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Can we teach philosophically about unspeakable human suffering?
No full textThis paper is a reflective response to Tena Thau’s suggestion – in her 2024 piece ‘Moral Philosophy as War Propaganda’ – that philosophy has little to teach about the war in Gaza (and, by extension, similar cases of widespread, horrific human suffering). I first reconstruct one of the arguments that Thau makes in her piece. I then show that her criticisms about philosophy are true for a particular way of doing philosophy, and I attempt to uncover the underlying philosophical anthropology that makes these moral philosophical approaches unsuitable for addressing grave human suffering. Finally, I propose that a critical phenomenological approach that examines widespread suffering through an anti-/post-/decolonial lens may be more suitable when teaching philosophically about human suffering
Deciphering Viral Replication Dynamics in Feline Infectious Peritonitis: A Quantitative Approach
No full textFeline infectious peritonitis (FIP) is a complex immune-mediated disease caused by feline coronavirus (FCoV). Despite advancements in understanding its pathogenesis, challenges persist in elucidating viral factors related to virion composition and replication. This study examined FCoV-infected cats with and without FIP for potential associations with or variation in expression ratios for different viral genes. We analyzed tissue samples with FIP lesions from 46 cats with FIP and mesenteric lymph nodes from 10 FCoV-infected cats (7b RT-qPCR positive) without FIP with three RT-qPCR assays, targeting (sub)-genomic RNAs of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and envelope (E) genes. In cats with FIP, the RdRp mRNA assay yielded the highest copy numbers, followed by the combined RdRp gRNA and mRNA assay; the E mRNA assay yielded the lowest copy numbers. In cats without FIP, significantly fewer viral RNA copies were detected regardless of the assay. Viral gene expression was not detected in six and was observed only at low levels in one or more assays in four samples. The observed correlation between assays and the intragroup correlation assay indicate consistent transcription of both the structural E protein and RdRp genes within FIP lesions in cats with FIP but not in cats with systemic FCoV infection alone.</p
Tropospheric methane remediation by enhancing chlorine sinks
No full textTo tackle global warming, the Paris Agreement (2015) strategically proposed achieving net-zero emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) by 2050 and limiting the global temperature rise below 2 °C. This requires a substantial reduction of all GHG emissions across all sectors over the next few decades. Methane has come into the spotlight as the second most potent GHG for its contribution to global warming. The Global Methane Pledge announced at COP26 (2021) proposed to reduce 30% of anthropogenic methane emissions by 2030 compared to the 2020 level. However, studies show that methane emissions will continue to increase even with the planned reductions and therefore the atmospheric methane concentration also. Effective methane removal technologies are urgently required for atmospheric methane remediation. This work evaluates the feasibility of atmospheric methane removal by enhancing the chlorine atom sink (i.e. a natural sink of methane in the lower troposphere) at a significant scale, considering that atomic chlorine initiates methane oxidation 16 times faster than the major natural methane sink of hydroxyl radicals in the atmosphere. Atomic chlorine is proposed to be generated by electrolysis of brine for chlorine gas followed by photolysis. This methane removal technology could be integrated with the state-of-the-art industrial chlor-alkali processes. Such integrated technology is evaluated for the potential of negative GHG emissions and their costs, with attention given to cost-efficient measures, i.e., the use of alternative renewable sources. A brief discussion is included on potential risks, side effects, benefits to the atmospheric methane remediation by 2050 and key required developments
Strategies for fire-fighting in underventilated compartments: Reducing the likelihood and severity of a potential backdraught
No full textFires in underventilated compartments remain an unresolved problem for fire brigades. While some brigades have specific guidance in place regarding procedures for approaching and fighting such fires, this guidance is, for the most part, based on anecdotal evidence, having been instigated following historical incidents involving fire-fighter injuries or fatalities.As fire-fighters open a door or window to an under-ventilated compartment fire, there is a risk of a sudden fire development that may come in the form of a rapid flare up or backdraught. A programme of reduced scale fire experiments was designed to obtain deeper insight into this phenomenon. The results of these experiments are presented showing the conditions under which changes in the ventilation conditions of an underventilated compartment were beneficial for firefighting activities and under which conditions this was detrimental.This paper provides further scientific understanding of the fire dynamics in underventilated compartments when changes in ventilation conditions occur. The use of ventilation tactics, preceded by strict safety precautions and comprehensive tactical considerations, appears to be a practical solution that reduces the likelihood and severity of a potential backdraught. The results presented could be used to develop simple guidance, which may be used in fire brigade practice, to decide when and how to intervene in this kind of fires
Moving towards inclusion and connection:Practitioners’ conceptualisations of walking pedagogy
No full textWalking pedagogy, sometimes referred to as walking curriculum or walking collaboratories, is an understudied form of nature-based learning that involves using walks (or other forms of journeying) for educational purposes. Framed through the six touchstones of wild pedagogies, we sought to explore how 20 practitioners from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, and Singapore engaged with walking pedagogy. Using reflexive thematic analysis of interviews, we developed three themes that reflect our perception of how the practitioners in the study conceptualised and operationalised walking pedagogy: work that doesn’t feel like work, accommodating trauma and adapting practice, and connecting to place. Participants used this practice in their diverse locations and contexts to promote inclusion and connection with their students, the environment, and their communities. We propose that walking pedagogy has the potential to be a trauma-informed, inclusive practice while also encouraging relationships with nature.</p
Practical cancer nutrition, from guidelines to clinical practice:a digital solution to patient-centred care
