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La création d’un observatoire des eaux usées par le Syndicat interdépartemental pour l’assainissement de l’agglomération parisienne (Siaap) en collaboration avec ses partenaires scientifiques est présentée dans cette note. Cet observatoire a pour finalité de collecter et de stocker des échantillons et des données issues du réseau d’assainissement dans le but d’avoir une vision globale de la dynamique du métabolisme urbain en région parisienne et d’accompagner les pouvoirs publics pour des enjeux émergents environnementaux ou sanitaires dans le long terme. La démarche entreprise – qui vise à assurer une chaîne analytique robuste avec un mode de fonctionnement adaptable et une philosophie d’ouverture de mise à disposition des données afin d’atteindre les objectifs opérationnels et scientifiques de cet observatoire – est détaillée ici.

This new project studies the diversity of socioecological niches across the agropastoral transition in the Andes, utilising a multi-isotope approach to track human territories and allocate subsistence tasks. During the agropastoral period, we discriminate different diachronic niches with varying extents of maize farming and altitudinal mobility.

Carbon taxes are considered an important environmental policy instrument for the improvement of environment quality in developing countries. Despite these premises, the implementation of the carbon tax policy in developing countries has lagged behind. The aim of this study is to analyse how carbon tax influence environmental quality and economic performance in South Africa. Such a country-oriented inquiry is envisaged to have some positive policy implications for the South African economy and other developing nations. The analysis was conducted using a static computable general equilibrium (CGE) model of South Africa, which was expected to capture the observed structure of South Africa’s economy. Furthermore, the parameters of the CGE equations were calibrated to observed data from a social accounting matrix (SAM) for 2015. The results show that environmental tax has negative effects on gross domestic product with the energy sectors which are generally the most polluting sectors suffering higher output losses due to the environmental tax. Household consumption is significant reduced by 2.34% due to the reduction in emissions as a result of carbon tax policy. According to the study findings, policy-makers should consider an initial 5% carbon tax policy which may results in achieving reasonably good environmental quality without losing on investment, fixed capital investment and government revenue.

International audience; Cyclopeptide mushroom poisoning is responsible for 90%-95% of deaths from macrofungi ingestion. The main objectives of this study are to describe cases of cyclopeptide mushroom poisoning and to determine risk factors that may influence the severity/mortality of poisoned patients. We included all cases of amatoxin toxicity reported to two French Poison Centers from 2013 through 2019. We compared the severity with the Poison Severity Score (PSS) and the outcomes of patients using simple logistic regression and multinomial logistic regression. We included 204 cases of amatoxin toxicity. More than three-quarters developed an increase in AST and/or ALT (78.1%), and over half developed a decrease in prothrombin ratio (

The Pliocene–Quaternary volcanic rocks which outcrop between Qorveh and Bijar are part of post-collisional within-plate volcanic activity in northern Iran. These mafic alkaline rocks form part of the northern arm of the Sanandaj–Sirjan (Hamedan–Tabriz) zone. Thermobarometry on equilibrium clinopyroxene – whole-rock pairs yields pressures and temperatures of 4–6 (±1.8) kbar and 1182–1213 (±27) °C, respectively; olivine – whole-rock (melt) equilibrium thermometry yields crystallization temperatures of 1212–1264 (±27) °C. Field relationships, including the presence of pyroxenitic xenoliths, and geochemical evidence (e.g. high FeO/MnO, and low CaO compared to lavas derived from peridotite sources) suggest a pyroxenitic mantle source for the studied rocks. Variation of trace elements and isotopic ratios (i.e. Ce/Pb, Ba/La, 87Sr/86Sr) indicate that this pyroxenite mantle source was generated by interaction between melted sediments of the subducted Neo-Tethys slab with ambient peridotitic lithospheric mantle. The resulting metasomatized lithosphere is denser and has a lower viscosity than the peridotitic mantle, and tectonic disturbance can cause it to fall into the depths of the mantle. The descending volatile-rich material starts to melt with increasing temperature. Modelling of rare earth element (REE) abundances suggests that

