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Numerical simulation of the effect of solar chimneys on NO<sub>x</sub>-O<sub>3</sub> photochemical reaction and ventilation in urban street canyon
No full textThe complex interaction between pollutants and insufficient ventilation in urban street canyon presents significant challenges to the creation of a healthy urban environment. This study proposed the innovative application of solar chimneys (SCs) to improve airflow structure and air quality in the confined space considering NOx-O3 photochemical reaction mechanism. The influences of ambient wind, solar radiation at three local solar times (LSTs), and the SCs on NOx diffusion and ventilation performance in street canyon were revealed by developing a mathematical model. The results demonstrated that the uneven temperature distribution induced by solar radiation at the LSTs significantly influences both the NOx-O3 photochemical reaction and the airflow structure within the street canyon. The deleterious effects of thermal buoyancy on the airflow structure were mitigated by the integration of the SCs. The reaction shifted toward the conversion of NO2 to NO as the temperature decreased. The integration of SCs resulted in a maximum temperature reduction of 6.01 K in the pedestrian respiratory zone and demonstrated maximum removal efficiencies of 66.12 % for NO and 70.65 % for NO2. The NOx levels on the leeward side initially increased and then decreased as the ambient wind strengthened, whereas the NOx levels on the windward side consistently decreased. This research verifies the feasibility of utilizing the SCs to enhance the street canyon environments and offers a viable strategy for promoting healthy and sustainable urban.</p
Association between radiographic equine distal phalanx characteristics and absence, presence and type of horseshoes
Get PDFMost horses are used with horseshoes additionally supported by either dorsoabaxial or dorsal clips. The effects of such clips on bone density and shape of the distal phalanx are currently unclear. The aim of this study was to identify correlations between density and shape of the distal phalanx, comparing front hooves unshod or shod with standard shoes either with two dorsoabaxial clips or with a single dorsal clip. Researchers analyzed Oxspring radiographs of either the left or right front hoof from warmblood horses (n = 137) and ponies (n = 43) aged 3-28 years. The evaluation focused on distal phalanx density at the margo solearis, particularly at three locations corresponding to the clip positions: dorsomedial, dorsal, and dorsolateral. The study examined horse related variables such as age, breed, use, and shoeing type in relation to density parameters, presence of a crena marginalis solearis, an anatomical variation that is an indentation dorsal on the margo solearis, and the shape of the distal phalanx. Distal phalanges of hooves shod with dorsoabaxial clips showed a significantly (p < 0.001) lower width to length ratio (median 1.31, minimum 0.70, maximum 1.66) compared to those with a single dorsal clip (median 1.40, minimum 0.89, maximum 1.75). The width to length ratio of unshod hooves (median 1.37, minimum 0.80, maximum 1.82) was not significantly different from both groups of shod hooves. The results of this study should be considered when selecting horseshoes for equids.</p
Continuous Evolution of Eurasian avian-like H1N1 Swine Influenza Viruses with pdm/09-derived Internal Genes Enhances Pathogenicity in Mice
Get PDFSwine influenza A virus (swIAV) is an important zoonotic pathogen with the potential to cause human influenza pandemics. Swine are considered "mixing vessels" for generating novel reassortant influenza A viruses. In 2009, a swine-origin reassortant virus (2009 pandemic H1N1, pdm/09 H1N1) spilled over to humans, causing a global influenza pandemic. This virus soon spread back into swine herds and reassorted with the circulating swIAVs. We previously reported that the genotype 4 (G4) reassortant Eurasian avian-like (EA) H1N1 virus, which bore pdm/09- and triple reassortant (TR)-derived internal genes, had been predominant in swine populations of China since 2016, posing a threat to both the swine industry and public health. Here, our ongoing surveillance confirmed that G4 EA H1N1 viruses remained the predominant swIAVs in China from 2019 to 2023 and had reassorted with the co-circulating swIAVs, such as the H3N2 virus, to generate novel reassortant EA H1N2 viruses. Genetic analyses revealed that the pdm/09-derived internal genes of G4 EA H1N1 viruses originated from reassortments between pdm/09 H1N1 and EA H1N1 viruses in 2009-2010 and underwent independent and continuous evolution in the swine host, exhibiting higher evolutionary rates than those of the pdm/09 H1N1 virus circulating in humans. The accelerated evolution of internal genes enhanced the polymerase activity of G4 EA H1N1 viruses in mammalian cells, resulting in increased viral replication and pathogenicity in mice. This study provides evidence for swine in promoting the genetic evolution of influenza A virus and highlights the need for increased attention to novel reassortant viruses in swine.IMPORTANCEThe emergence of pdm/09 H1N1 virus highlights the role of swine influenza A viruses (swIAVs) in generating novel influenza viruses with pandemic potential. Since 2009, the pdm/09 H1N1 virus has been frequently transmitted to swine and reassorted with the circulating swIAVs, generating many new reassortant viruses bearing pdm/09-derived genes globally. The G4 EA H1N1 viruses, which bore pdm/09-derived internal genes and acquired increased human infectivity, remained the predominant swIAVs in China from 2019 to 2023 and reassorted with the co-circulating swIAVs to generate novel subtype viruses. The internal genes of G4 EA H1N1 viruses originated from the human pdm/09 H1N1 viruses during 2009-2010 and exhibited higher evolutionary rates and greater genetic diversity than those in the human host. This has contributed to increased viral adaptation and pathogenicity in mammals. Therefore, sustained surveillance and immunization efforts are essential to control emerging reassortant swIAVs and protect public health.</p
