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Disentangling phylogenetic and phylogeographic patterns is fundamental to reconstruct the evolutionary histories of taxa and assess their actual conservation status. Therefore, in this study, for the first time, the most exhaustive biogeographic history of European wildcat (Felis silvestris) populations was reconstructed by typing 430 European wildcats, 213 domestic cats, and 72 putative admixed individuals, collected across the entire species’ distribution range, at a highly diagnostic portion of the mitochondrial ND5 gene. Phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses identified two main ND5 lineages (D and W) roughly associated with domestic and wild polymorphisms. Lineage D included all domestic cats, 83.3% of putative admixed individuals, and also 41.4% of wildcats; these latter mostly showed haplotypes belonging to sub-clade Ia, that diverged about 37,700 years ago, long pre-dating any evidence for cat domestication. Lineage W included all the remaining wildcats and putative admixed individuals, spatially clustered into four main geographic groups, which started to diverge about 64,200 years ago, corresponding to (i) the isolated Scottish population, (ii) the Iberian population, (iii) a South-Eastern European cluster, and (iv) a Central European cluster. Our results suggest that the last Pleistocene glacial isolation and subsequent re-expansion from Mediterranean and extra-Mediterranean glacial refugia were pivotal drivers in shaping the extant European wildcat phylogenetic and phylogeographic patterns, which were further modeled by both historical natural gene flow among wild lineages and more recent wild x domestic anthropogenic hybridization, as confirmed by the finding of F. catus/lybica shared haplotypes. The reconstructed evolutionary histories and the wild ancestry contents detected in this study could be used to identify adequate Conservation Units within European wildcat populations and help to design appropriate long-term management actions.

(1) Background: Management of cardiac implantable electronic device-related infective endocarditis (CIED-IE) hinges on complete hardware removal. We assessed whether long-term prognosis is affected by device removal, considering baseline patient comorbid conditions; (2) Methods: A total of 125 consecutive patients hospitalized for CIED-IE were included in this retrospective analysis. Outcomes were in-hospital, one-year, and long-term mortality. There were 109 patients who underwent device removal, 91 by transvenous lead extraction (TLE) and 18 by open heart surgery (OHS); (3) Results: TLE translated into lower hospital mortality (4.4% vs. 22.5% with OHS; p = 0.03). Septic pulmonary embolism was the only independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (OR:7.38 [1.49–36.6], p = 0.013). One-year mortality was in contrast independently associated to tricuspid valve involvement (p = 0.01) and Charlson comorbidity index (CCI, p = 0.039), but not the hardware removal modality. After a median follow-up of 41 months, mortality rose to 24%, and was significantly influenced only by CCI. Specifically, patients with a higher CCI who were also treated with TLE showed a survival rate not significantly different from those managed with medical therapy only; (4) Conclusions: In CIED-IE, TLE is the strategy of choice for hardware removal, improving early outcomes. Long-term benefits of TLE are lessened by comorbidities. In cases of CIED-IE with high CCI, a more conservative approach might be an option.

Background: Early pathogenesis of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DMCM) may involve lipotoxicity of cardiomyocytes in the context of hyperglycemia. There are many preclinical studies of DMCM pathogenesis, but the human evidence is still poorly understood. Objectives: By using a nondiabetic mellitus (non-DM) heart transplanted (HTX) in diabetes mellitus (DM) recipients, this study conducted a serial study of human heart transplant recipients evaluating cardiac effects of diabetic milieu (hyperglycemia and insulin resistance) on lipotoxic-mediated injury. We evaluated cardiomyocyte morpho-pathology by seriated biopsies of healthy implanted hearts in DM recipients during 12-month follow-up from HTX. Because metformin reduces ectopic lipid accumulation, we evaluated the effects of the drug in a nonrandomized subgroup. Methods: The DMCM-AHEAD (Diabetes and Lipid Accumulation and Heart Transplant) prospective ongoing study (NCT03546062) evaluated 158 first HTX recipients (82 non-DM, 76 DM of whom 35 [46%] were receiving metformin). HTX recipients were undergoing clinical standard evaluation (metabolic status, echocardiography, coronary computed tomography angiography, and endomyocardial biopsies). Biopsies evaluated immune response, Oil Red-O staining, ceramide, and triacylglycerol levels. Lipotoxic factors and insulin resistance were evaluated by reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction. Results: There was a significant early and progressive cardiomyocyte lipid accumulation in DM but not in non-DM recipients (p = 0.019). In the subgroup receiving metformin, independently from immunosuppressive therapy that was similar among groups, lipid accumulation was reduced in comparison with DM recipients not receiving the drug (hazard ratio: 6.597; 95% confidence interval: 2.516 to 17.296; p < 0.001). Accordingly, lipotoxic factors were increased in DM versus non-DM recipients, and, relevantly, metformin use was associated with fewer lipotoxic factors. Conclusions: Early pathogenesis of human DMCM started with cardiomyocyte lipid accumulation following HTX in DM recipients. Metformin use was associated with reduced lipid accumulation independently of immunosuppressive therapy. This may constitute a novel target for therapy of DMCM.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) arising de novo after transplant is a common complication, sharing many features with type 2 DM but also specific causes, such as administration of steroids and immunosuppressive drugs. Although post-transplant DM (PTDM) is generally assumed to worsen recipients’ outcomes, its impact on renal function, cardiac allograft vasculopathy and mortality remains understudied in heart transplant (HT). We evaluated incidence and risk factors of PTDM and studied glucose metabolic alterations in relation to major HT outcomes. 119 subjects were included in this retrospective, single centre, observational study. A comprehensive assessment of glucose metabolic state was done pre-transplant and a median of 60 months [IQR 30–72] after transplant. Most patients were males (75.6%), with prior non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (64.7%) and median age of 58 years [IQR 48–63]. 14 patients developed PTDM, an incidence of 3.2 cases/100 patient-years. Patients with worsening glucose metabolic pattern were the only who showed a significant increase of BMI and metabolic syndrome prevalence after transplant. 23 (19.3%) patients died during follow up. Early mortality was lower in those with stably normal glucose metabolism, whereas improvement of glucose metabolic state favorably affected mid-term mortality (log-rank p = 0.028). No differences were observed regarding risk of infections and cancer. PTDM is common, but glucose metabolism may also improve after HT. PTDM is strictly related with BMI increase and metabolic syndrome development and may impact recipient survival.