Foraging animals must contend with fluctuating environmental variables that affect foraging success, including conditions like wind noise, which could diminish the usefulness of particular sensory modes. Although the documented impact of anthropogenic noise on animal behavior has become clear, there is limited research on natural noise and its potential influence on mammalian behavior. We investigated foraging behavior in the myrmecophagous bat-eared fox (Otocyon megalotis), a species known to rely predominantly on hearing for prey detection. For a year, we monitored the foraging behavior of 18 bat-eared foxes from a habituated population in South Africa, amidst varying wind speeds (0–15.5 km/h). In contrast to expectations, foraging rates did not generally decline with increasing wind speed, except for foraging rate outside termite patches in fall. Furthermore, wind speed had little correlation with time spent in patches. In winter, however, we observed an increase in foraging rate with increasing wind speed both within and outside patches. At the observed wind speeds, these acoustically driven insectivores continue to forage effectively despite potentially distracting or masking noises. With anthropogenic noise producing sound across a broader frequency range, it is important to examine the responses of these canids to artificial sources of acoustic disturbance as well.

Two shrub-like Thesium species (subgenus Psilothesium) from the Limpopo and North West Provinces in South Africa are treated. Using morphological information from the literature, herbarium material (including types) and geographic information, specimens of the little-known T. celatum N.E.Br. and a new species, T. hispidifructum N.Lombard and M.M.leRoux sp. nov., are treated. A first comprehensive description of the Waterberg–Magaliesberg endemic, T. celatum, is provided along with diagnostic characters to distinguish it from its morphologically most similar-looking species, T. burchellii A.W.Hill. It has hitherto been classified as data deficient due to taxonomic reasons by the International Union for Nature Conservation (IUCN) but a status of Vulnerable is suggested. Thesium hispidifructum is recognised for the first time here and is endemic to Blouberg and Mount Letsjume. It is morphologically most similar to T. disparile N.E.Br. Its name was chosen with reference to its hispidulous to hispid indumentum covering the entire plant including the outside of the flowers and fruit. A threat status of vulnerable is proposed. Treatments of both species include detailed morphological descriptions, information on their distribution and habitat, comparisons and an identification key with morphologically similar species and photo plates.

The microenvironment that surrounds pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is profoundly desmoplastic and immunosuppressive. Understanding triggers of immunosuppression during the process of pancreatic tumorigenesis would aid in establishing targets for effective prevention and therapy. Here, we interrogated differential molecular mechanisms dependent on cell of origin and subtype that promote immunosuppression during PDAC initiation and in established tumors. Transcriptomic analysis of cell-of-origin–dependent epithelial gene signatures revealed that Nt5e/CD73, a cell-surface enzyme required for extracellular adenosine generation, is one of the top 10% of genes overexpressed in murine tumors arising from the ductal pancreatic epithelium as opposed to those rising from acinar cells. These findings were confirmed by IHC and high-performance liquid chromatography. Analysis in human PDAC subtypes indicated that high Nt5e in murine ductal PDAC models overlaps with high NT5E in human PDAC squamous and basal subtypes, considered to have the highest immunosuppression and worst prognosis. Multiplex immunofluorescent analysis showed that activated CD8+ T cells in the PDAC tumor microenvironment express high levels of CD73, indicating an opportunity for immunotherapeutic targeting. Delivery of CD73 small-molecule inhibitors through various delivery routes reduced tumor development and growth in genetically engineered and syngeneic mouse models. In addition, the adenosine receptor Adora2b was a determinant of adenosine-mediated immunosuppression in PDAC. These findings highlight a molecular trigger of the immunosuppressive PDAC microenvironment elevated in the ductal cell of origin, linking biology with subtype classification, critical components for PDAC immunoprevention and personalized approaches for immunotherapeutic intervention. Significance: Ductal-derived pancreatic tumors have elevated epithelial and CD8+GZM+ T-cell CD73 expression that confers sensitivity to small-molecule inhibition of CD73 or Adora2b to promote CD8+ T-cell–mediated tumor regression. See related commentary by DelGiorno, p. 977

