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Background: Low health literacy is costly and observed among justice-impacted adults (JIA), a group that often faces numerous barriers in accessing healthcare and a disproportionate burden of illness. Health literacy interventions for JIA are critically needed to improve healthcare access and related outcomes. Methods: This manuscript describes the protocol for a longitudinal mixed-methods randomized clinical trial that assesses the effectiveness of a coach-guided health literacy intervention on JIA's healthcare access. The intervention was previously piloted with justice impacted adults. We will recruit 300 JIA ages 18 + in San Diego, California. Participants will be randomized 1:1 to the Treatment Group (i.e., coach-guided intervention providing 12 sessions of individualized health coaching and service navigation over 6 months) or the Control Group (i.e., self-study of the health coaching program, and brief service navigation support). We will quantitatively assess JIA's healthcare access defined as: use of healthcare, health insurance status, and regular source of care at 6-months as the primary outcomes. Participants will also be surveyed at 12-months. Statistical analyses will incorporate the intent-to-treat (ITT) principle and we will estimate mixed-effects logistic regression for the primary outcomes. We will also conduct qualitative interviews at 6 and 12-months with 40 purposively sampled participants, stratified by study arm, who reported healthcare access barriers at baseline. Interviews will explore participants' satisfaction with the intervention, healthcare attitudes, self-efficacy for and barriers to healthcare access over time, perceived contribution of the intervention to health and well-being, and diffusion of intervention-related information within participants' social networks. We will conduct deductive thematic analyses of qualitative data. Discussion: Low health literacy among JIA is a foundational challenge requiring tailored intervention strategies. Findings from this trial may inform policies and the structure of service delivery models to build health literacy among JIA in institutional and community settings throughout the United States and elsewhere. Trial registration: This study is registered with the United States' ClinicalTrials.gov registry under protocol # 161,903. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adult Neural Stem Cells (aNSCs) in the ventricular-subventricular zone (V-SVZ) are largely quiescent. Here, we characterize the mechanism underlying the functional role of a cell-signalling inhibitory protein, LRIG1, in the control of aNSCs proliferation. Using Lrig1 knockout models, we show that Lrig1 ablation results in increased aNSCs proliferation with no change in neuronal progeny and that this hyperproliferation likely does not result solely from activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). Loss of LRIG1, however, also leads to impaired activation of transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) and bone morphogenic protein (BMP) signalling. Biochemically, we show that LRIG1 binds TGFβ/BMP receptors and the TGFβ1 ligand. Finally, we show that the consequences of these interactions are to facilitate SMAD phosphorylation. Collectively, these data suggest that unlike in embryonic NSCs where EGFR may be the primary mechanism of action, in aNSCs, LRIG1 and TGFβ pathways function together to fulfill their inhibitory roles. LRIG1 is an important negative regulator of cell signaling. In this study, loss of LRIG1 leads to hyperproliferation of adult neural stem cells by facilitation of TGFβ and BMP signalling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Structural Genomics Consortium is an international open science research organization with a focus on accelerating early-stage drug discovery, namely hit discovery and optimization. We, as many others, believe that artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to be a main accelerator in the field. The question is then how to best benefit from recent advances in AI and how to generate, format and disseminate data to enable future breakthroughs in AI-guided drug discovery. We present here the recommendations of a working group composed of experts from both the public and private sectors. Robust data management requires precise ontologies and standardized vocabulary while a centralized database architecture across laboratories facilitates data integration into high-value datasets. Lab automation and opening electronic lab notebooks to data mining push the boundaries of data sharing and data modeling. Important considerations for building robust machine-learning models include transparent and reproducible data processing, choosing the most relevant data representation, defining the right training and test sets, and estimating prediction uncertainty. Beyond data-sharing, cloud-based computing can be harnessed to build and disseminate machine-learning models. Important vectors of acceleration for hit and chemical probe discovery will be (1) the real-time integration of experimental data generation and modeling workflows within design-make-test-analyze (DMTA) cycles openly, and at scale and (2) the adoption of a mindset where data scientists and experimentalists work as a unified team, and where data science is incorporated into the experimental design. Artificial intelligence is greatly accelerating research in drug discovery, but its development is still hindered by the lack of available data. Here the authors present data management and data science recommendations to help reach AI's potential in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human cases of avian influenza virus (AIV) infections are associated with an age-specific disease burden. As the influenza virus N2 neuraminidase (NA) gene was introduced from avian sources during the 1957 pandemic, we investigate the reactivity of N2 antibodies against A(H9N2) AIVs. Serosurvey of healthy individuals reveal the highest rates of AIV N2 antibodies in individuals aged ≥65 years. Exposure to the 1968 pandemic N2, but not recent N2, protected against A(H9N2) AIV challenge in female mice. In some older adults, infection with contemporary A(H3N2) virus could recall cross-reactive AIV NA antibodies, showing discernable human- or avian-NA type reactivity. Individuals born before 1957 have higher anti-AIV N2 titers compared to those born between 1957 and 1968. The anti-AIV N2 antibodies titers correlate with antibody titers to the 1957 N2, suggesting that exposure to the A(H2N2) virus contribute to this reactivity. These findings underscore the critical role of neuraminidase immunity in zoonotic and pandemic influenza risk assessment. Using more than 300 serum samples from individuals with an age range of 1-88 years old, the authors here show that older adults possess higher breadth of antibody reactivity to avian influenza virus (AIV) neuraminidases, potentially explaining the age-specific risks of AIV human infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic saw a significant surge in the utilization of telemental health (TMH) services. This narrative review aimed to investigate the efficacy of TMH for serious mood disorders prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. A search across databases was conducted for randomized controlled trials focusing on TMH interventions for mood disorders, encompassing major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD). Study and patient characteristics, interventions, and outcomes were extracted. From a pool of 2611 papers initially identified, 17 met the inclusion criteria: 14 focused on MDD, while 4 addressed BD. Among these, 6 papers directly compared TMH interventions to in-person of same treatment, revealing improved access to care and higher rates of appointment follow-up with TMH. Additionally, 6 papers comparing TMH to treatment as usual demonstrated improvements in mood outcomes. Conversely, 3 papers comparing different TMH interventions found no discernible differences in outcomes. Notably, 3 studies evaluated TMH as an adjunct to usual care, all reporting enhancements in depression outcomes. Overall, preliminary evidence suggests that prior to COVID-19, TMH interventions for serious mood disorders facilitated improved access to care and follow-up, with comparable clinical outcomes to traditional in-person interventions. The discussion addresses limitations and provides recommendations for future research in this domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most rod-shaped bacteria elongate by inserting new cell wall material into the inner surface of the cell sidewall. This is performed by class A penicillin binding proteins (PBPs) and a highly conserved protein complex, the elongasome, which moves processively around the cell circumference and inserts long glycan strands that act as barrel-hoop-like reinforcing structures, thereby giving rise to a rod-shaped cell. However, it remains unclear how elongasome synthesis dynamics and termination events are regulated to determine the length of these critical cell-reinforcing structures. To address this, we developed a method to track individual elongasome complexes around the entire circumference of Bacillus subtilis cells for minutes-long periods using single-molecule fluorescence microscopy. We found that the B. subtilis elongasome is highly processive and that processive synthesis events are frequently terminated by rapid reversal or extended pauses. We found that cellular levels of RodA regulate elongasome processivity, reversal and pausing. Our single-molecule data, together with stochastic simulations, show that elongasome dynamics and processivity are regulated by molecular motor tug-of-war competition between several, likely two, oppositely oriented peptidoglycan synthesis complexes associated with the MreB filament. Altogether these results demonstrate that molecular motor tug-of-war is a key regulator of elongasome dynamics in B. subtilis, which likely also regulates the cell shape via modulation of elongasome processivity. Most rod-shaped bacteria elongate using a protein complex, the elongasome, that inserts new cell wall material into the cell sidewall. Here, Middlemiss et al. track the movement of individual elongasomes around the circumference of Bacillus subtilis cells, providing evidence for a molecular motor tug-of-war competition between oppositely oriented cell-wall synthesis complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper describes rates of recent (past six months) adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and examines the association of ACEs with cultural connection and depressive symptoms among Indigenous children aged 10 to 14 (N = 177; mean age = 11.8; 48.3% boys; 44.3% girls; 7.4% another gender identity). Children completed baseline surveys as part of a larger evaluation of a culturally grounded, strengths-focused, family-based program to prevent ACEs. Surveys included an inclusive measure of ACEs developed for the current study, an adapted measure of connection to culture, and the Children's Depression Screener. Results for ACEs indicated that 18.6% of Indigenous children reported none, 37.2% reported one to three, and 44.2% reported four or more in the past six months. Importantly, children who reported no ACEs reported greater cultural connection than children who reported one to three ACEs. Depressive symptoms were higher among children who reported one to three and four or more ACEs compared to children who reported no ACEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We repurpose multidecadal ethnoarchaeological investigations of human hunting, prey availability, and socioeconomics in a rural Central African Republic village in the service of human ecology. Focusing on forest foragers in the village of Grima, initial 1999–2005 (Old Grima) data collection included documentation of hunting technology and offtakes, identification of wild meat bone assemblages, inventories of household material goods, and measurements of horticultural fields. Similar datasets were collected in 2021–2022 (New Grima) and longitudinal comparisons of prey remains and material wealth detected many significant differences. Old Grima house middens contained larger numbers of bones representing an array of wild meat taxa and inventories recorded diverse and abundant collections of material goods. The New Grima comparative data showed a reduction in the consumption of wild meat, increases in guns and especially metal cable snares, and marked declines in local wild meat (notably duiker) populations and forager material wealth paired with increases in debt. In 2022 the New Grima inhabitants were actively pursuing escargot for food and income and house middens were dominated by tortoise remains. All the data point to resource depression from overhunting and a community in jeopardy. The comparisons are also important because they include the transition from traditional nets and spears to more efficient metal cable snares and guns and provide information on the effects of hunting technology. The complexities of evaluating ecological perturbations and sustainability require multidisciplinary datasets and we propose ethnoarchaeology as a valuable tool to help identify subtleties in human food webs and biodiversity loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under certain conditions, multiple nonhuman species have been observed engaging in choice behavior that resulted in less food earned when compared to the amount of food that was available to be earned over the course of a session. This phenomenon is particularly strong in pigeons, but has also been observed in rats and nonhuman primates. Conversely, human participants have demonstrated a propensity to choose more optimally. However, human participants do not exclusively choose the alternative associated with more reinforcement. Framing a task in a real-world narrative has been effective in improving problem-solving on other tasks such as the Wason Four-Card problem. The present study gave human participants a choice task with either abstract stimuli or with a real-world narrative. In addition, participants were given terminal stimuli that were either predictive or unpredictive of reinforcement. Thus, participants were assigned to one of four conditions: Abstract Predictive, Abstract Unpredictive, Narrative Predictive, or Narrative Unpredictive. In contrast to the improved performance on the Wason Four-Card task, the current study found no evidence that the addition of a real-world narrative improved optimal choice performance. Rather, it may have interfered with optimal choice selection in that participants who received the narrative and unpredictive terminal stimuli were at chance performance at the end of the experimental session. Conversely, participants in the Abstract Unpredictive, Abstract Predictive, and Narrative Predictive conditions all demonstrated a preference for the optimal alternative. Possible mechanisms for these findings and future directions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this descriptive study was to examine the context and disclosure of sexual assault among sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals. Method: Survey responses from SGM college students completing the 2020–2021 Healthy Minds Study who reported a sexual assault (N = 73) were included. Results: Descriptive analyses revealed most sexual assaults occurred on campus (63.0%), involved alcohol (64.4%), and were perpetrated by a man (91.7%) who was a friend (27.4%), acquaintance (24.7%), or stranger (21.9%). Further, most participants (78.1%) had disclosed their sexual assault, and no differences in rates of disclosure were seen as a function of sexual orientation or gender identity. Participants commonly disclosed to a friend (68.5%), roommate (27.4%), or romantic partner (21.9%). Fewer participants disclosed if assaulted by a family member, casual or first date, or current romantic partner, compared to assaults perpetrated by strangers, acquaintances, co-workers, or a friend. Finally, most participants who used alcohol (70.0%) during the assault or were sexually assaulted through physical force (66.7%), disclosed. Conclusion: Findings indicate most SGM survivors of sexual assault disclose to an informal support system, highlighting a need for additional research on the potential utility of peer education approaches for responding to sexual assault disclosure on campuses. Given the role of alcohol in sexual assault experiences reported in this sample, future research may benefit from utilizing intensive longitudinal designs to examine the temporal relationship between alcohol use and sexual assault in order to better inform intervention and prevention efforts that concurrently focus on alcohol use and sexual assault. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 activity has intensified globally since 2021, increasingly causing mass mortality in wild birds and poultry and incidental infections in mammals1–3. However, the ecological and virological properties that underscore future mitigation strategies still remain unclear. Using epidemiological, spatial and genomic approaches, we demonstrate changes in the origins of resurgent HPAI H5 and reveal significant shifts in virus ecology and evolution. Outbreak data show key resurgent events in 2016–2017 and 2020–2021, contributing to the emergence and panzootic spread of H5N1 in 2021–2022. Genomic analysis reveals that the 2016–2017 epizootics originated in Asia, where HPAI H5 reservoirs are endemic. In 2020–2021, 2.3.4.4b H5N8 viruses emerged in African poultry, featuring mutations altering HA structure and receptor binding. In 2021–2022, a new H5N1 virus evolved through reassortment in wild birds in Europe, undergoing further reassortment with low-pathogenic avian influenza in wild and domestic birds during global dissemination. These results highlight a shift in the HPAI H5 epicentre beyond Asia and indicate that increasing persistence of HPAI H5 in wild birds is facilitating geographic and host range expansion, accelerating dispersion velocity and increasing reassortment potential. As earlier outbreaks of H5N1 and H5N8 were caused by more stable genomic constellations, these recent changes reflect adaptation across the domestic-bird–wild-bird interface. Elimination strategies in domestic birds therefore remain a high priority to limit future epizootics.Recent resurgences of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 viruses have different origins and virus ecologies as their epicentres shift and viruses evolve, with changes indicating increased adaptation among domestic birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic represents a "perfect storm" with regards to risk for intimate partner violence (IPV). Abusive partners may engage in novel forms of coercive control, such as pressuring their partner to engage in activities associated with COVID-19 infection risk (e.g., attend a large gathering). However, no empirical research has focused on COVID-specific coercive control. The current study sought to evaluate the prevalence of COVID-specific coercive control in a large sample of U.S. college students, as well as its association with other forms of IPV and depression and anxiety. A total of 2,289 undergraduate students attending eight U.S. universities who were currently in a sexual/dating/romantic relationship completed an online survey in Fall 2020 about COVID-specific coercive control, other forms of IPV (psychological, physical, sexual, coercive control) and depression and anxiety symptoms. Overall, 15.5% (n = 355) of students reported experiencing COVID-specific coercive control. Individuals who experienced COVID-specific coercive control were more likely to have experienced all other forms of IPV than those who did not experience COVID-specific coercive control. Further, individuals who experienced COVID-specific coercive control had significantly greater anxiety than individuals who did not experience any form of IPV. Individuals who experienced both COVID-specific coercive control and other forms of IPV had the highest levels of depression and anxiety. COVID-specific coercive control may serve to increase depression and anxiety, particularly if it co-occurs with other forms of IPV. Future work should evaluate the prevalence and long-term impact of coercive control during the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hong Kong experienced a surge of Omicron BA.2 infections in early 2022, resulting in one of the highest per-capita death rates of COVID-19. The outbreak occurred in a dense population with low immunity towards natural SARS-CoV-2 infection, high vaccine hesitancy in vulnerable populations, comprehensive disease surveillance and the capacity for stringent public health and social measures (PHSMs). By analyzing genome sequences and epidemiological data, we reconstructed the epidemic trajectory of BA.2 wave and found that the initial BA.2 community transmission emerged from cross-infection within hotel quarantine. The rapid implementation of PHSMs suppressed early epidemic growth but the effective reproduction number (Re) increased again during the Spring festival in early February and remained around 1 until early April. Independent estimates of point prevalence and incidence using phylodynamics also showed extensive superspreading at this time, which likely contributed to the rapid expansion of the epidemic. Discordant inferences based on genomic and epidemiological data underscore the need for research to improve near real-time epidemic growth estimates by combining multiple disparate data sources to better inform outbreak response policy. Hong Kong experienced a large wave of COVID-19 in early 2022 driven by Omicron BA.2. Here, the authors describe the epidemiological dynamics of this wave and show discordant inferences based on genomic and epidemiological data that underscore the need to improve near real-time epidemic growth estimates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Partial body cryotherapy (PBC) is proposed to alleviate symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) by reducing associated inflammation. No studies have assessed acute PBC exposure on peripheral blood mononuclear cell mobilisation or compared these with cold water immersion (CWI), which may inform how PBC impacts inflammatory processes. This trial examined the impact of a single PBC exposure on circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells compared to CWI or a control. 26 males were randomised into either PBC (3 min at − 110 to − 140 °C), CWI (3 min at 9 °C), or control (3 min at 24 °C), with blood samples, heart rate, and blood pressure taken before and after exposure. Cytometric analysis determined that CD8+ T-cell populations were significantly elevated after treatments, with PBC increasing CD8+ T cells to a greater degree than either CWI or CON. Natural killer cell counts were also elevated after PBC, with the increase attributed specifically to the CD56loCD16+ cytotoxic subset. This provides the first evidence for the effect of PBC exposure on redistribution of immune cells. An increase in circulating leukocyte subsets such as CD8+ T cells and CD56loCD16+ natural killer cells suggests that PBC may induce a transient mobilisation of lymphocytes. PBC may thus enable a more efficient trafficking of these cells from the circulation to the site of initial cellular insult from exercise, potentially accelerating the process of cellular recovery. This provides novel evidence on the use of PBC as a recovery treatment and may also have applicability in other clinical settings involving the recovery of damaged skeletal muscle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patients with multiple myeloma, an incurable malignancy of plasma cells, frequently develop osteolytic bone lesions that severely impact quality of life and clinical outcomes. Eliglustat, a U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved glucosylceramide synthase inhibitor, reduced osteoclast-driven bone loss in preclinical in vivo models of myeloma. In combination with zoledronic acid, a bisphosphonate that treats myeloma bone disease, eliglustat provided further protection from bone loss. Autophagic degradation of TRAF3, a key step for osteoclast differentiation, was inhibited by eliglustat as evidenced by TRAF3 lysosomal and cytoplasmic accumulation. Eliglustat blocked autophagy by altering glycosphingolipid composition whilst restoration of missing glycosphingolipids rescued autophagy markers and TRAF3 degradation thus restoring osteoclastogenesis in bone marrow cells from myeloma patients. This work delineates both the mechanism by which glucosylceramide synthase inhibition prevents autophagic degradation of TRAF3 to reduce osteoclastogenesis as well as highlighting the clinical translational potential of eliglustat for the treatment of myeloma bone disease. Here, the authors show that the glycosylceramide synthesis inhibitor and FDA approved drug Eliglustat inhibits autophagic degradation of TRAF3 which is a key step for osteoclast differentiation and thereby improves myeloma bone lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fanconi anaemia (FA), a model syndrome of genome instability, is caused by a deficiency in DNA interstrand crosslink repair resulting in chromosome breakage1–3. The FA repair pathway protects against endogenous and exogenous carcinogenic aldehydes4–7. Individuals with FA are hundreds to thousands fold