Search Results (40)

This paper investigates the cultural landscapes established by nineteenth-century German immigrants in South Australia and the southern Riverina of New South Wales, with particular attention to settlement patterns, architectural traditions and toponymic transformation. German immigration to Australia, though numerically modest compared to the Americas, significantly shaped local communities, especially due to religious cohesion among Lutheran migrants. These settlers established distinct, enduring rural enclaves characterized by linguistic, religious and architectural continuity. The paper examines three manifestations of these cultural landscapes. A rich toponymic landscape was created by imposing on natural landscape features and newly founded settlements the names of the communities from which the German settlers originated. It discusses the erosion of German toponyms under wartime nationalist pressures, the subsequent partial reinstatement and the implications for cultural memory. The study traces the second manifestation of a cultural landscapes in the form of nucleated villages such as Hahndorf, Bethanien and Lobethal, which often followed the Hufendorf or Straßendorf layout, integrating Silesian land-use principles into the Australian context. Intensification of land use through housing subdivisions in two communities as well as agricultural intensification through broad acre farming has led to the fragmentation (town) and obliteration (rural) of the uniquely German form of land use. The final focus is the material expression of cultural identity through architecture, particularly the use of traditional Fachwerk (half-timbered) construction and adaptations such as pug-and-pine walling suited to local materials and climate. The paper examines domestic forms, including the distinctive black kitchen, and highlights how environmental and functional adaptation reshaped German building traditions in the antipodes. Despite a conservation movement and despite considerable documentation research in the late twentieth century, the paper shows that most German rural structures remain unlisted and vulnerable. Heritage neglect, rural depopulation, economic rationalization, lack of commercial relevance and local government policy have accelerated the decline of many of these vernacular buildings. The study concludes by problematizing the sustainability of conserving German Australian rural heritage in the face of regulatory, economic and demographic pressures. With its layering of intangible (toponymic), structural (buildings) and land use (cadastral) features, the examination of the cultural landscape established by nineteenth-century German immigrants adds to the body of literature on immigrant communities, settler colonialism and landscape research. Full article

Current policy recommendations for initial teacher education encourage teaching code-related literacy (phonics, phonological awareness, and phonemic awareness) over pedagogical knowledge, and engaging practice in learning to read. To enhance early childhood pre-service teacher (PST) practices, this mixed-methods pilot study investigated a tool to support PSTs studying birth-to-eight years teaching, pedagogical practice, and knowledge to teach code-related literacy and supplementary vocabulary in conjunction with quality children’s literature. The Non-Scripted Intentional Teaching (N-SIT) tool was developed and then trialled with early childhood PSTs (n = 24) in Queensland, Australia. The participants planned phonics learning experiences using the N-SIT and picture books (e.g., Pig the Pug; Snail and the Whale). Survey data gathered participants’ code-related literacy knowledge before and after the N-SIT training. The data revealed most PSTs felt well-to-somewhat prepared to teach beginning reading and vocabulary and less-to-somewhat prepared to teach phonics. The data further revealed that all participants could define phonics but reported mixed conceptual understandings of phonological and phonemic awareness. The PSTs’ knowledge of phonological awareness, phonemic awareness, and planning for phonics-focused teaching through children’s literature improved post-N-SIT activity. Planned direct systematic phonics instruction strategies through the intentional shared reading of children’s literature and the potential benefits of the N-SIT tool in early childhood initial teacher education are discussed. Full article