In this prospective observational study, data were collected from 34 rheumatology clinics in Italy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) who started golimumab (GLM) as a second anti-TNFα drug. The primary objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of GLM after 6 months. Changes in quality of life using the EQ-5D-5L were also assessed. A total of 194 patients aged 53.2 ± 12 years started GLM as a second anti-TNF drug: 39 (20.1%) with RA, 91 (46.9%) with PsA and 64 (32.9%) with axSpA. After 6 months of GLM treatment, 68% of RA patients achieved low disease activity (LDA; DAS28-CRP ≤ 3.2), 31.9% of PsA patients achieved minimal disease activity and 32.5% of axSpA patients achieved LDA (ASDAS-CRP < 2.1). Good/moderate EULAR response was achieved in 61.9% and 73.8% of patients with RA and PsA, respectively, and 16% of axSpA patients achieved a 50% improvement in BASDAI. Across all indications, improvements in disease activity measures and EQ-5D-5L domains were observed over 6 months. The main reasons for GLM interruption were lack/loss of efficacy (7.2%) or adverse events (2%). This study confirms the effectiveness of GLM as a second-line anti-TNF for the treatment of RA, PsA and axSpA in a real-world setting in Italy.

Renaissance Engineering 1 is a first-year engineering course that is the “flagship course” of Lassonde School of Engineering, where students are introduced to essential concepts and practices in ethics, communication, and creative problem solving. It is a large course that impacts over 600 students per year. Since Fall 2020, partly as a response to the pandemic, we fundamentally transformed the content and delivery of the course. This year, we have continued this transformative journey with an emphasis on reinventing the assessment approach. The limitations of normative grading are wellknown in the education field. Specifically, to our situation, the appropriateness of this practice in professional education where the goal is to ensure every student acquires the necessary competence, is suspect. Specification grading bridges normative and competencybased grading paradigms and has been shown to be effective in the engineering education setting. We applied specification grading to Renaissance Engineering 1. In all assignments, including the final case study, students are asked to satisfy a number of requirements distributed across four levels of competencies: Level 1: Foundational requirements for being a well-adjusted citizen, Level 2: Foundational requirements for being a contributing engineer, Level 3: Advanced requirements for being a well adjusted citizen, and Level 4: Advanced requirements for being a contributing engineer. Students are assigned grades from D to A based on their requirement satisfaction. Students have a limited number of chances to revise and resubmit their work if they have failed to satisfy all requirements in order to demonstrate competency. If they fail to meet multiple level 1 requirements after resubmission, they will fail the course. During the Fall-2021 term, we faced a number of unexpected challenges and surprises. Compared to previous years, this cohort - having experienced tremendous difficulties through the pandemic - were more tentative and insecure and took to a new grading scheme with notable trepidation initially. Surprisingly, many students had notable difficulty following clear written instructions, which is likely another pandemic-induced abnormality. Nevertheless, the majority of the students became comfortable with the scheme by the end of the term and achieved satisfactory learning outcomes. Significantly, while the majority of the students (~58%) achieved A or B grades, a significant minority (~18%) of students had failed the course. The course is offered to a new cohort of students in Winter 2022. Following a system thinking approach, we adjusted the grading scheme implementation based on our experience and learnings from the Fall-2021 term through winter term that led us to new and consistent findings. However, the benefits of specification grading in ensuring students meet critical competencies is particularly relevant for a professional education program such as engineering. Indeed, the bimodal grade distribution calls into question the status quo of normbased grading and calls for further research on assessment schema in engineering.

First-year university is an ideal time for students to begin the development of critical thinking and self-directed learning skills. Structuring critical reflection with experiential learning activities can provide opportunities for students to develop and learn how to apply these skills in the future. Previous research has identified considerations for implementing critical reflection into the first-year engineering curricula in ways that students will meaningfully engage. The primary goal of this work was to integrate critical reflection learning outcomes, activities, and assessments into the first-year engineering curriculum connected to experiential learning activities. Critical reflection activities were scaffolded to a critical reflection framework, adapted to the first-year engineering context. Three critical reflection assessments were mapped to experiential learning activities to further the development of these skills in parallel, such as teamwork, problem solving, and communication. One assignment involved a peer review process, where students had the opportunity to learn from each other’s experiences, and give constructive feedback through learning of students’ shared university experiences. The benefits of developing student reflection skills are obvious, and the improvements witnessed are encouraging. However, there remain many challenges, particularly with respect to assessment methodologies, and student motivation. Meaningful integration of critical reflection remains an iterative learning experience for the instructors.

Aims The aim of this study was to investigate prospectively the effect of sacubitril/valsartan in advanced heart failure (HF) patients in waiting list for heart transplantation (HT) and the effect on physical frailty (PF). Methods and results We treated 37 consecutive patients with advanced HF with sacubitril/valsartan. Patients were followed up until HT, device implant, or last follow‐up visit after 2 years of follow‐up. At baseline, mean New York Heart Association (NYHA) class was 3.1 ± 0.4, with 64.9% in NYHA III and 35.1% NYHA IIIB. Left ventricular ejection fraction was 23.5 ± 5.8%, VO2 max was 10.3 ± 2.3 mL/kg/min, cardiac index was 2.3 ± 0.5 L/min/m2, and N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐pro‐BNP) was 4943.0 ± 5326.8 pg/mL. After a mean follow‐up of 17.1 ± 4.4 months, no deaths were observed, but NYHA class improved significantly with 56.8% in NYHA II, 40.5% in NYHA III, and 2.7% in NYHA IIIB (P < 0.001). VO2 max and 6 min walk test (6MWT) increased, whereas pulmonary systolic blood pressure, E/E′, VE/VCO2 slope, and NT‐pro‐BNP decreased. At right heart catheterization performed after 1 year of follow‐up, cardiac index and pulmonary vascular resistance remained stable, while a decrease in systolic pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure is observed. Furosemide dosage decrease from 102.7 ± 69.4 to 78.7 ± 66.3 mg (P = 0.040). PF decreased from 3.35 ± 1.0 at baseline to 1.57 ± 1.3 at the end of follow‐up (P < 0.001), with a reduction in all PF domains. Conclusions Our study showed a rapid improvement in PF in HT waiting list patients treated with sacubitril/valsartan. The improvement in all PF domains was paralleled by VO2 and 6MWT increase and together with an NT‐pro‐BNP reduction constant over the follow‐up.

