New Materialist Becomings and Futurities: A Panel Intra-view

Derived from Karen Barad’s intra-action, the term intra-view aims to do justice to the continuous process of becoming that is evident in the asynchronous, generative dialogue of this panel. This panel intra-view provides readers with the opportunity to think with the participants, Fernando Hernández-Hernández, Iris van der Tuin, Nathalie Sinclair, Olga Cielemęcka and Monika Rogowska-Stangret, and their encounters and engagements with new materialism, and how they in turn affect our scholarship

Uncovering the genomic basis of an extraordinary plant invasion

Invasive species are a key driver of the global biodiversity crisis, but the drivers of invasiveness, including the role of pathogens, remain debated. We investigated the genomic basis of invasiveness in Ambrosia artemisiifolia (common ragweed), introduced to Europe in the late 19th century, by resequencing 655 ragweed genomes, including 308 herbarium specimens collected up to 190 years ago. In invasive European populations, we found selection signatures in defense genes and lower prevalence of disease-inducing plant pathogens. Together with temporal changes in population structure associated with introgression from closely related Ambrosia species, escape from specific microbial enemies likely favored the plant's remarkable success as an invasive species.Peer reviewe

Lack of Association between Genetic Polymorphisms in Enzymes Associated with Folate Metabolism and Unexplained Reduced Sperm Counts

BACKGROUND: The metabolic pathway of folate is thought to influence DNA stability either by inducing single/double stranded breaks or by producing low levels of S-adenosyl-methionine leading to abnormal gene expression and chromosome segregation. Polymorphisms in the genes encoding enzymes in the folate metabolism pathway show distinct geographic and/or ethnic variations and in some cases have been linked to disease. Notably, the gene Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) in which the homozygous (TT) state of the polymorphism c.665C>T (p.A222V) is associated with reduced specific activity and increased thermolability of the enzyme causing mild hyperhomocysteinemia. Recently several studies have suggested that men carrying this polymorphism may be at increased risk to develop infertility. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We have tested this hypothesis in a case/control study of ethnic French individuals. We examined the incidence of polymorphisms in the genes MTHFR (R68Q, A222V and E429A), Methionine synthase reductase MTRR; (I22M and S175L) and Cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS; G307S). The case population consisted of DNA samples from men with unexplained azoospermia (n = 70) or oligozoospermia (n = 182) and the control population consisted of normospermic and fertile men (n = 114). We found no evidence of an association between the incidence of any of these variants and reduced sperm counts. In addition haplotype analysis did not reveal differences between the case and control populations. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: We could find no evidence for an association between reduced sperm counts and polymorphisms in enzymes involved in folate metabolism in the French population

Molecular evolution of the vertebrate TLR1 gene family - a complex history of gene duplication, gene conversion, positive selection and co-evolution

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The Toll-like receptors represent a large superfamily of type I transmembrane glycoproteins, some common to a wide range of species and others are more restricted in their distribution. Most members of the Toll-like receptor superfamily have few paralogues; the exception is the TLR1 gene family with four closely related genes in mammals TLR1, TLR2, TLR6 and TLR10, and four in birds TLR1A, TLR1B, TLR2A and TLR2B. These genes were previously thought to have arisen by a series of independent gene duplications. To understand the evolutionary pattern of the TLR1 gene family in vertebrates further, we cloned the sequences of TLR1A, TLR1B, TLR2A and TLR2B in duck and turkey, constructed phylogenetic trees, predicted codons under positive selection and identified co-evolutionary amino acid pairs within the TLR1 gene family using sequences from 4 birds, 28 mammals, an amphibian and a fish.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>This detailed phylogenetic analysis not only clarifies the gene gains and losses within the TLR1 gene family of birds and mammals, but also defines orthologues between these vertebrates. In mammals, we predict amino acid sites under positive selection in TLR1, TLR2 and TLR6 but not TLR10. We detect co-evolution between amino acid residues in TLR2 and the other members of this gene family predicted to maintain their ability to form functional heterodimers. In birds, we predict positive selection in the TLR2A and TLR2B genes at functionally significant amino acid residues. We demonstrate that the TLR1 gene family has mostly been subject to purifying selection but has also responded to directional selection at a few sites, possibly in response to pathogen challenge.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our phylogenetic and structural analyses of the vertebrate TLR1 family have clarified their evolutionary origins and predict amino acid residues likely to be important in the host's defense against invading pathogens.</p

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Correction to: Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake

Prevalence, associated factors and outcomes of pressure injuries in adult intensive care unit patients: the DecubICUs study

