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Ethical questions normally arise in sport because its participants are human moral agents and because its practice community entails the observance of rules and responsibilities that humans generally owe one another in a social practice of voluntary competition. Since nature sports are not defined by this kind of inter-agential activity, it would appear that there are no comparable ethical constraints on their pursuit. This paper considers conflicts of preference versus right between humans, how these are resolved, and whether these rights are relevant in assessment of nature sport activity vis-à-vis nonhuman creatures. Relying on a goods perspective instead of a rights framework, via Korsgaard, I argue against an assumption that human preference is sufficient to override consideration of nonhuman animals' functional goods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What does it mean to teach in higher education (HE) from vantage points that do not privilege human self-interest, but include nonhuman animals as significant subjects of educational practice? This paper addresses human-animal relations as a nascent area of HE pedagogy. It explores premises of, and approaches to post-anthropocentric HE pedagogies through an examination of a wide range of teacher experiences as expressed in research literature in the area. Emerging from this contested and sometimes controversial terrain in the HE landscape are three key pedagogical aspects that post-anthropocentric educators across disciplines seem to share; aspects that can offer important insights for pedagogical development in HE: A passion and commitment to critical inquiry; innovative ways of connecting theoretical subject matter to life outside university; and embracing risk-taking in the teaching and learning process as a necessary part of HE teachers' reflective practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the inclusion of poetry in the realm of consumer research in tourism, consumption, and sustainability, with a study of the poem "The Dolphins" by Carol Ann Duffy. It reflects on the analysis of poetry in advancing our understanding of tourism consumption, and deliberates that poetry could provide insight into complex, emotional, painful, and cruel consumption facets. The study crafts a reference point for the use of poetry as a data source and a methodological tool in tourism and sustainability research and highlights how poetry could help in advancing our understanding of ethical consumption and its confluence with animal welfare in tourism and raising ethical awareness and sensitivity. The study also reflects on the themes of expanding our consciousness as part of being better humans and tourists, and raising the social consciousness of organizations to work towards animal welfare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the degree to which hunter-gatherers exhibited concern for animals. Six types of concern (sympathy, consequential, identity-based, respectful, protective, and indifference) were assessed in twenty-eight hunting-gathering groups from around the world using eHRAF World Cultures. Findings demonstrated that sympathy for animal agents was low, and indifference was high. High levels of consequential concern and moderate levels of identity and respectful concern were evident. Protective concern was found in about a third of the groups. Higher levels of concern were experienced when the animals were perceived as either pseudo-humans or pseudo-spirits. The transition from hunter-gatherer to agro-industrial lifestyle has led to fewer interactions and less overall concern for animals, but it has not produced a decrease in sympathy for animal agents, which was already relatively low among foragers. These findings lend support to the theory that humans did not evolve to experience high levels of sympathetic concern for animals as animal agents, and it helps to explain the widespread present exploitation of animals. It also demonstrates that concern can and does arise when animals take on pseudo-human agency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the co-occurrence of violence against women and violence against animals based on interviews with 15 survivors in Saskatchewan, Canada. The qualitative data reveal complex dynamics of the human–animal bond for victims/survivors. Insufficient social supports exacerbate barriers for leaving relationships with animals when experiencing intimate partner violence; nonetheless, the participants perceived animals as crucial to their well-being. Care of horses and livestock is further complicated by financial issues and difficulty evacuating large animals. Survivors emphasized the need for social programs to assist survivors who care for companion animals and large animals. Content warning: This article contains descriptions of violence and abuse toward companion animals, horses, and livestock, as well as examples of animals being killed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Anthrax is a World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)‐listed disease that must be reported upon confirmation based on the Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Anthrax poses a serious health issue for unvaccinated livestock, is a threat to humans through interaction with contaminated livestock and animal products and is endemic in many areas throughout the world, including the Transcaucasian Region. Despite several control and eradication efforts that have been implemented by the government of the Republic of Armenia (RA), sporadic cases of anthrax are still reported. We sought to understand the epidemic situation of anthrax in RA during the last 10 years (2012–2023) based on analysis of outbreaks and reported cases in cattle and humans. Methods: We collected and evaluated officially reported data from human and animal cases, such as time, location, animal species, disease intensity and spread radius. The data and various parameters were mapped using ArcGIS to prepare a viable risk assessment. Results: Based on the officially available data and reports, there have been 80 human cases and 55 animal cases of anthrax confirmed in RA from 2012 to 2023. We also identified the presence of anthrax spores in soil and environmental samples near animal burial sites in RA in 2015–2017 through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. Upon comparing the human and animal cases by frequency and intensity, the human cases are directly proportional to the animal husbandry practices performed in RA. Conclusion: The detection of the anthrax pathogen at the burial sites highlights the continued threat in these areas. Thus, it is imperative to secure and monitor any areas that have been used for anthrax burial and limit the movement of animals in these areas. In the future, legislation should be updated to prioritise incineration of anthrax‐infected carcasses instead of burial to limit further exposure to animals and humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Academic libraries offer a range of activities and initiatives for their students and community users. However, wellbeing, as a concept in academic libraries, is not very well defined and is poorly understood. The objective of this scoping review was to examine the role of academic libraries in student and community wellbeing, identify the various kinds of activities and initiatives that they carry out to address their wellbeing, and uncover gaps that might require further research. Methods: An extensive search was conducted in the Library Information Sciences Association (LISA), Education