more likely to develop head and neck (HNSCC), oesophageal and anogenital squamous cell carcinomas8 (SCCs). Molecular studies of SCCs from individuals with FA (FA SCCs) are limited, and it is unclear how FA SCCs relate to sporadic HNSCCs primarily driven by tobacco and alcohol exposure or infection with human papillomavirus9 (HPV). Here, by sequencing genomes and exomes of FA SCCs, we demonstrate that the primary genomic signature of FA repair deficiency is the presence of high numbers of structural variants. Structural variants are enriched for small deletions, unbalanced translocations and fold-back inversions, and are often connected, thereby forming complex rearrangements. They arise in the context of TP53 loss, but not in the context of HPV infection, and lead to somatic copy-number alterations of HNSCC driver genes. We further show that FA pathway deficiency may lead to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and enhanced keratinocyte-intrinsic inflammatory signalling, which would contribute to the aggressive nature of FA SCCs. We propose that the genomic instability in sporadic HPV-negative HNSCC may arise as a result of the FA repair pathway being overwhelmed by DNA interstrand crosslink damage caused by alcohol and tobacco-derived aldehydes, making FA SCC a powerful model to study tumorigenesis resulting from DNA-crosslinking damage.Defective DNA interstrand crosslink repair in Fanconi anaemia drives extensive genomic rearrangements, thereby substantially increasing the risk of cancer development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Involving youth in developing and implementing prevention programs to reduce sexual violence (SV) has the potential to improve prevention outcomes. However, there has been little focus on youth-led SV prevention programs, and limited evaluation research to help guide efforts. The current study examined the effectiveness of Youth Voices in Prevention (Youth VIP) leadership retreats on SV victimization and perpetration, forms of violence related to SV (e.g., bullying), SV bystander behaviors and readiness, and perceptions of norms related to SV prevention. Results identified mixed findings for program impact, with variations in outcomes that can help guide future youth-led prevention program initiatives. Youth attending a large "kick-off" leadership retreat (that was less youth-led that subsequent smaller retreats) later reported more bystander behaviors, but also reported increased perpetration and victimization, compared to non-attending youth. However, youth attending smaller, more focused leadership retreats held during the school year, reported reductions in sexual harassment perpetration and improved bystander behaviors and attitudes compared to non-attending youth. Evaluation of moderator variables suggests that program impact was generally stronger for younger participants, sexual minority youth, and non-White youth (which were largely Native American youth in this sample). Findings suggest promise for youth-led prevention work but also highlight the need for testing the impact of different training structures and modalities. Clinical trials number: NCT03207386. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Tumour blood vessels are structurally and functionally abnormal, resulting in areas of hypoxia and heterogeneous blood supply. Aerobic exercise may modulate tumour blood flow and normalise the tumour microenvironment to improve chemotherapy delivery. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effect of the aerobic exercise mode on tumour hypoxia, vascularisation and blood flow. Methods: Four online databases were searched. Preclinical and clinical randomised controlled trials examining the effects of aerobic exercise training on hypoxia, vascularisation or blood flow in solid tumours were included. The risk of bias was assessed and a meta-analysis performed. Results: Seventeen preclinical studies and one clinical study met criteria. Eleven studies assessed hypoxia, 15 studies assessed vascularisation and seven evaluated blood flow. There was large variability in measurement methods, tumour types and exercise program designs. The overall risk of bias was unclear in clinical and preclinical studies, owing to poor reporting. There was no significant effect of aerobic exercise on hypoxia (SMD = −0.17; 95% CI = −0.62, 0.28; I2 = 60%), vascularisation (SMD = 0.07; 95% CI = −0.40, 0.55; I2 = 71%) or blood flow (SMD = 0.01; 95% CI = −0.59, 0.61; I2 = 63%). Conclusion: There is heterogeneity in methodology, resulting in evidence that is inconsistent and inconclusive for the effects of aerobic exercise on hypoxia, vascularisation and blood flow. Most evidence of aerobic exercise effects on tumour blood flow is in animal models, with very limited evidence in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Annual epidemics of seasonal influenza cause hundreds of thousands of deaths, high levels of morbidity, and substantial economic loss. Yet, global influenza circulation has been heavily suppressed by public health measures and travel restrictions since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Notably, the influenza B/Yamagata lineage has not been conclusively detected since April 2020, and A(H3N2), A(H1N1), and B/Victoria viruses have since circulated with considerably less genetic diversity. Travel restrictions have largely confined regional outbreaks of A(H3N2) to South and Southeast Asia, B/Victoria to China, and A(H1N1) to West Africa. Seasonal influenza transmission lineages continue to perish globally, except in these select hotspots, which will likely seed future epidemics. Waning population immunity and sporadic case detection will further challenge influenza vaccine strain selection and epidemic control. We offer a perspective on the potential short- and long-term evolutionary dynamics of seasonal influenza and discuss potential consequences and mitigation strategies as global travel gradually returns to pre-pandemic levels. COVID-19 control measures have suppressed circulation of other infections including influenza. Here, the authors analyse WHO global influenza sequence and case report data and describe changes in the phylogenetic and geographic distribution of influenza lineages during the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current computed tomography (CT) shielding practices are largely based on calculations of scattered radiation emitted from an acrylic head or body phantom, such as the Computed Tomography Dose Index (CTDI) phantom, or anthropomorphic phantoms of these two anatomical categories. This report considers the difference in scattered air kerma or dose from phantom models, to actual patient scatter under a variety of clinical scan conditions. Empirical patient scatter measurements recorded at different positions around the gantry, for 3 different CT scanners, resulted in average patient scatter fractions per unit Dose Length Product (DLP: mGy cm) at 1 m from the isocentre of 0.09 ± 0.03 and 0.17 ± 0.04 µGy (mGy cm)−1 for head and body scans respectively. For the purposes of shielding design and scattered dose estimates to staff it is recommended that a single standard deviation be applied to these averages in the continued interest of conservatism. These values are reasonably comparative to the widely published scatter fractions by the National Council of Radiological Protection using the CTDI phantom, and the British Institute of Radiology using head and body anthropomorphic phantoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: North West Wales is predominantly rural with a relatively small population spread over a large geographical area. The rapid development of the COVID-19 pandemic led to a radical re-thinking of how to provide continuing paediatric outpatient care in the face of a lockdown. The solution adopted was to use telephone consultations. Aims: This study took place during the summer of 2020, after the first lockdown had been relaxed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acceptability of telephone consultations as an alternative to conventional paediatric outpatient appointments and assess whether it could continue to have a useful role beyond the pandemic. Methods: Two hundred ninety-five telephone surveys were conducted with respondents, most of whom were carers of paediatric outpatients. Questions explored the child's underlying condition, respondents' attitudes towards the service received, social factors including distance previously travelled to the hospital and