Radiographic Identification of Osseous Cyst- Like Lesions in the Distal Phalanx in 22 Lame Thoroughbred Horses Managed Conservatively and Their Racing Performance

Reasons for performing study: To investigate the racing performance of Thoroughbred horses with osseous cyst-like lesions (OCLLs) in the distal phalanx causing lameness and treated conservatively.Objectives: To assess horses' ability to race and perform after radiographic identification of OCLL in the distal phalanx of Thoroughbred horses with lameness at the time of detection and undergoing conservative treatment.Study Design: Retrospective case control study.Methods: The clinical database of one equine clinic was reviewed in a 10-year period for Thoroughbreds showing lameness localized to the foot and a radiographic diagnosis of OCLL in the distal phalanx. Sex, age at time of detection of the OCLL, degree of lameness, affected limb, and treatment were recorded. Successful performance of horses was assessed by racing at least once after detection of the OCLL and maximum racing performance rating (RPR). Radiographic features such as size, location, sclerotic rim of the OCLL and irregularity of the articular surface of the distal phalanx were compared to successful performance using univariable statistical analysis. Successful performance of horses with OCLL was compared to a control group of maternal siblings by parametric testing.Results: Twenty-two horses met the inclusion criteria. Thirteen horses raced after the detection of OCLLs. Eight did not race, one case had not yet reached racing age, resulting in 62% (13/21) of racing age racing at least once. The number of successfully performing horses with an OCCL was significantly lower compared to their maternal siblings [p = 0.03, Odds ratio (OR) = 0.30]. If horses with OCLL in the distal phalanx raced, their RPR was similar to their maternal siblings. No significant association was found between radiographic features of OCLLs and successful performance, but OCLLs in the left forelimb carried a more favorable outcome for racing (p = 0.02, OR = 2.33 95%CI 1.27, 4.27) compared to OCLLs in any other limb.Conclusions: Horses with lameness and an OCLL in the distal phalanx managed conservatively are less likely to race when compared to their maternal siblings. If horses with OCLLs in the distal phalanx are able to race, their performance, measured as RPR, was comparable to their maternal siblings. Due to the small numbers in this study the results should be interpreted carefully

Integrated Climate-Change Assessment Scenarios and Carbon Dioxide Removal

To halt climate change this century, we must reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from human activities to net zero. Any emission sources, such as in the energy or land-use sectors, must be balanced by natural or technological carbon sinks that facilitate CO2 removal (CDR) from the atmosphere. Projections of demand for large-scale CDR are based on an integrated scenario framework for emission scenarios composed of emission profiles as well as alternative socio-economic development trends and social values consistent with them. The framework, however, was developed years before systematic reviews of CDR entered the literature. This primer provides an overview of the purposes of scenarios in climate-change research and how they are used. It also introduces the integrated scenario framework and why it came about. CDR studies using the scenario framework, as well as its limitations, are discussed. Possible future developments for the scenario framework are highlighted, especially in relation to CDR

Post-transcriptional Gene Silencing Induced by Short Interfering RNAs in Cultured Transgenic Plant Cells

Short interfering RNA (siRNA) is widely used for studying post-transcriptional gene silencing and holds great promise as a tool for both identifying function of novel genes and validating drug targets. Two siRNA fragments (siRNA-a and -b), which were designed against different specific areas of coding region of the same target green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene, were used to silence GFP expression in cultured gfp transgenic cells of rice (Oryza sativa L.; OS), cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.; GH), Fraser fir [Abies fraseri (Pursh) Poir; AF], and Virginia pine (Pinus virginiana Mill.; PV). Differential gene silencing was observed in the bombarded transgenic cells between two siRNAs, and these results were consistent with the inactivation of GFP confirmed by laser scanning microscopy, Northern blot, and siRNA analysis in tested transgenic cell cultures. These data suggest that siRNA-mediated gene inactivation can be the siRNA specific in different plant species. These results indicate that siRNA is a highly specific tool for targeted gene knockdown and for establishing siRNA-mediated gene silencing, which could be a reliable approach for large-scale screening of gene function and drug target validation

From meta-studies to modeling: Using synthesis knowledge to build broadly applicable process-based land change models

International audienceThis paper explores how meta-studies can support the development of process-based land change models (LCMs) that can be applied across locations and scales. We describe a multi-step framework for model development and provide descriptions and examples of how meta-studies can be used in each step. We conclude that meta-studies best support the conceptualization and experimentation phases of the model development cycle, but cannot typically provide full model parameterizations. Moreover, meta-studies are particularly useful for developing agent-based LCMs that can be applied across a wide range of contexts, locations, and/or scales, because meta-studies provide both quantitative and qualitativedata needed to derive agent behaviors more readily than from case study or aggregate data sources alone. Recent land change synthesis studies provide sufficient topical breadth and depth to support the development of broadly applicable process-based LCMs, as well as the potential to accelerate the production of generalized knowledge through model-driven synthesis

Sexuelle Belästigung, Gewalt und Gewaltschutz in Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen (WfbM) - Langfassung; Eine Untersuchung des Instituts für empirische Soziologie (IfeS) im Auftrag des Bundesministeriums für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend (BMFSFJ) und des Bundesministeriums für Arbeit und Soziales (BMAS)

