bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The SeaCoRe system for large scale kelp aquaculture: a plug-and-play, compatible, open-source system for the propagation and transport of clonal gametophyte cultures
Authors: Ebbing Alexander P. J. , Fivash Gregory S. , Pierik Ronald , Bouma Tjeerd J. , Kromkamp Jacco C. , Timmermans Klaas
Published: November 2021

The future of large-scale kelp aquaculture is standing at a crossroad, with the diverging paths being characterized by two fundamentally different cultivation methods that differ on how well gametophyte reproduction can be controlled. The cultivation method that does not directly control gametophyte reproduction is more widely utilized at the moment, but interest in better controlling gametophyte reproduction is growing steadily. Here, we validate a bioreactor system that overcomes a number of implementation challenges for this controlled reproductive method, expanding the possibility of clonal gametophyte cultivation outside of expensive laboratory settings. The main goals of this system include (i) the maintenance of clean gametophyte clonal cultures in non-sterile environments over prolonged periods of time, (ii) the production of large numbers of juvenile sporophytes, and (iii) effective transportation of gametophytes and sporophytes. The “SeaCoRe system” consists out of three parts that correspond to these three challenges: (1) clone-reactors, (2) a clone-inducer, and (3) a transporter. The validation of the system showed that delayed Saccharina latissima and Alaria esculenta gametophytes can grow reliably for 75 days in the clone-reactors. Initial gametophyte densities of 0.4 mg DW and 0.6 mg DW gametophtyes mL−1 were optimal for S. latissima and A. esculenta, resulting in reproductive successes of 604 and 422 sporophytes mL−1, respectively. Lastly, gametophyte transport was simulated, with high reproductive success still achieved within 19 days in ~ 20 °C environments. The SeaCoRe system helps unlock the full potential of large-scale kelp cultivation using multiannual delayed clonal.
Efficacy and mortality of rotating sheaths versus laser sheaths for transvenous lead extraction: a meta-analysis
Authors: Lee Sun Yong , Allen Isabel E. , Diaz Celso , Guo Xiaofan , Pellegrini Cara , Beygui Ramin , Cardona-Guarache Ricardo , Marcus Gregory M. , Lee Byron K.
Published: November 2021

Background

Rotating and laser sheaths are both routinely used in transvenous lead extraction (TLE) which can lead to catastrophic complications including death. The efficacy and risk of each approach are uncertain. To perform a meta-analysis to compare success and mortality rates associated with rotating and laser sheaths.

Methods

We searched electronic academic databases for case series of consecutive patients and randomized controlled trials published 1998–2017 describing the use of rotating and laser sheaths for TLE. Among 48 studies identified, rotating sheaths included 1,094 patients with 1,955 leads in 14 studies, and laser sheaths included 7,775 patients with 12,339 leads in 34 studies. Patients receiving rotating sheaths were older (63 versus 60 years old) and were more often male (74% versus 72%); CRT-P/Ds were more commonly extracted using rotating sheaths (12% versus 7%), whereas ICDs were less common (37% versus 42%),p > 0.05 for all. Infection as an indication for lead extraction was higher in the rotating sheath group (59.8% versus 52.9%,p = 0.002). The mean time from initial lead implantation was 7.2 years for rotating sheaths and 6.3 years for laser sheaths (p > 0.05).

Results

Success rates for complete removal of transvenous leads were 95.1% in rotating sheaths and 93.4% in laser sheaths (p < 0.05). There was one death among 1,094 patients (0.09%) in rotating sheaths and 66 deaths among 7,775 patients (0.85%) in laser sheaths, translating to a 9.3-fold higher risk of death with laser sheaths (95% CI 1.3 to 66.9,p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Laser sheaths were associated with lower complete lead removal rate and a 9.3-fold higher risk of death.
Secondary and University Students’ Descriptions of Quantum Uncertainty and the Wave Nature of Quantum Particles
Authors: Bøe Maria Vetleseter , Viefers Susanne
Published: November 2021

Teaching and learning of quantum physics at secondary level is an active field of research. One important challenge is finding ways to promote understanding of quantum concepts without the mathematical formalism that is embedded in quantum mechanics but unavailable on the secondary level. We investigated Norwegian secondary students’ (N = 291) descriptions of the wave nature of quantum particles and the uncertainty principle, as expressed during work with learning resources using a sociocultural approach emphasizing history, philosophy, and nature of science aspects. Responses from university students (N = 40) given after a formalism-based course in quantum physics were included for comparison. Themes were identified using thematic analysis and analyzed from the perspective of pedagogical link-making, seeing different themes as representing different levels of explanations of the concepts (phenomenological, qualitative, mathematical). The most dominant theme in descriptions of particle wave nature was that particles exhibit wave behavior in experiments, while referring to the mathematical description of particles by wave functions was a less prominent theme, even among university students. Two uncertainty principle themes were found: uncertainty as inability to measure pairs of variables precisely, and uncertainty as innate blurriness in nature. Largely missing from descriptions of both concepts were meaningful links between different levels of explanations. Based on the results, we discuss ways forward for teaching particle wave nature and uncertainty in secondary education.
More than just collateral damage. Ramifications of the pandemic for freedom of the press
Authors: Holtz-Bacha Christina
Published: November 2021

