Over the past decade innovative technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR) and smartphone applications (apps) have demonstrated their potential for increasing well-being in various fields, such as ... Show moreOver the past decade innovative technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR) and smartphone applications (apps) have demonstrated their potential for increasing well-being in various fields, such as (mental) health care and education. Although still in its infancy, the application of such technologies for treatment purposes in the forensic context and criminal justice practice is nascent. This chapter reviews the literature and describes the state of the art of VR and apps in the forensic domain to explore the shared and unique possibilities for risk assessment, offender rehabilitation, and reintegration. In total, 18 VR applications and 18 smartphone apps were located in scientific databases and through web search. Aside from a review, we present a prospective vision of the unique treatment potential of VR and apps, as well as their complementary use. We conclude with limitations and ethical considerations. Show less
Cyanobacterial blooms are a global ecological problem that directly threatens human health and crop safety. Cyanobacteria have toxic effects on aquatic microorganisms, which could drive the... Show moreCyanobacterial blooms are a global ecological problem that directly threatens human health and crop safety. Cyanobacteria have toxic effects on aquatic microorganisms, which could drive the selection for resistance genes. The effect of cyanobacterial blooms on the dispersal and abundance of antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) of concern to human health remains poorly known. We herein investigated the effect of cyanobacterial blooms on ARG composition in Lake Taihu, China. The numbers and relative abundances of total ARGs increased obviously during a Planktothrix bloom. More pathogenic microorganisms were present during this bloom than during a Planktothrix bloom or during the non-bloom period. Microcosmic experiments using additional aquatic ecosystems (an urban river and Lake West) found that a coculture of Microcystis aeruginosa and Planktothrix agardhii increased the richness of the bacterial community, because its phycosphere provided a richer microniche for bacterial colonization and growth. Antibiotic-resistance bacteria were naturally in a rich position, successfully increasing the momentum for the emergence and spread of ARGs. These results demonstrate that cyanobacterial blooms are a crucial driver of ARG diffusion and enrichment in freshwater, thus providing a reference for the ecology and evolution of ARGs and ARBs and for better assessing and managing water quality. Show less