whether they would find ongoing telephone review acceptable or not. Results: Sixty-one percent of respondents expressed a positive interest in ongoing telephone consultations. They commented particularly on compatibility with work commitments, childcare arrangements and travel times. Those travelling more than 1 h were particularly positive in their support. Respondents expressed the continued need for face-to-face review if the child's condition changed acutely. Conclusion: Telephone consultations are an acceptable means of improving clinic punctuality, accessibility and convenience for families in rural areas, with ongoing potential beyond the pandemic. Careful consideration is required of the individual's needs and requirement for physical examination when extending the use of telephone consultations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of acute respiratory infection with the most severe disease in the young and elderly. Non-pharmaceutical interventions and travel restrictions for controlling COVID-19 have impacted the circulation of most respiratory viruses including RSV globally, particularly in Australia, where during 2020 the normal winter epidemics were notably absent. However, in late 2020, unprecedented widespread RSV outbreaks occurred, beginning in spring, and extending into summer across two widely separated regions of the Australian continent, New South Wales (NSW) and Australian Capital Territory (ACT) in the east, and Western Australia. Through genomic sequencing we reveal a major reduction in RSV genetic diversity following COVID-19 emergence with two genetically distinct RSV-A clades circulating cryptically, likely localised for several months prior to an epidemic surge in cases upon relaxation of COVID-19 control measures. The NSW/ACT clade subsequently spread to the neighbouring state of Victoria and to cause extensive outbreaks and hospitalisations in early 2021. These findings highlight the need for continued surveillance and sequencing of RSV and other respiratory viruses during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, as mitigation measures may disrupt seasonal patterns, causing larger or more severe outbreaks. Non-pharmaceutical interventions for COVID-19 also reduced incidence of respiratory pathogens such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Here, the authors report the resurgence of RSV in Australia following lifting of some of the restrictions and describe reduction in genetic diversity in circulating clades. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Staphylococcus aureus frequently causes infections that are challenging to treat, leading to high rates of persistent and relapsing infection. Here, to understand how the host environment influences treatment outcomes, we study the impact of human serum on staphylococcal antibiotic susceptibility. We show that serum triggers a high degree of tolerance to the lipopeptide antibiotic daptomycin and several other classes of antibiotic. Serum-induced daptomycin tolerance is due to two independent mechanisms. Firstly, the host defence peptide LL-37 induces tolerance by triggering the staphylococcal GraRS two-component system, leading to increased peptidoglycan accumulation. Secondly, GraRS-independent increases in membrane cardiolipin abundance are required for full tolerance. When both mechanisms are blocked, S. aureus incubated in serum is as susceptible to daptomycin as when grown in laboratory media. Our work demonstrates that host factors can significantly modulate antibiotic susceptibility via diverse mechanisms, and combination therapy may provide a way to mitigate this. The host environment can impact the outcomes of antimicrobial therapies through unclear mechanisms. Here, Ledger et al. show that human serum reduces the efficacy of the antibiotic daptomycin against Staphylococcus aureus by inducing specific pathways leading to changes in the composition of the bacterial membrane and cell wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zika virus infection can result in devastating pregnancy outcomes when it crosses the placental barrier. For human pregnancies, the mechanisms of vertical transmission remain enigmatic. Utilizing a human placenta-cotyledon perfusion model, we examined Zika virus exposure in the absence of maternal factors. To distinguish responses related to viral infection vs. recognition, we evaluated cotyledons perfused with either active or inactivated Zika virus. Active Zika virus exposure resulted in infection, cell death and syncytium injury. Pathology corresponded with transcriptional changes related to inflammation and innate immunity. Inactive Zika virus exposure also led to syncytium injury and related changes in gene expression but not cell death. Our observations reveal pathologies and innate immune responses that are dependent on infection or virus placenta interactions independent of productive infection. Importantly, our findings indicate that Zika virus can infect and compromise placentas in the absence of maternal humoral factors that may be protective. Villazana-Kretzer et al. compare histology, physiology and gene expression in cotyledons from term placentas perfused with either active or UV-inactivated Zika virus. They show that ZIKV can infect human term placentas in the absence of maternal factors and identify unique transcriptional responses to active ZIKA virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hong Kong employed a strategy of intermittent public health and social measures alongside increasingly stringent travel regulations to eliminate domestic SARS-CoV-2 transmission. By analyzing 1899 genome sequences (>18% of confirmed cases) from 23-January-2020 to 26-January-2021, we reveal the effects of fluctuating control measures on the evolution and epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 lineages in Hong Kong. Despite numerous importations, only three introductions were responsible for 90% of locally-acquired cases. Community outbreaks were caused by novel introductions rather than a resurgence of circulating strains. Thus, local outbreak prevention requires strong border control and community surveillance, especially during periods of less stringent social restriction. Non-adherence to prolonged preventative measures may explain sustained local transmission observed during wave four in late 2020 and early 2021. We also found that, due to a tight transmission bottleneck, transmission of low-frequency single nucleotide variants between hosts is rare. Hong Kong has used an elimination strategy to control SARS-CoV-2 with stringent measures including traveller quarantine. Here, the authors show that the majority of community-acquired cases until January 2021 resulted from three importations, and that increased transmission followed prolonged periods of restrictions, likely due to adherence fatigue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We show that a new class of steady linear eigenmodes exist in the Falkner–Skan boundary layer, associated with an algebraically developing, thermally coupled three-dimensional perturbation that remains localised in the spanwise direction. The dominant mode has a weak temperature difference that decays (algebraically) downstream, but remains sufficient (for favourable pressure gradients that are below a critical level) to drive an algebraically growing disturbance in the velocity field. We determine the critical Prandtl number and pressure gradient parameter required for downstream algebraic growth. We also march the nonlinear boundary-region equations downstream, to demonstrate that growth of these modes eventually gives rise to streak-like structures of order-one aspect ratio in the cross-sectional plane. Furthermore, this downstream flow can ultimately become unstable to a two-dimensional Rayleigh instability at finite amplitudes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the current paper was to identify moderating factors of a bystander-focused violence prevention program for adolescents, Bringing in the Bystander—High School Curriculum. Participants were 2,403 high school students from 25 schools in northern New England (M age = 15.8 years; 50.9% female; 85.1% White, 84.5% heterosexual) who participated in a cluster-randomized controlled trial. We examined impact among different social groups (i.e., by race, gender, age, poverty, sexual orientation) using moderation analyses. The intervention effects for the past 12-month sexual harassment and stalking perpetration were stronger for