Resources Information Centre (ERIC), Medline (OVID), Scopus, and Web of Science (WOS) databases. Grey literature was searched on a selection of library websites and digital repositories. Data were extracted from studies that met the inclusion criteria for the scoping review. Themes were identified by the authors and reported as a narrative summary. Results: Of the 5437 records identified, a total of 40 documents were included in this scoping review. The authors identified 11 different kinds of activities and initiatives carried out in academic libraries that promote student and community wellbeing, i.e., (1) animal-assisted activities; (2) facilitating dialogues about belonging and identity; (3) fun recreational activities; (4) study support; (5) physical activity promotion; (6) meditation, yoga, and mindfulness; (7) book clubs; (8) art exhibitions; (9) technology and digital support; (10) free food and tea; and (11) health awareness. These activities were found to promote the physical, emotional, and social wellbeing of student and community users. Conclusions: This review highlights the need for further systematic research on the long-term effects of wellbeing initiatives and activities on both student and community users, and how they might impact aspects of wellbeing for specific population groups such as senior citizens and LGBTQIA members. This scoping review demonstrates the potential of academic libraries in promoting health and wellbeing for their users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory condition characterised by the presence of endometrium-like tissue outside the uterus. Despite its high prevalence and recent advances in molecular science, many aspects of endometriosis and its pathophysiology are still poorly understood. Previously, in vitro and in vivo modelling have been instrumental in establishing our current understanding of endometriosis. As the field of molecular science and the advance towards personalised medicine is ever increasing, more sophisticated models are continually being developed. These hold great potential to provide more intricate knowledge of the underlying pathophysiology and facilitate investigations into potential future approaches to diagnosis and treatment. This review provides an overview of different in vitro and in vivo models of endometriosis that are pertinent to establishing our current understanding. Moreover, we discuss new cross-cutting approaches to endometriosis modelling, such as the use of microfluidic cultures and 3D printing, which have the potential to shape the future of endometriosis research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We examined chronic gadolinium retention impact on gene expression in the mouse central nervous system (CNS) after injection of linear or macrocyclic gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs). Methods: From 05/2022 to 07/2023, 36 female mice underwent weekly intraperitoneal injections of gadodiamide (2.5 mmol/kg, linear), gadobutrol (2.5 mmol/kg, macrocyclic), or saline. Mice were sacrificed on day 29 or 391 after a 1-year washout. Assessments included magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), mechanical hyperalgesia tests, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry to measure gadolinium levels. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing and bioinformatic analyses identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with validation by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot (WB). Results: Post-gadodiamide, MRI showed increased signal intensity in the deep cerebellar nuclei (pre, 0.997 ± 0.006 versus post, 1.086 ± 0.013, p < 0.001). Mechanical hyperalgesia tests indicated transient sensory changes. After 1-year, gadolinium retention was noted in the brain (5.92 ± 0.32 nmol/kg) and spinal cord (1.23 ± 0.66 nmol/kg) with gadodiamide, compared to saline controls (0.06 ± 0.02 nmol/kg in brains and 0.28 ± 0.06 nmol/kg in spinal cords). RNA sequencing identified 17 shared DEGs between brain and spinal cord in the gadodiamide group on day 391, with altered Hmgb2 and Sgk1 expression confirmed by qRT-PCR and WB. Reactome pathway analysis showed enrichment in neuroinflammation pathways. No DEGs were detected in brains on day 29. Conclusion: Chronic gadolinium deposition from repeated linear GBCA but not macrocyclic administration causes significant gene expression alterations in the mouse CNS, particularly affecting neuroinflammation pathways. Relevance statement: This study examined the long-term impact of chronic gadolinium retention on gene expression in the mouse CNS, uncovering significant changes associated with neuroinflammation pathways after repeated administration of linear GBCA, but not with macrocyclic GBCA. These findings highlight the importance of further research on the long-term safety of linear GBCA in medical imaging. Key Points: Chronic gadolinium retention alters gene expression in the mouse central nervous system. Significant neuroinflammatory pathway changes were observed after linear gadodiamide exposure. MRI showed increased signal intensity in deep cerebellar nuclei after gadodiamide injection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article makes the case for the value of qualitative methods in advancing our understanding of human-animal relations and multispecies relations in psychology, introducing the first special issue of a journal dedicated to qualitative psychology and the field of human-animal studies. It offers a thematic summary of the articles organized into four sections. Each section includes a reflection on the methods adopted in the context of broader developments in human-animal studies. To do so, Gorman's conceptualisation of mutualistic, parasitic, mutualist and commensal relations is utilised, as a basis for deciding whether the methods adopted allow us to consider 'who benefits and how' from the human-animal and multispecies relationships scrutinised in this issue. Particularly in showcasing qualitative methods that centre the experience and agency of animals where they have traditionally been discounted, it is concluded that this special issue constitutes a significant moment in the development of psychology as a discipline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Too often when we think about agency, we think only about human actors. Increasingly, studies of animal-human relationships have explored the agency of animals who live alongside humans. This paper explores the agency of animals during interviews with trans young people and their families. A focus on the agency of animals is important in this context, given the unique meanings often attributed to animals by trans young people, who often experience the denial of their own agency. The data analysed in this paper constitute a subset of a larger sample of interviews with 17 trans young people and their families. The thematic analysis reported in this paper focuses on when animals were considered to show agency during video recordings, and what humans were saying during these portions of the recordings. Three forms of agency were identified: agency as affection, resistance, and proximity. The paper concludes by considering what it means to think about animal agency, what this means for trans young people, and more broadly what this means for research that seeks to involve animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article I report on the novel use of arts-based research to explore the lives of experimental animals in Ivan Pavlov's physiological and psychological studies. I describe the collaborative production of two artefacts - a