Planetary Protection (PP) is the practice of protecting solar system bodies from Earth life and Earth from possible extraterrestrial life forms. Spacecraft surfaces are cleaned and routinely sampled to determine the bioburden and ensure compliance with PP requirements. Bulk materials, like adhesives, are destructively assayed, or a NASA specification value in lieu of direct sampling is applied, to estimate the bioburden. Currently, no specification value exists for liquids. The closest analog is the assumed value of 30 spores/cm3 for non-electronic solid materials; however, applying this assumption to liquids is problematic, as it can lead to a substantial total spore burden that rapidly consumes the allowable bioburden margin for a given mission, particularly when large volumes are involved. CFC-11 (Freon) is a refrigerant commonly used in spacecraft to provide cooling for the Heat Redistribution System (HRS). The HRS Mechanical Ground Support Equipment (MGSE), designed for the Europa Clipper spacecraft, delivers CFC-11 to the spacecraft. The system utilizes three 2.0 µm filters. This design is markedly different from the Mars 2020 and Mars Science Laboratory mission, which utilized a 0.2 µm filter specifically to remove spores, which typically have diameters around 1 µm. Thus, an analysis was required to measure the bioburden of the CFC-11 for the Europa Clipper HRS. For our study, we used 90 mm Millipore filter holders that were connected directly to the HRS MGSE system. In total, 3 L of CFC-11 were flowed through the filter holders. The 90 mm filters within the filter holders were processed using the NASA Standard Assay, with membrane filtration as the culture-based technique, to enumerate colony-forming units. Using these experimental results as one of the inputs, a probabilistic mathematical model of the CFC-11 and bio-load transfer process was developed to provide a predictive probability distribution of the number of spores transferred to the HRS and ultimately substantiates that a 0.2 filter is not necessary within the system to lower bioburden, a feature that saves the project significant time regarding fill operations. This probabilistic mathematical model may be used to inform the MGSE design for future missions, such as the Mars Sample Return Sample Retrieval Lander, regarding the choice to replace the 2.0 µm filters with 0.2 µm filters. This study recommends a mean value of 0.04 spores/L of CFC-11 transferred into the Europa Clipper HRS and for future missions that intend to use the same HRS MGSE design.

Schwartzitrema Vigueras, 1941, is a small, rarely reported genus of diplostomoideans that parasitize avian definitive hosts, predominantly anhingas, on several continents. No DNA sequences were previously available for any Schwartzitrema spp. In the present study, we describe adults of 2 new Schwartzitrema spp. from anhingas in Brazil. We also provide description of metacercaria of one of the new species from Argentina. Schwartzitrema macrotesticulata n. sp. lacks a clear separation between its testes, appearing almost as a contiguous, irregularly shaped, lobular mass. A highly characteristic feature of Schwartzitrema macroholdfastus n. sp. is a strongly enlarged lobe of the holdfast organ. These features, along with distribution of vitellarium and nature of the preputial folds surrounding the genital cones, separate the new species from their congeners. We generated partial sequences of the large ribosomal subunit (28S) rDNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (cox1) mtDNA genes from adult forms of both species and cox1 of metacercarial stages. The 28S sequences were used for phylogenetic inference. The pairwise sequence divergence between the 2 species is 4.0–4.6% in cox1 gene. Intraspecific variability in the same cox1 region did not exceed 0.8% despite the long geographic distance between collecting sites in Brazil and Argentina.

Although economic knowledge constitutes a central element of political governing, people have divergent opinions about its nature and whether it can or should be accessible to everyone. This paper examines the contested role of economic knowledge in Sweden during the Enlightenment, focusing on the philosophical and political contributions of Anders Chydenius (1729–1803). Chydenius published several works and pamphlets on economic matters in the 1760s, the last of which led to his dismissal from the Swedish Diet in 1766. What made this work so politically provocative? I argue that its notoriety stemmed from two key claims: he likened basic economic principles to natural laws, which because of their simplicity all politicians were able to understand, and he believed in making these principles widely available in society. He also acknowledged that different social classes had conflicting interests in monetary policy, contending that, from a national economic perspective, the interests of traders, manufacturers, and workers were more important than those of the aristocratic elite. This perspective not only challenged the established political order but also raised questions about the neutrality and the role of the public in discussions about economic knowledge.