This article critically considers the work being done to bring Indigenous Peoples, Knowledges, and perspectives into the dominant structures of engineering education in Canada. We use Gaudry and Lo...

Non-invasive genetic sampling is a practical tool to monitor pivotal ecological parameters and population dynamic patterns of endangered species. It can be particularly suitable when applied to elusive carnivores such as the Apennine wolf (

In heart failure (HF), prognostic risk scores focus on all-cause mortality prediction. However, in advanced HF (AdHF) ambulatory patients awaiting heart transplantation (HTx), hospitalizations for acutely decompensated/worsening HF are relevant to clinical decision-making, but unpredicted by common risk functions.Among consecutive ambulatory patients added to the waitlist for HTx, event discriminators within 2 years from recruitment were assessed prospectively by area under the curve from receiver-operating characteristic curves, and by Cox proportional hazards models. Primary composite end points included the first between all-cause mortality and acutely decompensated/worsening HF requiring hospitalization and specific treatments.In 89 patients, 36 primary composite events were recorded in a 2-year follow-up (40% of the study sample), and associated with nonischemic etiology and nonsinus rhythm, with lower systolic blood pressure (BP), lower plasma sodium and hemoglobin concentrations, and with higher N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), larger left ventricular (LV) dimensions and lower LV ejection fraction, greater proportion of significant mitral regurgitation, lower tricuspid annulus peak systolic excursion (TAPSE), lower percentage of predicted distance at 6-minute walking test (%p6MWT) and lower global symptoms burden by the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire, lower peak oxygen uptake by cardiopulmonary exercise, and higher wedge pressure by right heart catheterization, as compared with those with no events (P 0.05). Only Metabolic Exercise Cardiac Kidney Index (MECKI) at recruitment was higher with patients reporting events, which predicted composite end points in addition to and independently of NT-proBNP, and lower systolic BP (all P 0.05). In an alternative risk model, severe mitral regurgitation and lower TAPSE replaced MECKI and BP but not NT-proBNP (all P 0.01).Higher NT-pro-BNP, lower systolic BP and higher MECKI may contribute to predicting all-cause death and acutely decompensated/worsening HF among ambulatory patients awaiting HTx, with lower TAPSE and severe mitral regurgitation representing further alternative independent prognosticators.

As hospitals undergo reductions in budget and the demand for endoscopic procedures grows, the need for more efficient endoscopy units has increased. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) play a vital role in Endoscopy Units and because of this, increasing CRNA work efficiency would increase the efficiency of the entire unit. This pilot study aims to explore CRNA workflow and identify workflow barriers present in endoscopy rooms through qualitative interview analysis. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. The interview data were analyzed qualitatively to generate workflow diagrams and four themes of workflow barriers and representative quotes. These themes include: 1) physician unavailability, 2) patient delay and variability, 3) suboptimal teamwork and coordination, and 4) issues with supporting tools. The workflow barriers reflect and extend the current literature, and can inform future quality improvement initiatives.

Background Findings from the T.O.S.CA. Registry recently reported that patients with concomitant chronic heart failure (CHF) and impairment of insulin axis (either insulin resistance—IR or diabetes mellitus—T2D) display increased morbidity and mortality. However, little information is available on the relative impact of IR and T2D on cardiac structure and function, cardiopulmonary performance, and their longitudinal changes in CHF. Methods Patients enrolled in the T.O.S.CA. Registry performed echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise test at baseline and at a patient-average follow-up of 36 months. Patients were divided into three groups based on the degree of insulin impairment: euglycemic without IR (EU), euglycemic with IR (IR), and T2D. Results Compared with EU and IR, T2D was associated with increased filling pressures (E/e′ratio: 15.9 ± 8.9, 12.0 ± 6.5, and 14.5 ± 8.1 respectively, p 2) in TD2 vs EU and IR patients was recorded (respectively, 15.8 ± 3.8 ml/Kg/min, 18.4 ± 4.3 ml/Kg/min and 16.5 ± 4.3 ml/Kg/min, p 2 in the T2D group (+ 13% increase in RV dimension, − 21% decline in TAPSE/PAPS ratio and − 20% decrease in peak VO2). Conclusion The higher risk of death and CV hospitalizations exhibited by HF-T2D patients in the T.O.S.CA. Registry is associated with progressive RV ventricular dysfunction and exercise impairment when compared to euglycemic CHF patients, supporting the pivotal importance of hyperglycaemia and right chambers in HF prognosis. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT023358017

Unlike the vast amount of irradiated material data that exists for stainless steel internals from LWRs, with high fast neutron flux and an irradiation temperature of~330oC, the CANDU reactor is unique with a high thermal spectrum stainless steel components peripheral to the core. In particular, the CANDU design contains an austenitic stainless steel calandria vessel, which contains the heavy water moderator at a temperature of 60-80oC. This article explores the effects of low (60-80oC) and moderate (300-360oC) irradiation temperature on irradiation induced defects and defect sinks, both in terms of microstructure and mechanical properties of Grade 304L stainless steel, irradiated with 3 MeV protons. State-of-the-art microscopy has been applied to characterize the irradiation defects, and nano-indentation performed to provide a link with the mechanical properties. It is hypothesized that the interstitial type of loops that develop is highly temperature dependent, and the formation of the defect loops is strongly linked with the amount of radiation induced segregation.