graphic novel and a public art installation consisting of a series of three-dimensional scale models. Both artefacts were designed to reimagine and re-present the detail of the lives and treatment of the dogs in Pavlov's care, as entangled in wider human-animal relationships and events. I discuss the arts-based research process involved and reflect on the outcomes in relation to two objectives: to bring critical developments of 'the animal turn', animal studies and the posthumanities into contact with Psychology as a discipline; and to contribute to the development of methods concerned with addressing the complexity of human-animal and multispecies relationships. Finally I consider the broader potential of arts-based research for challenging anthropocentrism and fostering alternatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to systematically review the preclinical studies that have applied the static magnetic field to wound healing. Methods: The search strategy was performed in databases: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, LILACS, CINAHL and Cochrane Database, and in gray literature. The inclusion criteria were: Pre-clinical studies, either with a separate control/sham parallel-group or cross-over design in rodents that used magnets to treat skin injuries anywhere on the body. The risk of bias tool was the Systematic Review Center for Laboratory Animal Experimentation (SYRCLE). Results: Eight randomized clinical trials were included. Wound rate area DM experimental vs DM sham [MD = 2.19, 95% CI, (−0.61, 4.99), I2 25%, p = 0.13] and wound rate area – DM experimental vs non-DM control [MD = 3.33, 95% CI, (−1.86, 8.55), I2 63%, p = 0.21] were not statistically significant. A significant improvement in gross healing time in the experimental group DM compared to the DM sham [MD = -4.48, IC 95%, (−7.88, −1.07), I2 38%, p = 0.010]. The same way tensile strength – DM and non DM subgroup analysis showed improved tensile strength in both the non-diabetic and diabetic experiment groups [SMD = 1.36, 95% CI, (0.60, 2.12), I2 0%, p = 0.0005]. Conclusions: Although not statistically significant, the static magnetic field had a positive effect on wound healing in rodents compared to the sham or control group. There was a significant improvement in the assessment of healing time and skin tensile strength. Plain-language Summary: The magnetic field is a natural and physical modality and can be used as a form of therapy in cases of injuries to a wide variety of tissues, such as bones, muscles and skin. It has been found to be responsible for increasing the synthesis of collagen, an essential protein as a foundation for different organs. This review analyzed the available literature on the effects of magnetic fields on experimental skin lesions in rodents. The form of the study was characterized as a systematic review, with well-established inclusion/exclusion criteria, a broad search, no restriction on period or language, analysis of the risk of bias of the studies included and meta-analysis of the data relating to skin lesions. It was observed that there are positive results indicating a reduction in the time taken to close the lesion, with clinical evidence also favorable to the closure of the lesion area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A nonlinear dynamical model is developed in this paper that depicts interactions among vultures, human, animals and their carcasses. Diseases such as plague, anthrax and rabies are spreading due to the cascade impact caused by the catastrophic drop in the vulture population, particularly in Africa and Asia. The built model is theoretically studied using qualitative differential-equation theory to demonstrate the system's rich dynamical features, which are critical for maintaining the ecosystem's equilibrium. According to the qualitative findings, depending on the parameter combinations, the system not only displays stability of many equilibrium states but also experiences transcritical and Hopf bifurcations. By keeping an eye on the variables causing the decline of the vulture population, the model's outputs may assist in maintaining balance with the prevention of the spread of disease through carcasses. Hopf-bifurcation results in the bifurcation of the limit cycle through the threshold, supporting the idea that interactions between humans and vultures may also be periodic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an acute tick-borne disease with a case fatality rate of up to 40% in humans, posing a significant health threat. This study investigates the 2022–23 CCHF outbreaks in Iraq, the highest recorded to date, and analyzes potential factors at the human–animal–environmental interface. Data from the Iraqi government, the World Health Organization, and the World Bank were used to analyze CCHF trends and affecting factors. This included epidemiological reports, clinical data, tick infestation and seroprevalence studies, and climate data. Descriptive and statistical analyses examined case trends, geographic and demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, risk factors, seasonal patterns, and influencing factors. A sudden rise in CCHF cases began in southern Iraq in April 2022 and expanded across all governorates, with a shift toward urban areas. Higher incidence was observed among males, aged 25–44, and those involved in slaughtering. The most common clinical manifestation was fever (97%), followed by hemorrhagic symptoms (54%). Bleeding from the gums or mouth and subcutaneous bleeding were more frequent in patients with fatal outcomes. Seasonal patterns showed peaks during spring and fall, correlating with tick activity and potentially exacerbated by climate change. Tick infestation and seroprevalence studies indicated a high prevalence of Hyalomma ticks and CCHF seropositivity among domestic animals in southern Iraq (60%), consistent with the distribution of CCHF human cases. Iraq's ongoing CCHF outbreak demands multidisciplinary One Health strategies. The Iraqi government has adopted such a control strategy, contributing to regional and global efforts to enhance pandemic preparedness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Organizational Life Cycle Assessment (O-LCA) quantifies environmental impacts and identifies key environmental hotspots within a company's value chain. Assessment of environmental impacts from animals has been carried out for livestock production, pet keeping, and hunting. One not yet considered application relates to touristic activities that involve animal husbandry, such as zoos or animal parks. Thus, the aim of this paper is to conduct the first O-LCA for a wildlife park and identify related hotspots. Method: O-LCA was applied in the context of a wildlife park in northern Germany from a cradle-to-gate perspective for the reference period of 2022 considering the impact categories climate change (GWP), acidification (AP), eutrophication (EP), and photochemical ozone formation (POCP). The number of visitors (437,049 people) and animals of 16 different animal groups (787 animals of more than 100 species (e.g., wolves and birds)) was set as reference flow as the organizations' activities are focused on tourism and animal species conservation. Information on animal feed, litter, suppliers, and transportation was derived from the animal care department's data, complemented by interviews with park experts and analysis of relevant documents and invoices. Results and discussion: The organization had emissions of around 3,176 t CO2-eq. (GWP), 15 t SO2-eq. (AP), 6.5 t PO43- eq. (EP), and 7.2 t NOX-eq. (POCP) in 2022. Transportation of visitors