Philosophy of education is a subfield of philosophy that is particularly ripe for engaging in public political philosophy. A closer look at scholars in this subfield who have taken such an approach to their work reveals important questions about and examples of how to engage in public political philosophy well. The questions and their answers offer helpful insights for others assuming this approach in the various fields of philosophy. This essay explores how such philosophers clarify the values and ideologies underlying debates about education and foster dialogs with the public about these concerns. It also describes the personal and professional benefits and risks of engaging in this work. Finally, it considers how public political philosophers of education help the public express dissent about educational policies and practices, while also fostering political hope for improved education.

A critique of capitalism, in order to count as such, must identify a problem that is not shared by all other feasible economic systems, for this would amount to little more than a complaint (or kvetch) about the human condition. The distinction between critique and kvetch raises the question of what constitutes a feasible alternative to capitalism. Although it sounds as though this is a pragmatic or technical question, I will argue that it is usually normative. With this clarification in place, I will consider whether Waheed Hussain’s concerns about capitalism amount to a critique or a kvetch.

The aim of this paper is to provide an in-depth study, including both invasive and non-invasive chemical analyses, and lead isotope analysis, of one of the northernmost Early Neolithic copper flat axeheads in Europe, the Öja axehead from west Sweden. In addition, we present an updated catalogue of the early copper axeheads found in Sweden. Our analyses suggest that the copper used to manufacture the Öja axehead originates from eastern Serbian ore sources, confirming previous studies on other Early Neolithic metal finds from southern Scandinavia. Comparing our results with the current understanding of copper production and circulation across the continent during the 5th and 4th millennium BCE, important new questions emerge concerning early copper mining in south-east Europe and the production and consumption of early copper artefacts in Europe and Scandinavia.

Why and how should we tax inheritances, gifts, and bequests? This article examines the political theory debate on inheritance taxation and identifies four main arguments and three objections in favor of and against it. It reviews the most common forms of inheritance taxation in OECD countries and proposes an alternative: a lifetime capital accessions tax. This alternative is broadly delineated to compare it with the “average inheritance tax” and assess which of these two options better meets the requirements of the arguments and objections previously stated. The analysis shows that the capital accessions tax is normatively superior to the average inheritance tax. It better satisfies the reasons we have for taxing intergenerational wealth transfers and offers strong replies to three classical objections to inheritance taxation. Discussing the details of the accessions tax allows us to show how it can respond to popular objections to inheritance taxation and gain popular support.

This study presents the first nationwide assessment of vanished glaciers in Switzerland. By comparing the Swiss Glacier Inventories SGI1973 and SGI2016, we identify 1019 vanished glaciers, representing more than 40% of all glaciers inventoried in 1973 and accounting for 13% (47±3 km²) of total glacier area loss. Glacier disappearance was most widespread along the main Alpine divide, in regions with relatively low peak elevations. Most vanished glaciers were very small (<0.10 km2) and steep, south- or east-facing glaciers more often vanished with respect to the initial glacier distribution. In the 2300–2550 m elevation band, vanished glaciers contributed over 30% of total area loss. Regionally, the Rhine basin hosts the largest number of vanished glaciers (423), while the Po (39%) and Danube (55%) basins have the highest share of glaciers disappearing with respect to the initial number. These findings underscore the relevance of systematically including vanished glaciers in change assessments. With a new inventory underway and two extreme melt years in 2022 and 2023, this study provides a benchmark for tracking continued glacier extinction in the Swiss Alps.