Confronted with a situation that was new to everyone, world leaders sought the best way to contain the pandemic caused by the coronavirus. The measures introduced, with lockdowns and curfews, affected fundamental rights such as freedom of movement and assembly, with implications for freedom of expression and freedom of the press. Demonstrations against the governments’ COVID-19 policies and the associated encroachments on citizens’ fundamental rights in turn led to attacks on media representatives and thus on the freedom of reporting. They were also further proof that attacks on the freedom of the media no longer come only from the state. The restrictions on journalistic work were by no means a surprise attack on the media, but the continuation of a worldwide trend that has been evident for several years, not only in authoritarian systems, but also in established democracies. For those who fear the free press and its watchdog function, the pandemic provided a welcome opportunity, under the pretext of public health, to tighten the reins a bit more and create facts that will endure beyond the pandemic. Financial support for the media, especially the printed press, to cushion the economic consequences of the pandemic and to secure newspapers for the future, establishes new dependencies that can affect free reporting in the long term.
microRNA-26a represses pancreatic cancer cell malignant behaviors by targeting E2F7
Authors: Wang Liang , Li Meijun , Chen Fei
Published: November 2021

Dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) exerts key roles in the development of pancreatic cancer (PCa). miR-26a is reportedly a tumor suppressor in cancers. However, whether miR-26a modulates PCa progression is poorly understood. Here, we found that miR-26a was down-regulated in PCa. Overexpressed miR-26a suppressed PCa cell proliferation, colony formation, and tumor stem cell properties. Mechanically, the transcription factor E2F7 is a downstream target of miR-26a. miR-26a decreased E2F7 expression through binding to the 3’-untranslated region (UTR) of E2F7. Decreased miR-26a in PCa tissues was inversely correlated with E2F7. The inhibitory effects of miR-26a in PCa were reversed by E2F7 overexpression. Consistently, the knockout of E2F7 further significantly inhibited the growth of PCa cells combined with miR-26a overexpression. Further study revealed that E2F7 bound the promoter of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), a key factor in angiogenesis, and transcriptionally activated the expression of VEGFA. miR-26a overexpression attenuated the effects of E2F7 on VEGFA promotion. Our results uncovered the novel function of miR-26a/E2F7/VEGFA in PCa, making miR-26a a possible target for PCa treatment.
Reflection on the Professional Development of Early Childhood Education and Care Teachers in Japan Based on Children’s Voices
Authors: Matsui Gota
Published: November 2021

Using action research, this study examined the professional development of teachers through the reflections that kindergarten teachers obtain from children’s voices and the relevance between the working environment and teachers’ reflection at teacher conferences in Japan. Four teachers participated in the study. Data sources included teachers’ perspectives on imitation paper, teachers’ thoughts and reflections at conferences and during interviews, visual material, and narrative observations of children’s play. Children’s voices stimulate teachers’ reflection and provide deeper insights about diversity among children. The discussions at the conference about children’s voices showed teachers’ learning in four aspects: beliefs of play, environmental setting, understanding of children, and child–teacher relationships. In the act of listening to children’s voices, each teacher was influenced by their job positions and by the relationship within teacher groups in reflection at teacher conferences. Teachers appeared to understand each other’s beliefs by engaging in regular dialogue at conferences. This study contributed to the improvement of in-service training methods in early childhood education and care.
A Heuristic Local-sensitive Program-Wide Diffing Method for IoT Binary Files
Authors: Yu Lu , Lu Yuliang , Shen Yi , Pan Zulie , Huang Hui
Published: November 2021

Code reuse brings vulnerabilities in third-party library to many Internet of Things (IoT) devices, opening them to attacks such as distributed denial of service. Program-wide binary diffing technology can help detect these vulnerabilities in IoT devices whose source codes are not public. Considering the architectures of IoT devices may vary, we propose a data-aware program-wide diffing method across architectures and optimization levels. We rely on the defined anchor functions and call relationship to expand the comparison scope within the target file, reducing the impact of different architectures on the diffing result. To make the diffing result more accurate, we extract the semantic features that can represent the code by data flow dependence analysis. Earth mover distance is used to calculate the similarity of functions in two files based on semantic features. We implemented a proof-of-concept DAPDiff and compared it with baseline BinDiff, TurboDiff and Asm2vec. Experiments showed the availability and effectiveness of our method across optimization levels and architectures. DAPDiff outperformed BinDiff in recall and precision by 41.4% and 9.2% on average when making diffing between standard third-party library and the real-world firmware files. This proves that DAPDiff can be applicable for the vulnerability detection in IoT devices.
The lesson learned from COVID-19 and the climate crisis is not to let experts decide on policies: a response to Robert C. Schmidt
Authors: Toeller Annette Elisabeth , Blum Sonja , Boecher Michael , Loer Kathrin
Published: November 2021