being the main hotspot across all impact categories (e.g., 57.5% of GWP). Methane from ruminant respiration additionally accounts for 16 t CO2-eq. (0.5% of total GWP). For AP and EP, feed and food for Animal Care show high impacts with 23–27%, respectively. The lowest impacts show Electricity & Heat and End of Life of waste generated on site with around 1–8%. Carrying out a sensitivity analysis for the main hotspot transportation of visitors shows a 40% potential reduction for GWP, when visitors from Hamburg (90%) would use public transport exclusively. Conclusion: This paper is the first to apply O-LCA to a wildlife park, identifying environmental hotspots and filling a gap in the assessment of tourism-related impacts on animals. This study pioneers the application of O-LCA to wildlife parks, identifying environmental hotspots in a tourism context. By analyzing multiple impact categories and park operations, we have gained a comprehensive understanding of the environmental footprint of wildlife parks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three new books by Martha Nussbaum, Jeff Sebo, and Mark Rowlands seek to raise the profile of non-human animals within political theory. They present a series of compelling arguments for making animal flourishing central to discussions about the future, especially in a time of ecological crisis. All three offer important insights into what a genuinely non-anthropocentric political theory could look like. But while they converge in some ways – for instance, all recommend serious restrictions on the human industries that brutalise other animals – they also paint quite different visions of the proper relationship between humans and other animals. This review essay assesses their distinctive visions of the future of human-animal relations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The repair of articular cartilage defects is always a significant clinical challenge in joint treatment. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate that the ColII-HA-CS-HAP scaffolds with BMSCs could repair cartilage defects of knee. Methods: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were extracted from rabbits, identified using immunofluorescence staining, and successfully induced into chondrocytes. Type II collagen (ColII) was isolated from bovine cartilage and constructed into scaffolds with hyaluronic acid, chondroitin sulfate, and hydroxyapatite. Then BMSCs were seeded on the ColII-HA-CS-HAP scaffold to detect biocompatibility. Results: The results of DAPI fluorescence staining showed that the number of BMSCs on the ColII-HA-CS-HAP scaffolds increased rapidly after culturing for 12 d. The rabbit knee cartilage defect model with a diameter of approximately 3 mm and a thickness of approximately 4 mm was selected to evaluate the regenerative potential of the scaffolds using histological and immunohistochemical analyses. At 6 months, the regenerated cartilage in the ColII-HA-CS-HAP scaffolds with BMSCs was more similar to that of native cartilage than the ColII-HA-CS-HAP scaffold group. Conclusions: Our study proved that the ColII-HA-CS-HAP scaffolds with differentiated BMSCs can produce an excellent healing response and repair cartilage defects successfully in a rabbit model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores the previously unexamined parallel characterization of Alexander the Great and his horse Bucephalus in Hellenistic art, Ancient Greek history and biography, the Alexander Romance, and the Medieval Spanish Libro de Alexandre (Book of Alexander). Throughout sixteen centuries of the Alexander tradition, the pair assimilate aspects of each other's character. Sometimes, the shared characteristics are presented as laudable, including strength, courage, and a special connection to the divine. On the other hand, the pair sometimes share a ferocious and wrathful nature. Alexander was first characterized through his mount in Hellenistic art, in which Bucephalus promotes Alexander's representation as strong, vigorous, and possessing a special connection with the divine. In the historian Arrian and biographer Plutarch, Bucephalus can also represent Alexander's character's darker, more ferocious side, although at times only to allow the king to triumph over it. The bond between horse and rider reaches its apex in the Alexander Romance, where a shared monstrosity indicates that a certain nobility coexists with something beastly in Alexander's nature. Finally, in the Libro de Alexandre, Bucephalus plays a vital role in the Christianization of the pagan king in medieval legend. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic metal primarily found as a by-product of zinc production. Cd was a proven carcinogen, and exposure to this metal has been linked to various adverse health effects, which were first reported in the mid-19th century and thoroughly investigated by the 20th century. The toxicokinetics and dynamics of Cd reveal its propensity for long biological retention and predominant storage in soft tissues. Until the 1950s, Cd pollution was caused by industrial activities, whereas nowadays, the main source is phosphate fertilizers, which strongly contaminate soil and water and affect human health and ecosystems. Cd enters the human body mainly through ingestion and inhalation, with food and tobacco smoke being the primary sources. It accumulates in various organs, particularly the kidney and liver, and is known to cause severe health problems, including renal dysfunction, bone diseases, cardiovascular problems, and many others. On a cellular level, Cd disrupts numerous biological processes, inducing oxidative stress generation and DNA damage. This comprehensive review explores Cd pollution, accumulation, distribution, and biological impacts on bacteria, fungi, edible mushrooms, plants, animals, and humans on a molecular level. Molecular aspects of carcinogenesis, apoptosis, autophagy, specific gene expression, stress protein synthesis, and ROS formation caused by Cd were discussed as well. This paper also summarizes how Cd is removed from contaminated environments and the human body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Recently, laparoscopic nephrectomy has become more popular in veterinary medicine. In the majority of these procedures, vascular sealing devices (VSDs) are used. These allow for the closure of renal vessels with advanced bipolar coagulation. However, until now, closure of the ureter was performed with mechanical clips or suturing. There is a lack of information in the literature about the possibility of VSDs being used for ureter closure. This article presents the possibility of renal vessels and ureter closure in cats and dogs with vascular sealing devices. Laparoscopic nephrectomy in dogs and cats was performed entirely with VSDs. Patients with unilateral hydronephrosis qualified for the procedure. The nephrectomies were completely performed using a laparoscopic approach. Both renal vasculature and ureter were closed with VSDs. Additionally, two resected ureters from operated cats underwent histopathological evaluation. Among the operated animals, there were no postoperative complications or signs in the urinary tract. Histopathological evaluation of two cats' ureters showed lumen closure on the coagulation places. Vascular sealing devices, during laparoscopic nephrectomy, allow for closure of not only the renal vessels but also ureters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some authors have suggested that the All Affected Interests Principle, an influential principle of political inclusion, requires that animals have their interests