Search

Background: This study investigated the extent to which behaviour support services are accessible under Australia's National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). Method: We conducted semi-structured interviews with families who support a member with an intellectual disability and challenging behaviour. We analysed this data with a supply and demand access framework initially designed for health care and described the lived experiences of participants and their families accessing behaviour supports. Results show that while the NDIS has improved participants' ability to pay for behaviour (and other) supports, this financial capacity represents only one of six other important aspects of access. Results: Families compensate for the shortcomings of the marketised environment which has arisen under the NDIS. Conclusion: This raises questions about the responsibilities of support provision, which is obscured in the new NDIS system and places responsibility for successfully accessing behaviour supports onto the family of the person with an intellectual disability.

The percentage of women receiving bachelor's degrees in physics (25%) in the U.S. lags well behind that of men, and women leave the major at higher rates. Achieving equity in physics will mean that women stay in physics at the same rates as men, but this will require changes in the culture and support structures. A strong sense of belonging can lead to higher retention rates so interventions meant to increase dimensions of physics identity (interest, recognition, performance, and competence) may increase persistence overall and increase women's retention differentially. We describe our model in which mentorship, an understanding of career options (career conceptualization), and leadership are inputs into the development of these dimensions of physics identity. This paper includes preliminary results from a qualitative study that aims to better understand how career conceptualization, leadership, and mentorship contribute to the development of physics identity and belonging. We report results from a survey of 15 undergraduate physics students which was followed up by interviews with 5 of those students. The students were from 2 institutions: a small private liberal arts college in the midwest region of the U.S. and a large public university in the southeast region of the U.S. classified as a Hispanic-serving institution (HSI). With respect to mentorship, consistent with the existing literature, we found that it could provide critical support for students' engagement in the physics community. Leadership experiences have not previously been positioned as an important input into identity, yet we found that they helped women in physics feel more confident, contributing to their recognition of themselves as physics people. While the data on how career conceptualization contributed to the building of identity is limited, there are some connections to recognition and competence, and it will be an interesting avenue of future exploration.

Abstract Introduction Leptospirosis is a neglected emerging and zoonotic disease reported worldwide. This study sought to determine the molecular and serological prevalence of Leptospira spp. and the associated risk factors in slaughtered cattle from the Bahr El Ghazal region of South Sudan. Materials and methods Between January 16th and February 25th, 2023, blood and urine samples were collected from 402 cattle at the Lokoloko Municipal Slaughterhouse in Western Bahr El-Ghazal State. Serum samples were tested using the microscopic agglutination test (MAT), with a panel of 12 serovars (sv) from 12 serogroups (sg) and 4 species (spp) of Leptospira spp. These serovars had been previously identified in Sudan and the East African region. Simultaneously, 400 corresponding urine samples were screened using qualitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the shedding of Leptospira spp. in urine. To identify the associated risk factors, the age, sex, breed and body condition score of each sampled cattle was noted at the time of sampling and subsequently analysed using logistic regression models. Results Among the 402 serum samples screened, a substantial 81.8% (329/402, 95% CI 77.9–85.3) displayed seropositivity for Leptospira spp. with a MAT titre ≥ 100. The prevalence of urine shedding determined by PCR was 6% (23/400, 95% CI 3.8–8.4), while probable recent leptospirosis with a MAT ≥ 1:800 was observed in 33.1% (133/402, 95% CI 28.6–37.8) of the cattle. Multiple reactions were detected in 34.8% (140/402, 95% CI 30.6–39.5) serum samples. The seropositivity was against L. borgpetersenii sg. Tarassovi (78.6%; 316/402, 95% CI 74.4–82.3), followed by L. borgpetersenii sg. Ballum at 20.4% (82/402, 95% CI, 16.7–24.4%), L. kirschneri sg. Autumnalis At 8.7% (35/402, 95% CI 5.7–11.7), L. interrogans sg. of Pomona at 7.0% (28/402, 95% CI 4.5–9.5), and L. interrogans sg. Hebdomadis was 5.0% (20/402, 95% CI 2.8–7.2). Several risk factors are associated with seropositivity. Older animals (≥ 2 years) had 2.0 times greater odds (95% CI 1.14–3.5) of being seropositive than younger animals (