This is a response to the commentary by Robert C. Schmidt in this journal, in which the author suggests that for specific problems such as climate change or the current pandemic, decisions on policies should be made by scientific experts rather than by politicians. We argue that such ideas, which were brought up in the late 1960s and reconsidered more recently, do not take sufficient account of the nature of science politics, and their interaction. Furthermore, problem structures and resulting challenges for science and politics are not similar, but essentially different between climate change and the pandemic. Therefore, different solutions to the problems are required. There is a need to improve politics’ reliable recourse to scientific evidence in many cases. Yet, giving scientific experts such a strong position in decision-making ignores that most decisions, even if based on the state of scientific evidence (if thereissuch an uncontroversial state of evidence), ultimately require genuinely political choices about trade-offs of interests and normative issues that neither can nor should be made by scientists. Therefore, putting Schmidt’s proposal into practice would not solve the existing problems but instead create new problems.
The Nutrition-COVID-19 Interplay: a Review
Authors: Antwi Janet , Appiah Bernard , Oluwakuse Busayo , Abu Brenda A. Z.
Published: November 2021

Purpose of Review

Nutritional status is affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, directly or indirectly. Even with the recent rollout of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines and availability of medicines such as remdesivir, and monoclonal antibodies, host nutritional status is pivotal in the fight against the acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and outcomes. The purpose of this review is to discuss the effects of COVID-19-related lockdown on lifestyle behaviors, and the nutritional consequences, and the direct sequelae of the infection on nutrition including potential nutritional interventions.

Recent Findings

The COVID-19-related lockdown imposed radical changes in lifestyle behaviors with considerable short-term and long-term health and nutritional consequences including weight gain and obesity and increased cardiometabolic risk, consistently linked to worsened prognosis. The extent of the impact was dependent on food insecurity, overall stress and disordered eating, physical inactivity, and exposure to COVID-19-related nutrition information sources. COVID-19 could directly induce inflammatory responses and poor nutrient intake and absorption leading to undernutrition with micronutrient deficiencies, which impairs immune system function with subsequent amplified risk of infection and disease severity. Nutrition interventions through nutrition support, dietary supplementation, and home remedies such as use of zinc, selenium, vitamin D, and omega-3 fatty acids showed the most significant promise to mitigate the course of COVID-19 infection and improve survival rates.

The nutrition-COVID-19 relationship and related dietary changes mimic a vicious cycle of the double burden of malnutrition, both obesity and undernutrition with micronutrient deficiencies, which promote infection, disease progression, and potential death.
Prenatal and Neonatal Detection of Isomeric Situs and the Association with Maternal Comorbidities
Authors: Evans William N. , Acherman Ruben J. , Restrepo Humberto
Published: November 2021

Our purpose was to investigate the relationship between fetal and neonatal isomeric situs and maternal comorbidities. We identified all prenatally and postnatally diagnosed fetuses with left or right isomerism between March 2011 and October 2020 in Southern Nevada. We determined isomerism by the relationship of the abdominal inferior vena cava and descending aorta. For each case, we evaluated the presence of maternal comorbidities. We did not include routine obstetric ultrasound findings in determining the presence of maternal comorbidities. For each fetus or infant, we determined the presence of congenital heart disease. We did not analyze any other organ systems. We identified 48 cases. Of the 48, 31 (65%) occurred in mothers with comorbidities. Of the 48, 40 were live-born. Of the 40 live-born, 26 (65%) occurred with maternal comorbidities (p = 0.0001 for both the total and live-borns associated with maternal comorbidities). Of the 40 live-born, 1 had no prenatal care. Of the 39 with prenatal care, 38 (97%) were prenatally diagnosed. Of the 48 total cases: 23 had no congenital heart disease other than a patent foramen ovale, and 25 had critical congenital heart disease. Of the 23 without congenital heart disease, 19 (83%) were associated with maternal comorbidities, and of the 25 with critical congenital heart disease, 12 (48%) were associated with maternal comorbidities (p = 0.041). Prenatal detection of isomerism approached 100%. Most of those with isomerism occurred in association with maternal comorbidities. Most of those with critical congenital heart disease occurred in mothers without comorbidities.
Liver transplant with controlled donors after circulatory death with normothermic regional perfusion and brain dead donors: A multicenter cohort study of transfusion, one-year graft survival and mortality
Authors: Viguera Laura , Blasi Annabel , Reverter Enric , Arjona Begoña , Caballero Marta , Chocron Ivette , García-López José Antonio , Gutierrez Rosa , Martin Maria Jesús , Pérez-Peña Jose , Pitera Javier , Zarragoikoetxea Iratxe , Sabaté Antoni , Belmonte C. , Bustamante J. , Beltran J. , Colmenero J. , Costa M. , Fondevila C. , Galan P. , García-Palenciano C. , Garrido J. L. , Gomez-Serrano J. , Gonzalez S. , de la Fuente Jimenez C. , Jimeno C. , Leon A. , Lopez-Toribio P. , Marín A. , del Mazo A. , de Nadal M. , Ojinaga G. , Padilla J. , Tevar J. , Torres M. , Zaballos M.
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Background

Controlled donation after circulatory death (cDCD) has expanded the donor pool for liver transplantation (LT). However, transfusion requirements and perioperative outcomes should be elucidated. The aim of this multicenter study was to assess red blood cell (RBC) transfusions, one-year graft and patient survival after LT after cDCD with normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) compared with donors after brain death (DBD).

