Search

Background: Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is one of the life-threatening complications of pregnancy, the prevalence of which has increased in parallel with the caesarean section rate. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the experiences of mothers with PAS who have also experienced maternal near miss. Methods: The participants of this study included 8 mothers who had experienced near miss due to placenta accreta during the past year, as well as two husbands and two health care professionals. Data collection was done using face-to-face, in-depth virtual and in-person interviews. In this qualitative study, the interpretive phenomenological analysis approach was used to analyse the data. Results: The superordinate theme that emerged from the lived experiences of the studied mothers is 'Living in a vacuum', which was derived from 3 main themes. The theme of 'distorted identity' is related to the mothers' experience of losing the uterus as a symbol of femininity and nostalgia for the former self. The theme of 'exacerbated exhaustion' indicates the burnout and fatigue perceived by these mothers and has dimensions far beyond the exhaustion caused by performing parenting duties. The third theme, 'a threatened future', reflects these mothers' vague image of the future in terms of health, preservation of life, and the continuation of living together with the husband. Conclusions: It seems that mothers with PAS need to be covered by integrated and well-organised psycho-social support from the time they are diagnosed with the complication until long after delivery due to the high potentiality of maternal near miss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new chiral and configurationally stable cyclopentadienyl amidinate (CPAM) hafnium complexes, (RC, RHf)-2 and (SC, SHf)-3, have been obtained in enantio- and diastereomerically pure form. Upon activation with the borate co-initiator, [PhNHMe2][B(C6F5)4] (B1), 2 and 3 can serve as pre-initiators for the enantioselective living coordinative polymerization (LCP) and living coordinative chain transfer polymerization (LCCTP) of 1,5-hexadiene to provide optically active poly (methylene-1,3-cyclopentane) (PMCP) and end-group-functionalized PMCP (x-PMCP) in scalable quantities, respectively. 13C NMR stereochemical microstructural analyses reveal the role of ligand directing effects for the two-step propagation mechanism of 1,2-migratory insertion/ring-closing cyclization and structure/property relationships for these new PMCP and x-PMCP materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Kirkuk University Humanity Studies is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This article explores the growing prominence of nature-inspired design philosophies in the context of sustainability and human well-being within the built environment and focuses on their application within laboratory buildings. Biomimicry and biophilic design are highlighted as key nature-inspired design approaches, with biomimicry drawing inspiration from nature for innovations and biophilic design promoting human health through enhancing the connection with the surrounding natural elements. This paper further discusses living building strategy as an emerging method for creating dynamic and adaptable spaces by prioritizing user experience through co-creation and focusing on sustainable and regenerative structures. The potential of integrating these approaches is emphasized using laboratory buildings as an example, with nature-inspired and living laboratories serving as models for future built environments that promote both environmental responsibility and a positive human experience. Accordingly, this work aims to investigate the design and construction of laboratory buildings based on nature-inspired design strategies and the living building concept. Moreover, the paper discusses the application of biomimicry and living building concepts within laboratory buildings as a novel contribution to the body of knowledge, and concludes by proposing the Nature-inspired & Living Laboratory (NILL 1.0)TM Building Assessment index to serve as a guideline for the design and construction of laboratory buildings using nature as an inspiration and the analogy of human body systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Efgartigimod showed efficacy for generalized myasthenia gravis. • Effect of efgartigimod in seronegative generalized myasthenia gravis is unknown. • 16 seronegative generalized myasthenia gravis patients treated with efgartigimod. • Myasthenia gravis activities of daily living scores improved from 9.2 to 7.4. • There were no serious adverse events. The effect of treatment with efgartigimod in seronegative myasthenia gravis (MG) remains unclear. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate symptomatic changes and safety of treatment with efgartigimod in patients with generalized MG (gMG) double-seronegative for acetylcholine receptor antibody and muscle-specific kinase antibody. We reviewed the medical records of double-seronegative gMG treated with 10 mg/kg efgartigimod once/week per cycle (4 weeks) from June 2022 to June 2023. A total of 16 patients were included. MG–activities of daily living (ADL) scores improved from 9.2 to 7.4. Mean prednisolone dose was reduced from 5.4 to 4.1 mg/day. The duration before MG–ADL deterioration after the end of a cycle was 6.1 weeks. Five patients had mild adverse events. This retrospective study revealed no significant treatment benefit in the outcomes of patients with double-seronegative gMG treated with efgartigimod. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the present paper, the Working Group on Cells, Tissues and Organs and other experts of the Superior Health Council of Belgium aimed to provide stakeholders in material of human origin with advice on critical aspects of serological and nucleic acid test (NAT) testing, to improve virological safety of cell- and tissue and organ donation. The current paper focusses on a number of preanalytical variables which can be critical for any medical biology examination: (1) sampling related variables (type of samples, collection of the samples, volume of the sample, choice of specific tubes, identification of tubes), (2) variables related to transport, storage and processing of blood samples (transport, centrifugation and haemolysis, storage before and after centrifugation, use of serum versus plasma), (3) variables related to dilution (haemodilution, pooling of samples), and (4) test dependent variables (available tests and validation). Depending on the type of donor (deceased donor (heart-beating or non-heart beating) versus living donor (allogeneic, related, autologous), and the type of donated human material (cells, tissue or organs) additional factors can play a role: pre- and post-mortem sampling, conditions of sampling (e.g. morgue), haemodilution, possibility of retesting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Iluminuras is the property of Revista Iluminuras and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Biomaterials have evolved from inert materials to responsive entities, playing a crucial role in disease diagnosis, treatment, and modeling. However, their advancement is hindered by limitations in chemical and mechanical approaches. Synthetic biology enabling the genetically reprograming of biological systems offers a new paradigm. It has achieved remarkable progresses in cell reprogramming, engineering designer cells for diverse applications. Synthetic biology also encompasses cell-free systems and rational design of biological molecules. This review focuses on the application of synthetic biology in theranostics, which boost rapid development of advanced biomaterials. We introduce key fundamental concepts of synthetic biology and highlight frontier applications thereof, aiming to explore the intersection of synthetic biology and biomaterials. This integration holds tremendous promise for advancing biomaterial engineering with programable complex functions.