Menschen mit Behinderungen sind einem hohen Risiko ausgesetzt, Gewalt in verschiedenen Lebensbereichen zu erfahren. Im Hinblick auf den Schutz vor Gewalt sind sie strukturell und rechtlich in einer besonders schwierigen Lage, vor allem wenn sie in Einrichtungen der Behindertenhilfe leben und arbeiten. Aus diesem Grund hat das Institut für empirische Soziologie (IfeS) im Auftrag des Bundesministeriums für Arbeit und Soziales (BMAS) und des Bundesministeriums für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend (BMFSFJ) eine Studie zu sexueller Belästigung und Gewalt in Werkstätten für behinderte Menschen (WfbM) durchgeführt. Der Abschlussbericht in Kurz- und Langfassung enthält die Ergebnisse der quantitativen und qualitativen Befragungen sowie Handlungsempfehlungen und Beispiele guter Praxis für einen verbesserten Gewaltschutz in WfbM

Challenges to adaptation: a fundamental concept for the shared socio-economic pathways and beyond

The framework for the new scenarios being developed for climate research calls for the development of a set of Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs), which are meant to differ in terms of their challenges to mitigation and challenges to adaptation. In order for the scenario process to fulfill its goals, the research and policy communities need to develop a shared understanding of these concepts. This paper focuses on challenges to adaptation. We begin by situating this new concept in the context of the rich literatures related to inter alia adaptation, vulnerability, and resilience. We argue that a proper characterization of challenges to adaptation requires a rich, exploration of the concept, which goes beyond mere description. This has a number of implications for the operationalization of the concept in the basic and extended versions of the SSPs. First, the elements comprising challenges to adaptation must include a wide range of socioeconomic and even some (non-climatic) biophysical factors. Second, careful consideration must be given to differences in these factors across scales, as well as cross-scale interactions. Third, any representation of the concept will require both quantitative and qualitative elements. The scenario framework offers the opportunity for the SSPs and full scenarios to be of greater value than has been the case in past exercises to both Integrated Assessment Modeling (IAM) and Impacts,Adaptation, and Vulnerability (IAV) researchers, but this will require a renegotiation of the traditional, primarily unidirectional relationship between the two communities

Gewalt und Gewaltschutz in Einrichtungen der Behindertenhilfe - Kurzfassung; Eine Untersuchung des Instituts für empirische Soziologie (IfeS) im Auftrag des Bundesministeriums für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend (BMFSFJ) und des Bundesministeriums für Arbeit und Soziales (BMAS)

Menschen mit Behinderungen sind einem hohen Risiko ausgesetzt, Gewalt in verschiedenen Lebensbereichen zu erfahren. Im Hinblick auf den Schutz vor Gewalt sind sie strukturell und rechtlich in einer besonders schwierigen Lage, vor allem wenn sie in Einrichtungen der Behindertenhilfe leben. Aus diesem Grund hat das Institut für empirische Soziologie (IfeS) im Auftrag des Bundesministeriums für Arbeit und Soziales (BMAS) und des Bundesministeriums für Familie, Senioren, Frauen und Jugend (BMFSFJ) eine Studie zu Gewalt gegen Menschen mit Behinderungen in Einrichtungen durchgeführt, die stationäre und ambulante Betreuungssettings umfasst. Der Abschlussbericht in Kurz- und Langfassung enthält die Ergebnisse der quantitativen und qualitativen Befragungen sowie Handlungsempfehlungen und Beispiele guter Praxis für einen verbesserten Gewaltschutz in Einrichtungen

Enhancing the relevance of Shared Socioeconomic Pathways for climate change impacts, adaptation and vulnerability research

This paper discusses the role and relevance of the shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs) and the new scenarios that combine SSPs with representative concentration pathways (RCPs) for climate change impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability (IAV) research. It first provides an overview of uses of social–environmental scenarios in IAV studies and identifies the main shortcomings of earlier such scenarios. Second, the paper elaborates on two aspects of the SSPs and new scenarios that would improve their usefulness for IAV studies compared to earlier scenario sets: (i) enhancing their applicability while retaining coherence across spatial scales, and (ii) adding indicators of importance for projecting vulnerability. The paper therefore presents an agenda for future research, recommending that SSPs incorporate not only the standard variables of population and gross domestic product, but also indicators such as income distribution, spatial population, human health and governance

Real-time Monitoring for the Next Core-Collapse Supernova in JUNO

Core-collapse supernova (CCSN) is one of the most energetic astrophysical events in the Universe. The early and prompt detection of neutrinos before (pre-SN) and during the SN burst is a unique opportunity to realize the multi-messenger observation of the CCSN events. In this work, we describe the monitoring concept and present the sensitivity of the system to the pre-SN and SN neutrinos at the Jiangmen Underground Neutrino Observatory (JUNO), which is a 20 kton liquid scintillator detector under construction in South China. The real-time monitoring system is designed with both the prompt monitors on the electronic board and online monitors at the data acquisition stage, in order to ensure both the alert speed and alert coverage of progenitor stars. By assuming a false alert rate of 1 per year, this monitoring system can be sensitive to the pre-SN neutrinos up to the distance of about 1.6 (0.9) kpc and SN neutrinos up to about 370 (360) kpc for a progenitor mass of 30$M_{\odot}$ for the case of normal (inverted) mass ordering. The pointing ability of the CCSN is evaluated by using the accumulated event anisotropy of the inverse beta decay interactions from pre-SN or SN neutrinos, which, along with the early alert, can play important roles for the followup multi-messenger observations of the next Galactic or nearby extragalactic CCSN.Comment: 24 pages, 9 figure