Methods

591 LT carried out in ten centers during 2019 were reviewed. Thromboelastometry was used to manage coagulation and blood product transfusion in all centers. Normothermic regional perfusion was the standard technique for organ recovery.

Results

447 patients received DBD and 144 cDCD with NRP. Baseline MCF Extem was lower in the cDCD group There were no differences in the percentage of patients (63% vs. 61% p = 0.69), nor in the number of RBC units transfused (4.7 (0.2) vs 5.5 (0.4) in DBD vs cDCD, p = 0.11. Twenty-six patients (6%) died during admission for LT in the DBD group compared with 3 patients (2%) in the cDCD group (p = 0.15). To overcome the bias due to a worse coagulation profile in cDCD recipients, matched samples were compared. No differences in baseline laboratory data, or in intraoperative use of RBC or one-year outcome data were observed between DBD and cDCD recipients.

Conclusions

cDCD with NRP is not associated with increased RBC transfusion. No differences in graft and patient survival between cDCD and DBD were found. Donors after controlled circulatory death with NRP can increasingly be utilized with safety, improving the imbalance between organ donors and the ever-growing demand.

Highlights
Ingenious Trade
Authors: Gowing Laura
Published: November 2021

Ingenious Trade recovers the intricate stories of the young women who came to London in the late seventeenth century to earn their own living, most often with the needle, and the mistresses who set up shops and supervised their apprenticeships. Tracking women through city archives, it reveals the extent and complexity of their contracts, training and skills, from adolescence to old age. In contrast to the informal, unstructured and marginalised aspects of women's work, this book uses legal records and guild archives to reconstruct women's negotiations with city regulations and bureaucracy. It shows single women, wives and widows establishing themselves in guilds both alongside and separate to men, in a network that extended from elites to paupers and around the country. Through an intensive and creative archival reconstruction, Laura Gowing recovers the significance of apprenticeship in the lives of girls and women, and puts women's work at the heart of the revolution in worldly goods.
Multifacility Outbreak of NDM/OXA-23–Producing Acinetobacter baumannii in California, 2020–2021
Authors: Holden Diana , Mitsunaga Tisha , Sanford Denise , Fryer Tanya , Nash June , Schneider Emily , Mukhopadhyay Rituparna , Epson Erin , Sylvester Matthew
Published: November 2021

Background: NDM/OXA-23 carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii isolates have been reported worldwide, but rarely in the United States. A California acute-care hospital (ACH) A identified 3 patients with pan-nonsusceptible A. baumannii during May–June 2020, prompting a public health investigation to prevent further transmission among the regional healthcare network. Methods: A clinical isolate was defined as NDM/OXA-23–producing A. baumannii from a patient at ACH A or B, or an epidemiologically linked patient identified through colonization screening during May 2020–January 2021. ACHs A and B are sentinel sites for carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii surveillance through the Antibiotic Resistance Laboratory Network (AR Lab Network), where isolates are tested for carbapenemase genes. The California Department of Public Health with 3 local health departments conducted an epidemiological investigation, contact tracing, colonization screening, and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Results: In total, 11 cases were identified during May 2020–January 2021, including 3 cases at ACH A during May–June 2020, and 8 additional cases during November 2020–January 2021: 5 at ACH A, 1 at ACH B, and 2 at skilled nursing facility (SNF) A. Isolates from ACHs A and B were identified through testing at the AR Lab Network. Of the 11 patients (including the index patient), 4 had exposure at SNF A, where 2 cases were identified through colonization screening. Screening conducted at ACH A and 5 other long-term care facilities (LTCFs) identified no additional cases. WGS results for the first 8 cases identified showed 2–13 single-nucleotide polymorphism differences. Antibiotic resistance genes for all isolates sequenced included NDM-1 and OXA-23. On-site assessments related to a COVID-19 outbreak conducted at ACH A identified infection control gaps. Conclusions: Hospital participation in public health laboratory surveillance allows early detection of novel multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), which enabled outbreak identification and public health response. A high COVID-19 burden and related changes in infection control practices have been associated with MDRO transmission elsewhere in California. This factor might have contributed to spread at ACH A and hampered earlier screening efforts at SNF A, likely leading to undetected transmission. Extensive movement of positive patients among a regional healthcare network including at least 6 ACHs and 7 LTCFs likely contributed to the prolonged duration of this outbreak. This investigation highlights the importance of enhanced novel MDRO surveillance strategies coupled with strong infection prevention and control practices as important factors in identifying outbreaks and preventing further transmission in regional networks.