This paper delves into the notion of “care in action” through the lens of participatory artistic endeavours implemented within an urban renewal initiative. These projects delve into the intricate connections between urban trees and residents. Throughout the construction process, a remarkable sense of solidarity and cohesion emerged within the community, evident in the symbiotic relationships forged between inhabitants and their arboreal counterparts. These dynamic not only empowered residents but also provided a platform for dialogue and negotiation within the complex landscape of stakeholder interests. Caring for the trees became synonymous with caring for one another, serving as a resilient anchor during challenging times. It exemplifies the resilience and collective strength fostered through communal engagement with the natural environment and develop empowering practices.

Livelihood is a consequence of obligations that arise, one of which is with the marriage bond. But when the marriage is carried out by a minor, of course, other more complex problems arise. Underage marriage, which is mainly carried out by boys, makes it burdened with the obligation to provide when it should be still a student or college student. It also widens job opportunities in the field which is difficult due to the age of the minor. This condition is even worse if the parents of the couple are families who are still on the poverty line. So, the government must take the government seriously to respond to this problem considering that marriages carried out can occur legally because marriage dispensation is allowed. The purpose of this study is to analyze the causes of underage marriage and the concept of fulfillment when viewed from Marriage Law No. 1 of 1974 with the Compilation of Islamic Law. The research method carried out in this study is qualitative with a normative juridical approach. Data collection techniques through literature studies, by inventorying various main and supporting library materials related to the focus of the problem. Data analysis techniques are processed and discussed using descriptive methods. The results showed several factors causing underage marriage which was dominated by pregnancy out of wedlock, economy, technological and information advances as well as culture and religion. As for the fulfillment of bread, the state only regulates, in general, these provisions, both in Marriage Law No. 1 of 1974 and the Compilation of Islamic Law. Fulfilling the income carried out by the husband does not provide distinction to the husband who is underage but is legalized by the government with the marriage dispensation given. Therefore, it is necessary to revise the regulation so that it can guarantee the rights of every citizen are fulfilled.

Abstract Background While there has been widespread global acceptance of the importance of evidence-informed policy, many opportunities to inform health policy with research are missed, often because of a mismatch between when and where reliable evidence is needed, and when and where it is available. ‘Living evidence’ is an approach where systematic evidence syntheses (e.g. living reviews, living guidelines, living policy briefs, etc.) are continually updated to incorporate new relevant evidence as it becomes available. Living evidence approaches have the potential to overcome a major barrier to evidence-informed policy, making up-to-date systematic summaries of policy-relevant research available at any time that policy-makers need them. These approaches are likely to be particularly beneficial given increasing calls for policy that is responsive, and rapidly adaptive to changes in the policy context. We describe the opportunities presented by living evidence for evidence-informed policy-making and highlight areas for further exploration. Discussion There are several elements of living approaches to evidence synthesis that might support increased and improved use of evidence to inform policy. Reviews are explicitly prioritised to be ‘living’ by partnerships between policy-makers and researchers based on relevance to decision-making, as well as uncertainty of existing evidence, and likelihood that new evidence will arise. The ongoing nature of the work means evidence synthesis teams can be dynamic and engage with policy-makers in a variety of ways over time; and synthesis topics, questions and methods can be adapted as policy interests or contextual factors shift. Policy-makers can sign-up to be notified when relevant new evidence is found, and can be confident that living syntheses are up-to-date and contain all research whenever they access them. The always up-to-date nature of living evidence syntheses means producers can rapidly demonstrate availability of relevant, reliable evidence when it is needed, addressing a frequently cited barrier to evidence-informed policymaking. Conclusions While there are challenges to be overcome, living evidence provides opportunities to enable policy-makers to access up-to-date evidence whenever they need it and also enable researchers to respond to the issues of the day with up-to-date research; and update policy-makers on changes in the evidence base as they arise. It also provides an opportunity to build flexible partnerships between researchers and policy-makers to ensure that evidence syntheses reflect the changing needs of policy-makers.