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to assess risk factors for multidrug-resistant/extensively drug-resistant (MDR/XDR) bacterial infections in heart transplant (HT) patients within three months after surgery and its impact on patient outcome. (2) Methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical, hemato-chemical, imaging, treatment and outcome data from 47 heart transplant recipients from January 2016 to December 2018. MDR/XDR infections were compared to non-MDR/XDR and noninfected patients. (3) Results: Most participants were males, median age 51 years: 35 (74.5%) developed an infection after HT, 14 (29.8%) were MDR/XDR infections. Prolonged hospital stay before HT correlated to MDR/XDR infection (p &lt, 0.001). Sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score at sampling day was higher in MDR/XDR (p = 0.027). MDR/XDR were mostly blood-stream (BSI) (p = 0.043) and skin-soft tissue (SSTI) (p = 0.047) infections. Gram-negative infections were the most frequent, specifically carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Antibiotic therapy duration for MDR/XDR infections was longer (p = 0.057), eradication rate lower (p = 0.083) and hospital stay longer (p = 0.005) but not associated with a worse outcome. (4) Conclusions: MDR/XDR infections affect compromised HT recipients with a history of prolonged hospitalization, causing a lower rate of eradication and increased hospital stay. These frequently present as BSI and SSTI. We emphasize the need to prevent contamination of central venous catheters and the surgical site.

BACKGROUND: Depression is highly prevalent in Heart Failure (HF). Treatment with sacubitril/valsartan improved quality of life and survival in HF patients. Aim of the study was to investigate prospectively the effect of sacubitril/valsartan on depression in advanced HF patients in waiting list for heart transplant (HT). METHODS: 37 consecutive patients with advanced HF in waiting list for HT were treated with sacubitril/valsartan. We analyzed data derived from the assessment performed the year before the beginning of sacubitril/valsartan, at study entry, and at one year of follow-up. Depression was assessed with Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI) scale. Cognitive function were assessed with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Functioning was evaluated measuring meters at 6 Minute Walking Test (6MWT) and maximum rate of oxygen consumption (VO2 max). RESULTS: At baseline, 64.9% of HF patients were in NYHA III and 35.1% NYHA IIIB, BDI was 15.2 ± 5.2 with 59.5% of patients with a score > 13. MMSE was 27.8 ± 2.6. After one year of follow-up NYHA class improved significantly, with 56.8% in NYHA II, 40.5% in NYHA III and 2.7% NYHA in IIIB (p 13. MMSE remain stable (28.2 ± 2.1) (p = 0.104). No statistical differences are observed between data collected in the evaluation 1-year before and soon before treatment with sacubitril/valsartan. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrate a relationship between reduction in BDI-II score and improvement in six-minute walking test independently by the effect of sex, age, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, VO2 max, NT-proBNP, PAPs, NYHA class differences evaluated at follow-up versus baseline. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed a reduction in depressive symptomatology in heart transplant waiting list patients treated with sacubitril/valsartan. The improvement in depressive symptomatology was paralleled by 6MWT increase in the follow-up.

Madagascar does not have native wild felid species; however, distinct populations of free-ranging “forest cats” of unknown species are known throughout the island, including at Ankarafantsika National Park, Bezà Mahafaly Special Reserve, Makira Natural Park and the Masoala peninsula. Malagasy “forest cats” are commonly considered invasive lemur predators and competitors with endemic carnivores as well as a nuisance exotic species that kill poultry. These cats may be descendants of African wildcats, European wildcats and/or domestic cats; however, no research on their genetic origin has been published. To determine their taxonomic status, genetic data from short tandem repeat markers was assessed for three wild-caught “forest cats” from the Bezà Mahafaly Special Reserve (BMSR) and 27 “forest cats” from Ankarafantsika National Park. Bayesian analyses comparing the Malagasy “forest cats” to approximately 1900 domestic and wildcat sub-species suggest the Malagasy cats are descendents of domestic cats from the Arabian Sea region, including the islands of Lamu and Pate, Dubai, Kuwait and Oman. Additional genetic influences may descend from India and Pakistan. Combined with cultural and historical information, these data suggest that these felid populations are likely descendents from cats that immigrated to the island on trade ships, particularly along early Arab trade routes.

Human activities can globally modify natural ecosystems determining ecological, demographic and range perturbations for several animal species. These changes can jeopardize native gene pools in different ways, leading either to genetic homogenization, or conversely, to the split into genetically divergent demes. In the past decades, most European wild boar (Sus scrofa) populations were heavily managed by humans. Anthropic manipulations have strongly affected also Italian populations through heavy hunting, translocations and reintroductions that might have deeply modified their original gene pools. In this study, exploiting the availability of the well-mapped porcine genome, we applied genomic tools to explore genome-wide variability in Italian wild boar populations, investigate their genetic structure and detect signatures of possible introgression from domestic pigs and non-native wild boar. Genomic data from 134 wild boar sampled in six areas of peninsular Italy and in Sardinia were gathered using the Illumina Porcine SNP60 BeadChip (60k Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms – SNPs) and compared with reference genotypes from European specimens and from domestic pigs (both commercial and Italian local breeds), using multivariate and maximum-likelihood approaches. Pairwise FST values, multivariate analysis and assignment procedures indicated that Italian populations were highly differentiated from all the other analyzed European wild boar populations. Overall, a lower heterozygosity was found in the Italian population than in the other European regions. The most diverging populations in Castelporziano Presidential Estate and Maremma Regional Park can be the result of long-lasting isolation, reduced population size and genetic drift. Conversely, an unexpected similarity was found among Apennine populations, even at high distances. Signatures of introgression from both non-Italian wild boar and domestic breeds were very limited. To summarize, we successfully applied genome-wide procedures to explore, for the first time, the genomic diversity of Italian wild boar, demonstrating that they represent a strongly heterogeneous assemblage of demes with different demographic and manipulation histories. Nonetheless, our results suggest that a native component of genomic variation is predominant over exogenous ones in most populations.

In the early 1800s, the European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) was probably extirpated from Switzerland, due to overhunting and deforestation. After a federal law was enacted in 1875 to protect lactating females and young, and limiting the hunting season, the roe deer successfully recovered and recolonized Switzerland. In this study, we use mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA markers to investigate the recolonization and assess contemporary genetic structure in relation to broad topographic features, in order to understand underlying ecological processes, inform future roe deer management strategies, and explore the opportunity for development of forensic traceability tools. The results concerning the recolonization origin support natural, multidirectional immigration from neighboring countries. We further demonstrate that there is evidence of weak genetic differentiation within Switzerland among topographic regions. Finally, we conclude that the genetic data support the recognition of a single roe deer management unit within Switzerland, within which there is a potential for broad-scale geographic origin assignment using nuclear markers to support law enforcement.