Funding: No

Disclosures: None
Transmission of Acinetobacter baumannii by Surgical Masks During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Saidel Lisa , Borer Abraham , Sagi Orli
Published: November 2021

Background:Acinetobacter baumannii, one of the major causes of nosocomial infections in modern healthcare systems, is characterized by its great persistence in the environment and by its ability to rapidly develop resistance to many antimicrobials. Most A. baumannii infections occur in intubated critically ill patients, causing ventilator-associated pneumonia which is a leading cause of mortality. During the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic an increase in hospital-acquired carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) infection and colonization in acute-care hospitals has been described. CRAB healthcare-associated infections are often linked to breaches of infection prevention and control (IPC). Beginning in April 2020, our hospital’s IPC unit ordered mandatory universal masking for all healthcare workers (HCWs). Shortages of personal protective equipment during the COVID-19 pandemic led to extended use of surgical face masks by HCWs in our hospital. We investigated whether the extended use of surgical face masks was linked to an increase of CRAB colonization in our intubated critically ill patients. Methods: Surgical masks were collected from doctors, nurses, and housekeeping staff working in 2 internal medicine departments, each including a 4-bed unit for intubated critically ill patients. All surgical masks were worn continuously for 4–5 hours before removal. “Cases“ were defined as HCWs who treated CRAB colonized critically ill patients. “Controls“ were defined as HCWs who did not enter the critically ill patient unit. Surgical masks were incubated with BHI enrichment broth (HyLabs Rehovot, Israel) for 48 hours at 35°C. BHI was seeded on multidrug-resistant (MDR)–selective CHROMagar plates (HyLabs) and incubated overnight at 35°C. Identification was performed using MALDI-ToF mass spectrophotometry (bioMérieux, France). Susceptibility was tested using Vitek 2 (bioMérieux). Results: In total, 55 HCWs participated in the study: 25 cases and 30 controls. Masks from 10 cases (40%) were colonized with Acinetobacter spp versus only 3 masks (10%) from controls (OR, 5.98; 95% CI, 1.42–25; P = .012). Of 13 masks contaminated with Acinetobacter spp, 8 of 10 contaminated masks among cases were colonized with CRAB, whereas only 1 of 3 masks of controls was colonized with CRAB. Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, extended surgical mask use while treating patients colonized with CRAB increased mask contamination with this bacterium. Surgical masks should be changed after treating a patient colonized with CRAB the same way gown and glove removal and hand hygiene are performed.

Funding: No

Disclosures: None
The MWA long baseline Epoch of reionisation survey—I. Improved source catalogue for the EoR 0 field
Authors: Lynch C. R. , Galvin T. J. , Line J. L. B. , Jordan C. H. , Trott C. M. , Chege J. K. , McKinley B. , Johnston-Hollitt M. , Tingay S. J.
Published: November 2021

One of the principal systematic constraints on the Epoch of Reionisation (EoR) experiment is the accuracy of the foreground calibration model. Recent results have shown that highly accurate models of extended foreground sources, and including models for sources in both the primary beam and its sidelobes, are necessary for reducing foreground power. To improve the accuracy of the source models for the EoR fields observed by the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA), we conducted the MWA Long Baseline Epoch of Reionisation Survey (LoBES). This survey consists of multi-frequency observations of the main MWA EoR fields and their eight neighbouring fields using the MWA Phase II extended array. We present the results of the first half of this survey centred on the MWA EoR0 observing field (centred at RA (J2000)$0^\mathrm{h}$, Dec (J2000)$-27^{\circ}$). This half of the survey covers an area of 3 069 degrees$^2$, with an average rms of 2.1 mJy beam–1. The resulting catalogue contains a total of 80 824 sources, with 16 separate spectral measurements between 100 and 230 MHz, and spectral modelling for 78$\%$of these sources. Over this region we estimate that the catalogue is 90$\%$complete at 32 mJy, and 70$\%$complete at 10.5 mJy. The overall normalised source counts are found to be in good agreement with previous low-frequency surveys at similar sensitivities. Testing the performance of the new source models we measure lower residual rms values for peeled sources, particularly for extended sources, in a set of MWA Phase I data. The 2-dimensional power spectrum of these data residuals also show improvement on small angular scales—consistent with the better angular resolution of the LoBES catalogue. It is clear that the LoBES sky models improve upon the current sky model used by the Australian MWA EoR group for the EoR0 field.
Structural basis of anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of HCQ: specific binding to N protein to disrupt its interaction with nucleic acids and LLPS
Authors: Dang Mei , Song Jianxing
Published: November 2021

SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid (N) protein plays the essential roles in key steps of the viral life cycle, thus representing a top drug target. Functionality of N protein including liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) depends on its interaction with nucleic acids. Only the variants with N proteins functional in binding nucleic acids might survive and spread in evolution and indeed, the residues critical for binding nucleic acids are highly conserved. Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) was shown to prevent the transmission in a large-scale clinical study in Singapore but so far, no specific SARS-CoV-2 protein was experimentally identified to be targeted by HCQ. Here by NMR, we unambiguously decode that HCQ specifically binds NTD and CTD of N protein with Kd of 112.1 and 57.1 μM, respectively to inhibit their interaction with nucleic acid, as well as to disrupt LLPS. Most importantly, HCQ-binding residues are identical in SARS-CoV-2 variants and therefore HCQ is likely effective to different variants. The results not only provide a structural basis for the anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of HCQ, but also renders HCQ to be the first known drug capable of targeting LLPS. Furthermore, the unique structure of the HCQ-CTD complex suggests a promising strategy for design of better anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs from HCQ.
Triple semicircular canal occlusion: a surgical perspective with short- and long-term outcomes
Authors: Kontorinis G , Thachil G
Published: November 2021

Objective

To determine the short- and long-term outcomes of triple semicircular canal occlusion as a potential alternative for patients with intractable Ménière's disease.