Abstract The incidence rate of tuberculosis in prisons is estimated to be 8 times greater than that in the general population in Madagascar. Our objectives were to estimate the prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis and HIV infection among prisoners and to identify risk factors associated with tuberculosis. We conducted a cross-sectional study at the central prison of Antananarivo from March to July 2021. Individual male and female inmates aged ≥ 13 years who had lived in the prison for at least three months prior to the study period were included as participants. Acid-fast bacilli detection by microscopy and/or culture, an intradermal tuberculin test, a chest X-ray, and a rapid diagnostic orientation test for HIV were performed. Among 748 participants, 4 (0.5%) were confirmed to have pulmonary tuberculosis. Overall, 14 (1.9%) patients had “confirmed” or “probable” tuberculosis [0.90–2.84, 95% CI]. The proportion of participants with latent tuberculosis infection was 69.6% (517/743) based on a positive tuberculin test without clinical symptoms or radiography images indicating tuberculosis. Out of 745 HIV screening tests, three showed reactive results (0.4%). Age (OR = 4.4, 95% CI [1.4–14.0]) and prior tuberculosis treatment (or episodes) were found to be associated with confirmed and probable tuberculosis.

Abstract Yellowfin tuna, Thunnus albacares, represents an important component of commercial and recreational fisheries in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). We investigated the influence of environmental conditions on the spatiotemporal distribution of yellowfin tuna using fisheries’ catch data spanning 2012–2019 within Mexican waters. We implemented hierarchical Bayesian regression models with spatial and temporal random effects and fixed effects of several environmental covariates to predict habitat suitability (HS) for the species. The best model included spatial and interannual anomalies of the absolute dynamic topography of the ocean surface (ADTSA and ADTIA, respectively), bottom depth, and a seasonal cyclical random effect. High catches occurred mainly towards anticyclonic features at bottom depths > 1000 m. The spatial extent of HS was higher in years with positive ADTIA, which implies more anticyclonic activity. The highest values of HS (> 0.7) generally occurred at positive ADTSA in oceanic waters of the central and northern GoM. However, high HS values (> 0.6) were observed in the southern GoM, in waters with cyclonic activity during summer. Our results highlight the importance of mesoscale features for the spatiotemporal distribution of yellowfin tunas and could help to develop dynamic fisheries management strategies in Mexico and the U.S. for this valuable resource.

Background: Adults with severe/profound intellectual disability typically face poor communication outcomes as they are often nonverbal and need their supporters to provide for their communication needs. This review aimed to identify studies focused on the communication resources people with severe/profound intellectual disability use for functional communication, and the enablers and barriers to functional communication. Methods: Nine databases were systematically reviewed with keywords pertaining to the functional communication of adults with severe/profound intellectual disability. Out of 3427 identified articles, 12 met the inclusion criteria. Hand searches and ancestral searches identified another 4 articles. Out of the 16 articles, two did not meet the quality assessment criteria and were excluded. Thus, 14 articles were included in this review. Results: The findings revealed that picture exchange communication systems is the most common communication system used to support the development of functional communication. The most common functions enabled by the communication systems were choice-making and making requests. Several barriers (e.g., individual factors related to adults with severe/profound intellectual disability, others' attitudes, behaviour and knowledge) to and enablers (e.g., accessibility and availability of the communication system, training for those supporting adults with severe/profound intellectual disability) of functional communication were identified. Conclusions: Removing the barriers and enabling functional communication is essential to developing the functional communication of adults with severe/profound intellectual disability.