[EN] Intra- and inter-specific gene flow are natural evolutionary processes. However, human-induced hybridization is a global conservation concern across taxa, and the development of discriminant genetic markers to differentiate among gene flow processes is essential. Wolves (Canis lupus) are affected by hybridization, particularly in southern Europe, where ongoing recolonization of historic ranges is augmenting gene flow among divergent populations. Our aim was to provide diagnostic canid markers focused on the long-divergent Iberian, Italian and Dinaric wolf populations, based on existing genomic resources. We used 158 canid samples to select a panel of highly informative single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to (i) distinguish wolves in the three regions from domestic dogs (C. l. familiaris) and golden jackals (C. aureus), and (ii) identify their first two hybrid generations. The resulting 192 SNPs correctly identified the five canid groups, all simulated first-generation (F1) hybrids (0.482≤Qi≤0.512 between their respective parental groups) and all first backcross (BC1) individuals (0.723≤Qi≤0.827 to parental groups). An assay design and test with invasive and non-invasive canid samples performed successfully for 178 SNPs. By separating natural population admixture from inter-specific hybridization, our reduced panel can help advance evolutionary research, monitoring, and timely conservation management. We thank S. Czarnomska, A. Galov, J. Harmoinen, E. Velli, D. Battilani, P. Aragno, P. Genovesi, and the Mam- mal Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, for their assistance. We are also grateful to two anonymous reviewers for their constructive feedback that greatly improved our manuscript. Funding was provided to ISPRA by the Italian Ministry of Environment (MATTM; Direzione Tutela della Natura) and Regione Emilia Romagna (Assessorato Agricoltura) within a multi-year collaborative project to genotype and monitor the Italian wolf population. AVS was supported by a senior postdoctoral fellowship from Insubria University, Italy. RG was sup- ported by a research contract from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology

Introgression of domestic cat genes and habitat fragmentation are the main conservation threats for the European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris). Highly informative molecular markers combined with advanced statistical approaches were recently used to improve our knowledge on the evolution of the European wildcat populations in Europe and their conservation status. Here were showed some of the results obtained.

The European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris) is one of the most elusive carnivores in the Italian peninsula. It is mainly threatened by habitat fragmentation and especially hybridization with the domestic cat. Effective actions for its conservation are strictly related to a sound knowledge of its population parameters and genetic status. In this study we present a sistematic monitoring that provided an informative framework on the wildcat distribution in the Biogenetic Casentinesi Reserves inside the Foreste Casentinesi National Park, the northernmost border of its ascertained peninsular range. We applied an extensive camera-trapping protocol based on a systematic grid in order to approach the same capture probability for all the individuals in the study area. Furthermore, we used valerian-baited hair-traps to verify the reliability of this technique in attracting wildcat individuals, lead them to rub against the hair-traps in order to catch biological samples for genetic analyses. We collected a total of 99 wildcat pictures identifying a minimum number of 13 individuals (capture density 6.6/10 km2 ) and detecting the presence of at least one domestic cat and a putative hybrid in the study area. The use of lures proved to be effective in increasing the capture probability of the target species in camera-trapping based studies (p < 0,05). However, only some individuals showed a clear rubbing behavior and left hair in the hair-traps, supporting the hypothesis of a different individual genetically-mediated reaction. Genetic survey identified seven individuals (four males and three females), all belonging to Felis silvestrsis silvestris population. Five of them showed putative introgressed mitochondrial haplotypes.

Background: Understanding the processes that lead to hybridization of wolves and dogs is of scientific and management importance, particularly over large geographical scales, as wolves can disperse great distances. However, a method to efficiently detect hybrids in routine wolf monitoring is lacking. Microsatellites offer only limited resolution due to the low number of markers showing distinctive allele frequencies between wolves and dogs. Moreover, calibration across laboratories is time-consuming and costly. In this study, we selected a panel of 96 ancestry informative markers for wolves and dogs, derived from the Illumina CanineHD Whole-Genome BeadChip (174 K). We designed very short amplicons for genotyping on a microfluidic array, thus making the method suitable also for non-invasively collected samples. Results: Genotypes based on 93 SNPs from wolves sampled throughout Europe, purebred and non-pedigree dogs, and suspected hybrids showed that the new panel accurately identifies parental individuals, first-generation hybrids and first-generation backcrosses to wolves, while second- and third-generation backcrosses to wolves were identified as advanced hybrids in almost all cases. Our results support the hybrid identity of suspect individuals and the non-hybrid status of individuals regarded as wolves. We also show the adequacy of these markers to assess hybridization at a European-wide scale and the importance of including samples from reference populations. Conclusions: We showed that the proposed SNP panel is an efficient tool for detecting hybrids up to the thirdgeneration backcrosses to wolves across Europe. Notably, the proposed genotyping method is suitable for a variety of samples, including non-invasive and museum samples, making this panel useful for wolf-dog hybrid assessments and wolf monitoring at both continental and different temporal scales. JH received funding from the Maj and Tor Nessling Foundation, the Finnish Cultural Foundation and Emil Aaltonen Foundation. Laboratory analyses were cofounded by the (LOEWE) program (Landes-Offensive zur Entwicklung Wissenschaftlich-ökonomischer Exzellenz) of the German Federal State of Hessen. AvT received funding from the Karl und Marie Schack-Stiftung. RG was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, DL57/2016). The funding bodies played no role in the design of the study and collection, analysis, and interpretation of data and in writing the manuscript.

