University Of Leicester Research Articles

Truths and Reconciliation: Reflections on the University of the West Indies and University of Leicester International Summer School 2023

The University of the West Indies and University of Leicester International Summer School is an annual event, a week-long programme of lectures, workshops and social activities aimed at supporting postgraduate research students and early career researchers predominantly from the UK and Caribbean. It is hosted alternately at the University of Leicester and the different campuses of the University of the West Indies, and since its inception has been spearheaded by Dr Lucy Evans and Professor Martin Halliwell at the University of Leicester, Dr Sonjah Stanley Niaah at the University of the West Indies, Mona, and Professor Michael A. Bucknor at the University of Alberta. The 2023 edition was hosted by University of Leicester’s School of Criminology from 5th to 10th of June, under the theme of ‘Crime, (In)Justice, Human Rights’. Sub-topics included crime and culture, histories and legacies, security, surveillance, the police and the state, human rights, gender and sexualities, reproductive rights, the environment, and race. It promised an opportunity to connect with researchers in similar or related fields from around the world, who we may have otherwise not met.

Editorial

This first issue of the School of Criminology’s working paper series focuses on international interdisciplinary collaborations by showcasing a series of articles, reflections and poems written by participants at the 2023 University of West Indies–University of Leicester International Summer School, held at the University of Leicester and hosted by the School of Criminology. In the first week of June 2023, Dr Sonjah Stanley Niaah (University of West Indies, Mona) and Professor Michael A. Bucknor (University of Alberta) joined Leicester academics Dr Tammy Ayres, Dr Lucy Evans and Professor Martin Halliwell to co-deliver an intensive week-long cross-disciplinary programme, with an emphasis on both interdisciplinary exploration and professional development.

Cognitive activity significantly affects the dynamic cerebral autoregulation, but not the dynamic vasoreactivity, in healthy adults.

Neurovascular coupling (NVC) is an important mechanism for the regulation of cerebral perfusion during intensive cognitive activity. Thus, it should be examined in terms of its effects on the regulation dynamics of cerebral perfusion and its possible alterations during cognitive impairment. The dynamic dependence of continuous changes in cerebral blood velocity (CBv), which can be measured noninvasively using transcranial Doppler upon fluctuations in arterial blood pressure (ABP) and CO2 tension, using end-tidal CO2 (EtCO2) as a proxy, can be quantified via data-based dynamic modeling to yield insights into two key regulatory mechanisms: the dynamic cerebral autoregulation (dCA) and dynamic vasomotor reactivity (DVR), respectively. Using the Laguerre Expansion Technique (LET), this study extracted such models from data in supine resting vs cognitively active conditions (during attention, fluency, and memory tasks from the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III, ACE-III) to elucidate possible changes in dCA and DVR due to cognitive stimulation of NVC. Healthy volunteers (n = 39) were recruited at the University of Leicester and continuous measurements of CBv, ABP, and EtCO2 were recorded. Modeling analysis of the dynamic ABP-to-CBv and CO2-to-CBv relationships showed significant changes in dCA, but not DVR, under cognitively active conditions compared to resting state. Interpretation of these changes through Principal Dynamic Mode (PDM) analysis is discussed in terms of possible associations between stronger NVC stimulation during cognitive tasks and enhanced sympathetic activation.

Interview with Journal of Cell Science Editor Rob Parton

ABSTRACT Rob Parton is a Group Leader and Australian Research Council Laureate Fellow in the Institute for Molecular Bioscience and Deputy Director of the Centre for Microscopy and Microanalysis at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. He completed his doctorate at the University of Leicester in the UK. After using electron microscopy (EM) during his PhD to study trafficking of tetanus toxin in neurons, he was inspired to continue using advanced microscopy approaches to further our understanding of the fundamental cellular process of membrane trafficking. After several years fostering international collaborations as a postdoctoral fellow and junior Group Leader at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory in Heidelberg, Germany, his lab moved to the University of Queensland in 1996. In 2023, he was elected an Associate Member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO). Rob joined Journal of Cell Science as an Editor in March 2024 and brings to the journal his expertise in multiscale analysis of membrane function, membrane microdomains, lipid droplets and advanced microscopy techniques in cell biology. We spoke to Rob over Zoom to hear more about his career journey, the evolution of the membrane trafficking field and his advice for running a highly collaborative lab.