The current study is part of a comprehensive research on linking visualization, students' construction of geometrical concepts and their definitions, and students' ability to prove. The aim of the current study is to investigate the effect of learners' understanding of definitions of geometrical concepts on their understanding of the essence of geometrical proofs and their ways of proving. By "understanding" (geometrical definitions and/or proofs), we mean knowing the definition's and/or proof's meaning and their role within the logic structure of geometry and also the ability to define and/or prove in "geometrically correct" ways. Ninety grade 11 students from an Arab high school in Israel participated in the comprehensive study in geometry of which the current study forms a part. Research tasks for the investigation of the current study's aim were designed, constructed, and used in a questionnaire to the whole research population and in interviews with about 10% of the population. The findings point clearly to effects of elements within the students' understanding of definitions on their understanding of proofs and on their ability to prove. These elements are as follows: (a) The difficulty to internalize that an incomplete definition is an incorrect definition and may lead to an incomplete proof; (b) The difficulty to deal with non-economical definitions forms the basis to non-economical proofs; (c) Students have difficulties to accept equivalent definitions to the same geometrical concept; and (d) The students' lack of understanding the origin of a constructive definition of geometrical concept.

Fractals describe many natural phenomena; their strong visual-figurative nature found its mathematical conceptualization in the concept of self-similarity. In the current study, we investigate how students construct (fully or partially) the self-similarity concept while recursively constructing the Sierpinski triangle, working in small group and whole class settings in an inquiry-based MA level mathematics education course. We follow shifts of knowledge from individuals to groups and/or to the whole class community during the process of constructing the self-similarity concept. Our theoretical and methodological approach is based on networking between Abstraction in Context and Documenting Collective Activity. We found that the knowledge constructing processes of different students varied, some thinking recursively about finite cases and others thinking more directly about the infinite case. Some students acted as knowledge agents, with shifts of knowledge occasionally occurring in chains. We also observed a tendency to report results of group discussions back to the plenum only partially and in a purified manner.

Anthropogenic methane (CH4) emissions increases from the period 1850–1900 until 2019 are responsible for around 65% as much warming as carbon dioxide (CO2) has caused to date, and large reductions in methane emissions are required to limit global warming to 1.5°C or 2°C. However, methane emissions have been increasing rapidly since ~2006. This study shows that emissions are expected to continue to increase over the remainder of the 2020s if no greater action is taken and that increases in atmospheric methane are thus far outpacing projected growth rates. This increase has important implications for reaching net zero CO2 targets: every 50 Mt CH4 of the sustained large cuts envisioned under low-warming scenarios that are not realized would eliminate about 150 Gt of the remaining CO2 budget. Targeted methane reductions are therefore a critical component alongside decarbonization to minimize global warming. We describe additional linkages between methane mitigation options and CO2, especially via land use, as well as their respective climate impacts and associated metrics. We explain why a net zero target specifically for methane is neither necessary nor plausible. Analyses show where reductions are most feasible at the national and sectoral levels given limited resources, for example, to meet the Global Methane Pledge target, but they also reveal large uncertainties. Despite these uncertainties, many mitigation costs are clearly low relative to real-world financial instruments and very low compared with methane damage estimates, but legally binding regulations and methane pricing are needed to meet climate goals.

De acuerdo con Hubert L. Dreyfus, a Heidegger no le preocupaba el problema del control humano de la técnica, que sí concierne a los teóricos que conciben la técnica como ideología. En su texto, Dreyfus sostiene que la cuestión es más bien la comprensión del ser como mera materia prima proyectada en la cosmovisión técnica del Occidente moderno. Sólo dándonos cuenta de que el ser mismo ordena esta dispensación podremos comenzar a distanciarnos de esa visión del mundo. En última instancia, la técnica no es una cuestión política sino un modo de donación específico de la era moderna. Esta comprensión nos sitúa más allá de una visión puramente tecnológica de la vida y nos abre a una relación diferente con la técnica. Lo que se necesita es un nuevo sentido de realidad que privilegie las facetas no-tecnológicas de la experiencia y de la comunidad. En ese contexto, la técnica continuaría existiendo y haciendo su trabajo, pero ya no formaría el horizonte del ser y la comprensión.

