaptation; a summary of the story in modern English; ‘Echolocation’, a poem by Caroline Sinavaiana Gabbard; an illustrated biography of Stevenson and his relationship to the Pacific by Jack Brougham, as well as an outline of, and link to, teaching resources developed by Scotdec for use in Scottish classrooms at Curriculum for Excellence Level 3
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