The city of Montreal is an important destination, behind Toronto and Vancouver, for filming in Canada, both nationally and internationally (especially for U.S. filmmakers). The article aims to compare filming locations, representations of the city on screen and geographical imaginaries linked to Montreal: to what extent does the choice of filming locations lead to a selective image of the city of Montreal according to the productions and the audiences? While the city of Montreal is often used as a generic or substitute city setting in American series, some Quebec productions choose, on the contrary, a strong territorial anchoring in more peripheral neighborhoods. The use of cross-methodologies allows us to question the notion of the imaginary applied to the city of Montreal, and the discrepancies observed between a city that is seen from the outside and a city that is seen by its inhabitants, an inhabited city. The article will focus on the mini-series “Je voudrais qu'on m'efface”, which takes place in the working-class and multicultural Saint-Michel district, in order to examine the inhabitation of the district as it is represented on screen, thereby overcoming certain representations of the city in other series and nourishing the Montreal imaginary.

The influence of artificial intelligence (AI) in smart cities has resulted in enhanced efficiency, accessibility, and improved quality of life. However, this integration has brought forth new challenges, particularly concerning data security and privacy due to the widespread use of Internet of Things (IoT) technologies. The article aims to provide a classification of scientific research relating to artificial intelligence in smart city issues and to identify emerging directions of future research. A systematic literature review based on bibliometric analysis of Scopus and Web of Science databases was conducted for the study. Research query included TITLE-ABS-KEY (“smart city” AND “artificial intelligence”) in the case of Scopus and TS = (“smart city” AND “artificial intelligence”) in the case of the Web of Sciences database. For the purpose of the analysis, 3101 publication records were qualified. Based on bibliometric analysis, seven research areas were identified: safety, living, energy, mobility, health, pollution, and industry. Urban mobility has seen significant innovations through AI applications, such as autonomous vehicles (AVs), electric vehicles (EVs), and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), yet security concerns persist, necessitating further research in this area. AI’s impact extends to energy management and sustainability practices, demanding standardised regulations to guide future research in renewable energy adoption and developing integrated local energy systems. Additionally, AI’s applications in health, environmental management, and the industrial sector require further investigation to address data handling, privacy, security, and societal implications, ensuring responsible and sustainable digitisation in smart cities.

ABSTRACTBackground and aims Hemodynamic instability during postreperfusion syndrome remains the most significant concern for transplantation teams. Various strategies have been investigated in an attempt to reduce the occurrence of postreperfusion in liver transplantation, including the use of mannitol as a scavenger of free radicals and inflammatory mediators. The study examined mannitol intraoperative antioxidant effect on reperfusion hemodynamic events during living donor liver transplantation (LDLT).Methodology This prospective randomized controlled trial divided 60 participants with end-stage liver disease into two groups of 30 participants each. The mannitol group was administered 1 g/kg of mannitol (20%) in a 500-mL labeled bottle (solution A); the control group received the same amount of normal saline (0.9%) in a 500-mL labeled bottle (solution B). The primary outcome was mean arterial pressure (MAP) postreperfusion. Secondary outcomes were recorded after reperfusion: cardiac output (COP), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), the amount of vasopressor administered, central venous pressure (CVP), and urine output (UOP). This study received ethics committee approval (R 42/2022) and was registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05277623).Results The MAP parameters were significantly lower in the control group, with MAP

This research is concerned with studying the meanings inherent in theatrical performance in the light of the analytical mechanisms adopted by phenomenological philosophy, which examines how artistic works are performed, in an attempt to reach their first facts, by directing perception to the beginning of things، And then to associate with it a direct experience according to the thoughts manifested in the feeling. Thus, consciousness carries out the experience of meaning in theatrical performance, through a long series of cognitive practices, which can be intellectually and aesthetically compared to the (montage) practices that abound in the creative consciousness in the style of cinematic depth of field. The first chapter defines the problem of research (systematically) with the following question: What are the aesthetic approaches to the coexistence of meaning between the depth of the cinematic field and the structure of theatrical presentation. While the second chapter is determined (theoretically) by the following: the first research (the strategy of cohabitation of meaning in the depth of the cinematic field), the second research (the strategy of cohabitation of meaning in theatrical presentation) ، The third Topic (aesthetics of depth of field in theatrical performance). The third chapter is determined (procedurally) by the theatrical show (Shajar Murr), written and directed by (Abdul Majid Al-Hawas), for the year (2015). In addition to the fourth chapter, which includes the results and conclusions of the research. Finally, a list of sources, references and a summary of the research in English.