Methods

A retrospective case series was performed in university settings, enrolling patients with intractable Ménière's disease with previous maximum treatment, who underwent transmastoid, triple semicircular canal occlusion. The study documented: pre- and post-operative Dizziness Handicap Inventory scores at six weeks and one year post-treatment, pure tone audiometry, and surgical aspects.

Results

Two female patients, aged 42 and 65 years, underwent unilateral three-semicircular-canal occlusion. Their respective Dizziness Handicap Inventory scores improved from 88 to 68 and 54 to 30 at six weeks post-operatively, with scores of 66 and 0 at one year post-treatment. The one patient with pre-existing functional hearing maintained her hearing threshold post-operatively.

Conclusion

Triple semicircular canal occlusion is a safe, hearing-preserving, extracranial alternative technique that can control rotatory vertigo in patients with intractable Ménière's disease, when other measures have failed.
Considerations for health and food choice in adolescents
Authors: Daly Aisling N. , O'Sullivan Elizabeth J. , Kearney John M.
Published: November 2021

The aim of this review is to summarise the common barriers and motivations for healthy food choice among adolescents, with a specific focus on the Irish context where available. It will also discuss other concerns adolescents have, which may influence their food choices and eating habits. Adolescence represents a period of rapid physical, mental and social development, and many health-related habits developed during adolescence tend to persist into adulthood, making the teenage years an optimal time to encourage healthy eating and health-promoting behaviours. Adolescents are concerned about the health impact of their diet, but their understanding of health is often seen in the context of their physical appearance or body image. Body image concerns are prevalent in adolescents, and this can affect their food choices. Taste, price and convenience are commonly noted factors influencing adolescents' food choices, and as they grow, their level of independence increases and spending more time with their peers means that social desirability and social norms about food become increasingly important factors in adolescent food choice. However, their limited autonomy means their supporting food environment also plays an important role. When developing more targeted interventions in adolescent populations, information on adolescent nutrition needs, their concerns for health and body image, and the barriers and motivations for healthy eating and food choice should be considered. Such a holistic approach should help support healthy eating and the prevention of overweight and obesity in the population, whilst also supporting a healthy relationship with food and their bodies.
Effect of non-pharmacological interventions on the COVID-19 epidemic in Saudi Arabia
Authors: AlJohani Naif I. , Mutai Kipkoech
Published: November 2021

We quantified the potential impact of different social distancing and self-isolation scenarios on the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic trajectory in Saudi Arabia and compared the modelling results to the confirmed epidemic trajectory. Using the susceptible, exposed, infected, quarantined and self-isolated, requiring hospitalisation, recovered/immune individuals, fatalities model, we assessed the impact of a non-pharmacological interventions’ subset. An unmitigated scenario (baseline), mitigation scenarios (25% reduction in social contact/twofold increase in self-isolation) and enhanced mitigation scenarios (50% reduction in social contact/twofold increase in self-isolation) were assessed and compared to the actual epidemic trajectory. For the unmitigated scenario, mitigation scenarios, enhanced mitigation scenarios and actual observed epidemic, the peak daily incidence rates (per 10 000 population) were 77.00, 16.00, 9.00 and 1.14 on days 71, 54, 35 and 136, respectively. The peak fatality rates were 35.00, 13.00, 5.00 and 0.016 on days 150, 125, 60 and 155, respectively. The R0 was 1.15, 1.14, 1.22 and 2.50, respectively. Aggressive implementation of social distancing and self-isolation contributed to the downward trend of the disease. We recommend using extensive models that comprehensively consider the natural history of COVID-19, social and behavioural patterns, age-specific data, actual network topology and population to elucidate the epidemic's magnitude and trajectory.
A quantitative model for simply typed λ-calculus
Authors: Hofmann Martin , Ledent Jérémy
Published: November 2021

We use a simplified version of the framework of resource monoids, introduced by Dal Lago and Hofmann, to interpret simply typed λ-calculus with constants zero and successor. We then use this model to prove a simple quantitative result about bounding the size of the normal form of λ-terms. While the bound itself is already known, this is to our knowledge the first semantic proof of this fact. Our use of resource monoids differs from the other instances found in the literature, in that it measures the size of λ-terms rather than time complexity.
Outcomes for unplanned reinterventions following paediatric cardiac surgery for tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: Beshish Asaad G. , Aronoff Elizabeth B. , Rao Nikita , Basu Mohua , Zinyandu Tawanda , Shaw Fawwaz R. , Fundora Michael P.
Published: November 2021

Background:

Advances in surgical techniques and post-operative management of children with CHD have significantly lowered mortality rates. Unplanned cardiac interventions are a significant complication with implications on morbidity and mortality.

