Slope Processes, Mass Movement and Soil Erosion: A Review

Soil erosion and land degradation are global problems and pose major issues in many countries. Both soil erosion and mass movement are two forms of land degradation and humans play important roles in these geomorphological processes. This paper reviews slope processes associated with mass movement and soil erosion and contributory factors, including physical and human agents. Acting together, these cause diverse geomorphological features. Slope processes are illustrated by reference to case studies from Brazil and UK. The causes and impacts of erosion are discussed, along with appropriate remedial bioengineering methods and the potential of the measures to prevent these types of environmental degradation. Although there are several agents of erosion, water is the most important one. Cultivation can promote soil erosion, due to ploughing and harvesting, which moves soil down slopes. Soil erosion and mass movement data would inform the viability of soil conservation practices. Integrated management of drainage basins offers a promising way forward for effective soil conservation and soil remedial bioengineering in Brazil and UK

‘In the dark’: Voices of parents in marginalised stepfamilies: perceptions and experiences of their parenting support needs

The fastest growing family type in the UK is the stepfamily with social parenting an increasingly normal practice. Parenting policy and practice, which has increased exponentially over the last two decades, has historically been modelled on the biological nuclear family model with marginalised families the main recipients. The possibility that parents in marginalised stepfamilies might have separate and discrete parenting support needs to biological parents seems to be overlooked in policy, practice and research. Rather, the historical legacy of deficit, dysfunction and a ‘whiff’ of poor parenting in marginalised stepfamilies lingers on. The focus of the research was to determine marginalised parents’ perceptions and experiences of parenting in their stepfamily and their parenting support needs. Thematic analysis of the data revealed accounts that were interwoven throughout with strong moral undertones which seemed to categorise their lives. The parenting issues were different and more complex than those they had encountered before. The parents adopted biological family identities, but these didn’t fit with their social roles and often rendered them powerless in their relationships with stepchildren. This appeared to have a cumulative effect which impacted on the already fragile couple relationship. Despite the parents easy articulation of the parenting issues there was a contrasting unease and ambivalence in discussing parenting support needs. Parenting support seemed to be an irrelevance that could be disregarded. Ultimately the moral significance of the parents marginalised class positions appeared to be central to their lives, which has important implications for policy and practice

SARS-2 COVID-19-induced immunity response, a new prognostic marker for the pregnant population correlates inversely with neonatal Apgar score

Background: The COVID-19 infection has impacted pregnancy outcomes; however, few studies have assessed the association between haematological parameters and virus-related pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. We hypothesised differences in routine haematology indices in pregnant and non-pregnant COVID-19 patients as well as COVID-19-negative pregnant subjects and observed neonatal outcomes in all pregnant populations. Further, we tested if pattern identification in the COVID-19 pregnant population would facilitate prediction of neonates with a poor Apgar score. Methods: We tested our hypothesis in 327 patients (111 COVID-19-positive pregnant females, 169 COVID-19-negative pregnant females and 47 COVID-19-positive non-pregnant females) in whom standard routine laboratory indices were collected on admission. Results: Pregnant COVID-19-positive patients exhibited higher WBC, neutrophil, monocyte counts as well as neutrophil/lymphocyte and neutrophil/eosinophil ratio compared to non-pregnant COVID-19-positive patients (p = 0.00001, p = 0.0023, p = 0.00002, p = 0.0402, p = 0.0161, p = 0.0352, respectively). Preterm delivery was more prevalent in COVID-19-positive pregnant patients accompanied with a significantly lower birth weight (2894.37 (± 67.50) g compared with 3194.16 (± 50.61) g, p = 0.02) in COVID-19-negative pregnant patients. The COVID-19-Induced Immunity Response (CIIR) was defined as (WBC × neutrophil) / eosinophil; Apgar scores were significantly and inversely correlated with the CIIR index (r =—0.162). Interpretation: Pregnancy appears to give rise to an increased immune response to COVID-19 which appears to protect the mother, however may give rise to complications during labour as well as neonatal concerns. CIIR is a simple metric that predicts neonatal distress to aid clinicians in determining the prognosis of COVID-19 and help provide early intensive intervention to reduce complications

Retinal Microvascular Dysfunction Occurs Early and Similarly in Mild Alzheimer’s Disease and Primary-Open Angle Glaucoma Patients