Aims Recent evidence supports the occurrence of multiple hormonal and metabolic deficiency syndrome (MHDS) in chronic heart failure (CHF). However, no large observational study has unequivocally demonstrated its impact on CHF progression and outcome. The T.O.S.CA. (Trattamento Ormonale nello Scompenso CArdiaco; Hormone Treatment in Heart Failure) Registry has been specifically designed to test the hypothesis that MHDS affects morbidity and mortality in CHF patients. Methods and Results The T.O.S.CA. Registry is a prospective, multicentre, observational study involving 19 Italian centres. Thyroid hormones, insulin-like growth factor-1, total testosterone, dehydropianoandrosterone sulfate, insulin resistance, and the presence of diabetes were evaluated. A MHDS was defined as the presence of ≥2 hormone deficiencies (HDs). Primary endpoint was a composite of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular hospitalizations. Four hundred and eighty heart failure patients with ejection fraction ≤45% were enrolled. MHDS or diabetes was diagnosed in 372 patients (77.5%). A total of 271 events (97 deaths and 174 cardiovascular hospitalizations) were recorded, 41% in NO-MHDS and 62% in MHDS (P Conclusion MHDS is common in CHF and independently associated with increased all-cause mortality and cardiovascular hospitalization, representing a promising therapeutic target. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT023358017

Microstructural characterization and calculation of how several intrinsic features contribute to the mechanical properties of highly strained Inconel X-750 alloy specimens irradiated to 84 dpa at two distinct temperature ranges (300 °C–330 °C and 120 °C–280 °C) were performed. The individual contributions of different microstructural features to the critical resolved shear stress (CRSS) of the material, including the γ matrix, γ′ precipitates, irradiation induced defects, and helium bubbles, were calculated. The obstacle strength of He bubbles was found to be size-dependent and a critical size was determined. For bubbles 6.6 nm. In the high temperature range (300–330 °C) irradiated specimen, localised dislocation slip was found responsible for the failure of the specimen during micro-tensile testing, associated with significant helium bubble elongation. Elongation of helium bubbles on both the primary and adjacent secondary {111} planes was likely induced by the cross slip of screw dislocations. Nanotwins were also found adjacent to the shear failure surface in the high temperature specimen, but no elongated bubbles were found within the nano-twinned region. In the low temperature range (120–280 °C) irradiated highly strained specimen, a dislocation network structure was revealed.

Non-invasive genetic sampling is a practical tool to monitor pivotal ecological parameters and population dynamic patterns of endangered species. It can be particularly suitable when applied to elusive carnivores such as the Apennine wolf (Canis lupus italicus) and the European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris), which can live in overlapping ecological contexts and sometimes share their habitats with their domestic free-ranging relatives, increasing the risk of anthropogenic hybridisation. In this case study, we exploited all the ecological and genetic information contained in a single biological canid faecal sample, collected in a forested area of central Italy, to detect any sign of trophic interactions between wolves and European wildcats or their domestic counterparts. Firstly, the faecal finding was morphologically examined, showing the presence of felid hair and claw fragment remains. Subsequently, total genomic DNA contained in the hair and claw samples was extracted and genotyped, through a multiple-tube approach, at canid and felid diagnostic panels of microsatellite loci. Finally, the obtained individual multilocus genotypes were analysed with reference wild and domestic canid and felid populations to assess their correct taxonomic status using Bayesian clustering procedures. Assignment analyses classified the genotype obtained from the endothelial cells present on the hair sample as a wolf with slight signals of dog ancestry, showing a qi = 0.954 (C.I. 0.780–1.000) to the wolf cluster, and the genotype obtained from the claw as a domestic cat, showing a qi = 0.996 (95% C.I. = 0.982–1.000) to the domestic cat cluster. Our results clearly show how a non-invasive multidisciplinary approach allows the cost-effective identification of both prey and predator genetic profiles and their taxonomic status, contributing to the improvement of our knowledge about feeding habits, predatory dynamics, and anthropogenic hybridisation risk in threatened species.

"(...) besides all this speculative ultimate attempt of peeking into the future, and beyond any functionalist, metaphysical or pragmatist point of view, it’s now visible for everyone that we are in an moment of enormous civilizational leap, that, much like the Hegelian process of self-consciousness, Cyberpolitics is the affirmation of that transitional stage. The impact of a paradigm shift is always fertile ground for thesavagery of our imagination, and YouTube, in the erosion between private and public sphere, will certainly be a tremendous archive for academic research: conspiracy theories, political-science fictions like exopolitics, world government, the exploration of space and human colonies, other civilizations and the Kardashev scale, and the entire unknown and uncertainty we are entering. And there are no risks without courage, fear and hope. Let’s hope we live up to the challenges we are facing, in the certainty that life can be understood backwards, but can only be lived forward. in "Foreword", by Constantino Pereira Martins.&nbsp

"(...) besides all this speculative ultimate attempt of peeking into the future, and beyond any functionalist, metaphysical or pragmatist point of view, it’s now visible for everyone that we are in an moment of enormous civilizational leap, that, much like the Hegelian process of self-consciousness, Cyberpolitics is the affirmation of that transitional stage. The impact of a paradigm shift is always fertile ground for thesavagery of our imagination, and YouTube, in the erosion between private and public sphere, will certainly be a tremendous archive for academic research: conspiracy theories, political-science fictions like exopolitics, world government, the exploration of space and human colonies, other civilizations and the Kardashev scale, and the entire unknown and uncertainty we are entering. And there are no risks without courage, fear and hope. Let’s hope we live up to the challenges we are facing, in the certainty that life can be understood backwards, but can only be lived forward. in "Foreword", by Constantino Pereira Martins.&nbsp

The aim of this work is to identify the effect of the CaO phase as a CO2 sorbent and mayenite (Ca12Al14O33) as a stabilizing phase in a bi-functional material for CO2 capture in biomass syngas conditioning and cleaning at high temperature. The effect of different CaO weight contents is studied (0, 56, 85, 100 wt%) in sorbents synthesized by the wet mixing method. These high temperature solid sorbents are upgraded to bi-functional compounds by the addition of 3 or 6 wt% of nickel chosen as the metal active phase. N2 adsorption, X-ray diffraction, scanning electronic microscopy, temperature-programmed reduction analyses and CO2 sorption study were performed to characterize structural, textural, reducibility and sorption properties of bi-functional materials. Finally, sorption-enhanced reforming of toluene (chosen as tar model), of methane then of methane and toluene with bi-functional compounds were performed to study the best material to improve H2 content in a syngas, provided by steam biomass gasification. If the catalytic activity on the sorption enhanced reforming of methane exhibits a fast fall-down after 10–15 min of experimental test, the reforming of toluene reaches a constant conversion of 99.9% by using bi-functional materials.