The monolithic composite action of structures relies on the interface bond strength between concrete and the repair material. This study uses explainable deep learning techniques to evaluate the ultimate strength capacity (Us) of U-shaped normal concrete (NC) strengthened with polyurethane grouting (PUG) materials. Machine learning algorithms (ML) such as Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Random Forest (RF), and Wide Neural Network (WNN) models were developed to estimate Us by considering five input parameters: the initial crack strength (Cs), thickness of the grouting materials (T), mid-span deflection (λ), and peak applied load (P). The results indicated that LSTM models, particularly LSTM-M2 and LSTM-M3, demonstrated superior predictive accuracy and consistency in both the calibration and verification phases, as evidenced by high Pearson’s correlation coefficients (PCC = 0.9156 for LSTM-M2) and Willmott indices (WI = 0.7713 for LSTM-M2), and low error metrics (MSE = 0.0017, RMSE = 0.0418). The SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) analysis showed that the thickness of the grouting materials and maximum load were the most significant parameters affecting the ultimate capacity of the composite U-shaped specimen. The RF model showed moderate improvements, with RF-M3 performing better than RF-M1 and RF-M2. The WNN models displayed varied performance, with WNN-M2 performing poorly due to significant scatter and deviation. The findings highlight the potential of LSTM models for the accurate and reliable prediction of the ultimate strength of composite U-shaped specimens. Full article

Congenital defects are among the leading causes of neonatal mortality in small animals. Among them, cleft palate is one of the most commonly found malformations in dogs. Appropriate clinical management and surgical correction are determining factors for the survival of puppies affected by this alteration. Thus, the objective of this study is to describe 10 clinical cases of successful clinical management of cleft palate, highlighting the therapeutic strategies used, the results obtained, and the evolution of patients after treatment. Ten neonatal dogs of three breeds were treated by the Small Animal Reproduction Service of FMVZ, Unesp—Botucatu: French Bulldog (6), Pug (3), and American Bully (1) presented with cleft palate at birth or during the first week of age. Patients underwent clinical and nutritional management, in addition to immunological support. At four months of age, the patients underwent medially positioned flap repair. The animals were fed via an esophageal tube for 10 days after surgery. The clinical management proved to be effective since, throughout the follow-up, the animals showed good development and did not present complications arising from the cleft palate, and the surgical procedures were successful, restoring the quality of life of the animals. Full article

Urban greenery and cooling initiatives have become top priorities for municipalities worldwide as they contribute to improved environmental quality and urban resilience. This study leverages advancements in remote sensing (RS) and cloud-based processing to assess and monitor changes in public urban green spaces (PUGS) in Sanandaj, Iran. Using high-resolution Sentinel-2 imagery (10 m) processed in Google Earth Engine (GEE), we calculated and mapped the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) across 20 major PUGSs over a five-year period, from 2019 to 2023. A total of 507 Sentinel-2 images were analyzed, offering a comprehensive view of seasonal and annual greenness trends. Our findings reveal that May is the peak month for greenery, while February consistently shows the lowest NDVI values, indicating seasonal greenness variability. Specifically, the mean NDVI of PUGSs decreased significantly between 2019 and 2022, with values recorded at 0.735, 0.737, 0.622, 0.417, and 0.570 in the greenest month of each respective year, highlighting a noticeable decline in vegetation health and extent. This reduction can be attributed to water scarcity and suboptimal management practices, as evidenced by dried or underperforming green spaces in recent years. Our results underscore the potential of integrating NDVI-based assessments within urban development frameworks to more accurately define and sustain PUGSs in Sanandaj. This methodology provides a replicable approach for cities aiming to optimize urban greenery management through RS technology. Full article

This study, which involved 868 patients, focused on size-dependent features (body size, pinna formation, brachycephaly, overweight) and their associations with the occurrence of canine Otitis externa. Breed, sex, and neuter status were also included. Canine patients diagnosed with Otitis externa presented between 1 January 2019 and 31 July 2022 in a referral small animal hospital were included, while dogs with matching categories presented at the Unit for Reproductive Medicine in the same time period functioned as a randomized control group. Statistical analyses included Pearson–Chi² test, Fisher’s exact test, and Bonferroni correction. p-values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Rhodesian Ridgebacks, non-brachycephalic breeds, intact female dogs, dogs with semi-erect ears, and large-sized breeds had a significantly reduced risk of developing Otitis externa. Conversely, Pugs, French Bulldogs, Cocker Spaniels, medium-sized breeds, dogs with erect ears, brachycephalic breeds, neutered female, and neutered male patients were more frequently diagnosed with Otitis externa. The study concluded that large breed dogs showed a reduced risk of developing Otitis externa in our data set as well as meso- and doliocephalic breeds and dogs with semi-erect pinna formation. Particularly, the Rhodesian Ridgeback and intact female dogs showed a significantly low risk of suffering from Otitis in the current study. Full article