When Lambert Strether exhorts John "Little" Bilham to "live!" (154) in Henry James' The Ambassadors (1903), we trust that we know what he means. What, after all, could be more self-evident than the idea that life should be experienced as fully and enjoyably as possible, and that it is a mistake not to do so? Going against the grain of critical consensus, in this essay I argue that Strether's injunction becomes ringed with uncertainty the moment that it is subjected to analytic scrutiny. This uncertainty does not generate scepticism about the possibility of leading a life, but is rather an invitation to pose questions about the everyday language we employ to describe, evaluate, and make sense of the activity of 'living.' I claim that James uses the breakdown of Strether's speech to draw attention to the fact that much of this language is wedded to a hyperbolic picture of agency that is either rigidly voluntaristic or deterministic. I show how James' representation of Strether's consciousness of himself as an agent puts pressure on this picture by making it difficult to determine whether he is acting or being acted upon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: While there has been widespread global acceptance of the importance of evidence-informed policy, many opportunities to inform health policy with research are missed, often because of a mismatch between when and where reliable evidence is needed, and when and where it is available. 'Living evidence' is an approach where systematic evidence syntheses (e.g. living reviews, living guidelines, living policy briefs, etc.) are continually updated to incorporate new relevant evidence as it becomes available. Living evidence approaches have the potential to overcome a major barrier to evidence-informed policy, making up-to-date systematic summaries of policy-relevant research available at any time that policy-makers need them. These approaches are likely to be particularly beneficial given increasing calls for policy that is responsive, and rapidly adaptive to changes in the policy context. We describe the opportunities presented by living evidence for evidence-informed policy-making and highlight areas for further exploration. Discussion: There are several elements of living approaches to evidence synthesis that might support increased and improved use of evidence to inform policy. Reviews are explicitly prioritised to be 'living' by partnerships between policy-makers and researchers based on relevance to decision-making, as well as uncertainty of existing evidence, and likelihood that new evidence will arise. The ongoing nature of the work means evidence synthesis teams can be dynamic and engage with policy-makers in a variety of ways over time; and synthesis topics, questions and methods can be adapted as policy interests or contextual factors shift. Policy-makers can sign-up to be notified when relevant new evidence is found, and can be confident that living syntheses are up-to-date and contain all research whenever they access them. The always up-to-date nature of living evidence syntheses means producers can rapidly demonstrate availability of relevant, reliable evidence when it is needed, addressing a frequently cited barrier to evidence-informed policymaking. Conclusions: While there are challenges to be overcome, living evidence provides opportunities to enable policy-makers to access up-to-date evidence whenever they need it and also enable researchers to respond to the issues of the day with up-to-date research; and update policy-makers on changes in the evidence base as they arise. It also provides an opportunity to build flexible partnerships between researchers and policy-makers to ensure that evidence syntheses reflect the changing needs of policy-makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on ongoing multidisciplinary research, this essay offers some theoretical and scenario considerations on the transformations of social rituals in housing contexts during the pandemic period. The analysis focuses on living being not only understood as a "private" experience, but also as a phenomenon of collective interest, especially in relation to issues concerning health emergencies, risk perception, and forms of sociability. In the face of such problems, the sociological perspective has shown its usefulness in providing suitable tools to study the ambivalent and exceptional aspects to which living was exposed during the lockdown period and in the immediate aftermath. Thus, it was chosen to focus attention on the phenomenon of the smart home, an "agent subject," albeit inanimate, of the process of technological transformation of the housing unit, which can be evaluated not only on the level of environmental sustainability, but also on that of social sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Hemodynamic instability during postreperfusion syndrome remains the most significant concern for transplantation teams. Various strategies have been investigated in an attempt to reduce the occurrence of postreperfusion in liver transplantation, including the use of mannitol as a scavenger of free radicals and inflammatory mediators. The study examined mannitol intraoperative antioxidant effect on reperfusion hemodynamic events during living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Methodology: This prospective randomized controlled trial divided 60 participants with endstage liver disease into two groups of 30 participants each. The mannitol group was administered 1 g/kg of mannitol (20%) in a 500-mL labeled bottle (solution A); the control group received the same amount of normal saline (0.9%) in a 500-mL labeled bottle (solution B). The primary outcome was mean arterial pressure (MAP) postreperfusion. Secondary outcomes were recorded after reperfusion: cardiac output (COP), systemic vascular resistance (SVR), the amount of vasopressor administered, central venous pressure (CVP), and urine output (UOP). This study received ethics committee approval (R 42/2022) and was registered at clinicaltrials. gov (NCT05277623). Results: The MAP parameters were significantly lower in the control group, with MAP<60 mm Hg in 93.3% of the control group versus 40% of the mannitol group (p 0.001). There was a statistically significant difference regarding SVR (p 0.001). Norepinephrine levels were lower for the mannitol group compared with controls (p = 0.003). As regards COP, CVP, and UOP there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. Conclusion: Mannitol attenuates the postreperfusion syndrome during LDLT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Encouraging farmers to adopt greener and cleaner energy is crucial for reducing energy pollution and achieving carbon neutrality goals. In rural China, the decision making of farmers is often closely related to the whole family. At different stages of the family life cycle, the family has different characteristics, which leads to heterogeneity in the focus and final decision of farmers in adopting living clean energy. Therefore, this paper studies the farmers' living clean energy adoption behavior from the perspective of the family life cycle. It is helpful to identify the different policy needs and the evolution of farmers in different stages in order to provide a reference and inspiration for encouraging the adoption of living clean energy by farmers and for promoting the development of clean energy in rural areas. Based on the survey data of 1382 farmers in Jiangxi Province, this paper uses a multiple linear regression model to explore the impact of the family life cycle on farmers' clean energy adoption behavior. The results show the following: (1) The family life cycle has a significant impact on farmers' living clean energy adoption behavior, which is reflected in four aspects: energy demand, livelihood strategy, health demand and support burden; (2) Awareness of environmental ecology and frequency of government promotion have significant positive effects on farmers' living clean energy adoption behavior, while gender has significant negative effects on farmers' clean energy adoption behavior; (3) There are also differences in the influencing factors of farmers' living clean energy adoption behavior at different stages of the family life cycle. Therefore, when promoting clean energy in rural areas, a precise clean energy incentive mechanism should be adopted to treat families in different family life cycle stages differently. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perioperative pain management is an important consideration in early recovery and patient satisfaction following laparoscopic donor nephrectomy. Transmuscular quadratus lumborum block has been described to reduce pain and opioid usage following several abdominal surgeries. In this prospective single-blind randomized controlled trial, we compared 52 patients who adhered to our institutional donor nephrectomy Early Recovery After Surgery pathway, which includes a laparoscopic-guided transversus abdominus plane block, to 40 patients who additionally received a transmuscular quadratus lumborum block with liposomal bupivacaine. Compared to control patients, those who received the block spent longer in the operating room prior to the surgical start (65.4 vs. 51.6 min, P