Educational innovations and just-in-time supports spread more quickly through social networks thanthrough traditional dissemination avenues. Therefore, in coordinating national level support efforts for the shift to online and remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the principal strategies of theEngineering Collaboration for Online and Remote Education (E-CORE/CIEL) Project was to developnational Communities of Practice (CoPs) to foster connections between instructors. Using an autoethnographic process, this reflective paper aims to synthesize the learnings from the team working to cultivate these CoPs. The analysis of the reflections provides insight on: the needs of the Canadian community of engineering educators during a year of remote education, the perceivedbenefits of engaging in CoPs, considerations for cultivating CoPs in different contexts, andrecommendations for future cross-institutional CoP efforts.

Background Preclinical spinal cord injury models do not represent the wide range of biomechanical factors seen in human injuries, such as spinal level, injury mechanism, velocity of spinal cord impact, and residual compression. These factors may be responsible for differences observed between experimental and clinical study results, especially related to the controversial issue of timing of surgical decompression. New method Somatosensory Evoked Potentials were used to: a) characterize residual compression depths in a dislocation model, and b) evaluate the physiological effect of whether or not the spinal cord was decompressed following the initial injury, prior to the application of residual compression. Modifications to vertebral clamps and the development of a novel surgical frame allowed us to conduct surgical and injury procedures in a controlled manner without the risk of additional damage to the spinal cord. Behavioural outcomes were evaluated following varying dislocation displacements, in addition to the survivability of 4 h of residual compression following a traumatic injury. Results Residual compression immediately following the initial dislocation demonstrated significantly different electrophysiological response compared to when the residual compression was delayed. Comparison with existing method There are currently no other residual compression models that utilize a dislocation injury mechanism. Many residual compression studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of early decompression, however the compression of the spinal cord is often not representative of clinical traumatic injuries. Preclinical studies typically model residual compression using a sustained force through quasi-static application, when human injuries often occur at high velocities, followed by a sustained displacement occlusion of the spinal canal. Conclusions This study has validated several novel procedural approaches and injury parameters, and provided critical details to implement in the development of a traumatic cervical dislocation SCI model with residual compression.

Introdução: A Liga de Ginecologia atualmente conta com 8 membros, 4 diretores, 2 médicos assistentes e 1 residente, para o desenvolvimento de educação, pesquisa e extensão, para a disseminação de aprendizado na educação médica. Objetivo: Identificar as percepções de aprendizado dos acadêmicos da Liga de Ginecologia. Método: Trata-se de estudo transversal, realizado em agosto de 2017, na Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. Foi utilizado um questionário respondido por membros da Liga de Ginecologia entre os anos de 2015 e 2017. Resultados: O principal motivo de ingresso na Liga é aprender o exame físico ginecológico, o principal aprendizado é a semiologia ginecológica, o principal ponto positivo é o atendimento ambulatorial supervisionado e o principal ponto negativo é a ausência de aulas teóricas. Além disso, 70% referiu influência da Liga na possibilidade de realizar residência médica em Ginecologia. Conclusão: As percepções de aprendizado entre os participantes da Liga de Ginecologia revelaram aquisições de competências em semiologia ginecológica e atendimento ambulatorial, lacuna de aulas teóricas na Liga e incentivo à pós-graduação.

We investigate the ability of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) to distinguish between three experimental rat models of spinal cord injury mechanism – contusion, dislocation, and distraction. Ex vivo DTI scans were performed on cord specimens that were preserved at different time points of the acute injury (3 hr, 24 hr, and 7 days post-injury) across all three injury mechanisms. White matter was classified as abnormal if their DTI metric was substantially different from regional values measured from a set of uninjured controls, thus allowing generation of binary “white matter damage maps” which categorizes each pixel in the DTI image as “normal” or “damaged”. Damage classification was most robust using thresholds in the longitudinal diffusivity, which supports previous studies that show that longitudinal diffusivity is the most robust DTI metric in depicting damage in SCI. Furthermore, the spatial damage patterns from all subjects in the same group were consolidated into a "damage occurrence ratio map", which illustrates an average damage shape that characterizes the injury mechanism. Our analysis has yielded a dataset which highlights the differences in injury pattern due to the initial mode of mechanical injury. For example, contusion produced an initial injury that emanated radially outward from the central canal, with subsequent damage along the caudal corticospinal tract and rostral gracile fasciculus; dislocation injuries showed a high level of involvement in the lateral and ventral white matter which became less apparent by 7 days post-injury, and distraction injuries were found to be less focal and more distributed rostrocaudally. This work represents a first step in adopting the use of the primary injury mechanism as a clinical prognostic factor in SCI, which may help to inform the trialing of existing neuroprotective treatment candidates, the development of new therapies as well as personalize the management of SCI for the individual patient.

Traumatic spinal cord injuries (SCIs) occur due to different spinal column injury patterns, including burst fracture, dislocation, and flexion-distraction. Pre-clinical studies modeling different SCI mechanisms have shown distinct histological differences between these injuries both acutely (3 h and less) and chronically (8 weeks), but there remains a temporal gap. Different rates of injury progression at specific regions of the spinal cord may provide insight into the pathologies that are initiated by specific SCI mechanisms. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the temporal progression of injury at specific tracts within the white matter, for time-points of 3 h, 24 h, and 7 days, for three distinct SCI mechanisms. In this study, 96 male Sprague Dawley rats underwent one of three SCI mechanisms: contusion, dislocation, or distraction. Animals were sacrificed at one of three times post-injury: 3 h, 24 h, or 7 days. Histological analysis using eriochrome cyanide and immunostaining for MBP, SMI-312, neurofilament-H (NF-H), and β-III tubulin were used to characterize white matter sparing and axon and myelinated axon counts. The regions analyzed were the gracile fasciculus, cuneate fasciculus, dorsal corticospinal tract, and ventrolateral white matter. Contusion, dislocation, and distraction SCIs demonstrated distinct damage patterns that progressed differently over time. Myelinated axon counts were significantly reduced after dislocation and contusion injuries in most locations and time-points analyzed (compared with sham). This indicates early myelin damage often within 3 h. Myelinated axon counts after distraction dropped early and did not demonstrate any significant progression over the next 7 days. Important differences in white matter degeneration were identified between injury types, with distraction injuries showing the least variability across time-points These findings and the observation that white matter injury occurs early, and in many cases, without much dynamic change, highlight the importance of injury type in SCI research-both clinically and pre-clinically.

