Wild boar behaviour during live-trap capture in a corral-style trap: implications for animal welfare

Background Wildlife traps are used in many countries without evaluation of their effect on animal welfare. Trap-capture of wild animals should minimise negative effects on animal welfare, irrespective of whether the animals are trapped for hunting, research, or management purposes. Live-trap capture of wild boar (Sus scrofa) followed by killing inside the trap by gunshot is a recently introduced but disputed hunting method in Sweden. Approval of trap constructions is based on gross necropsy findings of 20 trapped and shot wild boars. For improved animal welfare evaluation, our aim was to study wild boar behaviour during live-trapping in a 16 m(2) square corral-style trap. Behavioural assessments were conducted after filming 12 capture events of in total 38 wild boars (five adults, 20 subadults, 13 piglets). Selected behavioural traits were compared with pathological changes (trap-related lesions) found at necropsy of the 20 subadults, to determine if these variables were useful proxies of capture-induced stress in wild boar. Results The wild boars spent less time resting in the evening than in the night and morning. Using Friedman's ANOVA, there was an overall difference in the time spent foraging. However, we only found a difference between the evening and morning in the Wilcoxon matched pairs test after the Sequential Bonferroni correction, where the wild boars spent more time foraging in the evening than in the morning. Single captured individuals showed more escape behaviours and reacted more strongly to external stimuli than individuals captured in a group. It was more common for animals to charge against the mesh walls of the trap upon human approach compared to upon initial capture when the trap door closed. Trap-related pathological findings due to trauma were documented in 13 of the 20 subadults that were necropsied. Behavioural alterations indicative of capture-induced stress (e.g. charging into the trap walls) were documented in trapped wild boars with no or minor physical injuries (e.g. skin abrasions, subcutaneous haemorrhage). Conclusions Behavioural assessment provided valuable information for determination of capture-induced stress in wild boar when evaluating live-trapping in a corral-style trap, whereas pathological evaluation through necropsy did not fully reflect the animal welfare aspects of live-trapping. We emphasize the inclusion of species-specific behavioural data assessment for evaluation of capture-related stress during live-trapping and for testing of new trap constructions before approval

Measurement of catestatin and vasostatin in wild boar Sus scrofa captured in a corral trap

Objective Our aim was to analyse the chromogranin A-derived peptides vasostatin and catestatin in serum from wild boar (Sus scrofa) captured in a corral trap. Acute capture-related stress quickly leads to a release of adrenalin and noradrenalin, but these hormones have a short half-life in blood and are difficult to measure. Chromogranin A (CgA), a glycoprotein which is co-released with noradrenalin and adrenalin, is relatively stable in circulation and the CgA-derived peptides catestatin and vasostatin have been measured in domestic species, but not yet in wildlife. Results Vasostatin and catestatin could be measured and the median (range) serum concentrations were 0.91 (0.54–2.86) and 0.65 (0.35–2.62) nmol/L, respectively. We conclude that the CgA-derived peptides vasostatin and catestatin can be measured in wild boar serum and may thus be useful as biomarkers of psychophysical stress

Worldwide trends in underweight and obesity from 1990 to 2022 : a pooled analysis of 3663 population-representative studies with 222 million children, adolescents, and adults

A list of authors and their affiliations appears online. A supplementary appendix is herewith attached.Background: Underweight and obesity are associated with adverse health outcomes throughout the life course. We estimated the individual and combined prevalence of underweight or thinness and obesity, and their changes, from 1990 to 2022 for adults and school-aged children and adolescents in 200 countries and territories. Methods: We used data from 3663 population-based studies with 222 million participants that measured height and weight in representative samples of the general population. We used a Bayesian hierarchical model to estimate trends in the prevalence of different BMI categories, separately for adults (age ≥20 years) and school-aged children and adolescents (age 5–19 years), from 1990 to 2022 for 200 countries and territories. For adults, we report the individual and combined prevalence of underweight (BMI 2 SD above the median). Findings: From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity in adults decreased in 11 countries (6%) for women and 17 (9%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 that the observed changes were true decreases. The combined prevalence increased in 162 countries (81%) for women and 140 countries (70%) for men with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. In 2022, the combined prevalence of underweight and obesity was highest in island nations in the Caribbean and Polynesia and Micronesia, and countries in the Middle East and north Africa. Obesity prevalence was higher than underweight with posterior probability of at least 0·80 in 177 countries (89%) for women and 145 (73%) for men in 2022, whereas the converse was true in 16 countries (8%) for women, and 39 (20%) for men. From 1990 to 2022, the combined prevalence of thinness and obesity decreased among girls in five countries (3%) and among boys in 15 countries (8%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80, and increased among girls in 140 countries (70%) and boys in 137 countries (69%) with a posterior probability of at least 0·80. The countries with highest combined prevalence of thinness and obesity in school-aged children and adolescents in 2022 were in Polynesia and Micronesia and the Caribbean for both sexes, and Chile and Qatar for boys. Combined prevalence was also high in some countries in south Asia, such as India and Pakistan, where thinness remained prevalent despite having declined. In 2022, obesity in school-aged children and adolescents was more prevalent than thinness with a posterior probability of at least 0·80 among girls in 133 countries (67%) and boys in 125 countries (63%), whereas the converse was true in 35 countries (18%) and 42 countries (21%), respectively. In almost all countries for both adults and school-aged children and adolescents, the increases in double burden were driven by increases in obesity, and decreases in double burden by declining underweight or thinness. Interpretation: The combined burden of underweight and obesity has increased in most countries, driven by an increase in obesity, while underweight and thinness remain prevalent in south Asia and parts of Africa. A healthy nutrition transition that enhances access to nutritious foods is needed to address the remaining burden of underweight while curbing and reversing the increase in obesity.peer-reviewe