Host traits impact the outcome of metagenomic library preparation from dental calculus 4 samples across diverse mammals
Get PDFDental calculus metagenomics has emerged as a valuable tool for studying the oral microbiomes of humans and a few select mammals. With increasing interest in wild animal microbiomes, it is important to understand how widely this material can be used across the mammalian tree of life, refine the related protocols and understand the expected outcomes and potential challenges of dental calculus sample processing. In this study, we significantly expand the breadth of studied host species, analysing laboratory and bioinformatics metadata of dental calculus samples from 32 ecologically and phylogenetically diverse mammals. Although we confirm the presence of an oral microbiome signature in the metagenomes of all studied mammals, the fraction recognised as oral varies between host species, possibly because of both biological differences and methodological biases. The overall success rate of dental calculus processing, from extractions to sequencing, was ~74%. Although input sample weight was positively associated with the number of produced library molecules, we identify a negative impact of enzymatic inhibition on the library preparation protocol. The inhibition was most prevalent in herbivores and frugivores and is likely diet-derived. In contrast, hosts with an animalivore diet posed fewer challenges during laboratory processing and yielded more DNA relative to sample weight. Our results translate into recommendations for future studies of dental calculus metagenomics from a variety of host species, identifying required sample amounts, and emphasising the utility of dental calculus in exploring the oral microbiome in relation to broader ecological and evolutionary questions.</p
A new species of gall wasp Diastrophus Hartig, 1840 (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) from Sichuan, China
Get PDFWe describe a new species of gall wasp associated with Rubus lambertianus Ser. in Sichuan, China: Diastrophus emeiensis Hu, Nieves-Aldrey, Zhang & Fang sp. nov. (Cynipidae: Diastrophini) based on morphological and molecular data. This is the first Diastrophus Hartig, 1840 species recorded from mainland China, and is recovered as the sister group to the rest of Diastrophus based on our phylogenetic analysis. The diagnosis, distribution, and biology of D. emeiensis is provided, along with a brief discussion of the evolutionary history of Diastrophus
A Synergistic Framework for Learning Shape Estimation and Shape-Aware Whole-Body Control Policy for Continuum Robots
Get PDFIn this paper, we present a novel synergistic framework for learning shape estimation and a shape-aware whole-body control policy for tendon driven continuum robots. Our approach leverages the interaction between two Augmented Neural Ordinary Differential Equations (ANODEs) — the Shape-NODE and Control-NODE — to achieve continuous shape estimation and shape-aware control. The Shape-NODE integrates prior knowledge from Cosserat rod theory, allowing it to adapt and account for model mismatches, while the ControlNODE uses this shape information to optimize a whole-body control policy, trained in a Model Predictive Control (MPC) fashion. This unified framework effectively overcomes limitations of existing data-driven methods, such as poor shape awareness and challenges in capturing complex nonlinear dynamics. Extensive evaluations in both simulation and real-world environments demonstrate the framework’s robust performance in shape estimation, trajectory tracking, and obstacle avoidance. The proposed method consistently outperforms state-of-the-art end-to-end, Neural-ODE, and Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) models, particularly in terms of tracking accuracy and generalization capabilities
Conspicuity of the azygos vein on thoracic radiographs and association with right heart disease in dogs
Get PDFIntroduction The azygos vein (AV) has not been described as a visible structure on normal canine survey thoracic radiographs. However, the authors noticed a small vascular structure occasionally superimposed on the aortic arch on lateral radiographs(double vessel sign, DVS). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether this structure is the AV and whether AV conspicuity is associated with right heart disease in dogs. MethodsA single-centre, retrospective, descriptive, case-control study with institutional ethical approval was performed using canine lateral thoracic radiographs. . The control group included dogs without thoracic disease but with thoracic radiography and CT. Radiographs were assessed for DVS. The AV at level of the aortic arch was identified on CT. A sagittal maximum-intensity-projection CT image including the AV and aorta, mimicking a radiograph, was assessed for DVS. The case group included dogs with echocardiographically confirmed right heart disease and thoracic radiographs. CT/echocardiography were performed within 15 days of radiography. A Chi-square test was performed to compare the radiographic conspicuity of the DVS between the two groups. ResultsThirty-two case and forty-six control dogs met the inclusion criteria. Nineteen control dogs had radiographic DVS, all of which had a DVS and corresponding AV on CT. No statistical difference was found in radiographic AV conspicuity between the case and control groups P=0.46). ConclusionsA small vascular structure superimposed on the aortic arch seen on canine lateral radiographs represents the AV. In dogs, the DVS is a normal radiographic anatomic feature and does not indicate right- sided heart disease
