A Distinct Layer of the Medulla Integrates Sky Compass Signals in the Brain of an Insect

Mass migration of desert locusts is a common phenomenon in North Africa and the Middle East but how these insects navigate is still poorly understood. Laboratory studies suggest that locusts are able to exploit the sky polarization pattern as a navigational cue. Like other insects locusts detect polarized light through a specialized dorsal rim area (DRA) of the eye. Polarization signals are transmitted through the optic lobe to the anterior optic tubercle (AOTu) and, finally, to the central complex in the brain. Whereas neurons of the AOTu integrate sky polarization and chromatic cues in a daytime dependent manner, the central complex holds a topographic representation of azimuthal directions suggesting a role as an internal sky compass. To understand further the integration of sky compass cues we studied polarization-sensitive (POL) neurons in the medulla that may be intercalated between DRA photoreceptors and AOTu neurons. Five types of POL-neuron were characterized and four of these in multiple recordings. All neurons had wide arborizations in medulla layer 4 and most, additionally, in the dorsal rim area of the medulla and in the accessory medulla, the presumed circadian clock. The neurons showed type-specific orientational tuning to zenithal polarized light and azimuth tuning to unpolarized green and UV light spots. In contrast to neurons of the AOTu, we found no evidence for color opponency and daytime dependent adjustment of sky compass signals. Therefore, medulla layer 4 is a distinct stage in the integration of sky compass signals that precedes the time-compensated integration of celestial cues in the AOTu

The Importance of Creative Practices in Designing More-Than-Human Cities

Anthropocentric city design practices can lead to the creation of urban environments that serve human needs over the needs of non-human species and the natural environment. This chapter explores the different ways in which cities are creative and more importantly how creative processes, in the form of arts-based methods, may support the design of more-than-human cities, ones in which a diversity of species are able to co-exist with humans. Arts-based methods support different ways of imagining non-human concerns, bringing varied viewpoints to the fore and revealing tensions. Arts-based methods can also be used to lower barriers for participation, providing engaging and creative ways to interpret data and information that provides evidence from beyond the lived experiences of those involved in city design. Such approaches are also useful for bringing other marginalized voices to design, such as those of children. Two case studies are described that showcase the use of arts-based method for different aspects of urban design.Post-print / Final draf

Effect of donor nephrectomy time during circulatory-dead donor kidney retrieval on transplant graft failure

BACKGROUND: When the blood supply ceases in a deceased organ donor, ischaemic injury starts. Kidneys are cooled to reduce cellular metabolism and minimize ischaemic injury. This cooling is slow and kidneys are lukewarm during nephrectomy. Smaller single-centre studies have shown that prolonged donor nephrectomy time decreases early kidney transplant function, but the effect on long-term outcome has never been investigated in large multicentre cohort studies. METHODS: The relationship between donor nephrectomy time and death-censored graft survival was evaluated in recipients of single adult-to-adult, first-time deceased-donor kidneys transplanted in the Eurotransplant region between 2004 and 2013. RESULTS: A total of 13 914 recipients were included. Median donor nephrectomy time was 51 (i.q.r. 39-65) min. Kidneys donated after circulatory death had longer nephrectomy times than those from brain-dead donors: median 57 (43-78) versus 50 (39-64) min respectively (P < 0·001). Donor nephrectomy time was independently associated with graft loss when kidneys were donated after circulatory death: adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1·05 (95 per cent c.i. 1·01 to 1·09) per 10-min increase (P = 0·026). The magnitude of this effect was comparable to the effect of each hour of additional cold ischaemia: HR 1·04 (1·01 to 1·07) per h (P = 0·004). For kidneys donated after brain death, there was no effect of nephrectomy time on graft survival: adjusted HR 1·01 (0·98 to 1·04) per 10 min (P = 0·464). CONCLUSION: Prolonged donor nephrectomy time impairs graft outcome in kidneys donated after circulatory death. Keeping this short, together with efficient cooling during nephrectomy, might improve outcome.status: publishe

Effect of donor nephrectomy time during circulatory-dead donor kidney retrieval on transplant graft failure