Despite the substantial volume of literature on the Second Sophistic, only rarely do current approaches focus on a formal analysis of its language and the ways in which it correlates to the contemporary debate on language correctness. The present paper suggests that such an analysis could be a fruitful field of enquiry and offers several suggestions as to how it might be executed to enhance our literary appreciation of these texts. It focuses on the use of Attic phonology and morphology in two literary texts (Achilles Tatius’ Leucippe and Clitophon and Aristides’ Panathenaic Oration) and a second-century CE Eleusinian inscription. By exploring the roles played by language and sound, the paper highlights how imperial high-register prose interweaves nostalgic motifs and innovative practices in a programmatic mixture of archaising elements and contemporary koine features that engenders a novel style.

Prolonged grief disorder therapy (PGDT) is designed to help clients resolve a persistent and debilitating grief reaction. Clinical trial and routine evaluation evidence supports the efficacy of PGDT in resolving stuck grief, but as yet no qualitative evaluation has been undertaken. The current study qualitatively examined client experiences and views of PGDT delivered within the context of a National Health Service Talking Therapies (NHS-TT) quality improvement project in Devon, United Kingdom (UK). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 clients after completing PGDT which were analysed using the Framework Method. Clients reported being stuck with grief before treatment. PGDT was experienced as being acceptable to clients, resulting in profound changes to wellbeing and functioning. PGDT supported clients to move from denial and avoidance to acceptance and approach of their loss. Perceived change processes included normalising and validating grief, reconnecting to life values and goals, re-establishing social connection, and building emotional self-management skills, consistent with the logic model underpinning the intervention. A flexible, tailored therapeutic approach was emphasised as important for enhancing treatment experience and outcomes. Suggesting minor areas for improvement, some clients experienced homework tasks as repetitive and laborious, imaginal conversations were challenging for some, and the ending of therapy was at times described as painful. Clients felt PGDT was a valuable offering for NHS-TT services, offering something distinct from existing treatment pathways.

Key learning aims

1. (1) To gain insight into clients lived experience of prolonged grief disorder (PGD).

2. (2) To become familiar with prolonged grief disorder therapy (PGDT) as a treatment for PGD in NHS Talking Therapies (NHS-TT) services.

3. (3) To understand client views of PGDT, including what brought them to treatment, impacts of treatment, how the therapy may work, helpful and unhelpful aspects of PGDT, and if PGDT is seen as acceptable.

4. (4) To understand client views of feasibility of implementation of PGDT in an NHS-TT setting.

In this paper, we investigate the dimension theory of the one-parameter family of Okamoto’s function. We compute the Hausdorff, box-counting, and Assouad dimensions of the graph for a typical choice of parameter. Furthermore, we study the dimension of the level sets. We give an upper bound on the dimension of every level set, and we show that for a typical choice of parameter, this value is attained for Lebesgue almost every level set.

Improving the thermal and rheological limitations of traditional natural hydrogels remains a key challenge for their medical use. Inorganic and organic elements were combined synergistically to develop natural hydrogels, and subsequently subjected to comprehensive thermal and rheological analysis for potential applications in physical medical treatments. The primary objective of this study was to optimize the technological, biopharmaceutical, and therapeutic properties of these innovative hydrogels, constituted by an inorganic framework of clay particles entrapping organic components from peat extracts. The hydrogels underwent thorough mineralogical and chemical characterization, confirming the pharmaceutical-grade quality of the clay component, which was predominantly composed of montmorillonite and saponite. Rheological evaluations revealed non-Newtonian viscoplastic behavior, with viscosity and thixotropy increasing significantly with higher clay concentrations and prolonged swelling durations. Thermal analyses demonstrated that the hydrogels possess adequate heat-transfer capabilities, ensuring effective maintenance of skin temperature during therapeutic application. Elemental analysis and cation exchange capacity determinations highlighted the substantial water retention and ion exchange properties of the hydrogels, contributing to their stability and functional performance. The integration of organic and inorganic constituents enhanced synergistically the mechanical strength, thermal stability, and therapeutic efficacy of the hydrogels. These advancements position the formulated hydrogels as promising candidates for innovative applications in physical medical treatments, offering enhanced mechanical and thermal properties essential for effective therapeutic outcomes.

