Contribution of poultry farm practice to the structure and composition of bacterial communities in the soil of poultry farms in Lagos, Nigeria

Background: Poultry farming practices can impact soil health by altering its microbial and organic composition. On one hand, this could improve soil fertility, but on the other, it may pose health risks to humans and the environment. In this study, we assessed the microbial community structure and composition of poultry litter impacted soil in poultry farms in Lagos Nigeria. Methods: Composite soil samples were collected from two farms (PF01A and PF02B) in a poultry estate and from a pristine environment (CTR) without farming activity. Metagenomic analysis was performed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. Results: The most abundant phyla in poultry-impacted soils were Firmicutes (54–69%), Bacteroidetes (18–19%), and Actinobacteria (3–17%), with a low relative abundance of Proteobacteria (7%). In contrast, CTR soil was dominated by the phylum Proteobacteria (30%) and had a low relative abundance of Bacteroidetes (2%). Bacteria strains, including Jeotgalibaca arthritidis, Lysinibacillus jejuensis, and the novel species Enterococcus lemanii and Enterococcus eurekensis, were among dominant taxa in PF01A and PF02B.Some dominant bacterial species such as Corynbacterium xerosis and Ignatzschineria indica have been implicated in human infections and are known to be multidrug resistant. Conclusion: In this study, a high abundance of bacterial operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were found in soil from poultry farms. The presence of poultry litter significantly changed the composition of the bacterial community in the soil. This alteration did not only affect the microbial structure and health of the soil, it also increased the presence of clinically important bacteria, which could pose potential risks to public health

Rice stable carbon and nitrogen isotope values as potential indicators of watering and manuring regimes

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an important cereal crop across East, South and Southeast Asia, from prehistory to today, and grows in a range of ecological conditions, from rainfed upland to deep water. Previous research on early rice in the Lower Yangtze River basin (LYRB) suggested shifts back and forth over time between wet and dry field conditions, and some application of animal dung and/or human feces as fertilizer. In this study, stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis was conducted on grains from rice of heritage landraces and modern varieties grown in a glasshouse pot experiment with three watering levels and two manuring levels, and from recent rice fields in China and South Korea including paddy and dry conditions, and with variable manuring histories. The pot experiment results indicate that there is a negative correlation between the δ13C values and watering levels in one heritage accession and three modern accessions; in the remaining two heritage accessions and one modern accession, a similar trend in δ13C values is observed between watering levels. The rice field results show that, similarly, the δ13C values of rice from paddy fields were significantly lower than those from dry fields. The results from the pot experiment also indicate that both watering and manuring tend to increase the δ15N values of rice grains, while the field samples show that intensive manuring in initial growing seasons does not have a consistent effect on rice δ15N values. Overall, stable carbon and nitrogen isotope values of rice grains appear to be useful indicators of water status, with potential in combination to disentangle watering and manuring practices

Major program value creation and capture: the S3 framework for assessing and minimizing risk propagation to maximize opportunities for value creation

Large-scale, mission-critical initiatives are increasingly deployed through major programs, or assemblies of projects that span and situate across sectors, industries, and/or geographies. To better track risk propagation within major programs, we reconceptualize them as temporary ecosystems, or interlinked organizations whose project-based interdependencies last until the program’s conclusion. This basis motivates our S3 framework and its three unifying themes. Scoping identifies program vulnerabilities to disruptions. Scaffolding develops digital and organizational tools to connect program skills with needs. Sensing engages with those oftexcluded in programs. We translate this framework into action through a worked example of Oman’s National Vision 2040

Pan-European atmospheric lead pollution, enhanced blood lead levels, and cognitive decline from Roman-era mining and smelting

