Metal Additive Manufacturing technologies provide new opportunities for manufacturing complex components. However, the limited and scattered data on damage tolerance behavior is hindering adoption in safe-critical applications. A design of experiments (DOE) is used in this study to provide an understanding of the Electron Beam Melted (EBM) Ti6Al4V fracture toughness properties. Three builds comprised of 150 compact tension samples were printed representative of the EBM build chamber, followed by surface machining, microstructural characterization, X-ray microcomputed tomography (µCT), and fracture toughness testing per ASTM E399. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) statistics on the influence and interaction of intra-build design parameters on the As-Built and Machined samples showed orientation, build location, and geometry to contribute to property variation. EBM fracture toughness reported an average of 65 MPa√m, with an increase in build height and proximity to the center of the build envelope. The location- and size-dependent properties resulted from changes in microstructure and porosity throughout the build space. While intra-build design variation was present, the EBM Ti6Al4V fracture toughness properties reported a 10% overall variation comparable to wrought and cast alloys. The extensive experimental work in this study shows EBM Ti6Al4V to be a repeatable and reliable alloy for use in load-bearing applications.

A high rate upflow anaerobic polyfoam-based bioreactor (UAPB) was developed for lab-scale in-situ biogas upgrading. The use of a porous diffuser, alongside high gas recirculation, led to a higher H 2 liquid mass transfer, and subsequently to a better uptake for high CH 4 content (up to 90%). Although our attempts to optimize both operational parameters (H 2 flow rate and gas recirculation ratio) were not successful, at a very high recirculation ratio (32) and flow rate (54 mL/h), a significant improvement of the hydrogen consumption was achieved. These operational conditions have in turn driven the methanogenic community towards the dominance of Methanosaetaceae, which out-competed Methanosarcinaceae. Nevertheless, a highly stable methane production rate was observed despite the methanogenic turnover. During the different applied operational conditions, the bacterial community was especially impacted, resulting in substantial shifts of taxonomic groups. Notably, Aeromonadaceae was the only bacterial group positively correlated with increasing hydrogen consumption rates. The capacity of Aeromonadaceae to extracellularly donate electrons suggests that direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) enhanced biogas upgrading. Overall, the proposed innovative biological in-situ biogas upgrading technology using the UAPB configuration shows promising results for stable, simple and effective biological biogas upgrading.

In this study, we investigated a new structure of a protective meander line (ML): a meander microstrip line (MSL) with two passive conductors. The existing theory of ultra-short pulse (USP) attenuation in MLs is presented for the first time. Based on this theory, we determined the number of decomposed pulses at the output of the MSL line with two passive conductors, and, for the first time, formulated the conditions for pulse decomposition in the line. The folding of the MSL line into non-core turns was studied in detail. As a result of this study, we proposed a new theory that involves the utilization of additional groups of decomposed pulses for enhanced USP attenuation. These additional groups were thoroughly examined, and the delays of pulses from these groups were defined. This analysis allowed identifying the reason for their appearance. It was revealed that folding the meander line into non-core turns allows further attenuation of the USP amplitude, which increases with the increase of the number of non-core turns. To validate the obtained simulation results, we performed experimental measurements and obtained good consistency of the results. The N-norms analysis demonstrated that combined use of such folding and passive conductors reduces the probability of electrical breakdown, arc discharge, and dielectric breakdown. The maximum USP attenuation at the output was 24.9 dB. As a result of useful signal integrity analysis, it is proposed to use a folded meander microstrip line (MSL) together with a USB 2.0 “Full-speed” interface with a data transfer rate of 12 Mbit/s. In addition, it is proposed to use such MSLs in DC power circuits.

