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* Conservatism: A Rediscovery By Yoram Hazony Washington, D.C.: Regnery Gateway, 2022. Pp. xxix, 445. $29.99 hardcover. Francis Fukuyama's concept of the 'end of history,' made famous in his 1992 [...]

Vertebrate pest animal control and research is a relatively small area of activity within the agricultural and environmental fields. However, it is critical for agricultural productivity and biodiversity. There is much to be gained by having vertebrate pest controllers and researchers collaborating worldwide. The critical mass achieved through collaboration will result in faster registration of new products, better implementation of new methods, and increased skills within vertebrate pest units. The plain fact is that vertebrate pest control involves the killing of animals, sometimes those with iconic status. Having the public, or even other scientists, recognize the need for animal control can be complicated because of people’s natural concern for the welfare of animals. Those involved in the sector must become better advocates for the agricultural and biodiversity benefits of animal control. Although it is very uncomfortable for many scientists, they must face up to community dialogue in all its modern forms, and not simply rely on scientific reports and published papers speaking for themselves.

Following a successful bid to the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres Program, the new Invasive Animal CRC commenced its operations in 2006. The IA CRC will focus on helping to solve invasive animal (vertebrate) pest problems through the development of commercial outputs, integrated strategies, and a business partnership that brings together national and international skills in science, management, commerce, and industry. Comprising a large number of members (41), the IA CRC will assemble critical mass to address a national problem, and it will bring together private and public land managers to integrate approaches to invasive animal management. This unique partnership will deliver the means to deal with existing high-profile invasive animal pests as well as those that have the potential to cause catastrophic impacts in the future. Outcomes will help solve the prominent and costly impacts of invasive species on agricultural, environmental, and social values.

As part of a comprehensive study of X-ray emission from planetary surfaces and in particular the planet Mercury, we have measured fluorescent radiation from a number of planetary analog rock samples using monochromatized synchrotron radiation provided by the BESSY II electron storage ring. The experiments were carded out using a purpose built X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer chamberdevelopedbythePhysikalisch-TechnischeBundesanstalt, Germany's national metrology institute. The XRF instrumentation is absolutely calibrated and allows for reference-free quantitation of rock sample composition, taking into account secondary photon- and electron-induced enhancement effects. The fluorescence data, in turn, have been used to validate a planetary fluorescence simulation tool based on the GEANT4 transport code. This simulation can be used as a mission analysis tool to predict the time-dependent orbital XRF spectral distributions from planetary surfaces throughout the mapping phase.

Objectives: To assess the relationship of white blood cell count (WBC) and other routinely collected inflammatory and clinical markers including stone size, stone position, and medical expulsive therapy use (MET), with spontaneous stone passage (SSP) in a large contemporary cohort of patients with acute ureteric colic, as there are conflicting data on the role of WBC and other inflammatory markers in SSP in patients with acute ureteric colic. Patients and methods: Multicentre retrospective cohort study coordinated by the British Urology Researchers in Surgical Training (BURST) Research Collaborative at 71 secondary care hospitals across four countries (UK, Republic of Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand). In all, 4170 patients presented with acute ureteric colic and a computed tomography confirmed single ureteric stone. Our primary outcome measure was SSP, as defined by the absence of need for intervention to assist stone passage (SP). Multivariable mixed effects logistic regression was used to explore the relationship between key patient factors and SSP. Results: In all, 2518 patients were discharged with conservative management and had further follow‐up with a SSP rate of 74% (n = 1874/2518). Sepsis after discharge with conservative management was reported in 0.6% (n = 16/2518). On multivariable analysis neither WBC, neutrophils count, nor C‐reactive protein (CRP) predicted SSP, with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 0.97 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.91–1.04, P = 0.38), 1.06 (95% CI 0.99–1.13, P = 0.1) and 1.00 (95% CI 0.99–1.00, P = 0.17), respectively. MET also did not predict SSP (adjusted OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.76–1.61). However, stone size and stone position were significant predictors. SSP for stones <5 mm was 89% (95% CI 87–90) compared to 49% (95% CI 44–53) for stones ≥5–7 mm, and 29% (95% CI 23–36) for stones >7 mm. For stones in the upper ureter the SSP rate was 52% (95% CI 48–56), middle ureter was 70% (95% CI 64–76), and lower ureter was 83% (95% CI 81–85). Conclusion: In contrast to the previously published literature, we found that in patients with acute ureteric colic who are discharged with initial conservative management neither WBC, neutrophil count, nor CRP, helps determine the likelihood of SSP. We also found no overall benefit from the use of MET. Stone size and position are important predictors and our present findings represent the most comprehensive SP rates for each millimetre increase in stone size from a large contemporary cohort adjusting for key potential confounders. We anticipate that these data will aid clinicians managing patients with acute ureteric colic and help guide management decisions and the need for intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]