Pugs are a popular brachycephalic breed that suffer from multiple chronic disorders linked to their exaggerated phenotypic traits. The contribution of these disorders to early death and euthanasia have not been described and would add urgency to addressing these issues. This study used electronic patient records (EPR) from the Australian VetCompass programme to describe the demography, common causes and risk factors for Pug mortality. The EPR from 691 Pugs which died in a population of 7909 Pugs that received veterinary care over a 10-year period were analysed to determine the cause of death. The median age at death was 10 years. Male Pugs had lower probability of surviving than females (p = 0.02) and entire Pugs died earlier than neutered dogs. The top causes of mortality were Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (8.2%), seizures (6.7%) and degenerative spinal cord disorder (4.7%). Neurological causes (29.6%) were the most common cause of euthanasia whilst amongst non-assisted deaths, respiratory causes were most common (25%). Death from respiratory disorders was found across all age groups. These neurological and respiratory causes of death are linked to brachycephalic conformation and provide evidence for reform of showing and breeding standards to improve Pug welfare and longevity. Full article

Pugs are highly predisposed to corneal disorders, such as brachycephalic ocular syndrome (BOS), due to their disproportionate skull, reduced corneal sensitivity and eyelid anomalies such as distichiasis, entropion and lagophthalmos. The risk of corneal disorders which cause significant suffering is substantial, prompting calls for international efforts to reduce their prevalence. While these debilitating conditions are also likely to be common in pugs in Australia, their prevalence and risk factors have not been reported. The anonymised electronic patient records (EPRs) of 1318 pugs attending 139 primary care veterinary clinics participating in VetCompass Australia (VCA) in 2017 were used to investigate the prevalence of ophthalmological pathologies and associated demographic risk factors. Pugs were diagnosed with overweight/obesity (prevalence: 20.2%, 95% confidence interval {CI}: 18.1–22.4) ophthalmological abnormalities (14.5%, 95% CI: 12.6–16.3), particularly corneal disorders (12.4%, 95% CI: 12–15.7), and other conditions. The most prevalent ophthalmological disorders were corneal ulcers (5.5%, 95% CI: 4.4–6.9), corneal pigmentation (3.6%, 95% CI: 2.8–4.8) and keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) (3.3%, 95% CI: 2.5–4.5). The risk of all corneal disorders increased with age (odds ratio 1.11, 95% CI: 1.07–1.15), and corneal pigmentation, KCS and keratitis were more prevalent in older pugs (a median age of 7.6 years or older), while entropion, neovascularisation and ulcerative keratitis affected younger dogs (a median age of 3 years or under). The underlying BOS conformation defects, exophthalmos, lagophthalmos and distichiasis, and early signs of corneal damage should be identified through detailed examinations during primary care veterinary visits, and affected pugs should be removed from the breeding population and treated to reduce the severity and duration of their suffering. Full article