Ancient texts and archaeological evidence indicate substantial lead exposure during antiquity that potentially impacted human health. Although lead exposure routes were many and included use of glazed tablewares, paints, cosmetics, and even intentional ingestion, the most significant for the nonelite, rural majority of the population may have been through background air pollution from mining and smelting of silver and lead ores that underpinned the Roman economy. Here we determined potential health effects of this air pollution using Arctic ice core measurements of Roman-era lead pollution, atmospheric modeling, and modern epidemiology-based relationships between air concentrations, blood lead levels, and cognitive decline. Findings suggest air lead concentrations exceeded 150 ng/m3 near metallurgical emission sources, with average enhancements of >1.0 ng/m3 over Europe during the Pax Romana apogee of the Roman Empire. The result was blood lead enhancements in young children of about 2.4 µg/dl above an estimated Neolithic background of 1.0 µg/dl, leading to widespread cognitive decline including a 2.5-to-3 point reduction in intelligence quotient throughout the Roman Empire. Significance: The detrimental effects of modern lead exposure on human health are widely recognized. Evidence from the Roman era indicates substantial lead exposure that potentially impacted human health more than 2,000 y ago. The most significant exposure for the rural, nonelite population may have been to background air pollution from silver mining and smelting that underpinned the Roman economy. Using detailed records of Roman-era lead pollution measured in Arctic ice cores and atmospheric modeling, we show that lead emissions from these activities elevated air concentrations throughout Europe. Based on modern epidemiological studies, this air pollution enhanced childhood blood lead levels (BLLs) by about 2.4 µg/dl leading to widespread cognitive decline including an estimated 2.5-to-3 point reduction in intelligence quotient

Zinc absorption from maize-based meals enriched with edible house crickets: a randomized crossover stable-isotope study in Kenyan pre-school children

Edible insects have been proposed as a novel and sustainable source of protein and other essential nutrients for human consumption but nutrient absorption efficiency is still uncertain. We investigated zinc absorption from house crickets (Acheta domesticus) in a single-center and single-blinded cross-over study with children aged 24–36 months old in Kenya from September-November 2021. For this, children were randomized to consume two different experimental meals labeled with stable isotopes of zinc (Zn) at two different days, separated by a wash-out period of one month. Primary endpoints were the differences in amount of absorbed zinc (AZ) from maize-based meals enriched with intrinsically 67Zn-labeled house crickets (2.61 mg Zn, n = 28) in comparison with meals enriched with 68Zn (low-enriched: 0.90 mg Zn, n = 29); high-enriched: 3.24 mg Zn, n = 28) or with intrinsically 67Zn-labeled low-chitin cricket flour (2.51 mg Zn, n = 25), whereas the secondary endpoints were the differences in fractional zinc absorption. We found that AZ from meals with whole crickets (geometric mean: 0.36 mg; 95%CI: 0.30, 0.43) was 2.6 times higher than from low-enriched maize meals (0.14 mg; 0.11, 0.16; P < 0.001), while it was not different from low-chitin cricket flour meals. Absorbed zinc from both cricket meals was higher than that from high-enriched meals. No severe adverse side events were reported. We conclude that edible house crickets are a good source of well-absorbable zinc, and their increased consumption could contribute to the alleviation of zinc deficiency. This trial was registered at the Pan African Clinical Trials Registry as PACTR202104533831364

Clinical outcomes of patients with unsuccessful mechanical thrombectomy versus best medical management of medium vessel occlusion stroke in the middle cerebral artery territory

Background: Current randomized controlled trials are investigating the efficacy and safety of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in patients with medium vessel occlusion (MeVO) stroke. Whether best medical management (MM) is more efficient than unsuccessful vessel recanalization during MT remains unknown. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study using data from 37 academic centers across North America, Asia, and Europe between September 2017 and July 2021. Only patients with occlusion of the distal branches (M2 and M3) of the middle cerebral artery territory were included. Unsuccessful MT was defined as a modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score of 0–2a. Propensity score matching was used to control for confounders. The primary outcome was functional independence, defined as a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0–2 at 90 days after treatment. Multivariable regression analysis was used to assess factors associated with the primary outcome. Results: Of 2903 patients screened for eligibility, 532 patients were analyzed (266 per group) after propensity score matching. The MM group had superior functional outcomes, with 32% achieving mRS 0–1 at 90 days compared with 21% in the MT group (P=0.011). Patients in the MM group also had significantly lower rates of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) (3.4% vs 16%, P<0.001) and any hemorrhage (18% vs 48%, P<0.001). On multivariable regression, unsuccessful MT was associated with reduced odds of functional independence (OR 0.50, 95% CI 0.29 to 0.85, P=0.011) and increased odds of sICH (OR 4.32, 95% CI 1.84 to 10.10, P<0.001). Mortality rates were similar between groups (27% in MM vs 29% in MT, P=0.73). Conclusion: Unsuccessful MT for MeVO was linked to worse outcomes than best MM. These findings highlight the risks of prolonged attempts and emphasize the importance of efficient procedural decision-making to reduce complications and improve patient outcomes

