A History of the World in 100 Objects by Neil MacGregor (2011)

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Polygyny and Polydomy in Three North American Species of the Ant Genus Leptothorax Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

This paper deals with certain behavioral and ecological factors which may be relevant to the evolution and maintenance of social parasitism in ants. We will argue that some of the same factors which might predispose one species to evolve into a social parasite might make resistance to parasitism difficult for a closely related species

Estimating age and investigating epigenetic changes related to health across multiple bottlenose dolphin populations

Funding: This study was partially funded by SERDP grants RC20-C2-1097, RC20-7188 and RC21-3091 awarded to Peter Tyack, Prescott Award NA20NMF4390132 awarded to Ashley Barratclough, and the NOAA Office of Response and Restoration, Assessment and Restoration Division. This work was also supported by the Office of Naval Research Marine Mammal Biology Program (grant N00014-22-1-2706), and the Oiled Wildlife Care Network Grant A23-1689-S002.Epigenetic age estimation has the potential to influence conservation approaches for wildlife. DNA extracted from a small skin sample can be analyzed for methylation changes, which can be related to chronological age through an epigenetic clock to obtain a DNA-based age estimate (DNAm age). For a wide range of cetacean species, skin samples can be obtained remotely using dart biopsy. We tested multiple modeling approaches (elastic net regression, random forest regression, and a hybrid of elastic net and random forest classification) using DNA methylation data from 426 skin samples from observed-age wild bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops spp.), and 50 managed care dolphins, to develop an epigenetic clock. The hybrid model gave highly accurate age predictions for calf (25 yrs., n = 65), age predictions were less accurate, with MAE of 5.90 yrs. The overall MAE across all ages (n = 476) was 1.91 yrs. DNAm age has been linked to health in humans, with higher age residuals (i.e., higher DNAm age as compared to actual age) being associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality. We compared dolphin age residuals with previously reported health scores that are predictive of one year mortality risk. Our findings suggest that analysis of DNA methylation patterns is a viable approach, not only for estimating age of dolphins, but potentially also to assess individual and population health.Peer reviewe

Corporate Governance for Sustainability

The current model of corporate governance needs reform. There is mounting evidence that the practices of shareholder primacy drive company directors and executives to adopt the same short time horizon as financial markets. Pressure to meet the demands of the financial markets drives stock buybacks, excessive dividends and a failure to invest in productive capabilities. The result is a ‘tragedy of the horizon’, with corporations and their shareholders failing to consider environmental, social or even their own, long-term, economic sustainability. With less than a decade left to address the threat of climate change, and with consensus emerging that businesses need to be held accountable for their contribution, it is time to act and reform corporate governance in the EU. The statement puts forward specific recommendations to clarify the obligations of company boards and directors and make corporate governance practice significantly more sustainable and focused on the long term

PANC Study (Pancreatitis: A National Cohort Study): national cohort study examining the first 30 days from presentation of acute pancreatitis in the UK

Abstract Background Acute pancreatitis is a common, yet complex, emergency surgical presentation. Multiple guidelines exist and management can vary significantly. The aim of this first UK, multicentre, prospective cohort study was to assess the variation in management of acute pancreatitis to guide resource planning and optimize treatment. Methods All patients aged greater than or equal to 18 years presenting with acute pancreatitis, as per the Atlanta criteria, from March to April 2021 were eligible for inclusion and followed up for 30 days. Anonymized data were uploaded to a secure electronic database in line with local governance approvals. Results A total of 113 hospitals contributed data on 2580 patients, with an equal sex distribution and a mean age of 57 years. The aetiology was gallstones in 50.6 per cent, with idiopathic the next most common (22.4 per cent). In addition to the 7.6 per cent with a diagnosis of chronic pancreatitis, 20.1 per cent of patients had a previous episode of acute pancreatitis. One in 20 patients were classed as having severe pancreatitis, as per the Atlanta criteria. The overall mortality rate was 2.3 per cent at 30 days, but rose to one in three in the severe group. Predictors of death included male sex, increased age, and frailty; previous acute pancreatitis and gallstones as aetiologies were protective. Smoking status and body mass index did not affect death. Conclusion Most patients presenting with acute pancreatitis have a mild, self-limiting disease. Rates of patients with idiopathic pancreatitis are high. Recurrent attacks of pancreatitis are common, but are likely to have reduced risk of death on subsequent admissions. </jats:sec

A History of the World in Sixteen Shipwrecks, by Stewart Gordon (2015)

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Precolonial India in practice : society, region, and identity in medieval Andhra

xiii, 305 p. : maps ; 24 c

Becoming Turk the Rajput Way: Conversion and Identity in an Indian Warrior Narrative

&lt;p&gt;Cynthia Talbot, "Becoming Turk the Rajput Way: Conversion and Identity in an Indian Warrior Narrative," &lt;a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/modern-asian-studies"&gt;&lt;i&gt;Modern Asian Studies&lt;/i&gt;&lt;/a&gt;&lt;a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/modern-asian-studies/volume/16AC6458899D17997331F92E3246F48D"&gt; 43&lt;/a&gt;, no. &lt;a href="https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/modern-asian-studies/issue/224B73A42694909BC55504B8280D49A8"&gt;1 (&lt;/a&gt;2009): 211 - 243.&lt;/p&gt

The Last Hindu Emperor

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