Host and pathogen factors that influence variability of Mycobacterium tuberculosis lipid body content in sputum from patients with tuberculosis: an observational study

High proportions of Mycobacterium tuberculosis cells in sputum containing triacylglycerol-rich lipid bodies have been shown to be associated with treatment failure or relapse following antituberculous chemotherapy. Although lipid body determination is a potential biomarker for supporting clinical trial and treatment decisions, factors influencing variability in sputum frequencies of lipid body-positive (%LB+) M tuberculosis in patients are unknown. We aimed to test our hypothesis that exposure to host-generated NO and M tuberculosis strains are factors associated with differences in sputum %LB+. In this observational study, we determined %LB+ frequencies before treatment by microscopy in patients with smear-positive tuberculosis from two separate prospective observational study settings (Gondar, Ethiopia, recruited between May 1, 2010, and April 30, 2011, and Fajara, The Gambia, who provided sputum samples before treatment between May 5, 2010, and Dec 22, 2011). In Ethiopia, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) was measured as a biomarker of host NO, and M tuberculosis strain differences were determined by spoligotyping. Treatment response was assessed by percentage weight change after 7 months. In The Gambia, treatment responses were assessed as change in BMI and radiographic burden of disease after 6 months. Sputum Mtuberculosis isolates were studied invitro for their %LB+ and triacylglycerol synthase 1 (tgs1) mRNA responses to NO exposure. Propidium iodide staining was used as a measure of NO strain toxicity. Correlation between invitro %LB+ frequencies following NO exposure and those of the same strain in sputum was examined with linear regression and Dunnett's multiple comparison test. In Ethiopia, 73 patients who were smear positive for pulmonary tuberculosis were recruited (43 [59%] were male and 30 [41%] were female). Of these, the %LB+ in the sputum of 59 patients showed linear correlation with log10 FeNO (r2=0·28; p<0·0001) and an association with strain spoligotype was suggested. Seven Mtuberculosis strains from The Gambia showed different dose-responses to NO invitro, demonstrated by changing lipid body content, tgs1 transcription, and bacterial toxicity. In sputum %LB+ frequencies correlated with invitro %LB+ responses to NO of the corresponding isolate. In a subset of 34 patients across both cohorts, higher sputum %LB+ frequencies before treatment were associated with weaker responses to treatment than lower sputum %LB+ frequencies. M tuberculosis strain and exposure to host-generated NO are associated with sputum %LB+. Our results support the use of M tuberculosis strain-dependent sputum %LB+ as a predictive biomarker of treatment response. The Medical Research Council, the University of Leicester, and the University of Gondar.

The culinary chemist: Out of the lab and into the tent

In this Stories piece, Josh Smalley, a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Leicester and finalist of The Great British Bake Off, discusses the parallels between chemistry and baking, revealing how he successfully combines the two.

The Student Grand Round: A Peer Teaching Initiative.

Introduction Oral presentation and public speaking skills are poorly emphasised in the medical school curriculum. The student grand round was created to tackle this deficiency by changing the way in which students are taught, from traditional lecture-based learning to interactive small-group peer-to-peer teaching. This approach encourages students to become responsible for their own learning, develop their public speaking and teaching skills, as well as identify and address gaps in their knowledge. Aims The primary aims of this study were to determine the understanding of students before and after peer teaching, including retention of concepts via quiz scores and confidence of students in giving SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation) handovers. The secondary aim is to determine the place of student-led grand round teaching in the medical curriculum as a means of developing teaching skills and encouraging active learning. Methods A cohort of 21 third-year medical students from Leicester University attended a weekly peer teaching programme where students presented a case they had encountered during their clinical attachment. Peer teachers were required to research some background and pathophysiology regarding the topic and teach in an interactive manner and create discussion regarding the topic. The students then summarised the case and practised the skill of concise handovers using the SBAR format.Knowledge and understanding were assessed with an interactive quiz, and feedback via a survey was gathered before and after sessions. Each student engaged in case discussion and received input from a specialty registrar regarding their presentation skills, case knowledge, and SBAR handover. Results Individual and combined session analysis demonstrated a significant improvement in scores across understanding the topic and confidence in SBAR. Student recommendation for the session cumulatively was significant (p=0.02); however, comparison of medical student recommendations of individual sessions did not yield statistically significant results. There was a significant improvement in the overall quiz score (p=0.045), and average scores improved from 51% to 70% (p=0.043). There was a significant increase in the mean quiz result after the first two sessions (28-55% (p=0.002) and 56-85% (p=0.0001), respectively). Summary The student grand round is a promising teaching initiative that capitalises on peer teaching, a valuable learning theory that centres around students taking on the role of teachers to instruct their peers. Results from this study have shown that this method of collaborative teaching is effective in improving the understanding of medical topics, increases confidence in public speaking and precise handover skills, and therefore better prepares medical students for their career as future clinicians.

