What has become of critique? Reassembling sociology after Latour

This paper offers a defence of sociology through an engagement with Actor Network Theory (ANT) and particularly the critique of 'critical' and politically engaged social science developed by Bruno Latour. It argues that ANT identifies some weaknesses in more conventional sociology and social theory, and suggests that 'critical' and 'public' orientated sociologists can learn from the analytical precision and ethnographic sensibilities that characterize ANT as a framework of analysis and a research programme. It argues, however, that Latour et al. have too hastily dispensed with 'critique' in favour of a value neutral descriptive sociology, and that the symmetrical and horizontalist approach adopted in ANT is particularly ill-suited to the development of scientific knowledge about social structures. It argues that a more straightforwardly realist sociology would share many of the strengths of ANT whilst being better able to interrogate, empirically and normatively, the centres of contemporary social power

NMR hyperpolarization techniques of gases

Nuclear spin polarization can be significantly increased through the process of hyperpolarization, leading to an increase in the sensitivity of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments by 4–8 orders of magnitude. Hyperpolarized gases, unlike liquids and solids, can often be readily separated and purified from the compounds used to mediate the hyperpolarization processes. These pure hyperpolarized gases enabled many novel MRI applications including the visualization of void spaces, imaging of lung function, and remote detection. Additionally, hyperpolarized gases can be dissolved in liquids and can be used as sensitive molecular probes and reporters. This Minireview covers the fundamentals of the preparation of hyperpolarized gases and focuses on selected applications of interest to biomedicine and materials science

Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: An international, multicenter, comparative cohort study

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19–free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19–free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score–matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19–free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Severe Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome associated with COVID-19: An Emulated Target Trial Analysis.

RATIONALE: Whether COVID patients may benefit from extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) compared with conventional invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) remains unknown. OBJECTIVES: To estimate the effect of ECMO on 90-Day mortality vs IMV only Methods: Among 4,244 critically ill adult patients with COVID-19 included in a multicenter cohort study, we emulated a target trial comparing the treatment strategies of initiating ECMO vs. no ECMO within 7 days of IMV in patients with severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (PaO2/FiO2 <80 or PaCO2 ≥60 mmHg). We controlled for confounding using a multivariable Cox model based on predefined variables. MAIN RESULTS: 1,235 patients met the full eligibility criteria for the emulated trial, among whom 164 patients initiated ECMO. The ECMO strategy had a higher survival probability at Day-7 from the onset of eligibility criteria (87% vs 83%, risk difference: 4%, 95% CI 0;9%) which decreased during follow-up (survival at Day-90: 63% vs 65%, risk difference: -2%, 95% CI -10;5%). However, ECMO was associated with higher survival when performed in high-volume ECMO centers or in regions where a specific ECMO network organization was set up to handle high demand, and when initiated within the first 4 days of MV and in profoundly hypoxemic patients. CONCLUSIONS: In an emulated trial based on a nationwide COVID-19 cohort, we found differential survival over time of an ECMO compared with a no-ECMO strategy. However, ECMO was consistently associated with better outcomes when performed in high-volume centers and in regions with ECMO capacities specifically organized to handle high demand. This article is open access and distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial No Derivatives License 4.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

Locked-in syndrome, eyes and laws for embodied cognition ?

International audienc

What is missing for physicians to prescribe a BCI ?

International audienceSince the early development of BCI, several decades ago, clinical applications were presented as a major objective. However, despite notable progress, they struggle to enter the clinical routine. Besides technological limits, we notice that most of the BCI studies are realized with healthy subjects, and when applied to patients, they are mainly proof-of-concept studies. Recent « replace » or « restore » BCI studies showed noticeable changes in the BCI study design, in the aim of optimizing clinical translation. We will highlight some of these pragmatic turns. We will also compare these new strategies with general clinical guidelines and practices to highlight what is still missing to allow a rehabilitation physician to prescribe a BCI