Summary: Tissues release microRNAs (miRNAs) in small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) including exosomes, which can regulate gene expression in distal cells, thus acting as modulators of local and systemic metabolism. Here, we show that insulin regulates miRNA secretion into sEVs from 3T3-L1 adipocytes and that this process is differentially regulated from cellular expression. Thus, of the 53 miRNAs upregulated and 66 miRNAs downregulated by insulin in 3T3-L1 sEVs, only 12 were regulated in parallel in cells. Insulin regulated this process in part by phosphorylating hnRNPA1, causing it to bind to AU-rich motifs in miRNAs, mediating their secretion into sEVs. Importantly, 43% of insulin-regulated sEV-miRNAs are implicated in obesity and insulin resistance. These include let-7 and miR-103, which we show regulate insulin signaling in AML12 hepatocytes. Together, these findings demonstrate an important layer to insulin’s regulation of adipose biology and provide a mechanism of tissue crosstalk in obesity and other hyperinsulinemic states.

Abstract This study aimed to identify the risk factors for placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) in women who had at least one previous cesarean delivery and a placenta previa or low-lying. The PACCRETA prospective population-based study took place in 12 regional perinatal networks from 2013 through 2015. All women with one or more prior cesareans and a placenta previa or low lying were included. Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) was diagnosed at delivery according to standardized clinical and histological criteria. Of the 520,114 deliveries, 396 fulfilled inclusion criteria; 108 were classified with PAS at delivery. Combining the number of prior cesareans and the placental location yielded a rate ranging from 5% for one prior cesarean combined with a posterior low-lying placenta to 63% for three or more prior cesareans combined with placenta previa. The factors independently associated with PAS disorders were BMI ≥ 30, previous uterine surgery, previous postpartum hemorrhage, a higher number of prior cesareans, and a placenta previa. Finally, in this high-risk population, the rate of PAS disorders varies greatly, not only with the number of prior cesareans but also with the exact placental location and some of the women's individual characteristics. Risk stratification is thus possible in this population.

Imaging is increasingly used to capture information on the marine environment thanks to the improvements in imaging equipment, devices for carrying cameras and data storage in recent years. In that context, biologists, geologists, computer specialists and end-users must gather to discuss the methods and procedures for optimising the quality and quantity of data collected from images. The 4th Marine Imaging Workshop was organised from 3-6 October 2022 in Brest (France) in a hybrid mode. More than a hundred participants were welcomed in person and about 80 people attended the online sessions. The workshop was organised in a single plenary session of presentations followed by discussion sessions. These were based on dynamic polls and open questions that allowed recording of the imaging community’s current and future ideas. In addition, a whole day was dedicated to practical sessions on image analysis, data standardisation and communication tools. The format of this edition allowed the participation of a wider community, including lower-income countries, early career scientists, all working on laboratory, benthic and pelagic imaging.This article summarises the topics addressed during the workshop, particularly the outcomes of the discussion sessions for future reference and to make the workshop results available to the open public.

Abstract Antibody engineering can tailor the design and activities of therapeutic antibodies for better efficiency or other advantageous clinical properties. Here we report the development of ISB 1442, a fully human bispecific antibody designed to re-establish synthetic immunity in CD38+ hematological malignancies. ISB 1442 consists of two anti-CD38 arms targeting two distinct epitopes that preferentially drive binding to tumor cells and enable avidity-induced blocking of proximal CD47 receptors on the same cell while preventing on-target off-tumor binding on healthy cells. The Fc portion of ISB 1442 is engineered to enhance complement dependent cytotoxicity, antibody dependent cell cytotoxicity and antibody dependent cell phagocytosis. ISB 1442 thus represents a CD47-BsAb combining biparatopic targeting of a tumor associated antigen with engineered enhancement of antibody effector function to overcome potential resistance mechanisms that hamper treatment of myeloma with monospecific anti-CD38 antibodies. ISB 1442 is currently in a Phase I clinical trial in relapsed refractory multiple myeloma.