The contribution investigates through the photographic tool the space between some Roman houses built in the early 1900s, in which a collective dimension of living can be found. Through the built forms, the materials and the possibility of passing freely and democratically in the intermediate spaces between the private domestic sphere and the public sphere of the city, the path through images stops the gaze on the public building settlements with the aim of recovering a dimension and a shared atmosphere of living. The covered passageways and the entrance thresholds, the drying racks and the green open space emphasize the importance of the empty space as a focal point of the collective architectural project. With particular reference to the fundamental role of proximity spaces, the goal is to feed an imaginary on collective housing that is not only speculative but perceptive, phenomenological, immaterial which does not only concern a space of consumption but a time and place democratic made up of daily actions.

The National Kidney Registry (NKR) Advanced Donation Program enables living donors the opportunity to donate altruistically, or in advance of a potential recipient's transplant, and to receive a voucher that can be redeemed for a future transplant facilitated by the NKR. Family vouchers allow a donor to identify multiple individuals within their immediate family, with the first person in that group in need of a transplant being prioritized to receive a kidney. An increase in vouchers introduces concerns that demand for future voucher redemptions could exceed the supply of available donors and kidneys. A Monte Carlo simulation model was constructed to estimate the annual number of voucher redemptions relative to the number of kidneys available over a 50-year time horizon under several projected scenarios for growth of the program. In all simulated scenarios, the number of available kidneys exceeded voucher redemptions every year. While not able to account for all real-life scenarios, this simulation study found that the NKR should be able to satisfy the likely redemption of increasing numbers of vouchers under a range of possible scenarios over a 50-year time horizon. This modeling exercise suggests that a donor family's future needs can be satisfied through the voucher program.

This article explores the growing prominence of nature-inspired design philosophies in the context of sustainability and human well-being within the built environment and focuses on their application within laboratory buildings. Biomimicry and biophilic design are highlighted as key nature-inspired design approaches, with biomimicry drawing inspiration from nature for innovations and biophilic design promoting human health through enhancing the connection with the surrounding natural elements. This paper further discusses living building strategy as an emerging method for creating dynamic and adaptable spaces by prioritizing user experience through co-creation and focusing on sustainable and regenerative structures. The potential of integrating these approaches is emphasized using laboratory buildings as an example, with nature-inspired and living laboratories serving as models for future built environments that promote both environmental responsibility and a positive human experience. Accordingly, this work aims to investigate the design and construction of laboratory buildings based on nature-inspired design strategies and the living building concept. Moreover, the paper discusses the application of biomimicry and living building concepts within laboratory buildings as a novel contribution to the body of knowledge, and concludes by proposing the Nature-inspired & Living Laboratory (NILL 1.0)TM Building Assessment index to serve as a guideline for the design and construction of laboratory buildings using nature as an inspiration and the analogy of human body systems.