International audience; Thanks to the use of filters collected daily in the west of Paris, we confirm the passage of the lead-laden plume following the fire on the roof and spire of Notre-Dame Cathedral in April 2019. The measured concentrations on the filter (Pb = 1.4 μg m–3), scanning electron microscopy and Hysplit simulation, correspond to an estimate of a few hundred kilograms of lead that would have been volatilized and then oxidized in the form of micronic and submicronic aerosols. The concentrations found in the plume are, however, much lower than those found in the environment in the 1980s and 1990s but are 100 times higher than those found in times prior to and after the fire. The isotopic signature of the plume is almost identical to that of the fine Pb dust found inside the Notre-Dame building. It is different from the isotopic signature of the Parisian atmosphere before and after the fire, but it is similar to that of the atmospheric Pb legacy recorded by peat cores over the last 300 years in France. The presence of very fine lead-bearing particles makes them potentially transportable over long distances after large urban fires. Our study shows the value of daily aerosol sampling to retrospectively trace the plumes of air pollutants from industrial accidents but also from historical monument fires such as Notre-Dame in 2019.

OBJECTIVE Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is often described as the gold standard surgical technique for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. Although outcomes are considered favorable, there is little prognostic evidence to guide patient selection for ACDF. This study aimed to 1) describe the 24-month postoperative trajectories of arm pain, neck pain, and pain-related disability; and 2) identify perioperative prognostic factors that predict trajectories representing poor clinical outcomes. METHODS In this retrospective cohort study, patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy who underwent ACDF at 1 of 12 orthopedic or neurological surgery centers were recruited. Potential outcome predictors included demographic, health, clinical, and surgery-related prognostic factors. Surgical outcomes were classified by trajectories of arm pain intensity, neck pain intensity (numeric pain rating scales), and pain-related disability (Neck Disability Index) from before surgery to 24 months postsurgery. Trajectories of postoperative pain and disability were estimated with latent class growth analysis, and prognostic factors associated with poor outcome trajectory were identified with robust Poisson models. RESULTS The authors included data from 352 patients (mean age 50.9 [SD 9.5] years; 43.8% female). The models estimated that 15.5%–23.5% of patients followed a trajectory consistent with a poor clinical outcome. Lower physical and mental health–related quality of life, moderate to severe risk of depression, and longer surgical wait time and procedure time predicted poor postoperative trajectories for all outcomes. Receiving compensation and smoking additionally predicted a poor neck pain outcome. Regular exercise, physiotherapy, and spinal injections before surgery were associated with a lower risk of poor disability outcome. Patients who used daily opioids, those with worse general health, or those who reported predominant neck pain or a history of depression were at greater risk of poor disability outcome. CONCLUSIONS Patients who undergo ACDF for cervical spondylotic radiculopathy experience heterogeneous postoperative trajectories of pain and disability, with 15.5%–23.5% of patients experiencing poor outcomes. Demographic, health, clinical, and surgery-related prognostic factors can predict ACDF outcomes. This information may further assist surgeons with patient selection and with setting realistic expectations. Future studies are needed to replicate and validate these findings prior to confident clinical implementation.