younger participants and heterosexual participants; poverty, race, and gender did not moderate any program effects. Findings indicate that future prevention research should consider additional targets for older adolescents that may improve intervention program efficacy. An urgent need exists for interventions that are effective for sexual minority adolescents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While dating and sexual violence (DSV) prevention through bystander intervention receives much attention in college samples, adult community samples and rural communities receive comparatively little study. An understanding of bystander actionist opportunities, who are the bystanders that have the opportunity to act to prevent to violence, is lacking. The goal of this study is to explore whether various individual identities relate to actionist opportunity rates in DSV situations. Mailed surveys were collected from 1,529 adults in a rural community sample. Five factors (sex, relationship status, race/ethnicity, income, and age) were compared to rates of witnessing six DSV actionist opportunities (victim blaming, supporting a survivor, hearing neighbors fight, seeing a couple fight, seeing an intoxicated person alone, and seeing an assault) using logistic regression models. Both age and household income were inversely related to an increased likelihood of witnessing most DSV situations. Bystander sex was related to a great likelihood of noticing an intoxicated person all alone. Being in a relationship recently was related to more opportunities to support a survivor and of noticing a couple fighting on the street. Bystander race was not related to any opportunity rates. These findings suggest that opportunity to intervene deserves more attention in studies of DSV prevention among community samples. Bystander intervention education efforts in community settings should be tailored with consideration of the intended audience demographics. Programs should move beyond race or sex of the attendees to also include things such as relationship status, community income level, or age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to: (1) evaluate the promise of concept mapping for generating the conceptual domain and attributions of feasibility, effectiveness, and community support across two points in time; and (2) to determine if and how community narratives may shift over time with exposure to community-level prevention initiatives. The study employed concept mapping methodology to learn how two towns in rural New England perceived domestic and sexual violence first in 2016 with no community intervention, and again in 2018 after implementing Green Dot Community, a community-level DSV prevention initiative. Samples were comprised of adults who had resided in their respective town for at least one year. This exploratory study found that over time, collective efficacy seemed to increase, with participants coming to view it as the responsibility of sectors throughout the community to address DSV. Social norms promoting that "DSV is not tolerated" and that "everyone has a role to play" in preventing DSV also seemed to increase, with strategies becoming more comprehensive, collaborative, and focused on primary prevention. Study findings may be attributable to Green Dot Community implementation given the correspondence of findings to intended program effects. However alternative explanations remain plausible and are discussed. This study offers a starting point for evaluating community-level prevention initiatives using concept mapping methodology. Future studies can learn from the methodological limitations presented here to produce more definitive findings when applying this method to address social problems in communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 infectious disease pandemic has caused significant fear and uncertainty around the world and had significant adverse psychological impact. Children, adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are a particularly vulnerable population, impacted by stay-at-home orders, closures at nonessential services, and social distancing standards. This commentary describes various challenges faced by individuals with ASD in the United States including disruptions caused by educational and vocational changes, challenges to home and leisure routines, limited access to behavioral health services and changes in health services delivery due to the pandemic. We highlight the need for ongoing skills development for individuals and development within systems to better respond to needs of the ASD population in future emergencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Despite the well-established benefits of exercise, pregnant women are discouraged from physical activity in hot/humid conditions to avoid hyperthermia (core temperature (Tcore) ≥ 39.0 °C). Recent epidemiological evidence also demonstrates greater risk of negative birth outcomes following heat exposure during pregnancy, possibly due to thermoregulatory impairments. We aimed to determine (1) the risk of pregnant women exceeding a Tcore of 39.0 °C during moderate-intensity exercise in the heat; and (2) if any thermoregulatory impairments are evident in pregnant (P) versus non-pregnant (NP) women. Methods: Thirty participants (15 pregnant in their second trimester or third trimester) completed two separate exercise-heat exposures in a climate chamber (32 °C, 45%RH). On separate occasions, each participant cycled on a semi-recumbent cycle ergometer for 45 min at a workload representative of a moderate-intensity (1) non-weight-bearing (NON-WB), or (2) weight-bearing (WB) activity. Thermoregulatory responses were monitored throughout. Results: The highest rectal temperature observed in a pregnant individual was 37.93 °C. Mean end-exercise rectal temperature did not differ between groups (P:37.53 ± 0.22 °C, NP:37.52 ± 0.34 °C, P = 0.954) in the WB trial, but was lower in the P group (P:37.48 ± 0.25 °C, vs NP:37.73 ± 0.38 °C, P = 0.041) in the NON-WB trial. Whole-body sweat loss was unaltered by pregnancy during WB (P:266 ± 62 g, NP:264 ± 77 g; P = 0.953) and NON-WB P:265 ± 51 g, NP:300 ± 75 g; P = 0.145) exercise. Pregnant participants reported higher ratings of thermal sensation (felt hotter) than their non-pregnant counterparts in the WB trial (P = 0.002) but not in the NON-WB trial, (P = 0.079). Conclusion: Pregnant women can perform 45 min of moderate-intensity exercise at 32 °C, 45%RH with very low apparent risk of excessive maternal hyperthermia. No thermoregulatory impairments with pregnancy were observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

DNA replication follows a strict spatiotemporal program that intersects with chromatin structure but has a poorly understood genetic basis. To systematically identify genetic regulators of replication timing, we exploited inter-individual variation in human pluripotent stem cells from 349 individuals. We show that the human genome's replication program is broadly encoded in DNA and identify 1,617 cis-acting replication timing quantitative trait loci (rtQTLs) – sequence determinants of replication initiation. rtQTLs function individually, or in combinations of proximal and distal regulators, and are enriched at sites of histone H3 trimethylation of lysines 4, 9, and 36 together with histone hyperacetylation. H3 trimethylation marks are individually repressive yet synergistically associate with early replication. We identify pluripotency-related transcription factors and boundary elements as positive and negative regulators of replication timing, respectively. Taken together, human replication timing is controlled by a multi-layered mechanism with dozens of effectors working combinatorially and following principles analogous to transcription regulation. The genetic basis of how cells replicate their DNA is not well understood. Here, the authors identify >1000 genetic elements that control human replication and reveal a complex epigenetic system that regulates replication origin activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Body-specific mental rotation is thought to rely upon internal representations of motor actions. Handedness is a source of distinctly different motor experience that shapes the development of such internal representations. Yet, the influence of handedness upon hand mental rotation has never been systematically evaluated. Five databases were searched for studies evaluating hand left/right judgement tasks in adults. Two independent reviewers