Background and Objectives: Persistent urogenital sinus (PUGS) is a rare congenital anomaly resulting from disruptions in urogenital development during embryogenesis. Characterized by the confluence of the vaginal canal and urethra into a single channel, it poses diagnostic and management challenges, particularly in adult patients. Surgical correction remains the primary treatment at an early age, yet there are no universally accepted guidelines regarding treatment at later stages in life. We explored current evidence on the management of high urogenital sinus (HUGS) in adults, focusing on surgical techniques, outcomes, perioperative care, and follow-up. Materials and Methods: A scoping review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, including studies published up to August 2024. Search terms included “high urogenital sinus”, “adult patients”, and related conditions. Articles were included if they addressed clinical, diagnostic, or therapeutic data on HUGS in adult populations. Data extraction was performed independently by two reviewers, and a PRISMA-ScR flow diagram was used to outline the study selection process. Results: Nine studies met inclusion criteria, with data on surgical techniques, perioperative care, and long-term outcomes extracted for analysis. The included studies highlighted diverse surgical approaches, such as feminizing genitoplasty, buccal mucosa vaginoplasty, posterior prone techniques, and robotic-assisted urogenital sinus mobilization. Complications like vaginal stenosis, urethrovaginal fistula, and urinary incontinence were reported. Long-term outcomes were under-reported, with limited data on sexual function and patient satisfaction. Hormonal therapies, including glucocorticoids, played critical roles in managing cases associated with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Conclusions: The management of HUGS requires a multidisciplinary approach integrating advanced surgical techniques and individualized perioperative care. While short-term outcomes are generally favorable, long-term data on sexual function and quality of life remain scarce. Future research should prioritize longitudinal studies to address these gaps, aiming to optimize surgical outcomes, patient satisfaction, and psychosocial well-being. Full article

The application of immobilized enzymes often plays a key role in successfully implementing an economically feasible biocatalytic process at an industrial scale. Designing an immobilized biocatalyst involves solving several tasks, from the selection of the carrier and immobilization method to the characterization of the kinetic properties of the immobilized enzyme. In this study, we focused on the kinetic properties of free and immobilized ß-N-acetylhexosaminidase (Hex), a promising enzyme for application in the field of biotechnology, especially for the synthesis of bioactive carbohydrates. Hex was immobilized via covalent binding in methacrylate particles. The effect of immobilizing Hex from Penicillium oxalicum into porous particles on kinetic properties was investigated, and mathematical and experimental modeling showed that the kinetic behavior of the enzyme was significantly influenced by diffusion in the particles. Along with the study on kinetics, a simple method was developed to investigate the reversible inhibition of the immobilized enzyme in a continuous-flow system. The method is suitable for application in cases where a chromogenic substrate is used, and here it was applied to demonstrate the inhibitory effects of N-acetyl-glucosaminyl thiazoline (NAG-thiazoline) and O-(2-Acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranosylidene)amino N-phenyl carbamate ((Z)-PugNAc) on Hex. Full article

Background: Chiari-like malformation (CM), Syringomyelia (SM) and middle ear effusion (MEE) are frequently observed disorders in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCSs), Pomeranians, and less frequently the Griffon. There are a few reports in which small dogs have been identified as suffering from CM/SM. Methods: From all MRI centers based in the Netherlands, MRI scans for small dog breeds performed for various reasons over a period of 8 years were collected. Scans that enabled a CM and/or SM evaluation were included and evaluated. Results: In total, 177 MRI scans were included. CM could be evaluated in 163 out of 177 dogs. In 63 dogs, no CM was observed, while 100 dogs had CM. SM could be evaluated in 144 out of 177 dogs. No SM was seen in 56 dogs and SM was seen in 88 dogs. Both CM and SM were seen in high frequency in the Chihuahua, French Bulldog, Griffon, and Pug but did also occur in lower frequencies in various other small breed dogs and crosses. CM and/or SM does occur in various other small dog breeds and crosses suggesting that it is indeed a type-related disorders. As it can cause serious clinical signs breeders should be aware of the risk of CM/SM when breeding with these small dog breeds. Full article

The inherent brittle behavior of cementitious composite is considered one of its weaknesses in structural applications. This study evaluated the impact strength and failure modes of composite U-shaped normal concrete (NC) specimens strengthened with polyurethane grout material (NC-PUG) subjected to repeated drop-weight impact loads (USDWIT). The experimental dataset was used to train and test three machine learning (ML) algorithms, namely decision tree (DT), Naïve Ba yes (NB), and K-nearest neighbors (KNN), to predict the three failure modes exhibited by U-shaped specimens during testing. The uncertainty of the failure modes under different uncertainty degrees was analyzed using Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). The results indicate that the retrofitting effect of polyurethane grout significantly improved the impact strength of concrete. During testing, U-shaped specimens demonstrated three major failure patterns, which included mid-section crack (MC), crushing foot (CF), and bend section crack (BC). The prediction models predicted the three types of failure modes with an accuracy greater than 95%. Moreover, the KNN model predicted the failure modes with 3.1% higher accuracy than the DT and NB models, and the accuracy, precision, and recall of the KNN model have converged within 300 runs of Monte Carlo simulation under different uncertainties. Full article