Purpose: To assess the similarities and differences in retinal microvascular function between mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients, early-stage primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients and healthy controls. Methods: Retinal vessel reactivity to flickering light was assessed in 10 AD, 19 POAG and 20 healthy age matched control patients by means of dynamic retinal vessel analysis (DVA, IMEDOS, GmbH, Jena, Germany) according to an established protocol. All patients additionally underwent BP measurements and blood analysis for glucose and lipid metabolism markers. Results: AD and POAG patients demonstrated comparable alterations in retinal artery reactivity, in the form of an increased arterial reaction time (RT) to flicker light on the final flicker cycle (p = 0.009), which was not replicated by healthy controls (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the sequential changes in RT on progressing from flicker one to flicker three were found to differ between healthy controls and the two disease groups (p = 0.001). Conclusion: AD and POAG patients demonstrate comparable signs of vascular dysfunction in their retinal arteries at the early stages of their disease process. This provides support for the concept of a common underlying vascular aetiology in these two neurodegenerative diseases

Novel controlled-release polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles for sodium thiosulphate, a hydrogen sulphide donor, retains pro-angiogenic potential of hydrogen sulphide

Hydrogen sulphide (H2S) is an endogenous gaseous signalling molecule observing cardioprotective qualities in various experimental models. However, its therapeutic application is limited due to rapid release in vivo and potential toxicity. Controlled-release nanoparticles (NPs), such as polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) NPs entrapping H2S compounds may address these issues. PLGA NPs’ encapsulating sodium thiosulphate (STS), a H2S donor, were prepared by emulsification and sonication-solvent evaporation in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Sonication time was varied between 15 and 45 s and PVA concentration varied between 0.3 and 0.7% w/v. NPs were characterised, cellular uptake, H2S generation and encapsulated STS angiogenic potential was explored. An increase in sonication time as well as PVA concentration decreased NPs size resulting in an increase in STS release kinetics and cellular uptake over 24 h. Encapsulated STS gave a controlled release of H2S over 24 h whereas non-encapsulated STS peaked at 2 h. Finally, we observed entrapped STS maintained pro-angiogenic potential. PLGA NPs are a promising controlled-release delivery system with potential to offer sustained H2S levels. Results of this study demonstrate formulation of STS-loaded PLGA NPs provides a controlled-release of STS and therefore H2S. NPs are internalised into cells and critically, PLGA NPs are able to maintain the pro-angiogenic potential of H2S

Impact of Bariatric Surgery-Induced Weight Loss on Anterior Eye Health in Patients with Obesity

The aim of the present research was to assess the effect of bariatric surgery-induced weight loss on the tear film and ocular surface of patients with obesity. A total of 29 participants with obesity (aged 47.2 10.1 years, 8 male) were measured at baseline and followed up one year after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. General anthropometric data, as well as serum lipid markers of cholesterol, were assessed in all individuals. Bilateral anterior eye measurements of tear meniscus height (TMH), non-invasive tear breakup time, bulbar and limbal redness and infrared meibography were captured using the Keratograph K5M (Oculus) and ocular surface damage was evaluated using fluorescein sodium and lissamine green staining. Bariatric surgery resulted in significant loss of weight (body mass index p 0.05). Although there were trends for a reduced TMH and a decrease in meibomian gland dropout after bariatric surgery, these differences were also insignificant (p > 0.05). In conclusion, weight reduction through bariatric surgery did not have an effect on the tear film or ocular surface in unselected patients with obesity

Mapping of heavy metal contamination in alluvial soils of the Middle Nile Delta of Egypt

Areas contaminated by heavy metals were identified in the El-Gharbia Governorate (District) of Egypt. Identification used remote sensing and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) as the main research tools. Digital Elevation Models (DEM), Landsat 8 and contour maps were used to map physiographic units. Nine soil profiles were sampled in different physiographic units in the study area. Geochemical analysis of the 33 soil samples was conducted using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF). Vanadium (V), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) concentrations were measured. V, Ni and Cr concentrations exceeded recommended safety values in all horizons of the soil profiles, while Cu had a variable distribution. Zn concentrations slightly exceeded recommended concentration limits. Concentrations were mapped in each physiographic unit using the inverse distance weighted (IDW) function of Arc-GIS 10.1 software. Pollution levels were closely associated with industry and urban areas

Performing the Egyptian revolution : origins of collective restraint action in the Midan

This research was supported by a Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland grant.In January/February 2011, the world watched with admiration the Egyptian revolution that toppled President Housni Mubarak. The demonstration in Midan al-Tahrir (Liberation Square in central Cairo), which was the nucleus of the revolution, highlighted a largely spontaneous, civil and peaceful political performance. However, this performance was temporary, contradicting subsequent bloody conflicts in post-revolutionary Egypt. This article examines the socio-political origins of the Midan performance. It argues that the demonstrators exercised collective restraint, which was temporary but necessary, in order to topple Mubarak. Building on Norbert Elias’ civilising process theory and social movements literature, it is argued that the origins of this performance are found in a collective knowledge of regime strategy and narrative, Egyptian socio-political values and existing repertoires of contention. Drawing on primary sources and semi-structured interviews, the article contends that the demonstrators exercised collective restraint to reframe regime narrative and draw public support for the revolution.PostprintPeer reviewe