Deep learning based speech enhancement in the short-time Fourier transform (STFT) domain typically uses a large window length such as 32 ms. A larger window can lead to higher frequency resolution and potentially better enhancement. This however incurs an algorithmic latency of 32 ms in an online setup, because the overlap-add algorithm used in the inverse STFT (iSTFT) is also performed using the same window size. To reduce this inherent latency, we adapt a conventional dual-window-size approach, where a regular input window size is used for STFT but a shorter output window is used for overlap-add, for STFT-domain deep learning based frame-online speech enhancement. Based on this STFT-iSTFT configuration, we employ complex spectral mapping for frame-online enhancement, where a deep neural network (DNN) is trained to predict the real and imaginary (RI) components of target speech from the mixture RI components. In addition, we use the DNN-predicted RI components to conduct frame-online beamforming, the results of which are used as extra features for a second DNN to perform frame-online post-filtering. The frequency-domain beamformer can be easily integrated with our DNNs and is designed to not incur any algorithmic latency. Additionally, we propose a future-frame prediction technique to further reduce the algorithmic latency. Evaluation on noisy-reverberant speech enhancement shows the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms. Compared with Conv-TasNet, our STFT-domain system can achieve better enhancement performance for a comparable amount of computation, or comparable performance with less computation, maintaining strong performance at an algorithmic latency as low as 2 ms., in IEEE/ACM Transactions on Audio, Speech, and Language Processing

We present the results of our 14th horizon scan of issues we expect to influence biological conservation in the future. From an initial set of 102 topics, our global panel of 30 scientists and practitioners identified 15 issues we consider most urgent for societies worldwide to address. Issues are novel within biological conservation or represent a substantial positive or negative step change at global or regional scales. Issues such as submerged artificial light fisheries and accelerating upper ocean currents could have profound negative impacts on marine or coastal ecosystems. We also identified potentially positive technological advances, including energy production and storage, improved fertilisation methods, and expansion of biodegradable materials. If effectively managed, these technologies could realise future benefits for biological diversity.

This note assesses the application of the common purpose doctrine to the crime of gang rape. The recent gang rape of eight women in West Village, Krugersdorp on 28 July 2022 received wide media coverage. If and when there is a prosecution, the courts will have to adjudicate on the application of the common purpose doctrine to the newly defined statutory crime of rape. The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters Amendment) Act 32 of 2007 (‘SORMA’) came into effect on 16 December 2007. The Constitutional Court, in Tshabalala v S; Ntuli v S 2020 (2) SACR 38 (CC), held that the common purpose doctrine was applicable to the autographic crime of common-law rape. Since the alleged crimes had occurred in 1998, SORMA was not applicable in this case. If the Krugersdorp gang rape incident reaches the Constitutional Court the case may provide the court with the opportunity to elucidate on the practical impact of its decision in Tshabalala v S; Ntuli v S.

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The study explored middle managers' experiences during organisational change and mapped their migration from disruption to consensus. When change is introduced, middle managers experience dissonance, which creates uncertainty, unpredictable consequences, and opposing priorities that may impede the restructuring objectives. Middle managers must make sense of the change for themselves and others before change implementation can be embraced DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: A qualitative case study within a financial services provider in South Africa was used to gather rich data from 13 middle managers through semi-structured individual interviews FINDINGS: Findings confirm sensemaking and sensegiving as social processes toward shared understanding. Dissonance affected middle managers' interpretation of organisational change, resulting in ineffective communication of strategy to others. When consensus is reached between emotions experienced, understanding the organisational change, and the practices of organisational members, middle managers are ready to fully implement the change. Sensemaking and sensegiving enable middle managers to create springboards for putting organisational change into practice RECOMMENDATIONS/VALUE: Middle managers are vital in explaining critical organisational change and driving its implementation. Recommendations are for middle managers to participate in planning or designing organisational change to provide them with greater clarity regarding the change and its rationale. Ongoing emotional support to assist middle managers cope with negative emotions is recommended. Change management upskilling and reskilling techniques are recommended to clear dissonance and obstacles that delay strategy implementation MANAGERIAL IMPLICATIONS: The study presents middle manager experiences in a single case organisation in the South African financial services industry, but the findings may be transferable to other organisational change contexts. The findings benefit organisations by providing insight into how middle managers align themselves and others through sensegiving during organisational change. Creating a shared understanding of organisational change will align all stakeholders to focus on the change objectives and achieve the desired strategic outcomes JEL CLASSIFICATION: M10

