University of Quebec in Montreal

The history of cultured meat is interesting and its aims are laudable, but the business model of disruptive innovation it is based on deserves careful consideration, as it sets the stage for major social and technological transformations. This is because behind the language of disruption lies a series of creative, technical, and financial assemblages couched in futurist ideals and profound anxiety about the present (Lepore, 2014). A critical perspective on the rhetoric and significance of cultured meat, at this historical juncture, reveals as much about Western society’s enduring beliefs and faith about progress and the potential of technology to save the world as it does about the unlearned lessons from the past, in other words about how we got here in the first place.

The narratives contained within cellular agriculture consist of the alignment of economic interests concerned with land scarcity and demographic predictions, the exhaustion of the global agri-food productivist system and its unsustainability, yield losses and the diminishing value of animal and plant production, food scares and zoonotic transmissions of disease, as well as the food crisis of 2007–2008, which significantly highlighted our dependence on land-based, highly financialized, and cartel-controlled industrial food systems. These events have led to crop failures, food insecurity, and economic losses, exacerbating challenges in the global food supply chain. More recently, catastrophic events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, various major zoonoses such as swine and avian flu during and since 2020, the war in Ukraine and droughts in the Horn of Africa (2020–present), India and Pakistan (2022), the Yellow River Basin in China (2022), as well as Thailand, Cambodia, and Myanmar have had a major impact on agricultural supply chains, including meat exports. At the same time and in some of the same regions, massive flooding has affected agricultural lands in Pakistan (2022), China (2020), Brazil (2024), and several parts of Europe (2021, 2022, and 2023). The increasing frequency and intensity of droughts and floods, in grain-growing countries, have severely interrupted global agricultural supply chains and created havoc in terms of market availabilities and pricing. These combined events have seriously impacted the livestock industry not only in terms of diminished numbers of animals for market—the swine flu meant the destruction of millions of pigs—but grain and cereal supply chains needed for animal feed were also affected. As a result, meat prices and scarcity as well as food safety and environmental concerns created opportunities in the meat analogue and alternative protein market starting in the year 2020. These scenarios of food insecurity and climate catastrophes constituting the stories occurring in the past and present serve to shape the meaning of what the future might look like. They constitute narratives of destruction and climate uncertainty and remind us of the fragility of our world. They also serve as a reminder of the utopian potential of technoscience to address food and other forms of insecurity, offering a counternarrative of possible futures.

This chapter will expand the concept of competing vitalities included in the title of the book. The concept of competing vitalities is central to understanding the dynamics of food, particularly in the context of cell-based meat (CM) and traditional farming. Vitality refers to the life force or energy inherent in living organisms, whether it be the plants, animals, or microbes that make up our food systems. In the case of food, this vitality exists before consumption—food is alive in various ways before it is harvested, processed, or prepared for eating. In traditional farming, these vitalities interact within complex ecosystems. Plants and animals, along with the humans who cultivate and care for them, participate in a web of life that is both cooperative and competitive. For instance, in traditional farming, livestock are part of a broader ecosystem, interacting with pastures, predators, and human caretakers. These interconnected vitalities form a dynamic system in which the life force of one organism is often dependent on, or in competition with, others. When it comes to CM, the notion of competing vitalities becomes even more pronounced. CM involves the cultivation of animal cells in a lab, where the vitality of these cells is manipulated, managed, controlled, and appropriated. This process abstracts the vitality of the living animal, reducing it to a form of biological material that can be manipulated outside of its natural ecosystem. In doing so, CM creates a new kind of vitality—one that is disconnected from the traditional life processes of farming and the broader ecosystems in which it is embedded.

The integration of the idea of repair into specific sets of scientific practices and social discourse pertaining to the powers of technosciences is what links together the main themes of this book. Cell meat is a form of repair work. On a direct level it regenerates tissues from a simulated wounded tissue to stimulate cell growth and proliferation and, on a larger scale; it aims to resolve some of our most pressing and urgent planetary problems, that is, industrial meat production and its deleterious effects on the environment. In addition, much of biotechnology is concerned with the tools used in cell repair (i.e. genome editing), regeneration, and DNA fixes to restore gene function, for instance. As such, repair is viewed as a form of (re)vitalization in the cellular meat project as well as in molecular biology in general. Seen as a paradigm, repair can help us unravel the types of material interventions and metaphors that become the imperative for reversing past mistakes and damages and that stand in for greater moral and financial investments in the technosphere.