politically represented. In this paper, I provide a systematic formulation, assessment, and defense of this argument, and suggest a middle way between two strategies found in the literature. On the one hand, I argue that applying the All Affected Interests to animals inevitably requires that we make some (potentially controversial) assumptions about the weight and scope of animal interests, and cannot remain morally noncommittal. This is because most formulations of the principle do not apply to all interests, but only to those that satisfy a relevancy test – which requires first-order moral reasoning. On the other hand, I also contend that one can defend some substantive claims about the inclusion of animals via the All Affected Interests Principle without having to endorse a comprehensive account of animal rights, or a theory about the worth of natural entities. For the All Affected Interests Principle to apply to animals, all that we need are instances of normatively relevant interests systematically affected by political decisions. The interest of mammals in avoiding pain and suffering, I contend, provides such an example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effect of animal metaphors in product advertisements. Such ads, especially those for health products, often employ metaphors depicting the ad messengers with animal characteristics to imply the negative health consequences of not using a product. Four studies are carried out using field and experimental data. The findings show that animal metaphor ads are less persuasive than nonmetaphor ads because the viewers of ads with animal‐like (as opposed to human) messengers experience stronger perceived self‐dehumanization, which in turn has a negative effect on product choice, brand attitude, product evaluation, and purchase intention. This effect occurs regardless of whether the animal metaphors are presented visually or verbally. Furthermore, the unfavorable reaction is stronger when the source domain includes a more disliked animal. However, it is also found that the animal metaphor effect diminishes when the target domain shifts from human to object. The findings shed light on how a sense of self‐dehumanization, triggered by the use of animalized model images in advertisements, can harm brands and products, offering insights into the pitfalls of using animal metaphors in health communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Building on previous studies, this essay discusses the use of embryological images and analogies in Anaximander, Empedocles, Democritus, and Lucretius. It pursues their intertextual connections arguing that in ancient philosophy embryology was not only relevant for conceiving the early formation of the cosmos as has been claimed so far, but that it also shaped the conception of the primeval rise of animal life and the living processes of plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microplastics, defined as plastic particles less than 5 mm in size, have become a pervasive environmental contaminant detected across a wide range of ecosystems. While the presence of microplastics in marine life and humans has been extensively documented, there remains a significant gap in understanding their full health impacts. Moreover, the effects of microplastics on animals, particularly those in close proximity to human activities, remain underexplored, representing a key area for future research. In this study, we found high levels of microplastic accumulation in animal tissues, particularly in the lungs, intestines, and reproductive organs. Our results also indicate that ingestion of microplastics occurs through multiple environmental sources, including contaminated food, water, and air, reflecting their widespread distribution. Evidence of microplastics crossing biological barriers and accumulating in critical organ systems suggests potential long-term health risks for animals that may also have implications for humans through environmental and food-chain exposure. Given the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the potential for these contaminants to enter the food chain, the presence of microplastics in animals raises serious concerns for broader ecological and human health. The findings underscore the urgent need for further research to clarify the long-term effects and to develop effective strategies for mitigating this emerging global threat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Various studies have suggested a range of different factors associated with children's attitudes toward animals; however, in Chile, it is an area that has not been studied. The current study administered the Intermediate Attitude Scale (IAS, which measures attitudes toward the humane treatment of animals) to 286 children in third and fourth grade and analyzed its association with the following variables: type of school, grade, gender, current pet ownership, the recognition accuracy of dog facial expressions, and human-directed empathy. The association between the IAS and potential factors was measured through linear mixed models. Children with higher human-directed empathy scores, fourth-grade children, and children who were more accurate in recognizing the happiness emotion on the dog's face were associated with more positive attitudes toward the humane treatment of animals. These findings contribute to the growing literature regarding the importance of positive attitudes toward animals and their connection to human-directed empathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental pollution from plastics has become one of the biggest concerns globally. Microplastics (MPs) are plastic materials less than 5 mm in size. They remain in the environment for hundreds to thousands of years without degrading, only breaking down further to nanoplastics (NPs). Micro- and nanoplastics can be the origin of many diseases and can carry various pathogenic substances on their surface and spread them throughout the biosphere, starting with contained additives and ending with adsorbed toxins from the environment and potentially pathogenic microorganisms. Exposure routes for humans and animals are through air, water and food/feed. Due to the placement of livestock—including ruminants, fish and poultry—and humans at the top of the food web, any pollution in water, air or soil can eventually be transferred to livestock and from livestock to humans. The presence of microplastics in the intestines of aquaculture species, ruminants and poultry, for instance, was found to cause a change in the intestinal microbial population and, as a result, the occurrence of diseases. These particles have also been observed in other organs such as liver, kidneys, lung, spleen, heart, ovaries, and testicles of animals, which causes biochemical changes, structural destruction, and malfunction. While the complete extent of the negative health impacts of microplastics remains still largely unknown, their ubiquitous presence and the transmission of chemicals from microplastics to organisms is a notable issue, underscoring the importance of gaining a more comprehensive understanding of the potential threats posed by microplastics to animal and ultimately human health, coupled with a need for drastic reduction of the plastic freight into the environment. This review article summarizes recent findings on the effect of micro- and nanoplastics on farmed animals and, ultimately, on humans. Action is needed to reduce the number of microplastics to which farmed animals, and thereby humans, are exposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Africanfuturistic fiction and its