Zoeontology, or the study of living, is a philosophical system the author is constructing in the spirit of traditional Chinese philosophy. We see living as the central philosophical inquiry in the Chinese tradition, rather than being as in Western philosophy. Being is supposed to be eternal and death is a negation of being, but living consists of birth, growing, aging, and death. Hence in zoeontology, we see time as the rhythm of living, and space as the orientation in a living community. As a time-space system, a living subject interacts with the world from the perspective of the ego. Zoeontology is also a kind of subjective philosophy. Different living subjects interact with each other if their living rhythms parallel or overlap with each other. A child’s living process is internal to the parents’ living process, and hence there must be intimate and profound interactions between them. This is the beginning of a civil community. There is a dialectical relationship between civilization and nature. The purpose of human civilization is to civilize a natural living community, but it must obey the rules of nature. Human civilization is not meant to change nature, but to fulfil it.

This two-voice text builds on Jean-Louis Genard’s remarkable article entitled “The decline or the end of the human exception?”. It extends a conversation the authors have been pursuing for some ten years on ways of dealing with the strained relationship between human beings and the living beings they are made of. Laurent Thévenot has considered how human beings elaborate personal engagements out of dependencies on the environment maintained by the living beings of which humans are made. Marc Breviglieri has explored the margins between the living and the human with people –children, adolescents, the homeless– who are in a position to cross these margins. They encounter Jean-Louis Genard’s thinking on the notions of autonomy (part one) and capacity (part two), while apprehending the human opening onto the living in its anthropological tension and in the symptomatology of the resulting troubles (part three).

Based on ongoing multidisciplinary research, this essay offers some theoretical and scenario considerations on the transformations of social rituals in housing contexts during the pandemic period. The analysis focuses on living being not only understood as a “private” experience, but also as a phenomenon of collective interest, especially in relation to issues concerning health emergencies, risk perception, and forms of sociability. In the face of such problems, the sociological perspective has shown its usefulness in providing suitable tools to study the ambivalent and exceptional aspects to which living was exposed during the lockdown period and in the immediate aftermath. Thus, it was chosen to focus attention on the phenomenon of the smart home, an “agent subject,” albeit inanimate, of the process of technological transformation of the housing unit, which can be evaluated not only on the level of environmental sustainability, but also on that of social sustainability.

The discourse surrounding sustainability, particularly in the urban environment, has gained considerable momentum in recent years. The concept of a smart city epitomises the integration of innovative technological solutions with community-centred approaches, thereby laying the groundwork for a sustainable lifestyle. One of the crucial components of this integration is the effective and innovative management of waste. The aim of this article was to classify scientific research pertaining to waste management within the context of smart city issues, and to identify emerging directions for future research. A systematic literature review, based on a bibliometric analysis of articles included in the Scopus and Web of Science databases, was conducted for this study. The purpose of such a systematic review is to identify, integrate, and evaluate research on a selected topic, using clearly defined criteria. The research query included: TITLE-ABS-KEY ("smart city" AND (waste OR garbage OR trash OR rubbish)) in the case of Scopus, and TS = ("smart city" AND (waste OR garbage OR trash OR rubbish)) in the case of the Web of Science database. A total of 1768 publication records qualified for the analysis. This study presents an investigation into the current and forthcoming directions of waste management in smart cities, synthesising the latest advancements and methods. The findings outline specific future research directions encompassing technological advancement, special waste challenges, digitisation, energy recovery, transportation, community engagement, policy development, security, novel frameworks, economic and environmental impact assessment, and global implications. These insights reflect a multifaceted approach, advocating a technology-driven perspective that is integral to urban sustainability and quality of life. The study's findings provide practical avenues for cities to enhance waste management through modern technologies, promoting efficient systems and contributing to sustainable urban living and the circular economy. The insights are vital for policymakers and industry leaders globally, supporting the creation of universal standards and policies, thereby fostering comprehensive waste management systems aligned with global sustainability objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Papeles del CEIC is the property of Centro de Estudios sobra la Identidad Colectiva, Facultas de Ciencias Sociales and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The study investigated the physical and social living conditions of school-aged children in IDPs’ camps in Plateau State, Nigeria. Specifically, it determined socioeconomic/demographic characteristics of the children; their physical and social living conditions. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey research design. The population comprised 948 6-12year-old children in the two IDPs’ camps in Plateau State. A random sample of 50 percent of the population (474) was selected. Questionnaire was used for data collection. Frequencies and percentages were used for data analysis. Findings on socio-economic characteristics of the children showed that there were more male children (55.30%) than female children (44.70%), and up to 85.90% of them had less than ₦10,000 as their household monthly income. The physical living conditions of the children showed that more than half (51.30%) of them lived in small-sized dwellings, 65.40 percent had inadequate room/tent ventilation and 81.40 percent of the children had 6-10 persons living in a room. There were no nets on the children’s dwelling doors and a greater percentage (60.50%) of the children had an average number of 4-6 clothes. Furthermore, the main source of water was well water (85.40%) and firewood (94.90%) was the main type of fuel for cooking. Findings on social living conditions of the children showed that majority of them lived near some basic social amenities such as health centers (82.30%), schools (99.20%) and markets (83.30%). In addition, a good number (77.40%) of the children obtained formal education. It was recommended that government at different levels should equip IDPs’ camps with adequate facilities to enable satisfactory conditions of hygiene and access to social amenities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This collection of papers on ""future-readiness in education" aims to re-examine the purposes of education to include country-specific contexts and trajectories in the future. The purposes of education are developing learners for "Living, Learning, and Lifework." The contexts – economic, environmental, societal, and learning are deeply intertwined and interconnected with the education system. The papers examined the changing realities of these contexts and explore the implications of school leadership, teaching, learning, assessment, and educational outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Market sociology research has accounted amply for the importance of material devices in shaping markets. In contrast, the influence of biological entities (such as parasites, soil, and food) on market agencing has barely been considered. This article shows the relevance of covering this matter specifically. To do so, the authors refer to their analyses of the production and sales practices of organic vegetable market actors in France. Based on descriptions of four situations, they show that the biological processes involved in the cultivated ecosystems and agricultural produce itself influence the market agencing processes that these actors carry out. Based on these first observations, they propose four generic statements that clarify what considering the action of biological entities involves in terms of theory and identify avenues for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In March 2020, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spread rapidly nationally, causing widespread emergent changes to the health system. Our goal was to understand the impact of the epidemic on kidney transplantation (KT), at both the national and center levels, accounting statistically for waitlist composition. Using Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients data, we compared data on observed waitlist registrations, waitlist mortality, and living-donor and deceased-donor kidney transplants (LDKT/DDKT) March 15-April 30, 2020 to expected events calculated from preepidemic data January 2016-February 2020. There were few changes before March 15, at which point the number of new listings/DDKT/LDKT dropped to 18%/24%/87% below the expected value (all P