The assessment of professional judgement and decision-making competency in complex environments – a study of expert adventure sport coaches
Get PDFEffective decision-making (DM) is critical for operation within complex environments, such as those found in adventure sports (AS). Previously, much attention has been given to the nature and development of DM in adventure sports’ coaches (ASCs). Despite this, little focus has been given to assessing DM competence. This unique study utilises Applied Cognitive Task Analysis via single interview to expert ASCs (n = 6), unpacking their assessment of DM for the highest-level awards. Using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis we identify four overarching themes: Assessment format, authenticity of performance, validity of assessor decisions and evidence. Assessors utilise a constructively aligned philosophy, requiring sufficient time for candidates to demonstrate authenticity and consistency in performance, and thus enhance validity in the inference of DM competence. Tensions exist when syllabi constrain assessors in these regard. Evidence of performance is required to meet legal requirements. Furthermore, the implications for wider practice and further research are discussed
Intra-city disparities in urban green space proximity and its association with infrastructures and demography
Get PDFProximity to urban green space is a crucial parameter that enriches urban livability and social health. Conversely, the disparity in green space proximity leads to environmental injustice. This becomes a major hindrance to reach sustainable goals at community level. The inequity in green space proximity may be generated from various socio-economic reasons, and such factors need to be evaluated to overcome the issue. Simultaneously, the patterns of green space will affect different age groups in separate manners. In densely built, vastly populated cities from the global south, not much attention is given to the demographic dynamics and urban health. The present study was carried out to recognize these shortcomings. Computation and mapping of Per Capita Green Space (PCGS) were performed at 1 km × 1 km grid level for a tropical megacity from India. About 59 % of the grids within the city depicted remarkably low PCGS, lower than sustainable standards. While the same areas contained more than 9.5 million people, creating severe health hazard risks. Alarmingly low PCGS (even zero) were mostly noted in the northern parts of the city and also in the suburbs towards the north. More than half a million children (age <10 years) were present at risk within the most critical grids. Sample grid observations using floor space area suggested that lower PCGS was common in lower economic residences within the city. The work aimed to draw the attention of urban policymakers to a much-needed environmental injustice and build the latest geospatial database to aid future sustainable city planning
A Prospective Multicenter Observational Study Assessing Incidence and Risk Factors for Acute Transfusion Reactions in Cats
Get PDFBACKGROUND: The reported incidence of blood product transfusion reaction (TR) in cats varies greatly.OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the incidence and practices surrounding acute TRs in cats receiving feline blood products, using Transfusion Reaction Small Animal Consensus Statement (TRACS) definitions.ANIMALS: Cats (n = 444) that received feline blood products (n = 608) between March 2022 and January 2024.METHODS: Prospective, multicenter observational study at referral hospitals (n = 14) in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia documenting the incidence of acute TRs in cats receiving allogenic blood transfusions.RESULTS: Acute TR incidence was 7.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 5.6-10.6) for red blood cell (RBC)-containing products and 1.1% (95% CI, 0.0-5.9) for plasma products. Febrile nonhemolytic transfusion reactions (FNHTRs) were the most common in RBC-containing products (incidence, 5.7%; 95% CI, 3.8-8.1). Age of RBC unit (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.04 per day; 95% CI, 1.00-1.07) and administering a RBC unit with an infusion pump rather than a syringe driver (aOR, 4.7; 95% CI, 1.43-15.54) were associated with an increased odds of FNHTR. Of transfusions discontinued (n = 28) because of a potential TR, 46.4% did not fulfill TRACS criteria for any TR. Death occurred within 24 h of a transfusion event in 18.3% but was not associated with the development of a TR (odds ratio [OR], 0.76; 95% CI, 0.29-1.99).CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Transfusion reaction incidence in cats, as defined using TRACS guidelines, is reported. Febrile nonhemolytic TRs were the most common and were associated with increasing RBC unit age and administering RBC via an infusion pump.</p
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