proliferating body of scholarship mark the significance of future-oriented imaginings from, about, and for Africa. In such alternative futures, animals are often uncritically read to bear the burden and violence of change in renewed anticolonial, post-capitalist imaginings. This article is interested in the ways in which the animal is integrated into the "new emancipatory mindscapes" (Lavender and Yaszek 3) of African future-oriented imaginings. Deji Bryce Olukotun's treatment of bio- and animal technology in an Africanfuturistic context makes visible the violent structures of uncritical bioeconomic discourses and institutionalized discourses of biomimicry. The representation of biochemical defenses in Nigerians in Space and the techno-euphoric speculations of sustainable bioeconomies in After the Flare bring into focus the modes of integrating and mastering nature that distort and obstruct decolonial frameworks in the present and for possible futures. Across both novels, blurred conceptions of sustainability and welfare supply the ideological loopholes for nature to be mastered through deepened colonial architectures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare glycated multilayered membranes (OV) to a commercially available thin-layer membrane (OP) in a lateral ridge augmentation model in dogs. Materials and Methods: This was designed as a three-arm study, where one negative control (empty defect) was compared to two test arms: alveolar bone defects grafted with a mixture of 90% deproteinized bovine bone mineral and 10% porcine collagen, then covered with either a thick- (OV) or thin-layered (OP) membrane. Animals were randomly divided into three groups corresponding to the final sacrifice times of 4 weeks, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. Sections underwent microCT, histology, histopathology, and histomorphometry. Results: No statistical differences were observed for OV compared to OP regarding the percentage of mineral volume and mean mineral density, amount of bone maturation, percentage of bone graft and membrane remaining in the grafted area, alveolar ridge width measurements, membrane mineralization, or ossification. Test groups presented significantly higher values compared to the empty control for all the endpoints. Conclusions: Within its limitations, this in vivo study highlighted that multilayered thick glycated membranes can serve as effective occlusive barriers for up to 6 months. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ethnoichthyology studies the knowledge of human communities about the uses, perception, and behavioral characteristics of fish, based on their cosmology, cosmogony, and culture. This study focused on the Cubeo (Pâmiwâ) ethnic group that inhabits the Cuduyarí River (Vaupés, Colombia) provides information on fishing activities, use of fishes, its ecological distributions (occurrence in rivers, pools, and/or streams) and seasonality (occurrence in low and/or high waters). Additionally, names in the Central Tukano language (Cubeo) are provided. Methods: The compilation of information was based on a visual catalog prepared from rapid ecological evaluations, previously carried out by the Amazon Institute of Scientific Research SINCHI. Workshops with the indigenous people were held in communities in the lower, middle, and upper sections of the basin to collect information. Network analyses were done to determine the fishing gear selectivity of the most common species and gears used regarding ecosystems. The coherence in the perception of fish resources among the three communities was assessed via multivariate analyses. Results: The results showed that a large percentage (89%) of the species are consumed. There is a generalized perception of resource decline, and there is no coherence regarding the ecological and seasonal distributions of fish reported by the three communities. These differences may be due to an effect of the structural characteristics of the basin in the different sectors where the communities are located. Conclusions: Species consumed by the Cubeo in the Cuduyarí do not represent a high commercial value at the Amazon River basin scale. Nevertheless, locally, they are the main source of animal protein and most of the time, the sole source of income. The importance of these species must be recognized and must be a priority for conservation. Knowledge related to the fish resource by indigenous groups, including basic information and its usage, is essential to guide and implement management and conservation strategies specific to each region under study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The view that human memory is constructive implies that recollections are not necessarily an accurate reproduction of past events. An approach to study this constructive nature of memory is by examining memory errors. In this regard, conjunction errors—i.e. incorrect recollection of new stimuli integrated by components from two previously studied stimuli—have attracted important attention in human memory research. Do animals other than humans make conjunction errors? To investigate this issue, a choice task in which training was not involved was used. Bees experienced two to-be-remembered stimuli. At the test, they were presented with four stimuli: one of the original items (i.e. old), an item made by combining two features of the original items (i.e. conjunction), an item containing a previously presented feature and a new one (i.e. feature), and an item integrated solely by new features (i.e. new). Bumblebees remembered the old items. Importantly, when making memory errors, bumblebees selected conjunction and feature lures more often than new items. These results indicate that bumblebees, like humans, spontaneously make memory conjunction errors and suggest that invertebrates' memories might also be constructive in nature. I suggest that focusing on memory errors is a solid avenue to investigate episodic (like) memory in animals. This article is part of the theme issue 'Elements of episodic memory: lessons from 40 years of research'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erving Goffman's concept of framing is one of his most enduring contributions to social science. Despite the canonical status of Frame Analysis (1974) in multiple fields, few acknowledge its intellectual engagement with animal studies. It was Gregory Bateson, in an analysis of animal play, who first posited the idea of frames as metacommunicative propositions that signal the meaning of behavior. In this paper, we show that Goffman did not just opportunistically borrow the idea of framing from Bateson, but also advanced Bateson's thesis that nonhuman animals are capable of (re)framing the meaning of behavior. He emphasized that animals and humans could meta‐communicate with each other as well. Goffman polemicized against human exceptionalist theories of cognition and communication—not only in Frame Analysis, but also in unpublished remarks he delivered at a controversial conference on animal communication, and he suggested that the ability to meta‐communicate is a more appropriate index of mind than language. Although new research indicates that many species use "significant symbols" and have a "theory of mind," most interactionists have not reckoned with the sociological implications of animals as "minded" social actors capable of metacommunication with each other—and with people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article's authors record, transcribe, and analyze Australian pied butcherbird songs much as a musicologist might study any human music. They also arrange some of these