Methods:

We conducted a single-centre retrospective case–control study for patients (<18 years) undergoing cardiac surgery for repair of Tetralogy of Fallot between January 2009 and December 2019. Data included patient characteristics, operative variables and outcomes. This study aimed to assess the incidence and risk factors for reintervention of Tetralogy of Fallot after cardiac surgery. The secondary outcome was to examine the incidence of long-term morbidity and mortality in those who underwent unplanned reinterventions.

Results:

During the study period 29 patients (6.8%) underwent unplanned reintervention, and were matched to 58 patients by age, weight and sex. Median age was 146 days, and median weight was 5.8 kg. Operative mortality was 7%, and 1-year survival was 86% for the entire cohort (cases and controls). Hispanic patients were more likely to have reinterventions (p = 0.04) in the unadjusted analysis, while Asian, Pacific Islander and Native American (p = 0.01) in the multi-variate analysis. Patients that underwent reintervention were more likely to have post-op arrhythmia, genetic syndromes and higher operative and 1-year mortality (p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

Unplanned cardiac interventions following Tetralogy of Fallot repair are common, and associated with increased operative, and 1-year mortality. Race, genetic syndromes and post-operative arrhythmia are associated with increased odds of unplanned reinterventions. Future studies are needed to identify modifiable risk factors to minimise unplanned reinterventions.
THE INTEREST THEORY OF RIGHTS: STILL STANDING
Authors: Kurki Visa A.J.
Published: November 2021

In two recent papers, Mark McBride has attacked the interest theory of rights, both introducing new arguments and claiming that interest theorists have not successfully deflected Gopal Sreenivasan's earlier arguments. This essay replies to all of McBride's criticisms, showing them to be mistaken.
Assimilation and Accommodation
Authors: Hanfstingl Barbara , Arzenšek Ana , Apschner Jan , Gölly Katharina Ingrid
Published: November 2021

Abstract. This research provides a systematic overview of psychological areas using assimilation and accommodation to explain development and adaptation processes from 1998 to 2018. We primarily aimed to identify the main psychological research areas connected to assimilation and accommodation. We used assimilation and accommodation as keywords to extract data from SpringerLink, PsycINFO, and PsycARTICLES. Of 500 articles, 473 were included in the analysis. Ten categories were identified to allow systematization along with different research areas and development trajectories. The meanings of these terms were analyzed in terms of scientific impact, their connection to Piaget and Baldwin, application, and research methods. Our analysis has distilled the most driving and scientifically relevant approaches to assimilation and accommodation within psychological research, with the work of Baldwin and Piaget influencing practically all views. Thus, we have identified a common understanding of assimilation and accommodation, although the direction of the adaptation process should be made explicit in the future. Based on our analyses, we were able to identify white spots on the research map that should be focused on in future work: the need to better understand the interdependence and synchronicity of both processes, the connection to affects and emotions, and the potential co-research with artificial intelligence.
Ecosystem Productivity and Evapotranspiration Dynamics of a Seasonally Dry Tropical Forest of the Yucatan Peninsula
Authors: Uuh‐Sonda Jorge Maximiliano , Figueroa‐Espinoza Bernardo , Gutiérrez‐Jurado Hugo Alberto , Méndez‐Barroso Luis Arturo
Published: November 2021

Tropical forests are among the most threatened ecosystems despite their important role in the global carbon and water cycles. In Mexico, the Yucatan Peninsula (YP) hosts near to 30% of these ecosystems. We established an ecohydrological monitoring site in a relatively pristine tropical dry forest (TDF) within “El Palmar” state reserve at the northwest of the YP, to study the seasonal dynamics of its carbon and water fluxes and to evaluate their main controls as they respond to climatic variability. Spatio‐temporal analyses using Bio‐meteorological data from an Eddy Covariance station (from January 2017 to August 2019) and remotely sensed data (from 2001 to 2019), reveal the inter and intra‐annual dynamics of carbon and water fluxes between this ecosystem and the atmosphere. The TDF's greenness, net exchange of carbon, gross primary production, ecosystem respiration, and evapotranspiration are strongly controlled by the seasonality in precipitation pulses and their legacy from recharged moisture in the shallow aquifer observed through three marked seasons: dry, rainy, and post‐rainy. The study site continuously behaves like a carbon sink with annual rates ranging between −1.09 and −7.06 , whose performance responds to a precipitation threshold above which its productivity declines. Differences in the ecosystem productivity among years result from a combination of water and energy availability during the growing season and variable access to groundwater during the post‐rainy and dry seasons. This highlights the ecosystem sensitivity to rainfall modulation of energy and water availability throughout the year and its impact on the ecosystem's functioning and resilience.
Strengthening Southern Hemisphere Westerlies and Amundsen Sea Low Deepening Over the 20th Century Revealed by Proxy‐Data Assimilation
Authors: O’Connor Gemma K. , Steig Eric J. , Hakim Gregory J.
Published: November 2021