Dottrine, linguaggi e politiche di matrice razzista riguardano il modo di percepire, immaginare e rappresentare l���alterita��, con atteggiamenti che dall���ostilita�� possono sconfinare nell���ideologia ed essere tradotti in pratiche discriminatorie. Il razzismo come fenomeno moderno si e�� sviluppato all���interno di alcuni processi storici ��� colonialismo e imperialismo ��� fungendo da filtro per forgiare l���immaginario occidentale nei processi di identita�� e ri- conoscimento collettivi. Per quanto i regimi apertamente razzisti siano stati screditati dalla storia, il razzismo tuttavia continua a essere protagonista della scena pubblica. Non e�� sempre agevole decifrare le sue trasformazioni, specie quando l���ostilita�� nei con- fronti degli altri cerca un compromesso con norme antirazziste e impiega termini piu�� accettabili per costruire una divisione irre- versibile tra individui o popoli. Parliamo di razzismo, anche in epoca contemporanea, quando dalle differenziazioni assunte co- me permanenti e non negoziabili si fanno discendere trattamenti differenziati ingiustificati e dunque discriminatori. Queste brevi riflessioni costituiscono, idealmente, lo sfondo di questo nuovo numero di ��Heteroglossia�� dedicato al razzi- smo ���eterno��� ��� aggettivo che Umberto Eco impiega per dare risalto ad alcuni tratti identificativi del fascismo ��� nell���intento di cogliere nessi tra passato e presente con uno sguardo ampio e transdisciplinare., HETEROGLOSSIA. Quaderni di Linguaggi e Interdisciplinarit��., 2021: Heteroglossia 17. Razzismo eterno? Trattamenti differenziati illegittimi e nuove alterita��

Quanto ci siamo veramente allontanati dall���eta�� degli Imperi strutturati sulla dominazione delle razze ��avanzate�� su quelle ��arretrate��? L���attuale dipendenza/sudditanza del ���sud globale��� dal ���nord globale��� sembra giusti- ficata dall���argomento classico del liberalismo ottocentesco, la meritocrazia. All���epoca, il successo scontato della e��lite bianca/occidentale/maschile nella competizione sociale era giustificato teorizzando una gerarchia naturale tra classi, razze, etnie e generi. Oggi la competizione sociale ��� il ���privato��� ��� e�� scarsamente accessibile alle forme di contestazione democratica previste dai canali istituzionali (trans)nazionali. Sul piano del senso comune, il diva- rio economico nord-sud permea l���ordine globalizzato ed e�� talmente radi- cato da essere ormai considerato ���naturale��� e ���a-storico���. Essendo fuori portata per le categorie della politica e del diritto, esso tende ad assumere forme violente di un conflitto per la preminenza razziale. Questa preminen- za richiama l���atavico fatalismo delle dottrine razziste. Un fondo inamovi- bile in cui le azioni di un gruppo umano o di una classe appaiono naturali e indipendenti dai rapporti sociali, precedendo ogni storia e condizione concreta. In questa prospettiva, la visione quasi ���eterna��� del razzismo tende a proiettare le dinamiche storiche in una dimensione atemporale e astratta. Anche se il razzismo contemporaneo presenta molte metamorfosi, bisogna metterne a fuoco il ��gesto ancestrale�� con cui si separa il civile dal selvaggio, l���umano dal disumano. L���incatenamento al corpo o al suolo genera un���esclusione permanente e dolorosa. Questo approccio esige uno sguardo ampio e di lungo periodo che vada oltre il razzismo periferico che ha a lungo caratterizzato la narrazione storica di alcuni paesi. ________________________________________________________ How far have we really moved away from the age of empires structured on the domination of the ���advanced��� races over the ���backward��� ones? The current dependence/subjection of the ���global south��� by the ���global north��� seems justified by the classic argument of nineteenth-century liber- alism, meritocracy. At the time, the obvious success in social competition of the white/western/male elite was justified by theorizing a natural hierarchy between classes, races, ethnicities and genders. Today the social compe- tition ��� the ���private��� ��� is scarcely accessible to the forms of democratic contestation envisaged by the (trans) national institutional channels. In terms of common sense, the north-south economic divide permeates the globalized order and is so deeply rooted to be considered ���natural��� and ���a-historical���. Being out of reach for the categories of politics and law, it tends to take on violent forms of a conflict over racial prominence. This prominence recalls the atavistic fatalism of racist doctrines. An irremovable background in which the actions of a human group or class appear natu- ral and independent of social relations, preceding all history and concrete conditions. In this perspective, the almost ���eternal��� vision of racism tends to project historical dynamics into a timeless and abstract dimension. Even if contemporary racism presents many metamorphoses, it is necessary to focus on the ���ancestral gesture��� that separates the civilized from the savage, the human from the inhuman. Chaining to body or place produces perma- nent and painful exclusion. This approach requires a broad and long-term gaze that goes beyond the peripheral racism that has long characterized the historical narrative of some countries., HETEROGLOSSIA. Quaderni di Linguaggi e Interdisciplinarit��., 2021: Heteroglossia 17. Razzismo eterno? Trattamenti differenziati illegittimi e nuove alterita��

Additional file 14: Figure S2. Delta K values for 1 ≤ K ≤ 8 when analyzed wolves with STRUCTURE.

Additional file 17: Figure S5. Delta K values for 1 ≤ K ≤ 8 when analyzed whole dataset with STRUCTURE. K = 2 had highest value.