vocalizations for human musicians. Here, the authors detail a recent interspecies engagement entitled Night Songs. This multimedia concert cultivates audience engagement by striving to create as deep a listening experience as the authors' was in the field. The music partner for the authors' (re)compositions is a field recording, typically of the avian composer in question; this allows musicians to perform across a perceived divide and audiences to make direct comparisons of avian and human musicians. As songbird aesthetics emerge in the concert hall, they challenge hierarchies of creative power. Night Songs folds concepts of multispecies justice into storytelling. This rich, varied, and often familiar-sounding avian vocal culture prompts a rethink of species boundaries, prompting narratives of enchantment and connection to replace those of exceptionalism [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Agustina Bazterrica's novel Tender Is the Flesh (2020), a virus has ripped through every animal on the planet. All animals are massacred. No more dogs, cows, pigs, or birds. Some people refused to send their companions to the killing squads. Still, they died. At first, "expendable" humans were sold as black-market substitutes for animal protein, but now cannibalism has been legitimized—though it is, in fact, illegal to use the correct terms for what goes on in the Municipal Slaughterhouse. This article looks to Tender Is the Flesh to understand how language and narrative form can be worked in ways that articulate and "unwrite" multispecies injustices. The article argues for the value of literature that responds to culturally suppressed realities of abattoirs by imagining how it might feel to be subjected to these realities. The question whether such imaginative work can expand the possibilities of multispecies justice is examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the early months of Covid-19, meatpacking plants were designated "essential" infrastructure, sending laborers back to work, despite the high risk. Animal bodies were deemed essential to produce, but the human bodies producing them were not deemed essential to protect. Concurrently, the zoonotic nature of COVID-19 challenged dominant narratives of human exceptionalism, reminding us of our animality and shared vulnerabilities. As the pandemic surged, the question of whose lives matter arose in social and political discourse, alongside critiques of social institutions and economic systems. This paper explores the multispecies intersections and potential kinships that were unveiled by Covid-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes course-based projects in a Masters of Social Work class designed to explore the importance of environmental issues on the interactions between humans and animals. Three service-learning projects were implemented within a community "EarthFest" event to promote increased awareness of sustainability and actions to protect the environment while enhancing both welfare of animals and health and human well-being. Therapy and robotic animals were integrated into the projects to provide direct, hands-on benefits and interaction for participants. These projects reinforced social work values of service and social justice while developing student's skills in creating and facilitating an animal-assisted activity focused on sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined one calendar year of Facebook posts by 10 AZA accredited zoos to compare how often zoos mention small, large, and government conservation agencies. Findings include no significant difference in the amount of posts by zoos mentioning small organizations as opposed to large conservation agencies. This is due to uncovering that zoos mention conservation agencies in posts less than 5% of the time. This study recommends zoos post about conservation work more frequently and that conservation organizations request this from their zoo partners. Furthermore, every zoo sampled mentions conservation and guest engagement in their mission statement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precise and timely diagnosis is essential to prevent severe outcomes of leptospirosis in humans and animals. Existing diagnostic methods face challenges and limitations, underscoring the need for novel, field-applicable screening, and diagnostic tests/assays. This study evaluates the diagnostic utility of a recombinant ErpY-like lipoprotein (rErpY-LIC11966) in a latex agglutination test (LAT) for diagnosis of animal leptospirosis. The ErpY gene sequence from Leptospira interrogans serovar Pomona, excluding the signal peptide, was amplified, cloned into the pETite vector, and expressed in Escherichia coli. The expressed rErpY (∼16 kDa) was characterized by Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis and Western blot using Leptospira -specific standard sera. To assess the diagnostic potential of rErpY, Ni-NTA affinity-purified protein was used to sensitize latex-coated beads (0.8 µm colour beads), which were then employed in the LAT for standardization and optimization with standard positive and negative sera. For evaluation, the rErpY-LAT was tested on serum samples from 177 suspected animal cases and compared to the microscopic agglutination test. It showed a relative diagnostic sensitivity of 90.6%, a specificity of 89.1%, and an overall accuracy of 90%. This study proposes rErpY-LAT as a field testing/screening diagnostic tool for preliminary serodiagnosis of leptospirosis, highlighting the potential of recombinant protein-based assays to address current diagnostic challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neither of the seemingly straightforward approaches of retaining the human at the top of the hierarchy of beings and of flattening human personhood solves the question of non-human personhood. But the concept of personhood does have the resources to address this issue, if we take it as a kind of moral agency. The way that humans develop moral agency through their temporality, historicity and community must be mapped onto the personhood of animals, but this is extremely difficult and must await more scientific knowledge and wiser and more empathetic human understanding. It is in our hands, rather than the commandment of a non-human reality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Slaughtering and processing animals on an industrial scale are complicated activities that are both highly prominent in the food system and intentionally concealed from the public. The structural violence enacted within this industry deserves attention as a direct form of state-corporate harm. To this end, this paper invokes Tombs and Whyte's imaginaries of corporate crime to understand what they might call the "ceaseless repetition" through which harms against workers, animals, and the environment in the meatpacking industry are enacted. From this application in the context of a Marxian analysis of primitive accumulation, we have determined the importance of capital's ability to capture, commodify, and kill (CCK) – concepts we offer together as a heuristic device to highlight the types of harm done to labor, animals, and land, and to explain how these harms are accomplished. Drawing on the copious literature on meatpacking, as well as our own direct observations of the industry, this paper emphasizes the role of food systems for white-collar and corporate crime specialists interested in policy and social change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Social & Cultural Geography is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The use of psilocybin to treat