Transcriptomic Profiles of Well-Differentiated Airway Epithelial Cells in Response to Environmental Triggers of Asthma ExacerbationAntonella Marrocco1, Jennifer A. Mitchel1, Margaret Parker2, Maureen McGill1, Robert P. Chase2, Scott T. Weiss2, Diane R. Gold1,2, Peter J. Castaldi2, Jin-Ah Park1, Joanne Sordillo34Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA2Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.3Division of Chronic Disease Research Across the Lifecourse (CoRAL), Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School and Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA.Corresponding Author: Joanne E. SordilloEmail : [email protected]:Landmark Center West 401 Park Dr., 4th Floor Boston, MA 02115The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.Funding: R01HL148152, P30ES000002, T32HL007118, Francis Family FoundationKeywords: Bronchial epithelial cells, gene expression, RNAseq, asthma

In this article, we extend a previously developed globally optimal enumeration methodology for the synthesis of Heat Exchanger Networks to the simultaneous synthesis of the network and the basic design of Heat Exchangers. Our procedure guarantees global optimality, unlike previous approaches, such as Pinch Technology, metaheuristics, or mathematical programming that do not guarantee it and sometimes do not even guarantee local optimality. The procedure is not iterative, and does not present any convergence issues. To enumerate HEN structures, we use linear methods and for the HEX design we use Set Trimming followed by sorting. In addition, because some network structures are incompatible with single shell exchangers, we use multiple shell exchangers in series. The comparison of the results of the proposed approach with two solution alternatives from the literature in two different problems indicates that considerable cost reductions may be obtained.

1. Secondary metabolites produced by primary producers have a wide range of functions as well as indirect effects outside the scope of their direct target. Research suggests that protease inhibitors produced by cyanobacteria influence grazing by herbivores and may also protect against parasites of cyanobacteria. In this study we asked whether those same protease inhibitors produced by cyanobacteria also can influence interactions of herbivores with their parasites. 2. We used the Daphnia-Metschnikowia zooplankton host-fungal parasite system to address this question because it is well documented that cyanobacteria protease inhibitors suppress trypsin and chymotrypsin in the gut of Daphnia, and because it is known that Metschnikowia infects via the gut. We tested the hypothesis that Daphnia gut proteases are necessary for Metschnikowia spores to be released from their asci. We then also tested whether diets that decrease trypsin and chymotrypsin activity in the guts of Daphnia lead to lower levels of infection. 3. Our results show that chymotrypsin promotes release of the fungal spores from their asci. Moreover, a diet that strongly inhibited chymotrypsin activity in Daphnia decreased infection levels, particularly in the most susceptible Daphnia clones. 4. Our results support the growing literature that cyanobacterial diets can be beneficial to zooplankton hosts when challenged by parasites and uncover a mechanism that contributes to the protective effect of cyanobacterial diets. Specifically, we demonstrate that host chymotrypsin enzymes promote dehiscence of Metschnikowia spores; when cyanobacteria inhibit activity of chymotrypsin in hosts, this most likely traps the spore inside the ascus, preventing the parasite from puncturing the gut and beginning the infection process. 5. This study illustrates how secondary metabolites of phytoplankton can protect herbivores against their own enemies.

This paper introduces version one of an assessment tool developed to address the challenges posed by the assessment of data thickness and richness in primary qualitative studies for Qualitative Evidence Syntheses (QES). The tool has been in development since 2014. Three pilot versions from three review teams have been used in six Cochrane reviews. Key members from the original three review teams came together to create a consensus-based definitive version 1 of the tool for publication. Four review authors piloted the version 1 tool. The definitive version 1 assessment tool consists of two components: assessing the thickness of contextual data and assessing the richness of conceptual data. A sliding scale with four points is used to rate these aspects, offering nuanced and qualitative judgments. The accompanying guidance emphasizes the importance of assessing data that addresses the review question. Paragraph locked by Heather Melanie R Ames The paper provides guidance on how to apply the tool, emphasizing the importance of reaching a consensus among review authors, and fostering a shared understanding of what constitutes rich and thick data in the context of the review. The potential challenges related to the time and resource constraints of this additional review process are acknowledged. Version 1 of the data thickness/richness assessment tool represents a significant development in QES methodology, filling a critical gap in tools for evaluating the richness of conceptual data and the level of contextual detail in primary qualitative studies. It enhances the transparency and rigor of the sampling process and offers valuable insights for assessing the thickness and richness of data in primary qualitative studies that addresses the review requestion, objectives and context as specified in the review protocol. The authors invite feedback from the research community to further test, refine and improve this tool based on wider user experiences.