Simple (Bosniak I) renal cysts are considered acceptable in living kidney donor selection in terms of cancer risk. However, they tend to increase in number and size over time and might compromise renal function in donors. To clarify their implications for long-term renal function, we characterized the prevalence of renal cysts in 454 individuals who donated at our center from 2000 to 2007. We estimated the association between the presence of cysts in the kidney remaining after nephrectomy (ie, retained cysts) and postdonation eGFR trajectory using mixed-effects linear regression. Donors with retained cysts (N = 86) were older (P  .9). There continued to be no evidence of an association when we considered retained cyst(s) ≥10 mm or multiple retained cysts (all P > .05). These findings reaffirm current practices of accepting candidates with simple renal cysts for donor nephrectomy.

The Nothofagus (southern beech) has a rich fossil record and a number of living species distributed exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere. Many attempts have been made to clarify the phylogenetic relationships in Nothofagus but only a few works have included fossil specimens in a phylogenetic framework for a more accurate resolution. Fossil leaves play an important role in deciphering of the evolutionary processes and are a necessary complement in phylogenetic studies. Fossils of Nothofagus have been found in sediments of Antarctica, Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, and South America. Here, we performed a phylogenetic analysis including fossils from these areas and examined the character evolution, especially those referred to the morphology of the leaf. Fossil leaves from Antarctica were revised and included in the analysis for the first time. Our results support the monophyly of the four currently recognized subgenera, and novel relationships between extinct and living taxa are discussed. Morphological features of fossil leaves were expressed differently, especially in the teeth shape, size, and secondary venation pattern, when compared to the extant taxa probably related to past climate conditions. The most ancient leaves were recorded in the Upper Cretaceous of Antarctica and placed in subgenera Lophozonia and Fuscospora. Brassospora and Nothofagus are younger clades with distinctive plesiomorphic leaf morphological features. The morphological leaf characters proposed herein, and the inclusion of a considerable number of fossils in our analysis allowed us to provide a study of the evolutionary history of Nothofagus with more precise resolution.