Ship- and aircraft-based XCH4 over oceans as a new tool for satellite validation

Abstract. Satellite-based estimations of dry-air column-averaged mixing ratios of methane (XCH4) contribute to a better understanding of changes in CH4 emission sources and variations in its atmospheric growth rates. High accuracy of the satellite measurements is required, and therefore, extensive validation is performed, mainly against the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON). However, validation opportunities at open-ocean areas outside the coastal regions are sparse. We propose a new approach to assess the accuracy of satellite-derived XCH4 trends and variations. We combine various ship and aircraft observations with the help of atmospheric chemistry models, mainly used for the stratospheric column, to derive observation-based XCH4 (obs. XCH4). Based on our previously developed approach for the application to XCO2, we investigated three different advancements, from a simple approach to more elaborate approaches (approaches 1, 2, and 3), to account for the higher tropospheric and stratospheric variability in CH4 as compared to CO2. Between 2014 and 2018, at 20–40° N of the western Pacific, we discuss the uncertainties in the approaches and the derived obs. XCH4 within 10° by 20° latitude–longitude boxes. Uncertainties were 22 ppb (parts per billion) for approach 1, 20 ppb for approach 2, and 16 ppb for approach 3. We analyzed the consistency with the nearest TCCON stations and found agreement of approach 3 with Saga of 1±12 ppb and -1±11 ppb with Tsukuba for the northern and southern latitude box, respectively. Furthermore, we discuss the impact of the modeled stratospheric column on the derived obs. XCH4 by applying three different models in our approaches. Depending on the models, the difference can be more than 12 ppb (0.6 %), showing the importance for the appropriate choice. We show that our obs. XCH4 dataset accurately captures seasonal variations in CH4 over the ocean. Using different retrievals of the Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite (GOSAT) from the National Institute for Environmental Studies (NIES), the RemoTeC full-physics retrieval operated at the Netherlands Institute for Space Research (SRON), and the full-physics retrieval of the University of Leicester (UoL-OCFP), we demonstrate the applicability of the dataset for satellite evaluation. The comparison with results of approach 3 revealed that NIES showed a difference of −0.04 ± 13 ppb and strong scatter at 20–30° N, while RemoTeC and OCFP have a rather systematic negative bias of −12.1 ± 8.1 and −10.3 ± 9.6 ppb. Our new approach to derive XCH4 reference datasets over the ocean can contribute to the validation of existing and upcoming satellite missions in future.

Reconstructing perspectives: investigating how molecular geometry cards (MGCards) and molecular model building (MMB) disrupt students' alternative notions of molecular structure – a qualitative study

The range of abstract concepts encountered when learning chemistry and the inability of students to make connections between the macroscopic, sub-microscopic, and symbolic representations, used in chemistry teaching, are believed to be the main reasons for students’ difficulty when learning chemistry. Prediction and determination of molecular geometry using the theory of valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) is a sample of the abstract concept that is hard to understand by students who learn chemistry. Students may comprehend these ideas better if the learning process is supplemented with cutting-edge, interactive learning aids. To address the conceptual difficulties that students encounter when learning how to predict the shapes of molecules, a card game (MGCards) has been developed which is supported by simple molecular model building (MMB). The card game allows students to work through the steps required to predict the shape of a molecule in an engaging format. The student learning process is supported by feedback at all stages (if students make a mistake, they receive hints that will help them in the next step of the game). Action research with qualitative methods has been used to design, develop, and evaluate the MGCards. The MGCards and MMB were piloted at the University of Leicester with year one Natural Sciences students and modified based on the feedback received. Both MGCards and MMB were then used as part of the first-year chemistry education programme at Tanjungpura University in Indonesia. The findings of students’ answer analysis (pre- and post-test) in both cycles showed that students had a better understanding after learning with MGCards and MMB. The positive feedback for MGCards and MMB confirmed that these resources were effective in delivering an engaging learning experience. The results suggest that MGCards and MMB play a significant role in enhancing students’ understanding while also keeping them engaged.