Interregional Differences in Agricultural Development across Circumpolar Canada

In response to the circumpolar region’s high levels of food insecurity, many Canadian communities have identified the development of local agriculture as a means to resolve the issue. Agricultural development is varied across the circumpolar region, an area which includes Yukon, the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Nunavik (Quebec), and Nunatsiavut (Newfoundland and Labrador). This review explores the interregional differences in circumpolar agriculture, their historical development, and their relationship to prevailing biophysical, socioeconomic, and political conditions. Drawing upon local food strategies and literature pertaining to current agricultural initiatives, we discuss the future direction of circumpolar agriculture in Canada. Yukon and the Northwest Territories are the most agriculturally developed subregions of circumpolar Canada, and their territorial governments support the development of commercial agriculture. In Nunavut, Nunavik, and Nunatsiavut, relatively few agricultural initiatives are underway although local efforts have been made to establish community gardens or greenhouses and improve access to fresh commodities through subsidization of imported goods. Because of variability in biophysical, social, institutional, and political environments, strategies for food production would be most effective if tailored to each subregion. The continued development of agriculturally favorable policies and certified processing facilities in Yukon and the Northwest Territories could improve market access, both locally and out-of-territory. The eastern subregions (Nunavut, Nunavik, and Nunatsiavut) seem more inclined towards small, community-driven projects; these initiatives could be promoted to encourage community involvement for their long-term sustainability. Most studies on circumpolar agriculture have focused on the biophysical and social challenges; the region would benefit from additional research into the institutional and political barriers to agricultural development. En réponse aux degrés d’insécurité alimentaire élevés dans la région circumpolaire, de nombreuses communautés canadiennes estiment que le développement de l’agriculture locale constitue un moyen de surmonter cet enjeu. Le développement agricole prend plusieurs formes dans la région circumpolaire, région qui comprend le Yukon, les Territoires du Nord-Ouest, le Nunavut, le Nunavik (Québec) et le Nunatsiavut (Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador). Dans cet article, nous explorons les différences interrégionales en matière d’agriculture circumpolaire, leur développement historique et leur lien avec les conditions biophysiques, socioéconomiques et politiques qui ont cours dans les diverses régions. Nous nous appuyons sur les stratégies alimentaires locales et sur la documentation concernant les initiatives agricoles actuelles pour discuter de l’orientation future de l’agriculture circumpolaire au Canada. Du point de vue agricole, le Yukon et les Territoires du Nord-Ouest sont les sous-régions les plus développées de la région circumpolaire du Canada, et les gouvernements de ces territoires soutiennent le développement de l’agriculture commerciale. Au Nunavut, au Nunavik et au Nunatsiavut, relativement peu d’initiatives agricoles sont en cours, bien que des efforts aient été déployés à l’échelle locale pour établir des jardins ou des serres communautaires et pour améliorer l’accès aux produits frais grâce à la subvention de produits importés. En raison de la variabilité des environnements biophysiques, sociaux, institutionnels et politiques, les stratégies de production alimentaire donneraient de meilleurs résultats si elles étaient adaptées à chaque sous-région. Le développement continu de politiques agricoles favorables et d’installations de transformation homologuées au Yukon et dans les Territoires du Nord-Ouest pourrait améliorer l’accès aux marchés, tant à l’échelle locale qu’à l’extérieur des territoires. Les sous-régions de l’est (Nunavut, Nunavik et Nunatsiavut) ont davantage tendance à préconiser de petits projets communautaires. Les initiatives de ce genre pourraient être facilitées pour inciter les communautés à jouer un rôle dans leur durabilité à long terme. La plupart des études sur l’agriculture circumpolaire portent sur les défis biophysiques et sociaux. La région pourrait bénéficier de recherches plus approfondies au sujet des obstacles institutionnels et politiques du développement agricole.

Partie II : analyse comparative des politiques de logement.

In occasione del cinquecentenario della morte di Raffaello Sanzio (1483-1520) si propone un testo agile e informato per scoprire dipinti e architetture eseguiti a Roma dall\u2019arrivo nell\u2019Urbe nel 1508 alla morte nel 1520. Aggiornate e complete dei dati essenziali, le schede esplicative illustrano l\u2019ampio ventaglio della produzione matura del Raffaello pittore, dagli affreschi alle pale d\u2019altare ai ritratti eseguiti per Roma o oggi l\uec conservati, e permettono di individuare e di comprendere le tracce dell\u2019attivit\ue0 del Raffaello architetto. Si svolge attraverso le opere il racconto dell\u2019appassionante stagione romana dell\u2019artista, impegnato nel continuo rinnovamento del proprio linguaggio di pittore nel dialogo travolgente con Michelangelo, nella gara con Sebastiano del Piombo, nella spinta possente delle sollecitazioni fornite dal repertorio antico della scultura, nel nuovo impegno come caposcuola, alla guida di una bottega che far\ue0 da modello per tutto il secolo e oltre, e si segue il definirsi proprio a Roma dei suoi interessi di architetto e degli obiettivi che egli matura sul fronte dell\u2019architettura moderna su sollecitazione di Bramante e poi di altri, nella sfida costituita dal confronto con i resti degli edifici antichi, in uno scambio costante con gli umanisti, come Pietro Bembo e Fra Giocondo, suoi ferventi interlocutori, committenti, sostenitori. Il testo non trascura di segnalare le opere non accessibili legate all\u2019operato del Sanzio, quali, in Vaticano, le Logge o l\u2019Appartamento del cardinal Bibbiena, o quelle che da architetto egli non pot\ue9 realizzare ma di cui ci restano suoi progetti, o che vennero distrutte (Palazzo Branconio dell\u2019Aquila), e dedica un\u2019attenzione speciale, per la forza del suo rapporto con il presente, alla lettera a Leone X scritta da Raffaello e da Baldassarre Castiglione, riconosciuta come primo documento di una consapevole riflessione sull\u2019urgenza della conservazione dell\u2019architettura e dell\u2019arte del passato alla quale oggi pi\uf9 di allora siamo chiamati a rispondere