The author argues that being-thought, in keeping with the 'intellectualist choice' of the Greeks, has narrowed the thinkable to the question of whether something is or is not. The discourse-reason (logos) of the Greeks necessarily lends itself to construction and to its result, which is knowledge. Knowledge in turn trades the singular for generality, e.g. beautiful things for beauty. Because what it seeks is nowhere to be found in the world, such philosophy has located pure in-itself-ness in the beyond of metaphysics, reducing life to metabolism, a shuttling between the extrema of lack and satiety. The Chinese language, because it lacks morphological markers, an imperative mood, and a verb 'to be', sidesteps ontology (being-thought) and thus hints at a more fruitful perspective on living, elucidating the notion of ex-istence as a way to provide an exteriority from which to examine living, in all its immediacy, without recourse to any metaphysical beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author probes Jullien on the problem of time, which is at the heart of European philosophy, while allowing himself to embrace an intelligibility of the 'infra-philosophical' leading to a 'living in philosophy'. The question is both intriguing and rewarding: 'what the Chinese have thought because they have not thought time'. Yet the author wonders: does Jullien pay more attention to the Greeks than to the Hebrews vis-à-vis China with regard to the concept of time? Jullien's text on time of course is a piece in a much larger set of texts that bring to the fore questions of life; the author offers, with generosity, much broader thoughts on the possibility of Jullien speaking French while thinking Chinese, and the enigma of living (say in Augustine and Montaigne) within a philosophy of transcendence in the West as opposed to the immanence of philosophy of living in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Desenvolvimento e Meio Ambiente is the property of Universidade Federal do Parana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Unspecified kidney donors (UKDs) are approached cautiously by some transplant professionals. The aim of this study was to interrogate the views of UK transplant professionals towards UKDs and identify potential barriers. A purposely designed questionnaire was validated, piloted and distributed amongst transplant professionals at each of the 23 UK transplant centres. Data captured included personal experiences, attitudes towards organ donation, and specific concerns about UKD. 153 responses were obtained, with representation from all UK centres and professional groups. The majority reported a positive experience with UKDs (81.7%; p < 0.001) and were comfortable with UKDs undergoing major surgery (85.7%; p < 0.001). 43.8% reported UKDs to be more time consuming and 52% felt that a mental health assessment should take place before any medical tests. 77% indicated the need for a lower age limit. The suggested age range was broad (16–50 years). Adjusted mean acceptance scores did not differ by profession (p = 0.68) but higher volume centres were more accepting (46.2 vs. 52.9; p < 0.001). This is the first quantitative study of acceptance by transplant professionals to a large national UKD programme. Support is broad, however potential barriers to donation have been identified, including lack of training. Unified national guidance is needed to address these. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing in South Africa (SA), with many people unknowingly living with undiagnosed diabetes. Living with a long-term illness like diabetes significantly impacts every aspect of one’s life. It is essential to understand the lived experience of patients to ensure better management and intervention. Aim: To explore the lived experiences of diabetic outpatients. Setting: Clinics of Senwabarwana, in Blouberg Local Municipality of the Capricorn District Municipality in Limpopo province of SA. Method: Qualitative phenomenological exploratory descriptive study design was adopted to collect data from 17 diabetic patients. Purposive sampling was utilised to choose respondents. Data were collected through one-to-one interviews using voice recorders and field notes for nonverbal cues. Data were analysed using the eight steps of Tesch’s inductive, descriptive and open coding technique. Results: Respondents detailed difficulty disclosing their diagnosis due to feelings of shame. They also experienced stress and an inability to perform duties they used to perform before diagnosis. Male respondents detailed their experiences of sexual problems and a fear of losing their wives to other men as a result. Conclusion: Patients living with diabetes are unable to perform some tasks that they were able to perform before diagnosis. This could be attributed to poor dietary choices and a lack of social support, leading to patients missing critical elements of diabetes care. Quality of life of patients who are unable to perform their daily tasks should be assessed, with appropriate interventions introduced to curb further deterioration. Male diabetes patients experience sexual dysfunction and a fear of losing their wives, which exacerbates their stress. Contribution: This study encourages the adoption of a family-centred approach, partnering with family members in the care of diabetic outpatients since most of the care takes place at home. Further studies are also recommended to design interventions which would address the experiences of patients for better outcomes.

Chengdu has experienced a rapid urbanization in the past two decades, and its land spatial pattern has undergone severe changes. It's meaningful to investigate the tempo-spatial evolution of land spatial pattern and then contribute to high-quality development in Chengdu. Based on the Landsat-series satellite imagery and land use/cover datasets, this paper investigates Chengdu's land function change concerning Production, Living and Ecological (PLE) land. The methods of land dynamics degree, landscape pattern index and Pearson correlation were be employed to analyzes the tempo-spatial evolution of landscape pattern in Chengdu, and some suggestions were finally made. We found that there were severe dynamic degree of PLE land in Chengdu and the production and ecological land were decrease obviously before 2015. Contrastingly, the dynamic degree is decrease after 2015, high dynamic degree regions are move to the northeast from 2000–2019. In addition, the change of production land is the main factor affecting the landscape pattern of Chengdu. In general, we put forward the macroscopic strategy and suggestions of "one core, two belts, four regions, and one direction" to support the high-quality development of Chengdu. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author writes about aspects of survival: powerlessness, withdrawal, engagement, activation, dependence, and maneuvering between these states. She proposes the concept of counter-passivity as the ability to counteract one’s passivity, manage disagreement, mobilize reserves, and transition from defense, through evasion, fight, and escape. She distinguishes acts of surviving – or attempts to maintain vital functions – and subsistence as the preservation of self-awareness, cognitive functions, and capacity to resist. She writes about the dominant in twentieth- and twenty-first-century cultural models of thinking about survivors as winners of fate. The author calls it the lizard model or survival “against all odds,” which focuses on the act of saving the essence of identity, as any losses the individual may suffer are presented as an inevitable cost, something that had to be cut off because it would have prevented salvation. Continuity is the primary determinant of survival success, considered in the context of advancement and emancipation. The article provides an alternative survival model: without a happy ending, without hope, with no chance of returning to the community. Hence, she means that which has been severed through division, about remnants of survival and their political and subversive potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]