Use of Specific Borrelia Phages as a New Strategy for Improved Diagnostic Tests.

The high failure rate of tick-borne infection (TBI)-related testing underscores the need for novel approaches that do not rely on serology and two-tier testing. Delayed diagnosis of TBIs, especially Borrelia infections, results in high healthcare costs and great suffering. There is a significant need for a reliable blood test that can aid in the diagnosis of Lyme disease, particularly when the current FDA-approved serological test is not sensitive enough to detect early Lyme patients who have not yet produced antibodies against Borrelia. Bacteriophages are viruses that specifically associate with their bacterial hosts, particularly prophages, bacteriophages residing in bacteria, and have proven to be tightly correlated with their bacterial hosts. They are poised to have wider applications as markers to detect bacteria, particularly in infectious disease. The gene of choice depends on the prevalence of phages within a particular group of bacteria. Phage genes that have been used as molecular markers to examine phage diversity include structural genes encoding the major capsid protein, the portal protein, the DNA polymerase, and the terminase. Borrelia species carry specific phage sequences that can be used as a proxy to identify the bacteria. Using phages as a proxy for bacteria is beneficial, as phages can be detected more easily than bacteria and can be used to bypass the cryptic and tissue-bound feature that typifies human Borrelia infections.We explored a completely new way of detecting Borrelia using Borrelia-specific bacteriophages as a diagnostic tool. Our detection method, patented by Phelix R&D and Leicester University (WO2018083491A1), could potentially transform infectious disease diagnostics through the innovative use of real-time PCR to target circulating bacteriophage DNA in blood from patients with Lyme disease. Firstly, this bacteriophage-based approach offers increased sensitivity since bacteriophages are typically present in five- to tenfold excess over bacterial cells, making it more accurate and sensitive than conventional bacteria-targeting PCR tests. One of the reasons bacteria-based PCR tests are frequently negative is due to the low bacterial concentration in the blood. Bacteriophage-based PCR surpasses this barrier and offers a direct test, as phages are part of bacteria's own genetic material, in contrast to all existing indirect tests (ELISA, Western BLOT, LTT/ELISPOT test). Secondly, a phage-based test can differentiate between different Lyme disease-causing and relapsing fever-causing Borrelia subtypes (B. burgdorferi s.l., B. miyamotoi, etc.), given that bacteriophages are indicators of bacterial identity. Finally, this test can detect Lyme disease in both early and late stages.

University of Leicester launches MPharm course

University of Leicester launches MPharm course

Юрій Дуброва (1955–2023) — біолог з України, якого чув світ: нотатки до біографії

The future famous geneticist Prof. Yuri Dubrova (1955–2023) was born in Kyiv (Ukraine), where he received excellent secondary and higher education and was awarded with a gold medal upon graduating from school. Eventually, he became one of the best graduates of the Department of Vertebrate Zoology at the Faculty of Biology of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. His interests included theoretical biology, evolutionary theory, genetics, biometrics, and bionics (for some time he studied the lateral lineage of cyprinid fishes). In his last years at the university, he focused on the study of spontaneous mutations. At the Vavilov Institute of General Genetics in Moscow, Y. Dubrova continued his post-graduate studies and successfully defended his PhD thesis. After the collapse of the USSR, he moved to the UK in search of better scientific and technical opportunities, where he became a professor at the University of Leicester. The scientist lived and worked in Leicester until the end of his life. He devoted himself fully to science, especially to radiation, medical and population genetics, and to teaching, and tried to participate in the study of highly complex medical and genetic issues related, in particular, to the consequences of man-made disasters—Chornobyl (Ukraine, Belarus), Semipalatinsk (Kazakhstan)—and other cases of large-scale radiation effects on life. Dr. Dubrova is the author and co-author of more than 150 scientific articles published in leading journals, including the American Journal of Human Genetics, International Journal of Radiation Biology, Radiation Research, Molecular Biology and Evolution, International Journal of Cancer, British Journal of Cancer, Science, and Nature. He co-operated with many of the world’s leading geneticists and gave lectures in Ukraine, Russia, the USA, Canada, Japan, etc. The article uses fragments of the author’s long correspondence with Y. Dubrova, which may be of interest to biographers of F. Dobrzhansky, M. Tymofeiev-Resovsky, O. Sozinov, O. Yablokov, O. Kistiakowsky, as well as to students, teachers, and historians of Kyiv National University, Kaniv Nature Reserve, and the University of Leicester.