alcohol use disorder is very promising, but its mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. We combined behavioural, pharmacological and gene expression analyses to decipher the mechanisms of action of psilocybin, for the first time, when injected into the brain. Male Long Evans rats underwent chronic operant ethanol self-administration before testing the effect of intraperitoneal psilocybin or directly within the nucleus accumbens core or the ventral tegmental area. Transcripts from the dopaminergic system were quantified in the nucleus accumbens and prefrontal cortex. Psilocybin significantly reduced (by 50%) ethanol self-administration when injected 4 h before the session either intraperitoneally (1 mg/kg) or directly within the left nucleus accumbens (0.15 μg) but not the right nucleus accumbens or the left ventral tegmental area. The effect of intraperitoneal injection of psilocybin was prevented by intra-left nucleus accumbens injection of 0.3 μg of the 5-HT2A receptor antagonist ketanserin. In rats that self-administered ethanol but not in those self-administering saccharin, dopamine D2 receptor (D2R) mRNA was increased in both the nucleus accumbens and the prefrontal cortex by psilocybin, while dopamine D1 receptor mRNA was increased only in the prefrontal cortex. As in humans, psilocybin reduced ethanol self-administration in rats through the 5-HT2A receptor within the left nucleus accumbens, possibly through increased D2R expression. Our results open unexpected perspectives regarding the hemispheric lateralization of psychedelic effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Approximately half of all animal species on the planet are parasites. Many of these species play important roles in ecological communities, including maintaining the balance within ecosystems by regulating host populations. Though parasite species are often neglected by ecologists and derided generally, many are threatened with extinction. Against this backdrop, this article examines the extent to which current international biodiversity law offers protection to animal parasites, and whether the protection aligns with scientific findings. Taking a diagnostic approach, this study shows that parasites are overlooked in international biodiversity law, and as such, it reports a major blind spot in conservation measures. Following from this, lines of further enquiry into parasites and (international) biodiversity law are suggested, including examining the interaction between law and (ecological) parasitology, and species bias in international biodiversity law. In addition, theoretical questions that arise when considering the legal protection of parasites in biodiversity law are also considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, which was conducted to determine the Reduviidae fauna of Edirne Province, the material collected between 1992-2014 was evaluated and as a result, 6 genera and 11 species belonging to 4 subfamilies (Harpactorinae Peiratinae Reduviinae Stenopodainae) were identified. Of these species, Coranus kerzhneri P.V. Putshkov, 1982 from the Harpoctorinae subfamily is the first record for the Thrace Region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, veterinary diagnostic laboratories tested both human and animal samples and needed to ensure that they could accurately perform large numbers of diagnostic tests in a timely manner. Sample pooling, a methodology used effectively for over 80 years as a surveillance tool for screening large numbers of potentially infected individuals, was employed. Given its sensitivity, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is more suitable for employing this strategy, as compared to other less sensitive testing methods. In this study, we evaluated the capability of detecting SARS-CoV-2 in both 5-sample and 10-sample pools of feces using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) as well as determined the level of sensitivity. A blinded method test (BMT) by an independent laboratory was conducted to assess the five-sample fecal pool. To complement detection capability, the stability of the genome within a PBS fecal suspension was measured under various time and temperature conditions across a 28-day period. Our results showed that the limit of detection for 5-sample and 10-sample fecal pools is 12.8 and 6.4 genome copies in a 25 µL PCR, respectively. The 5-sample and 10-sample pooling resulted in a cycle threshold (Ct) value loss of 2.35 and 3.45, as compared to Ct values of known positive individual samples, but consistent detection was still achieved in pools containing positive samples with an original Ct below 36 and 34, respectively. The simulation of clinical five-sample pooling showed that all positive samples could be detected regardless of the number (1–3) of positive samples in each pool. The BMT results demonstrated excellent sensitivity (100 copies/reaction) in five-sample pools for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA even though a fecal matrix effect was observed. Finally, our results show that the SARS-CoV-2 genome remains stable over a wide range of time and temperature variations. Overall, our findings provide solid data to scale up SARS-CoV-2 testing capacity in veterinary diagnostic laboratories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A sharp increase in reported brucellosis incidence was observed in northwestern Tajikistan (from 1.0/100,000 people in January-May 2022 to 32.7/100,000 in January-May 2023). Most (82%) cases were from the same remote mountainous village (population = 10,712). The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for brucellosis infection and mitigate disease risk. Methods: Using a case-control design, we conducted face-to-face interviews and collected blood samples during May-June 2023. Fifty-seven cases and 114 controls were recruited. Cases were the first person in a household diagnosed with brucellosis during February-June 2023 with positive serum agglutination test and antibody titers ≥1/160 from blood samples. Two controls were selected for each case (neighbors from different households matched by age and sex). Controls testing positive were excluded and replaced. We conducted conditional multivariable logistic regression to calculate adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: Among the 87 brucellosis patients reported, 57 (66%) agreed to participate and didn't have secondary cases in the household. Of the 57 cases, 68% were 15-44 years old, and 44% were male. Cases peaked in May 2023. Common symptoms were joint pain (95%), fever (84%), weakness (72%), and night sweats (65%). Of selected controls, 13% tested positive and were excluded. All cases and 94% of controls owned livestock (mostly cattle, sheep, or goats); no animals had not been vaccinated in the past 5 years. Brucellosis was associated with consumption of both homemade kaymak (clotted cream) and home-raised meat compared with neither (AOR: 59 [95%CI: 4.3-798], p < 0.01), home-raised meat but not kaymak compared with neither (AOR: 54 [4.0-731], p < 0.01), and involvement in animal slaughter compared with no involvement (AOR: 36 [2.8-461], p<0.01). Conclusion: Contact with unvaccinated livestock or consumption of their products was a key contributor to this outbreak in a remote village of Tajikistan. With 13% of controls testing positive, true incidence was likely greater than reported. Following our investigation, a brucellosis awareness education campaign and animal vaccination campaigns were carried out in the region and only one case was reported in September 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]