By phasing out production and consumption of most ozone-depleting substances (ODSs), the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer (Montreal Protocol) has avoided consequences of increased ultraviolet (UV) radiation and will restore stratospheric ozone to pre-1980 conditions by mid-century, assuming compliance with the phaseout. However, several studies have documented an unexpected increase in emissions and suggested unreported production of trichlorofluoromethane (CFC-11) and potentially other ODSs after 2012 despite production phaseouts under the Montreal Protocol. Furthermore, because most ODSs are powerful greenhouse gases (GHGs), there are significant climate protection benefits in collecting and destroying the substantial quantities of historically allowed production of chemicals under the Montreal Protocol that are contained in existing equipment and products and referred to as ODS “banks”. This technical note presents a framework for considering offsets to ozone depletion, climate forcing, and other environmental impacts arising from occurrences of unexpected emissions and unreported production of Montreal Protocol controlled substances, as recently experienced and likely to be experienced again. We also show how this methodology could be applied to the destruction of banks of controlled ODSs and GHGs or to halon or other production allowed under a Montreal Protocol Essential Use Exemption or Critical Use Exemption. Further, we roughly estimate the magnitude of offset each type of action could provide for ozone depletion, climate, and other environmental impacts that Montreal Protocol Parties agree warrant remedial action.

Abstract Suggestions about hunger can generate placebo effects on hunger experiences. But, the underlying neurocognitive mechanisms are unknown. Here, we show in 255 women that hunger expectancies, induced by suggestion-based placebo interventions, determine hunger sensations and economic food choices. Functional magnetic resonance imaging in a subgroup (n = 57/255) provides evidence that the strength of expecting the placebo to decrease hunger moderates medial prefrontal cortex activation at the time of food choice and attenuates ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) responses to food value. Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex activation linked to interference resolution formally mediates the suggestion-based placebo effects on hunger. A drift-diffusion model characterizes this effect by showing that the hunger suggestions bias participants’ food choices and how much they weigh tastiness against the healthiness of food, which further moderates vmPFC–dlPFC psychophysiological interactions when participants expect decreased hunger. Thus, suggestion-induced beliefs about hunger shape hunger addressing economic choices through cognitive regulation of value computation within the prefrontal cortex.

The notion of definition is a central building block of mathematics. In addition to specific definitions, it is desirable that students learn about meta-mathematical aspects of definitions such as their role of classification, and about characteristics of definitions such as arbitrariness. We investigated how such meta-mathematical aspects emerge when students are led to construct a definition such as point of inflection or tangent line, and how the constructing process interacts with meta-mathematical aspects. We used Abstraction in Context as theoretical framework because of its suitability to analyze processes of knowledge construction. We found that meta-mathematical aspects of definitions influence and are influenced by students' processes of constructing definitions. We argue that awareness of meta-mathematical aspects improves students' conception of mathematical definitions.

This paper presents methodology aimed at developing a rich understanding of the interplay of mathematical progress in the different social settings in which learning in inquiry-oriented classrooms occurs: individually; in small groups; and as a whole class. For this purpose, we enhance a theoretical-methodological approach of coordinating Documenting Collective Activity and the Recognizing-Building-Constructing model of Abstraction in Context that have been developed in earlier studies. We do this using an intact lesson on the area and perimeter of the Sierpinski triangle in a mathematics education master's level course on Chaos and Fractals. The enhancement of the methodology allows integrating Collective and Individual Mathematical Progress (CIMP) by Layering the Explanations (LE) provided by the two approaches, and thus exhibits the complexity of learning processes in inquiry-oriented classrooms.