Rescaling geoeconomics: the role of local illicit authority in global megaprojects

This article examines the influence of violent non-state actors (VNSAs) on the construction of large-scale infrastructure projects in conflict-affected territories. Recentering such territories, it challenges state-centric geoeconomic narratives, which often overlook the significant role of local illicit authorities in shaping project outcomes. The study demonstrates how geoeconomic ambitions, such as regional or global influence and energy security, depend on negotiating with local actors in contested territories. The findings reveal the blurred boundaries between domestic and international authority in these regions and suggest that megaprojects must account for multi-scalar authority dynamics. We illustrate our argument by analyzing the construction of two megadam projects: the Hidroituango dam in Colombia’s Antioquia department and the Myitsone dam in Myanmar’s Kachin State. Drawing on original evidence collected during extensive fieldwork comprising semi-structured interviews and observations in these two conflict-affected regions, we show that the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia and Myanmar’s Kachin Independence Army, respectively, exercised authority in regions where the state’s monopoly on violence was limited. These VNSAs obstructed or facilitated megaprojects based on tactics including extortion and community representation

Defining Mindfulness: A Review of Existing Definitions and Suggested Refinements

Objectives: Mindfulness research is hampered by the multiplicity of definitions of mindfulness. This heterogeneity, as reflected in the variability of mindfulness scales, limits the ability to generalize findings and hinders attempts to synthesize available studies. This paper explores traditional and contemporary definitions of mindfulness, aiming to extract core components and provide a refined and clearly specified definition suitable for underpinning measurement in psychological science. Method: This narrative review broadly analyzes and synthesizes the conceptual frameworks across various definitions of mindfulness to identify core components of mindfulness within Buddhist and psychological science literature. Results: Traditional Buddhist definitions of mindfulness focus on (a) memory and remembrance, (b) present-centered awareness, and (c) ethicality, but lack conceptual commonality due to the diversity of Buddhist schools and to the intricate context in which mindfulness is embedded. Definitions in psychological science show greater conceptual agreement and emphasize (a) present-centered awareness and bare attention, and (b) attitudes of acceptance and non-judgment. Conclusions: Taken together, there is a lack of conceptual commonality and clarity on mindfulness definitions, to the extent that it may be challenging to propose a single definition that fully encapsulates both Buddhist and psychological science perspectives. For the purposes of psychological science, refinements are suggested by (a) including four scopes of mindfulness that clarify present-centeredness as awareness of and attention to body sensations, affective valence (i.e., pleasant, unpleasant, neutral), cognition and emotional states (including impulses and action tendencies), and the external environment (i.e., external sensory experience and interpersonal interactions); and (b) emphasizing the allowing and equanimous attitudes as the key qualities of mindfulness. Mindfulness is therefore defined as: “present-centered awareness of and bare attention to body sensations, affective valence, cognitive and emotional phenomena, and the external environment with an allowing and equanimous attitude.” Preregistration: The study is not preregistered

Connecting Knossos datasets and researchers using shared spatial methods

Descriptions of items relating to the Queen's Megaron, Palace of Knossos, in the Sir Arthur Evans Archive at the Ashmolean Museum. Outputs from Collections Management database in excel and csv format and json transformation using Locolligo