Abstract Background When the blood supply ceases in a deceased organ donor, ischaemic injury starts. Kidneys are cooled to reduce cellular metabolism and minimize ischaemic injury. This cooling is slow and kidneys are lukewarm during nephrectomy. Smaller single-centre studies have shown that prolonged donor nephrectomy time decreases early kidney transplant function, but the effect on long-term outcome has never been investigated in large multicentre cohort studies. Methods The relationship between donor nephrectomy time and death-censored graft survival was evaluated in recipients of single adult-to-adult, first-time deceased-donor kidneys transplanted in the Eurotransplant region between 2004 and 2013. Results A total of 13 914 recipients were included. Median donor nephrectomy time was 51 (i.q.r. 39–65) min. Kidneys donated after circulatory death had longer nephrectomy times than those from brain-dead donors: median 57 (43–78) versus 50 (39–64) min respectively (P &amp;lt; 0·001). Donor nephrectomy time was independently associated with graft loss when kidneys were donated after circulatory death: adjusted hazard ratio (HR) 1·05 (95 per cent c.i. 1·01 to 1·09) per 10-min increase (P = 0·026). The magnitude of this effect was comparable to the effect of each hour of additional cold ischaemia: HR 1·04 (1·01 to 1·07) per h (P = 0·004). For kidneys donated after brain death, there was no effect of nephrectomy time on graft survival: adjusted HR 1·01 (0·98 to 1·04) per 10 min (P = 0·464). Conclusion Prolonged donor nephrectomy time impairs graft outcome in kidneys donated after circulatory death. Keeping this short, together with efficient cooling during nephrectomy, might improve outcome. </jats:sec

De digitalisering voor iedereen!

De 4e industriële revolutie of ‘Industrie 4.0’ berust op een nieuwe manier om de productie te organiseren. De onderling verbonden technologieën en het internet der dingen vormen de spil van deze revolutie. De technologie stelt zich met andere woorden meer dan ooit ten dienste van de bouw- sector. Ze verdient dus zeker onze aandacht, al moet de technologische vooruitgang steeds nauwkeurig opgevolgd worden. Dit is precies de rol van het Technische Comité BIM & ICT. BIM staat voor Building Information Model en maakt gebruik van een digi- taal model van het gebouw. Dit model bestaat niet meer uit lijnen, maar uit digitale objecten die een weergave zijn van de materialen en systemen die op de werf uitgevoerd zullen worden. Op die manier bekomt men een getrouw beeld van het werkelijke verloop van de uitvoeringsfase. ICT of Information and Communication Technologies slaat op zijn beurt op alle technologieën voor informatie-uitwisseling. Zowel BIM als ICT houden dus verband met datgene waar de 4e industriële revolutie om draait: het delen van informatie. Zodoende kunnen herhalingen, fouten en inefficiënties ver- meden worden en kan men beter anticiperen en plannen teneinde eventuele problemen op de werf te vermijden. Daarnaast zal men dankzij de digitali- sering binnenkort kunnen communiceren door middel van robots, drones of 3D-printers. ‘Industrie 4.0’ is immers ook een waaier van hulpmiddelen voor de ontwerpers, fabrikanten, beheerders, bouwers of verbouwers. De innovatie in de bouwsector gaat dus niet langer in stilte aan ons voorbij. De 4e industriële revolutie stelt het WTCB niet alleen voor een uitdaging, maar biedt ook kansen. Zo kunnen de in de Technische Voorlichtingen geformuleerde aanbevelingen in het model ter beschikking gesteld worden van de gebruikers. Denken we hierbij maar even aan programma’s die waarschuwen wanneer de samenstelling van een wand niet overeenstemt met de aanbevelingen of wanneer de vooropgestelde uitvoeringstermijn te kort is om de toereikende droging van een voor een parket bestemde dekvloer veilig te stellen. Het WTCB staat ten dienste van de hele bouwsector en streeft ernaar het concurrentievermogen van de bouwondernemingen en de kwaliteit van de bouwwerken te verbeteren. Dit is ook het oogmerk van ‘Industrie 4.0’. Wij wensen daarom een blijvende drijfveer te zijn in de ontwikkeling van deze technologieën, opdat alle partners hierbij gebaat zouden zijn. Zo bestaan er zowel voor de grote bedrijven als voor de ambachtsman een BIM en digitale hulpmiddelen op maat. Deze WTCB-Contact heeft tot doel om u hiervan te overtuigen en u aan te moedigen om de stap te zetten. Er zit immers toekomst in voor uw bedrijf.no ISBN/ISSNstatus: publishe