Measuring the relationship between descriptive and substantive representation presents empirical and theoretical challenges. This article makes a distinctive empirical contribution that draws on the latest theoretical developments on the substantive representation of women (SRW). I provide an explorative qualitative analysis of representative claims in French parliamentary debates over a twenty-year period. I focus on three core questions: who is making claims? What are the claims saying? Which women are represented by the claims? The analysis considers the interplay between these questions and finds that SRW is complex and full of contestations. Most SRW comes from women and parties of the left, while most resistance (anti-SRW) comes from men and parties of the right. However, some women cross party lines to work together, while ideological differences emerge between women sharing descriptive traits. Crucially, I find that support for SRW is often restricted to claims that uphold the gendered and racialized status quo.

Utterance-final weakening refers to a prosodic feature found at the right periphery of some clauses in Pite Saami. This paper provides the most thorough general description of this prosodic phenomenon to date. The dataset used comes from an annotated corpus of spontaneous speech collected during the last 60 years. The phonetic-acoustic correlates are a complete devoicing of all segments in the final syllables of the affected clause, although creaky or breathy voice may also be present. Typically only one syllable is affected, but sometimes multiple syllables are affected. No syntactic units appear to correlate with this, and the weakening phase can even cross word boundaries. The phenomenon marginally correlates with gender, dialect, and age, with the speech of older speakers tending to feature it more frequently and with a longer prosodic scope. Similar utterance-final weakening phenomena are likely found in other languages, especially those in surrounding areas.

Polyamines putrescine, spermidine and spermine are small, positively charged metabolites indispensable for DNA stabilization, chromatin remodelling, RNA translation and redox balance, with dynamic distribution across the nucleus, mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum. In cancer, polyamine homeostasis becomes profoundly dysregulated through altered biosynthesis, degradation and transport, driving malignant phenotypes and therapy resistance. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop precision techniques that combine polyamine metabolism with immunotherapeutic and redox-based therapies, identify biomarkers to predict therapy response and create logical combination regimens to overcome resistance. The existing literature lacks in providing a holistic view of how polyamine dynamics intersect with diverse cancer hallmarks. Thus, this review consolidates emerging evidence on the multifaceted roles of polyamines in cancer hallmarks, with a particular focus on their impact on efferocytosis, ferroptosis and the dynamics of polyploid giant cancer cells (PGCCs). Furthermore, a comprehensive evaluation of contemporary treatment approaches that focus on polyamine metabolism, including transport blockers, biosynthesis inhibitors and various polyamine analogues, was discussed. While addressing context-dependent effects of polyamines that impede therapeutic progress, our discussion also incorporates important findings from pre-clinical and clinical investigations. Going forward, this review aims to enlighten and direct future translational research by situating polyamine biology within the broader context of cancer evolution and treatment adaptation.

The Lunana region in Bhutan, which hosts four large glacial lakes with significant hazard potential, has undergone rapid changes over the past decade. Using PlanetScope satellite scenes, we mapped ice velocities at monthly intervals from 2017 to 2023. We reveal that the disintegration of Thorthormi Glacier’s terminus in 2022 coincided with year-on-year acceleration with mean surface velocities as high as 448 ± 10.0 m a−1 by 2021, and seasonal variability in surface velocity magnitude >144.6 ± 10.0 m a−1. This acceleration is attributed to a reduction in basal drag as the terminus reached flotation, evidenced by the calving of tabular icebergs. While Bechung, Raphstreng and Lugge exhibited a similar interannual velocity trend, the upper regions of Bechung and Raphstreng showed a higher seasonal range (31% and 19.9% from their mean) compared to Lugge (4.2%). In the upper regions, we also find a decelerating velocity trend (3.5–20.6% over the 6 years), which is attributed to surface thinning and reducing driving stresses. We show that accelerating trends in velocity can be a precursor to higher rates of retreat and rapid lake expansion, demonstrating the importance of continuous monitoring of lake-terminating glacier ice velocities in the Himalaya.