This paper applied the concept of survival analysis to estimate productivity duration among A1 farmers in Zimbabwe and to identify the main factors influencing the probability of productivity. The Cox hazard model and the Weibull parametric model were applied in this study to analyse farmer productivity and a sample of 176 randomly selected farmers and a questionnaire was administered to solicit information on the wages, education level and the level of government support in terms of input subsidies. The results showed that educated farmers are more likely to be productive and take lesser time to increase their productivity levels compared to less educated farmers. This then pointed to the fact that the government of Zimbabwe should have targeted the education of farmers first before embarking on resettling the A1 smallholder farmers and this can also be considered in future land reforms. The study recommended that there be farmer education initiatives to speed up their graduation from survivor to hazard farmers.

Delayed haemolytic transfusion reaction (DHTR) is a life-threatening haemolytic anaemia following red blood cell transfusion in patients with sickle cell disease, with only scarce data in children. We retrospectively analysed 41 cases of DHTR in children treated between 2006 and 2020 in a French university hospital. DHTR manifested at a median age of 10.5 years, symptoms occurred a median of 8 days after transfusion performed for an acute event (63%), before surgery (20%) or in a chronic transfusion programme (17%). In all, 93% of patients had painful crisis. Profound anaemia (median 49 g/L), low reticulocyte count (median 140 ×10

Biological invasions in remote areas that experience low human activity provide unique opportunities to elucidate processes responsible for invasion success. Here we study the most widespread invasive plant species across the isolated islands of the Southern Ocean, the annual bluegrass, Poa annua. To analyze geographic variation in genome size, genetic diversity, and reproductive strategies, we sampled all major sub-Antarctic archipelagos in this region and generated microsatellite data for 470 individual plants representing 31 populations. We also estimated genome sizes for a subset of individuals using flow cytometry. Occasional events of island colonization are expected to result in high genetic structure among islands, overall low genetic diversity, and increased self-fertilization, but we show that this is not the case for Poa annua. Microsatellite data indicated low population genetic structure and lack of isolation-by-distance among the sub-Antarctic archipelagos we sampled, but high population structure within each archipelago. We identified high levels of genetic diversity, low clonality, and low selfing rates in sub-Antarctic P. annua populations (contrary to rates typical of continental populations). In turn, estimates of selfing declined in populations as genetic diversity increased. Additionally, we found that most P. annua individuals are likely tetraploid and that only slight variation exists in genome size across the Southern Ocean. Our findings suggest multiple independent introductions of P. annua into the sub-Antarctic, which promoted the establishment of genetically diverse populations. Despite multiple introductions, the adoption of convergent reproductive strategies (outcrossing) happened independently in each major archipelago. The combination of polyploidy and a mixed reproductive strategy likely benefited P. annua in the Southern Ocean by increasing genetic diversity and its ability to cope with the novel environmental conditions.

Internal communication plays a pivotal part in an organisation’s survival. It is regarded as an investment in an organisation’s success and underpins organisational effectiveness. However, when organisations face internal communication challenges, these can threaten internal relationships, with dire consequences for the organisation. This is particularly so in the volatile, uncertain, complicated and ambiguous South African corporate context, which presents direct challenges for internal communication management. Internationally there has been an increase in studies exploring challenges for internal communication, with various authors indicating a need for further research. Our study addresses this gap by probing the internal communication challenges experienced in the South African corporate environment as a developing world view, to make recommendations for mitigating action. This exploratory qualitative interview-based study focused on the perceptions of practitioners working in large organisations, as well as consultants with acknowledged expertise in the field of internal communication. The findings confirmed that internal communication is a complex and multifaceted profession full of challenges. We identified 12 challenges, grouped into four clusters, namely access to technology, lack of formal communication training, parameters for inclusion of internal stakeholders, and management styles and structures. Contributions include recommendations for practice, together with suggestions for further research.