Winds and pressure over the Southern Ocean are critical to many aspects of the climate system, but the brevity of climate data in this region makes it challenging to interpret recent changes. Here, we reconstruct 20th century sea level pressure and zonal surface wind anomalies over the Southern Ocean, using data assimilation with a global paleoclimate proxy database and four climate‐model priors. The reconstructions agree well with instrumental reanalysis products, especially in the circumpolar westerly and Pacific regions. We observe significant strengthening in the midlatitude Pacific westerlies, associated with a deepening Amundsen Sea Low, throughout the 20th century in all four reconstructions. When the prior includes anthropogenic forcing, we observe poleward‐shifting circumpolar westerlies throughout the 20th century. Our results highlight the combined roles of natural variability and anthropogenic forcing, and the zonally asymmetric character of atmospheric circulation changes at high southern latitudes, with implications for Antarctic ice sheet change.
Light People: Professor Dayong Jin
Authors: Zhang Ying
Published: November 2021

Editorial

He pioneered a new family of nanoscopic probes that can up-convert infrared photons into intense visible light, and won the Australian Museum Eureka Prize for Interdisciplinary Scientific Research in 2015. He created new kinds of microscopes that allow us to watch molecules at work inside living cells, and won the Australian Prime Minister’s Prize for Science Malcolm McIntosh Prize for Physical Scientist of the Year 2017. The Australian newspaper identified him among 100 “rock stars of Australia’s new economy” as the Knowledge Nation 100. This year, at his age of 42, he won the Australian Laureate Fellowship and was elected to the fellowship of Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering. This is Dayong Jin, a Distinguished Professor at the University of Technology Sydney and a Chair Professor at Southern University of Science and Technology, as well as the editorial manager in Sydney office and the perspective column editor of Light: Science & Applications (LSA). Light People is a featured column of high-end interviews with outstanding scientists. On this issue, it is our great honor to invite Professor Dayong Jin to provide his perspectives on his work, end-user driven research, student mentoring and team building philosophy. In the following, let’s take a closer look at the research life of Professor Dayong Jin, and appreciate his style and the story behind his success.
Data-driven analysis of kappa opioid receptor binding in major depressive disorder measured by positron emission tomography
Authors: Smart Kelly , Yttredahl Ashley , Oquendo Maria A. , Mann J. John , Hillmer Ansel T. , Carson Richard E. , Miller Jeffrey M.
Published: November 2021

Preclinical studies have implicated kappa opioid receptors (KORs) in stress responses and depression-related behaviors, but evidence from human studies is limited. Here we present results of a secondary analysis of data acquired using positron emission tomography (PET) with the KOR radiotracer [11C]GR103545 in 10 unmedicated, currently depressed individuals with major depressive disorder (MDD; 32.6 ± 6.5 years, 5 women) and 13 healthy volunteers (34.8 ± 10 years, 6 women). Independent component analysis was performed to identify spatial patterns of coherent variance in KOR binding (tracer volume of distribution, VT) across all subjects. Expression of each component was compared between groups and relationships to symptoms were explored using the 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS). Three components of variation in KOR availability across ROIs were identified, spatially characterized by [11C]GR103545 VT in (1) bilateral frontal lobe; (2) occipital and parietal cortices, right hippocampus, and putamen; and (3) right anterior cingulate, right superior frontal gyrus and insula, coupled to negative loading in left middle cingulate. In MDD patients, component 3 was negatively associated with symptom severity on the HDRS (r = −0.85, p = 0.0021). There were no group-wise differences in expression of any component between patients and controls. These preliminary findings suggest that KOR signaling in cortical regions relevant to depression, particularly right anterior cingulate, could reflect MDD pathophysiology.
SLC25A1 promotes tumor growth and survival by reprogramming energy metabolism in colorectal cancer
Authors: Yang Ying , He Jiaxing , Zhang Bo , Zhang Zhansheng , Jia Guozhan , Liu Shiqi , Wu Tao , He Xianli , Wang Nan
Published: November 2021

Abnormal lipid metabolism has been commonly observed in various human cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). The mitochondrial citrate carrier SLC25A1 (also known as mitochondrial citrate/isocitrate carrier, CIC), has been shown to play an important role in lipid metabolism regulation. Our bioinformatics analysis indicated that SLC25A1 was markedly upregulated in CRC. However, the role of SLC25A1 in the pathogenesis and aberrant lipid metabolism in CRC remain unexplored. Here, we found that SLC25A1 expression was significantly increased in tumor samples of CRC as compared with paired normal samples, which is associated with poor survival in patients with CRC. Knockdown of SLC25A1 significantly inhibited the growth of CRC cells by suppressing the progression of the G1/S cell cycle and inducing cell apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo, whereas SLC25A1 overexpression suppressed the malignant phenotype. Additionally, we demonstrated that SLC25A1 reprogrammed energy metabolism to promote CRC progression through two mechanisms. Under normal conditions, SLC25A1 increased de novo lipid synthesis to promote CRC growth. During metabolic stress, SLC25A1 increased oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) to protect protects CRC cells from energy stress-induced cell apoptosis. Collectively, SLC25A1 plays a pivotal role in the promotion of CRC growth and survival by reprogramming energy metabolism. It could be exploited as a novel diagnostic marker and therapeutic target in CRC.