Preface

Preface

Preface

2023 2nd International Symposium on Intelligent Unmanned Systems and Artificial Intelligence (SIUSAI 2023) was held in Shenzhen, China, on April 21-23, 2023.It aims to bring scientists, researchers, practitioners and industry delegates from academia and industry together to exchange and share their latest research and experiences in the field of Unmanned Systems and Artificial Intelligence. The conference is expected to provide opportunities for advances and collaborations in this field.SIUSAI 2023 is organized by Southwest University of Science and Technology School of Computer Science and Technology, Southwest University of Science and Technology School of Manufacturing Science and Engineering, co-organized by Hohai University, Key Laboratory of Testing for Manufacturing Process, Ministry of Education, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Sichuan Big Data and Intelligent System Engineering Technology Research Center, The International Association of Electrical, Electronic and Energy Engineering (IAEEEE), and supported by CoreShare Academy Exchange Center.The conference contained one day of registration and two full-days program consisting of keynote lectures, oral presentations, video presentations and poster presentations. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our keynote speakers Pro. Huiyu Zhou from University of Leicester and Prof. Saleh Mobayen from University of Zanjan who shared their newest and outstanding research achievements at the conference.After a couple of months well preparation and hard work, the conference has been held successfully and the proceeding of the 2023 International Symposium on Intelligent Unmanned Systems and Artificial Intelligence (SIUSAI 2023) will be smoothly published soon.On behalf of the conference organizing committee, we would like to show our congratulation and sincere gratitude to all authors, peer reviewers, speakers, oral, Video and poster presenters and listeners. We deeply appreciate their efforts in making the conference an impressive success.List of Committee Members is available in this pdf.

Prof. Panda Presents IEEE Distinguished Lecture at the University of Leicester, U.K.

Prof. Panda Presents IEEE Distinguished Lecture at the University of Leicester, U.K.

Preface

2023 7th International Conference on Data Mining, Communications and Information Technology (DMCIT 2023), was successfully held on May 27, 2023, which was organized by Asia Pacific Institute of Science and Engineering (APISE), and sponsored by Jiangnan University. DMCIT conference has been held for six years since 2017 after successful onsite conferences or virtual conferences. DMCIT 2023 continued its tradition of providing a unique and excellent forum for exchanging research methodologies, exploring practical applications, and fostering innovative ideas.DMCIT 2023 strives to offer networking opportunities to meet and interact with the world-leading scientists, engineers and researchers as well as industrial partners in Core Data Mining, Communication Engineering, Information Technology Applications Topics.The conference was originally scheduled in Chongqing, China from May 26 to 28, 2023. Most authors cannot attend offline with personal reasons, but they can only attend online. As a result of small number of offline participants, it had to be turned into a fully virtual conference via Tencent meeting on May 27, 2023.The proceedings of this year’s edition comprised four main categories: “1. Image Processing and Computer Vision”; “2. Machine Learning and Data Analysis”; “3. Information Technology and Communication Systems”; “4. Optimization and Modeling”. All these submissions were rigorously reviewed by the Program Committee. The research tracks attracted 42 submissions in total, and out of 27 papers were accepted, including countries like Pakistan, Japan, Philippines and China, etc.On the conference day, 9 oral presentations and 18 posters presentation were arranged according to the participants’ choices. Two awards, one best oral presentation award and one best poster presentation award were selected by the end of conference. Four distinguished keynote speakers, including Prof. Shahram Latifi from University of Nevada, Las Vegas (USA); Prof. Yudong Zhang from The University of Leicester (UK) and Prof. João Alexandre Lôbo Marques from University of Saint Joseph, Macau SAR; and Prof. Miaowen Wen from South China University of Technology, delivered excellent speeches, sharing their latest and insightful research ideas.We extend our sincere gratitude to all the authors who submitted their papers to the DMCIT conference. We also like to express our great appreciation to the invited speakers, PC members, supporting staff, and all the organizing committee members for their great efforts in making the conference a sucess.Simon Fong, University of Macau, Macau S.A.R, ChinaConference Committee Chair, DMCIT 2023Lis of Committees are available in this pdf.