An understanding of the growth and demise of ice sheets over North America is essential to inform future climate models. One poorly studied subject is the glacial dynamics during interstadial Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 (57–29 ka). To better constrain the southern margin of the Laurentide Ice Sheet during this time period, we re-examined a stratigraphic sequence in southeast Manitoba, Canada, and provide robust evidence for advance and retreat of ice. Around 46.6 ± 5.1 ka (1σ error), fluvial sands were deposited under similar precipitation and significantly cooler summer temperatures than present-day. Ice then advanced south over the area, before retreating once again and a return to boreal forest and grassland conditions. The area was then covered by proglacial Lake Vita, dammed by ice to the north. Geochronology constraints indicate Lake Vita existed from ca. 44.3 ± 3.6 to 30.4 ± 2.3 ka (1σ error), although gaps in the optical and finite radiocarbon ages suggest either a lack of data or plausible temporary ice-margin advances during this time period. Ice covering most of Manitoba during MIS 3 is in line with global δ18O records, and glacially influenced sediment deposition in the Mississippi River basin.

Background Nutritional stress is a mechanism that allows tumor cells to evade the immune system. Arginine (ARG), an amino acid involved in immunomodulation, aids in regulating T-lymphocyte cell activity and the antitumor response. ARG deficiency in the tumor microenvironment can impair T-cell response while ARG supplementation may promote antitumor immune activity. In this exploratory post hoc analysis of the randomized phase II CO.26 trial, we investigated the role of plasma ARG in predicting response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in patients with microsatellite stable refractory metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Methods CO.26 randomized patients with refractory mCRC to durvalumab plus tremelimumab (D+T) versus best supportive care (BSC). Plasma ARG concentrations were determined from pretreatment blood samples using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The median plasma ARG value was used as a cut-off stratifying patients into ARG-high (≥10 700 ng/mL) versus ARG-low (<10 700 ng/mL) groups. Overall survival (OS) was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test. Cox proportional hazard models were used to analyze the prognostic and predictive impacts of ARG on OS. Results Of 180 patients enrolled in CO.26, 161 (N=114 treated with D+T and 47 BSC) had pretreatment blood samples for ARG analysis. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between patients included in this analysis and the total study patients, or between ARG-high and ARG-low patients. In the BSC arm, the median OS was 3.09 months for ARG-high versus 4.27 months for ARG-low patients (univariable HR 0.89 (0.49–1.65), p=0.72). In the D+T arm, the median OS was 7.62 months for ARG-high versus 5.27 months for ARG-low patients (univariable HR 0.68, (0.48–1.0], p=0.048). In ARG-high patients, D+T significantly improved OS (median OS 7.62 months with D+T vs 3.09 months BSC; HR 0.61 (0.37–0.99), p=0.047; adjusted p=0.042 for interaction). In ARG-low patients there was no OS benefit with D+T (median OS 5.27 months D+T vs 4.27 months BSC; HR 0.87 (0.52–1.46), p=0.61). Conclusion High baseline plasma ARG was predictive of improved OS in patients with mCRC treated with D+T. Further investigations are needed to validate ARG as a biomarker. Therapeutic approaches targeting the ARG pathway may augment ICI activity. Trial registration number NCT02870920 .