BACKGROUND: The use of sensory based interventions (SBI) by many parties including speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are evident despite limited proof of their efficacy. Insight into SLPs’ implementation, knowledge, and perceptions of SBI are crucial to define and guide such practices in the field of speech-language therapy. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to gather information regarding the nature of SBI, knowledge of sensory processing and SBI, and perception of the role and outcomes of SBI as implemented by SLPs. METHOD: A quantitative survey design was employed. Sixty-five SLPs working in early intervention clinics, public hospital clinics, school settings, and private practice responded to a questionnaire. Results were analysed using SPSS statistical software. RESULTS: Respondents indicated that they often implement SBI using various sensory activities and equipment. They answered more than half of the questions related to the prevalence and nature of sensory difficulties in children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (CWASD) accurately. Respondents answered fewer questions regarding the differences between SBI and sensory integration therapy accurately. Regular collaboration with and guidance from occupational therapists (OTs) were reported. Respondents acknowledged the role of SLPs in addressing sensory difficulties in CWASD. Positive outcomes for the implementation of SBI in speech-language therapy were stated. CONCLUSION: Despite the limited evidence for the efficacy of SBI, SLPs regularly implement such practices to enhance therapy outcomes. The insights gathered from this study support reports of positive outcomes related to SBI. The need for more rigorous efficacy studies, clearer guidelines and specialised training for SLT’s in SBI are highlighted.

In South Africa, as is globally, many people struggle with the challenges which emanate from developmental dyslexia (DD). It is thus important for educators to have adequate knowledge and a positive mindset regarding DD and the management thereof in the school context. One such important method of management is the accommodation of these learners in mainstream class. The quantitative survey study reported on here was aimed at determining the perspectives of educators in 2 private schools in the Tshwane South District, Gauteng, South Africa, regarding the knowledge of, attitude towards, and management of accommodations for learners with DD. We implemented a quantitative descriptive cross-sectional survey research approach where a self-administered questionnaire was administered after purposive sampling. Results indicate that the respondents, regardless of their qualifications, gender, or years of teaching experience, had limited knowledge of DD, but with a generally positive attitude towards inclusion and management of these learners. Furthermore, it was found that educators had an awareness of the terminology related to the accommodations that the education department granted these learners with DD. However, they were uncertain about the perceived path and nature of accommodations provided to learners. Specific details and related recommendations were explored.

The virus SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in numerous modelling approaches arising rapidly to understand the spread of the disease COVID-19 and to plan for future interventions. Herein, we present an SEIR model with a spatial spread component as well as four infectious compartments to account for the variety of symptom levels and transmission rate. The model takes into account the pattern of spatial vulnerability in South Africa through a vulnerability index that is based on socioeconomic and health susceptibility characteristics. Another spatially relevant factor in this context is level of mobility throughout. The thesis of this study is that without the contextual spatial spread modelling, the heterogeneity in COVID-19 prevalence in the South African setting would not be captured. The model is illustrated on South African COVID-19 case counts and hospitalisations.

The National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and The Obesity Society (TOS) cosponsored a multispecialty international workshop in April 2021 to advance the understanding and management of obesity in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The underlying rationale for the workshop was the accumulating evidence that obesity is a major contributor to CKD and adverse outcomes in individuals with CKD, and that effective treatment of obesity, including lifestyle intervention, weight loss medications, and metabolic surgery, can have beneficial effects. The attendees included a range of experts in the areas of kidney disease, obesity medicine, endocrinology, diabetes, bariatric/metabolic surgery, endoscopy, transplant surgery, and nutrition, as well as patients with obesity and CKD. The group identified strategies to increase patient and provider engagement in obesity management, outlined a collaborative action plan to engage nephrologists and obesity medicine experts in obesity management, and identified research opportunities to address gaps in knowledge about the interaction between obesity and kidney disease. The workshop's conclusions help lay the groundwork for development of an effective, scientifically based, and multidisciplinary approach to the management of obesity in people with CKD.