No full textMalnutrition affects 20-70 % of cancer patients, depending on tumour type, disease stage and clinical setting. While nutritional care is essential for improving patients’ quality of life and clinical outcomes, it is not systematically integrated into routine cancer care. MyPath is an EU project aiming to implement patient-centred care (PCC) at nine European cancer centres using implementation science. Multidisciplinary teams have developed standardized digitally supported PCC pathways based on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) with linked evidence-based management options. Through systematic assessment and management of common symptoms and psychosocial problems in cancer patients, MyPath aims to facilitate changes in clinical practice to improve PCC for all. As part of this, the MyPath Nutrition Care Pathway (NCP) aims to facilitate necessary clinical changes to routinely assess and address nutrition in all patients.Methods: Between September 2022 and August 2024, an international multidisciplinary team reviewed evidence-based nutrition guidelines to select relevant PROs and other variables necessary to systematically assess and classify patients, allowing for tailored nutritional care.Results: The MyPath NCP classification relies on nutritional status (Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST) for malnutrition risk, modified Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria for malnutrition, and body mass index/weight change for obesity/unintentional weight gain), health status (functional status, cancer diagnosis and prognosis, and prehabilitation needs) and inflammatory status (C-reactive protein (CRP) levels). Based on this classification, the digital solution suggests tailored, evidence-based nutritional interventions. Continuous monitoring through PROs and clinical assessments will customise care to patients’ dynamic nutritional needs. The first version of this digital solution will be piloted in 2025.Conclusions: Inconsistent implementation of nutrition guidelines is a key challenge in cancer care. The MyPath NCP offers an accessible, patient-centred classification and management system that integrates nutritional care into routine cancer care, providing a versatile solution that can be implemented across diverse healthcare settings.<br/
The Systematic Review on RF-EMF Exposure and Cancer by Karipidis et al. (2024) has Serious Flaws that Undermine the Validity of the Study's Conclusions
No full textAdductor canal block in total knee arthroplasty: a scoping review of the literature
No full textBackground: An adductor canal block (ACB) is commonly used in anaesthetic practice to reduce pain after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Practice varies in terms of anatomical location, local anaesthetic and adjuncts used, with poor consensus in relation to the best approach. The aim of this scoping review was to 1) assess the evidence for efficacy of ACB, 2) assess the safety of ACB, 3) determine the variation in type of medication, dose of medication, anatomical site, and technique for ACB, 4) compare the efficacy of ACB to other nerve block techniques.Methods: Four databases were searched to identify all relevant studies (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane and ClinicalTrials.gov). A total of 285 articles were found, and data was extracted from 130 randomised controlled trials.Results: ACB is a safe and potentially effective peripheral nerve block for reducing postoperative pain after TKA and preserves motor function. Of all adjuncts to ACB assessed, either dexamethasone or dexmedetomidine provide the additional analgesic benefit. ACB combined with peri-articular local anaesthetic injection provides the best outcomes. Continuous infusion of an ACB gives no additional benefit over a single injection. Anatomical location of ACB does not seem to affect efficacy. There was no evidence to support the use of a single local anaesthetic agent.Conclusion: This scoping review has identified a huge variation in the use of medications, doses, techniques and adjuncts for ACB. As such definitive conclusions regarding the most effective practice for ACB cannot be concluded. Standardisation across all aspects of ACB are required to allow for accurate comparison between future studies before any recommendations regarding merit can be made
Multiple mechanisms of termination modulate the dynamics of RNAPI transcription
No full textTranscription elongation is stochastic, driven by a Brownian ratchet, making it subject to changes in velocity. On the rDNA, multiple polymerases are linked by “torsional entrainment” generated by DNA rotation. We report that release of entrainment by co-transcriptional 3′ end cleavage, is permissive for relative movement between polymerases, promoting pausing and backtracking. Subsequent termination (polymerase release) is facilitated by the 5′ exonuclease Rat1 (Xrn2) and backtracked transcript cleavage by the RNA polymerase I (RNAPI) subunit Rpa12. These activities are reproduced in vitro. Short nascent transcripts close to the transcriptional start site, combined with nascent transcript folding energy, similarly facilitate RNAPI pausing. Nascent, backtracked transcripts at pause sites are terminated by forward and reverse “torpedoes”: Rat1 and the exosome cofactor Trf4/5-Air1/2-Mtr4 polyadenylation (TRAMP), respectively. Topoisomerase 2 localizes adjacent to RNAPI pause sites, potentially allowing continued elongation by downstream polymerases. Mathematical modeling supported substantial premature termination. These basic insights into transcription in vivo will be relevant to many systems.</p
Caninoid Necro-Robots: Geometrically Selected Rearticulation of Canine Mandibles
No full textIn line with Sustainable Development Goal 9 (sustainable industrialisation and innovation), environmentally responsible engineering designs in modern robotics should consider factors such as renewability, sustainability, and biodegradability. The robotics sector is growing at an exponential rate and, as a consequence, its contribution to ewaste is a growing concern. Our work contributes to the technological development of caninoid necro-robots, robots that are built from the skeletons of deceased dogs. The already formed skeletal structures of deceased dogs (and other animals) are ideal natural material replacements for synthetic robotic architectures such as plastics, metals, and composites. Since dog skeletons are disarticulated, simple but effective methods need to be developed to rearticulate their bodies. The canine head is essentially a large end effector, but its mandible is held together by a fibrocartilaginous joint (symphysis) that degrades at a higher rate than the bone itself. The degradation of the symphysis would ordinarily negate the utility of a canine head as a necro-robotic end effector; however, in this research, we consider simple methods of mandible reinforcement to circumvent this problem. Our research uses 3D scans of a real canine head, which is modelled using the finite element method to ascertain optimal geometrical reinforcements for the mandible. The full head structures and their reinforcements are printed and adhesively connected to determine the most effective reinforcing strategy of the mandible. Here, we elucidate geometrically selected reinforcement designs that are evidenced through mechanical testing, to successfully increase the stiffness of a disarticulated mandible
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