Funder: European Society of Intensive Care Medicine; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100013347Funder: Flemish Society for Critical Care NursesAbstract: Purpose: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are particularly susceptible to developing pressure injuries. Epidemiologic data is however unavailable. We aimed to provide an international picture of the extent of pressure injuries and factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries in adult ICU patients. Methods: International 1-day point-prevalence study; follow-up for outcome assessment until hospital discharge (maximum 12 weeks). Factors associated with ICU-acquired pressure injury and hospital mortality were assessed by generalised linear mixed-effects regression analysis. Results: Data from 13,254 patients in 1117 ICUs (90 countries) revealed 6747 pressure injuries; 3997 (59.2%) were ICU-acquired. Overall prevalence was 26.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 25.9–27.3). ICU-acquired prevalence was 16.2% (95% CI 15.6–16.8). Sacrum (37%) and heels (19.5%) were most affected. Factors independently associated with ICU-acquired pressure injuries were older age, male sex, being underweight, emergency surgery, higher Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, Braden score 3 days, comorbidities (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, immunodeficiency), organ support (renal replacement, mechanical ventilation on ICU admission), and being in a low or lower-middle income-economy. Gradually increasing associations with mortality were identified for increasing severity of pressure injury: stage I (odds ratio [OR] 1.5; 95% CI 1.2–1.8), stage II (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4–1.9), and stage III or worse (OR 2.8; 95% CI 2.3–3.3). Conclusion: Pressure injuries are common in adult ICU patients. ICU-acquired pressure injuries are associated with mainly intrinsic factors and mortality. Optimal care standards, increased awareness, appropriate resource allocation, and further research into optimal prevention are pivotal to tackle this important patient safety threat

Educación en valores y resiliencia desde una perspectiva multidisciplinaria.

This research aims at investigating analyzing the correspondence between education in values and resilience, from a multidisciplinary perspective, developing it at the University of Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela. Methodologically, is the qualitative approach with an interpretative paradigm of a phenomenological type.  The technique was the semi-structured interview applied to 20 professionals from different disciplines (doctors, lawyers, psychologists, nurses, engineers, architects, graduates in education, social worker, accountant, economist), who answered the questions highlighting with interpretation, the presence of emerging categories such as: anti-values, code of ethics, everyone's task, integral training, model, resilience. It concludes with the contribution of the different professionals of scientific and humanistic areas that educating in values is a work of all and it is required to be resilient, that people know what they want, insist and persist in their action to achieve it, for the individual and collective good, hence the correspondence between the categories studied. La presente investigación está dirigida a analizar la correspondencia entre educación en valores y resiliencia, desde una perspectiva multidisciplinaria, desarrollándola en la Universidad del Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela. Metodológicamente se enmarcó en el enfoque cualitativo con paradigma interpretativo de tipo fenomenológico. La técnica fue la entrevista semiestructurada aplicada a 20 profesionales de distintas disciplinas (médicos, abogados, psicólogos, enfermeros/as, ingenieros, arquitectos, licenciados en educación, trabajadores/as sociales, contador, economista), quienes respondieron a las preguntas resaltando con la interpretación, la presencia de categorías emergentes tales como: antivalores, código de ética, tarea de todos, formación integral, modelo, resiliencia. Se concluye con el aporte de los diferentes profesionales de áreas científicas y humanísticas que educar en valores es un trabajo de todos y se requiere ser resiliente cuando las personas conozcan lo que quieren, insistan y persistan en su acción para lograrlo, por el bien individual y colectivo, de allí la correspondencia entre las categorías estudiadas

Sistema para la implementación del cuadro de mando integral

La Organización Inteligente On Line, como corporación dedicada a la asesoría de la Implementación del Cuadro de Mando Integral, se dedica a estudiar los diferentes aspectos del mercado y las ventajas de los productos que nuestros clientes y sus empresas ofrecen para así, a través de un nuevo modelo de gestión puedan delegar funciones sin perder el control, se preparen los mandos medios para optimizar los resultados de su labor, involucrar a la alta gerencia y crearles conciencia para implementar y mantener un sistema de medición donde la labor de cada uno tenga la misma importancia y todos vayan hacia un mismo objetivo, desde el lugar donde desarrollan sus tareas. La Organización Inteligente On Line, siguiendo con los avances tecnològicos, y màs aun con la exigencia de un libre mercado, en el cual los clientes potenciales de cualquier negocio buscan calidad de servicio y una personalización a tal punto que puedan sentirse plenamente identificados e individualizados, impulsa mantener en sus clientes un ambiente de trabajo agradable y armonioso, como también la exigencia de la manufactura de un producto con alta calidad resultado de un equipo de trabajo que disfruta lo que hace

Análisis, diseño e implementación de un sitio web para pago de servicios

La Organización Inteligente On Line, como corporación dedicada a la asesoría de la Implementación del Cuadro de Mando Integral, se dedica a estudiar los diferentes aspectos del mercado y las ventajas de los productos que nuestros clientes y sus empresas ofrecen para así, a través de un nuevo modelo de gestión puedan delegar funciones sin perder el control, se preparen los mandos medios para optimizar los resultados de su labor, involucrar a la alta gerencia y crearles conciencia para implementar y mantener un sistema de medición donde la labor de cada uno tenga la misma importancia y todos vayan hacia un mismo objetivo, desde el lugar donde desarrollan sus tareas. La Organización Inteligente On Line, siguiendo con los avances tecnològicos, y màs aun con la exigencia de un libre mercado, en el cual los clientes potenciales de cualquier negocio buscan calidad de servicio y una personalización a tal punto que puedan sentirse plenamente identificados e individualizados, impulsa mantener en sus clientes un ambiente de trabajo agradable y armonioso, como también la exigencia de la manufactura de un producto con alta calidad resultado de un equipo de trabajo que disfruta lo que hace