Populations are constantly exposed to airborne metals, in particular in urban areas. Despite their proven links to health issues, their origin and fate are still subject to debate. Bioindicators, by taking up and cumulating atmospheric metals over time, have been widely used to proxy environmental quality over large areas, at various time scales. Using the example of the Paris region, we investigated the potential for the Grimmia pulvinata moss species to both characterize air metal contamination and to identify its main sources. To this end, we coupled metal/metalloid (Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr, V and Zn) concentrations and Pb isotope ratios from samples collected in cemeteries in the city and its suburbs. Metal enrichment factors ranged between 2 and 10 for As, Cr, Fe, Ni, Sr, V, between 50 and 100 for Cu, Pb and Zn and > 100 for Cd and Sb, indicating a dominant anthropogenic origin. Principal component analysis showed that 3 principal components explained 89% of the metal variations: (i) European atmospheric background, (ii) regional urban sources, and (iii) resuspension of regional soils. This was corroborated by Pb isotope ratios, whose variations were modelled by a ternary mixing that considered the same 3 emission sources. Using a MixSIAR isotope model, we reveal that the European atmospheric background contributes slightly (< ~ 5%) and that within 20 km of the city center bioindicators are mostly impacted by urban sources (contributions: 50–80%). Samples collected > 20 km show almost equal contributions of the endmembers representing urban activities and agricultural soil resuspension.

Background There is limited information on rare spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) variants, particularly in the Canadian population. This study aimed to describe the demographic and clinical features of uncommon SCA subtypes in Canada and compare them with international data. Methods We conducted a case series and literature review of adult patients with rare SCA subtypes, including SCA5, SCA7, SCA12, SCA14, SCA15, SCA28, SCA34, SCA35 and SCA36. Data were collected from medical centers in Ontario, Alberta and Quebec between January 2000 and February 2021. Results We analyzed 25 patients with rare SCA subtypes, with onset ages ranging from birth to 67 years. Infantile and juvenile-onset cases were observed in SCA5, SCA7, SCA14 and SCA34. Most patients presented with gait ataxia, with no significant differences across groups. Additional common features included saccadic abnormalities (22 of 25), dysarthria (19 of 25) and nystagmus (12 of 22, except in SCA7). Less common findings included dystonia (8 of 25), cognitive impairment (7 of 25), tremor (9 of 25) and parkinsonism (3 of 25). Conclusion Our study highlights the heterogeneity of rare SCA subtypes in Canada. Ongoing longitudinal analysis will improve the understanding, management and screening of these disorders.

Accurate surface tension measurements are key to understanding and predicting the behavior of atmospheric aerosols, particularly their formation, growth, and phase transitions. In Earth’s atmosphere, aerosols often exist in metastable states, such as being supercooled or supersaturated. Standard tensiometry instruments face challenges in accessing these states due to the large sample volumes they require and rapid phase changes near surfaces. We present an instrument that uses a strong electric field, nearing the dielectric strength of air, to deform aerosol microdroplets and measure surface tension in a contact-free, humidity-controlled environment. A dual-beam optical trap holds single microdroplets between two electrodes and excites Raman scattering. When a high voltage is applied, droplet deformations reach tens of nanometers. These small shape changes are precisely measured through the splitting of morphology-dependent resonances, seen as sharp peaks in Raman spectra. Our measurements cover water activities where droplets are supersaturated, a region with limited previous data, and show good agreement with existing data where comparisons are possible. Unlike prior levitation-based methods, this approach measures surface tension in systems with viscosities over 10² Pa s without relying on dynamic processes.

In this article, we apply slope detection techniques to study properties of toroidal 3-manifolds obtained by performing Dehn surgeries on satellite knots in the context of the L-space conjecture. We show that if K is an L-space knot or admits an irreducible rational surgery with non-left-orderable fundamental group, then the JSJ graph of its exterior is a rooted interval. Consequently, any rational surgery on a composite knot has a left-orderable fundamental group. This is the left-orderable counterpart of Krcatovich’s result on the primeness of L-space knots, which we reprove using our methods. Analogous results on the existence of co-orientable taut foliations are proved when the knot has a fibred companion. Our results suggest a new approach to establishing the counterpart of Krcatovich’s result for surgeries with co-orientable taut foliations, on which partial results have been achieved by Delman and Roberts. Finally, we prove results on left-orderable p/q-surgeries on knots with p small.