Rationality and the Proportionality Principle : The Intersection Between the Environment and the Economy in Judicial Proceedings

In environmental cases, The Swedish Land and Environmental courts have not only to consider environmental interests but also economic interests. The overall aim is to achieve both a good environment and maintain an industry that generates jobs and contributes to welfare. The dissertation focuses on the intersection between environmental interests and economic ones in legal decision-making, especially in relation to how the Proportionality principle contained in Chapter 2, Section 7 of the Environmental Code is applied. The principle states that general rules of consideration (including the precautionary principle) must be reasonable. For example, the precautionary principle should be both environmentally justifiable and financially reasonable when the principle is applied.  The dissertation examines the legal balancing of interests, between economic and environmental interests, applying the concept of rationality. The concept of rationality is the core of the theoretical elements of the study, more precisely how Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer perceive rationality in Dialectic of Enlightenment. According to Adorno and Horkheimer, instrumental rationality is dominating. Although, rationality often legitimizes legal proceedings there has been little interest in how rational actions influence the results of legal processes. The dissertation questions the neutrality of the concept of rationality. A rational action may have an impact on court decisions.   A main finding is the relation between instrumental rationality and economic actions. When judges are trying to be rational, they will favor economic interests. There is a bias towards economic interests in the underlying structure of the decision-making process. This has an impact on the way in which legal interests – specifically those between environmental interests and economic interests – are balanced. Legal decision-making is better suited for economic models than environmental processes. I miljöprövningarna har mark- och miljödomstolarna inte bara att ta hänsyn till miljöintressen utan även till ekonomiska intressen. Vi ska uppnå en god miljö och samtidigt ha kvar den industri som genererar jobb och bidrar till vår välfärd. Denna avhandling utgår från mötet mellan miljöintressen och ekonomiska intressen i mark- och miljödomstolarnas beslutsfattande. Fokus ligger på rimlighetsavvägningen i 2 kap. 7 § miljöbalken. Undersökningens huvudresultat är att miljöintressen missgynnas i själva beslutsstrukturen när dessa vägs mot ekonomiska intressen, detta genom att beslutsfattandet är bättre lämpat för ekonomi än miljö. Undersökningens teoretiska moment utgår från rationalitetsbegreppet och rationalitetssynen i Upplysningens dialektik av Theodor Adorno och Max Horkheimer. Rationalitet legitimerar beslutsfattandet samtidigt som rationalitet inte sällan ses som ett neutralt medel. Avhandlingen ifrågasätter rationalitetens neutralitet, ett rationellt handlande kan istället anses påverka själva beslutsfattandets resultat.

An endless marathon : A study of research projects and its effects on the individual

Dagens forskningsprojekt kräver minst lika mycket metodik och styrning som andra projekt, men studier av hur man driver och leder forskningsprojekt är fortfarande väldigt få. Syftet med den här uppsatsen har varit att utforska forskningsprojektet som arketyp och genom tio kvalitativa intervjuer få insikt om hur individer upplever att arbeta med forskningsprojekt.  Den här studien kommer visa på en del av den problematik som finns inom den akademiska naturvetenskapliga forskningen. En av den är att individens framgång dominerar över gruppens, vilket gör det svårt att samarbeta och bidrar till konkurrens mellan kollegor.  En del av den här studien berör psykosocial arbetsmiljö och ledarskap. Forskare tenderar till att arbeta oändliga timmar och har generellt svårt att sätta upp gränser för att ta vara på fritid och familj, något som kan leda till utbrändhet. Den osäkra miljön, konkurrensen och ambitionerna som finns kan leda till att destruktiva ledarskap får fotfäste. Alla de faktorer i kombination med att forskaren nästan uteslutande drivs av inre motivation, eftersom den yttre återkopplingen sällan finns, drabbas många av en känsla av otillräcklighet och bristande självförtroende.Today's research projects require at least as much methodology and management as other projects, but studies on how to run and manage research projects are still very few. The purpose of this study has been to explore the research project as an archetype and through ten qualitative interviews gain insight into how individuals experience working with research projects.  This study will highlight some of the problems that exist in academic scientific research. One of them is that the success of the individual dominates over that of the group, making it difficult to collaborate and contributing to competition between colleagues.  Part of this study concerns the psychosocial work environment and leadership. Researchers tend to work endless hours and generally find it difficult to set boundaries to allow for leisure and family time, which can lead to burnout. The precarious environment, competition and ambitions that exist can lead to destructive leadership taking root. All of these factors, combined with the fact that the researcher is driven almost exclusively by internal motivation with little external feedback, leave many suffering from a sense of inadequacy and lack of self-confidence