performed screening, data extraction, and critical appraisal. Eighty-seven datasets were included, with 72 datasets pooled; all had unclear/high risk of bias. Meta-analyses showed that right-handers were faster, but not more accurate, than left-handers at hand mental rotation. A unique effect of handedness was found on performance facilitation for images corresponding to the dominant hand. Meta-analyses showed that right-handers were quicker at identifying images of right hands than left hands—a dominance advantage not evident in left-handers. Differing hand representations (more lateralised hand dominance in right-handers) likely underpin these findings. Given potential differences between hand preference and motor performance, future research exploring their distinct contributions to mental rotation is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adherence to rigid masculine gender role beliefs is often a significant predictor of violence perpetration; additionally, there is a consistent link among adolescent boys between experiencing victimization and perpetrating violence. This study examines the nuances in those associations specifically for sexual harassment victimization, perpetration, and masculine gender role beliefs in a rural sample of adolescent boys. A convenience sample of 236 boys' responses to an electronic survey completed at school were examined using multiple regression analysis to explore the relation of perpetration with victimization and four gender-related attitudes, specifically male power, relationship control, acceptability of violence, and apathy toward others. Consistent with prior research, victimization was strongly related to perpetration; however, this link was true only when attitudes on male power and apathy toward others were also high. Findings indicate that certain attitudes within hegemonic masculinity may be more involved than other beliefs in the victim-to-perpetration adolescent violence cycle. Prevention programming that incorporates content on masculinity may be more effective if focused intentionally on these aspects of gender role beliefs. Implications are also discussed in the context of how rural boys may engage with ideas of masculinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: For solid tumours such as breast and prostate cancer, and haematological malignancies such as myeloma, bone represents a supportive home, where the cellular crosstalk is known to underlie both tumour growth and survival, and the development of the associated bone disease. The importance of metabolic reprogramming is becoming increasingly recognised, particularly within cancer biology, enabling tumours to adapt to changing environments and pressures. This review will discuss our current understanding of metabolic requirements and adaptations within the tumour-bone microenvironment. Recent Findings: The bone provides a unique metabolic microenvironment, home to highly energy-intensive processes such as bone resorption and bone formation, both of which are dysregulated in the presence of cancer. Approaches such as metabolomics demonstrate metabolic plasticity in patients with advanced disease. Metabolic crosstalk between tumour cells and surrounding stroma supports disease pathogenesis. Summary: There is increasing evidence for a key role for metabolic reprogramming within the tumour-bone microenvironment to drive disease progression. As such, understanding these metabolic adaptations should reveal new therapeutic targets and approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between the "Big 5" personality dimensions and body mass index (BMI) were examined in a nationally representative sample (National Health and Resilience in Veterans Study) of male and female U.S. military veterans. Multivariable analyses were conducted to evaluate gender-specific associations between personality factors and BMI. Among male veterans, greater extraversion was associated with higher BMI, (β = 0.18), while lower conscientiousness (β = −0.18), agreeableness (β = −0.18), and emotional stability (β = −0.17) were associated with lower BMI. Among female veterans, only greater consciousness was associated with lower BMI. These associations were robust to effects of age, physical activity, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The "Big 5" personality dimensions are differentially associated with BMI in male and female veterans. While conscientiousness was associated with lower BMI in both male and female veterans, three additional personality dimensions were linked to BMI in male veterans. Implications of these findings for obesity management are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate modelling of air–sea surface exchanges is crucial for reliable extreme surface wind-speed forecasts. While atmosphere-only weather forecast models represent ocean and wave effects through sea-state independent parametrizations, coupled multi-model systems capture sea-state dynamics by integrating feedbacks between the atmosphere, ocean and wave model components. Here, we investigate the sensitivity of extreme surface wind speeds to air–sea exchanges at the kilometre scale using coupled and uncoupled configurations of the Met Office's UK Regional Coupled Environmental Prediction system. The case period includes the passage of extra-tropical cyclones Helen, Ali, and Bronagh, which brought maximum gusts of 36 m s - 1 over the UK. Compared with the atmosphere-only results, coupling to the ocean decreases the domain-average sea-surface temperature by up to 0.5 K. Inclusion of coupling to waves reduce the 98th percentile 10-m wind speed by up to 2 m s - 1 as young, growing wind waves reduce the wind speed by increasing the sea-surface aerodynamic roughness. Impacts on gusts are more modest, with local reductions of up to 1 m s - 1 , due to enhanced boundary-layer turbulence which partially offsets air–sea momentum transfer. Using a new drag parametrization based on the Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Response Experiment 4.0 parametrization, with a cap on the neutral drag coefficient and reduction for wind speeds exceeding 27 m s - 1 , the atmosphere-only model achieves equivalent impacts on 10-m wind speeds and gusts as from coupling to waves. Overall, the new drag parametrization achieves the same 20% improvement in forecast 10-m wind-speed skill as coupling to waves, with the advantage of saving the computational cost of the ocean and wave models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose of Review: Breast cancer frequently metastasizes to the bone and lung, but the ability to treat metastatic tumor cells remains a pressing clinical challenge. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) and histone acetyltransferases (HATs) have emerged as promising targets since these enzymes are aberrantly expressed in numerous cancers and regulate the expression of genes that drive tumorigenesis and metastasis. This review focuses on the abnormal expression of histone-modifying enzymes in cancers that have a high tropism for the bone and lung and explores the clinical use of histone deacetylase inhibitors for the treatment and prevention of metastasis to these sites. Recent Findings: Preclinical studies have demonstrated that the role for HDACs is highly dependent on tumor type and stage of disease progression. HDAC inhibitors can induce apoptosis, senescence, cell differentiation, and tumor dormancy genes and inhibit angiogenesis, making these promising therapeutics for the treatment of metastatic disease. HDAC inhibitors are already FDA approved for hematologic malignancies and are in clinical trials with standard-of-care chemotherapies and targeted agents for several solid tumors, including cases of metastatic disease. However, these drugs can negatively impact bone homeostasis. Summary: Although HDAC inhibitors are not currently administered for the treatment of bone and lung metastatic disease, preclinical studies have shown that these drugs can reduce distant metastasis by targeting molecular factors and signaling pathways that drive tumor cell dissemination to these sites. Thus, HDAC inhibitors in combination with bone protective therapies may be beneficial in the treatment of bone metastatic cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple myeloma is a malignancy caused by the clonal expansion of abnormal plasma cells. Myeloma cells have proven to be incredibly successful at manipulating their microenvironment to promote growth and to evade modern therapies. They