This study investigated the prevalence of pigmentary keratitis (PK) in Pug-breed dogs and described the ocular surface characteristics associated with this disease. A total of 219 eyes from 110 dogs were examined, with 94.5% of them affected by PK. Age, previous ocular diseases, corneal vascularization, and corneal sensitivity were significantly associated with the presence of PF and the severity of corneal pigmentation. The study also found that low tear production and blinks incomplete with tear signs, as well as reduced corneal sensitivity, were linked to more severe forms of corneal pigmentation. The Tear Ferning Test (TFT) was identified as a valuable tool for evaluating tear quality in dogs, with worse test results indicating a higher risk of severe PK. A lower mean Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT) test was observed in dogs with PK. Additionally, the study observed a statistically significant difference in corneal thickness between the nasal and temporal zones, with the nasal zone being thicker. It was also suggested that sex and fertility status may influence the incidence of PK and the severity of corneal pigmentation. Overall, these findings provide insight into the underlying causes of PK in Pugs and can inform future treatment strategies for this breed. Full article

The purpose of this paper is to describe the process of building a coherent frame for the identification of local environmental urban vulnerabilities, coping with heat waves’ increasing threats, and adopting specific adaptation policies in the Emilia-Romagna region. A microclimate model (ENVI-met) was used to simulate temperature regimes in five areas of Bologna, providing ex ante maps enabling us to locate the most vulnerable areas. Adaptation measures were suggested with the support of WMO Guidance 1234 and included recommendations about the introduction of high-albedo building materials and nature-based solutions. The step-by-step methodology developed, coupling local vulnerabilities with adaptation recommendation, integrates a scientific methodology into a political decision. The results, allowing us to widely represent this city’s vulnerability, are considered outstanding with respect to supporting the city’s adaptation ambitions and are now part of the running Bologna General Urban Plan (PUG), which regulates building interventions, introducing the obligation for enterprises to respect or ameliorate the microclimate in all the areas in which they intervene. This tool can be replicated and adapted to any municipal area, as it integrates authoritative WMO solutions with accurate microclimate assessment, thus providing locally tailored adaptation interventions. This paper aims to support the vision, shared by both science and policy makers, of transforming cities into widely resilient systems. Full article

Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) in dogs challenges veterinary surgeons both with a complex clinical picture as well as wide-ranging ways to diagnose the disease, often not easily implemented nor standardised in clinical practice. The assessment of a combination of exercise testing, the occurrence of breathing noises, recovery time, and respiratory effort proved to be an appropriate method to identify Pugs with BOAS. The purpose of this study was to apply an established standardised, submaximal, treadmill-based fitness test for Pugs to other brachycephalic dog breeds. A total of 79 participants, belonging to 6 different brachycephalic breeds, trotted 15 min with an individual comfort speed of 3–7 km/h on a treadmill. Additionally, functional BOAS grading based on respiratory clinical signs before and after exercise was applied. The test was passed if the dogs presented with a BOAS grade of 0 or 1 and their vital parameters recovered to baseline within 15 min after exercise. A total of 68% showed a BOAS grade of 0 or 1 and passed the fitness test. Of the failed participants, 65% failed due to BOAS affectedness, 9% were categorised as not affected by BOAS and failed due to not passing the fitness test only, and 26% showed both failure criteria. The fitness test can be a useful method to identify BOAS-affected dogs in other brachycephalic breeds and to diagnose BOAS in dogs that only show clinical signs under exercise. Full article