Rationality and the Proportionality Principle : The Intersection Between the Environment and the Economy in Judicial Proceedings

In environmental cases, The Swedish Land and Environmental courts have not only to consider environmental interests but also economic interests. The overall aim is to achieve both a good environment and maintain an industry that generates jobs and contributes to welfare. The dissertation focuses on the intersection between environmental interests and economic ones in legal decision-making, especially in relation to how the Proportionality principle contained in Chapter 2, Section 7 of the Environmental Code is applied. The principle states that general rules of consideration (including the precautionary principle) must be reasonable. For example, the precautionary principle should be both environmentally justifiable and financially reasonable when the principle is applied.  The dissertation examines the legal balancing of interests, between economic and environmental interests, applying the concept of rationality. The concept of rationality is the core of the theoretical elements of the study, more precisely how Theodor Adorno and Max Horkheimer perceive rationality in Dialectic of Enlightenment. According to Adorno and Horkheimer, instrumental rationality is dominating. Although, rationality often legitimizes legal proceedings there has been little interest in how rational actions influence the results of legal processes. The dissertation questions the neutrality of the concept of rationality. A rational action may have an impact on court decisions.   A main finding is the relation between instrumental rationality and economic actions. When judges are trying to be rational, they will favor economic interests. There is a bias towards economic interests in the underlying structure of the decision-making process. This has an impact on the way in which legal interests – specifically those between environmental interests and economic interests – are balanced. Legal decision-making is better suited for economic models than environmental processes. I miljöprövningarna har mark- och miljödomstolarna inte bara att ta hänsyn till miljöintressen utan även till ekonomiska intressen. Vi ska uppnå en god miljö och samtidigt ha kvar den industri som genererar jobb och bidrar till vår välfärd. Denna avhandling utgår från mötet mellan miljöintressen och ekonomiska intressen i mark- och miljödomstolarnas beslutsfattande. Fokus ligger på rimlighetsavvägningen i 2 kap. 7 § miljöbalken. Undersökningens huvudresultat är att miljöintressen missgynnas i själva beslutsstrukturen när dessa vägs mot ekonomiska intressen, detta genom att beslutsfattandet är bättre lämpat för ekonomi än miljö. Undersökningens teoretiska moment utgår från rationalitetsbegreppet och rationalitetssynen i Upplysningens dialektik av Theodor Adorno och Max Horkheimer. Rationalitet legitimerar beslutsfattandet samtidigt som rationalitet inte sällan ses som ett neutralt medel. Avhandlingen ifrågasätter rationalitetens neutralitet, ett rationellt handlande kan istället anses påverka själva beslutsfattandets resultat.

An endless marathon : A study of research projects and its effects on the individual

Dagens forskningsprojekt kräver minst lika mycket metodik och styrning som andra projekt, men studier av hur man driver och leder forskningsprojekt är fortfarande väldigt få. Syftet med den här uppsatsen har varit att utforska forskningsprojektet som arketyp och genom tio kvalitativa intervjuer få insikt om hur individer upplever att arbeta med forskningsprojekt.  Den här studien kommer visa på en del av den problematik som finns inom den akademiska naturvetenskapliga forskningen. En av den är att individens framgång dominerar över gruppens, vilket gör det svårt att samarbeta och bidrar till konkurrens mellan kollegor.  En del av den här studien berör psykosocial arbetsmiljö och ledarskap. Forskare tenderar till att arbeta oändliga timmar och har generellt svårt att sätta upp gränser för att ta vara på fritid och familj, något som kan leda till utbrändhet. Den osäkra miljön, konkurrensen och ambitionerna som finns kan leda till att destruktiva ledarskap får fotfäste. Alla de faktorer i kombination med att forskaren nästan uteslutande drivs av inre motivation, eftersom den yttre återkopplingen sällan finns, drabbas många av en känsla av otillräcklighet och bristande självförtroende.Today's research projects require at least as much methodology and management as other projects, but studies on how to run and manage research projects are still very few. The purpose of this study has been to explore the research project as an archetype and through ten qualitative interviews gain insight into how individuals experience working with research projects.  This study will highlight some of the problems that exist in academic scientific research. One of them is that the success of the individual dominates over that of the group, making it difficult to collaborate and contributing to competition between colleagues.  Part of this study concerns the psychosocial work environment and leadership. Researchers tend to work endless hours and generally find it difficult to set boundaries to allow for leisure and family time, which can lead to burnout. The precarious environment, competition and ambitions that exist can lead to destructive leadership taking root. All of these factors, combined with the fact that the researcher is driven almost exclusively by internal motivation with little external feedback, leave many suffering from a sense of inadequacy and lack of self-confidence