Proteinuria as a Surrogate Endpoint for Disease Progression in IgA Nephropathy: Predicting Long-Term Treatment Effects of Sparsentan

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is a rare, life-limiting disease for which there is significant unmet need. Until recently, drug development for IgAN had been impeded by the requirement for large-scale, long-term clinical trials to measure clinical outcomes. However, the recent establishment of ‘reduction in proteinuria’ as a surrogate endpoint to predict clinical outcomes in IgAN, as a basis for accelerated drug approval, has transformed the field. At the 60th European Renal Association (ERA) Congress in June 2023, two oral poster presentations focused on the use of early reduction in proteinuria as an endpoint for clinical studies in IgAN. Alex Mercer, Consultant in Clinical Drug Development at JAMCO Pharma Consulting in Stockholm, Sweden, presented data estimating the long-term clinical outcome of reductions in proteinuria (clinically meaningful extensions in time to kidney failure or death), which could help predict the future protective effect of any new intervention on kidney function. Following this, Jonathan Barratt, Mayer Professor of Renal Medicine at the University of Leicester, and Honorary Consultant Nephrologist at Leicester General Hospital, UK, described findings from the prespecified interim analysis of the Phase III PROTECT study of sparsentan (a novel dual endothelin angiotensin receptor antagonist) in IgAN, which included reduction in proteinuria as a primary endpoint. In patients with IgAN at high risk of disease progression, sparsentan produced a rapid and significant reduction in proteinuria of a level that, according to the study data presented by Mercer, would correspond to a substantially lowered risk of kidney failure or death. Long-term data to confirm this predicted clinical outcome on disease progression are anticipated.

Filling the Gap by Targeting the Gut: First Disease-Modifying Treatment Approved for IgA Nephropathy

This symposium took place during the 60th European Renal Association (ERA) Congress, held in Milan, Italy, and virtually. Bengt Fellström, Uppsala University, Sweden, described the relationship between IgA nephropathy (IgAN) and gastrointestinal mucosal reactivity. Fellström then outlined the history of Nefecon (Calliditas Therapeutics, Stockholm, Sweden, and STADA Arzneimittel, Bad Vilbel, Germany), which was developed based on the assumption that the gut plays a major role in the pathophysiology of the disease, and that there was a high unmet need for a well-tolerated and effective therapy. Nefecon was specifically designed to target the origins of IgAN. A Phase IIb clinical trial showed, for the first time, that 9 months of treatment with Nefecon was well-tolerated and effective in patients at risk of disease progression. Jonathan Barratt, University of Leicester, UK, and John Walls Renal Unit, Leicester General Hospital, UK, presented biomarker data supporting the efficacy data in clinical trials, and presented topline data from Part B of the Phase III NefIgArd trial. Specifically, the results demonstrated an average 5.05 mL/min/1.73 m2 estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) treatment benefit in favour of Nefecon versus placebo over 2 years. This confirmed that the eGFR benefit of 9 months of active treatment with Nefecon was maintained during the observational follow-up. The eGFR benefit with Nefecon versus placebo was consistent regardless of baseline urine protein-creatinine ratio (UPCR). At 2 years, the 30% reduction in UPCR in the Nefecon versus placebo arm was similar to the percentage reduction at the end of the 9-month treatment period, plus 15 months follow-up off treatment. Patients treated with Nefecon experienced decreasing levels of proteinuria while on active treatment and for 3 months afterwards, suggesting a continued biologic effect. Barratt presented UK registry data showing that, despite being treated with the current standard of care for IgAN, three-quarters of adults and half of paediatric patients developed kidney failure or died within 20 years of disease onset. Barratt suggested a paradigm shift in the treatment approach for all patients with IgAN, who have a risk of developing kidney failure in their lifetime.

Inorganic Chemistry in Dalian University of Technology: Fundamental Science and Solution for Renewable Energy, Environment, Health, and Materials

Inorganic Chemistry in Dalian University of Technology: Fundamental Science and Solution for Renewable Energy, Environment, Health, and Materials

Reckoning with Law—and with Legal Anthropology

I recently experienced one of those unsettling, context-imposing moments that cause the ground underfoot to feel suddenly loose, threatening to dissolve into quicksand – until, that is, the moment passes, as it inevitably seems to do. It happened during a university-wide lecture by Mark Williams, a professor of palaeontology at the University of Leicester and the Palaeontological Association's ‘exceptional lecturer’ for the academic year 2022–2023. This means he was chosen to go on a global tour of universities to give a talk for wider audiences that was intended to show the relevance and importance of palaeontology for questions of global significance. The title of Williams's lecture was ‘The Anthropocene: Planetary Scale Change to the Biosphere and the Future Well-Being of Planet Earth’.