have evolved to utilise the integral signalling pathways of the bone and bone marrow to drive disease progression. The bone marrow is often described in the context of a single structure that fills the bone cavity and supports normal haematopoiesis. However, within that structure exists two anatomically different niches, the perivascular niche and the endosteal niche. These contain different cell types functioning to support normal immune and blood cell production as well as healthy bone. These cells secrete numerous signalling molecules that can influence myeloma cell biology and behaviour. The endosteal niche is home to specific bone cell lineages and plays a pivotal role in myeloma cell establishment and survival. This review will concentrate on some of the signalling pathways that are hijacked by myeloma cells to shape a favourable environment, and the different influences myeloma cells are exposed to depending on their spatial location within the bone marrow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The breakup of a slender filament of liquid driven by surface tension is a classical fluid dynamics stability problem that is important in many situations where fine droplets are required. When the filament is resting on a flat solid surface which imposes wetting conditions the subtle interplay with the fluid dynamics makes the instability pathways and mode selection difficult to predict. Here, we show how controlling the static and dynamic wetting of a surface can lead to repeatable switching between a toroidal film of an electrically insulating liquid and patterns of droplets of well-defined dimensions confined to a ring geometry. Mode selection between instability pathways to these different final states is achieved by dielectrophoresis forces selectively polarising the dipoles at the solid-liquid interface and so changing both the mobility of the contact line and the partial wetting of the topologically distinct liquid domains. Our results provide insights into the wetting and stability of shaped liquid filaments in simple and complex geometries relevant to applications ranging from printing to digital microfluidic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of this article was to describe the findings from a systematic review, quality review, and meta-analysis of risk factors for postpartum depression among adult Latinas in the United States. Methods: Databases were searched from inception to May 2020 for studies published in English related to Latina/Hispanic mothers and risk factors of postpartum depression. Of 115 abstracts screened, 10 met the inclusion criteria for the review and meta-analysis. Eleven risk factors from these studies were included: acculturation, age, economic stress, education, marital status, number of children, prenatal depression, recent and remote intimate partner violence (IPV), general social support, and partner/father's social support. Results: Partner/father's social support had a large effect size. Prenatal depression and recent IPV had medium effect sizes, while education, economic stress, general social support and remote IPV had small effect sizes. Negligible effect sizes were found for age, marital status, number of children, and acculturation. Conclusions: Prenatal depression, IPV, social support (general and from partner/father), economic stress and education are risk factors that should be screened for when working with perinatal Latinas. Future directions for clinical practice and research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To assess validity of a fetal overgrowth index in an external cohort of women with diabetes in pregnancy Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of data derived from women with singleton gestations complicated by diabetes who delivered January 2015–June 2018. The following index variables were used to calculate risk of fetal overgrowth as defined by a customized birthweight ≥ 90th centile: age, history of fetal overgrowth in a prior pregnancy, gestational weight gain, fetal abdominal circumference measurement and fasting glucose between 24 and 30 weeks. Results: In our validation cohort, 21% of 477 pregnancies were complicated by fetal overgrowth. The predictive index had a bias-corrected bootstrapped area under receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.90 (95% CI 0.86–0.93). 55% of the cohort had a low-risk index (≤ 3) which had a negative predictive value of 97% (95% CI 94–98%), while 18% had a high-risk index (≥ 8) that had a positive predictive value of 74% (95% CI 66–81%). Conclusion: The fetal overgrowth index incorporates five factors that are widely available in daily clinical practice prior to the period of maximum fetal growth velocity in the third trimester. Despite substantial differences between our cohort and the one studied for model development, we found the performance of the index was strong. This finding lends support for the general use of this tool that may aid counseling and allow for targeted allocation of healthcare resources among women with pregnancies complicated by diabetes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boundary-layer schemes are essential components of numerical weather-forecasting and climate models. From simple beginnings 50 years ago, they have grown in sophistication and detail. Here, we review development and discuss the key processes to be represented and how they have most commonly been parametrized. We conclude by discussing the challenges posed by ever-increasing model resolution and a growing emphasis on the forecasting of extreme events. Throughout, we emphasize the place of the boundary-layer scheme within the whole model and its interactions with other components of the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The atmospheric boundary layer undergoes transitions between stable and convective states. Over land, in undisturbed conditions, these transitions occur daily in the morning and late afternoon or early evening. Though less well studied and presenting more challenges than the fully stable and fully convective states, such transitions have been the subject of growing interest over the last few decades. During transitions, all forcings are weak, and few simplifications are possible. Factors such as terrain, radiation, advection, and subsidence can seldom be safely neglected. Here, we review research on transitions over recent decades, with an emphasis on work published in Boundary-Layer Meteorology. The review is brief and inevitably reflects the interests and views of the authors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Deacon reaction is an important industrial process for the oxidation of hydrogen chloride, thereby enabling chlorine to be recycled. As gold is an efficient catalyst for reactions involving hydrogen chloride and oxygen, we have studied the use of gold as a potential catalyst for the Deacon reaction. Unfortunately, gold displays only limited activity; however, this is markedly increased if hydrogen is cofed as a reactant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

People with disabilities (PWD) may be stigmatized when dating. As suggested by previous research, people may avoid forming romantic relationships with PWD because they fear being stigmatized by association. We tested this explanation and proposed alternative reasons for the potential stigmatization of PWD. Specifically, we predicted that people may be less willing to date PWD because they stereotypically infer that such relationships may not be satisfying and may be inequitable, favoring the PWD more than themselves. To test these hypotheses, we surveyed 390 single people regarding their willingness to date a potential romantic partner with a physical, sensory, cognitive, psychological, or health disability. People were first presented with partners who had a general type of disability and later with partners who had a specific physical, sensory, cognitive, psychological, or health impairment. For each partner, we also measured the extent to which people (1) feared stigma by association, (2) perceived the relationship would not satisfy their physical and emotional needs, and (3) be inequitable. Fitting with our hypotheses, perceived relationship satisfaction positively predicted, and perceived inequity negatively predicted, willingness to date PWD. Stigma by association was unrelated to willingness to date PWD. Implications for stigma-reduction interventions and online dating programs are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]