Several studies have demonstrated balance impairments in children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD). However, a recent meta-analysis reports that none of the existing studies investigated the entire construct of balance across the same postural task. It is unclear whether anticipatory postural adjustments before voluntary unperturbed leaning tasks are altered in DCD. Anticipatory postural adjustment’s impact on postural control and limits of stability as well as the contribution of proprioception in these mechanisms are also unknown. This study compared the center of pressure displacements of participants with DCD ( n = 30) to typically developing participants ( n = 20) (9–12 years old). Standing on an AMTI force plate, participants were asked to lean as far as possible forward, backward, rightward, and leftward in both natural and with eyes closed + foam conditions (eight separated trials). The statistical analysis revealed that the DCD group had larger anticipatory postural adjustments, maximal center of pressure excursion, and greater postural instabilities than the control group. The proprioceptive condition does not systematically influence postural performance in DCD. These deficits are, however, increased in mediolateral directions. These impairments could interfere with children’s performance during daily and physical activities and even negatively impact social inclusion.

In this paper, the design, concept and experimental validation of the performances of a piezoelectric resonant microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) phase comparator is presented. Compared to traditional integrated circuits, the potential benefits of a MEMS phase comparator include a low power consumption, higher sensitivity, higher selectivity and improved robustness. The design and experimental validation of a resonant MEMS phase comparator are presented along with characterization recommendations. The operation of this resonant MEMS phase comparator is experimentally validated over the first five eigen modes at 108 kHz, 298.7 kHz, 583.3 kHz, 962.8 kHz and 1.4375 MHz. Calibration of the resonant MEMS phase comparator is presented, allowing for simple device operation, which is validated under various waveform stimulations: sinusoidal, square, and triangular. This work is expected to lead to the development of new applications for MEMS resonating devices. 2024-0037

Introduction The increased burden of climate-sensitive infectious diseases (CSIDs) within the circumpolar region, one of the many impacts of climate change, is impacting human, animal and ecosystem health. An integrated One Health approach to surveillance of CSIDs has been promoted by the scientific community as a prerequisite to enhance preparedness and response. Up to now, little is known about how the One Health approach has been implemented in surveillance systems for CSIDs in the Arctic and surrounding regions. Objectives The objectives of this study were to map surveillance activities currently implemented in the Canadian Arctic and subarctic for the 16 CSID identified by the Arctic Council, to describe how One Health has been operationalized in these activities, and to explore the integration and leadership of Indigenous partners in current surveillance systems. Method We performed the mapping in three steps: a rapid review of the scientific literature, a review of the grey literature and an online questionnaire sent to key stakeholders involved in CSID surveillance in the Canadian Arctic and subarctic regions. Results and conclusions We identified 37 scientific peer-reviewed and 58 grey literature records. We mapped (1) surveillance of mandatory notifiable diseases at the federal, provincial or territorial levels not specific to the Arctic and subarctic regions, and (2) non-mandatory surveillance programs specific to the Arctic and subarctic regions. We described programs targeting either a single disease, human populations or wildlife. In most programs, there was no explicit mention of the integration of the One Health approach, and little information was available on collaboration efforts between sectors. Programs involved Indigenous communities at various levels, ranging from very low communication to community members, to high involvement and leadership in program management. Improvement in current CSID surveillance activities in Canada should include enhancing information accessibility, ensuring geographic representation, fostering sustainability in implementation of One Health strategies, and stronger involvement of Indigenous communities in the leadership of surveillance systems. An internationally harmonised approach across the Arctic and subarctic regions for all CSIDs has the potential to unify circumpolar surveillance efforts, save resources, and ultimately better inform public health authorities on the actions to prioritize in the context of climate change.

Power electronic-interfaced renewable energy sources (RES) exhibit lower inertia compared to traditional synchronous generators. The large-scale integration of RES has led to a significant reduction in system inertia, posing significant challenges for maintaining frequency stability in future power systems. This issue has garnered considerable attention in recent years. However, the existing research has not yet achieved a comprehensive understanding of system inertia and frequency stability in the context of low-inertia systems. To this end, this paper provides a comprehensive review of the definition, modeling, analysis, evaluation, and control for frequency stability. It commences with an exploration of inertia and frequency characteristics in low-inertia systems, followed by a novel definition of frequency stability. A summary of frequency stability modeling, analysis, and evaluation methods is then provided, along with their respective applicability in various scenarios. Additionally, the two critical factors of frequency control—energy sources at the system level and control strategies at the device level—are examined. Finally, an outlook on future research in low-inertia power systems is discussed.