Accidental Finding Prior to Rhinoplasty: Rhinolith- A Rare Case ReportKey Clinical MessageThrough this case report, we review a rare radiopacity finding within the nasal cavity and its histopathological findings in order to emphasize the importance of familiarizing oneself with all radiographic findings, regardless of their rarity.Keywords: Rhinoplasty; Nasal Cavity; Nasal Obstruction; RhinolithIntroductionA rhinolith, also known as a nasal calculus, is a densely calcified mass, possibly formed around either external substances such as stones, batteries and plastic, or internal materials including dental epithelium and dried blood clots, within the nasal cavity (1-4). However, its exact etiology remains unknown (2). Typically, it is found either between the maxillary sinus wall and the inferior turbinate or between the nasal septum and inferior turbinate (1). Rhinoliths are generally single, unilateral and have an irregular shape (5). Various sizes and internal structures have been reported based on the nature of the rhinolith’s core, including homogeneous or heterogeneous radiopacities (6). The occurrence of rhinoliths in the oral and maxillofacial structures is rare (1). However, they are more commonly observed in young adults, females, and individuals with a low socioeconomic status (2). Symptoms such as headache, anosmia, nasal obstruction, discharge, swelling, unpleasant nasal odor, halitosis, epistaxis, localized pain, and fever have been reported in approximately 1 out of 10,000 patients visiting ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialists in relation to rhinoliths, which may persist for months or even years (4, 6). Although rhinoliths are often asymptomatic (7) and may be detected incidentally through routine radiographic imaging (5). Conventional radiographs are useful in differentiating rhinoliths from other lesions and detecting their location, especially in cases where the foreign body has high radiodensity (5, 7). However, computed tomography (CT) is more effective in localizing rhinoliths with lower radiodensity in the core (3).In this case report, we present the incidental detection of a rhinolith through radiographic imaging in a 20-year-old patient who was a candidate for aesthetic rhinoplasty.Case presentationA 20-year-old female came to the outpatient department as a candidate for rhinoplasty. The patient’s general medical history and the head and neck examinations were unremarkable. There were no complaints of nasal obstruction or discharge. On extraoral examination, there was no sensory disturbance and the face was symmetrical except for the nasal septum deviation. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was prescribed to the septum deviation. The CBCT revealed an s-type deviation of the nasal septum, open ostia, and clear maxillary sinus cavity. Additionally, a solitary, densely heterogenic calcified mass measuring 9.3 mm in width, 14.4 mm in height, and 8.7 mm in anteroposterior size was noted in the right nasal fossa between inferior turbinate and nasal septum. The mass was attached to the septum and the superomedial portion of inferior nasal concha and the inferomedial part of the middle nasal concha. The mass was well defined with mix, mostly opaque, and laminated internal view. (fig. 1)Based on the radiographic findings, three differential diagnoses were rhinoliths, paranasal osteoma, and nasal foreign body.The procedure entailed the removal of the lesion under general anesthesia. The lesion, which was attached to the perichondrium, was successfully excised using a nostril approach. Unilateral perforations on the mucosa of the septum and inferior and middle conchae, resulting from the lesion removal, were left unsutured due to their size, allowing them to heal through secondary intention. The excised lesion was sent for histopathological evaluation, and a routine septorhinoplasty was performed. For this purpose, a septal graft was harvested. However, the preserved L-strut proved inadequate in supporting the septal mucosa perforation due to its location and the amount of cartilage graft required. Turbinate outfracture or cauterization were not carried out, although turbinectomy was performed. An internal splint was applied as a routine measure, and follow-up sessions were scheduled for 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after the operation.The histological examination revealed the presence of vascular respiratory epithelium, with subepithelial glands displaying a bland appearance and mild chronic inflammation. Calcified foreign body fragments were also identified. No atypical cells or conclusive evidence of malignancy were detected. The histological findings were consistent with a diagnosis of rhinolith. (fig.2)The patient expressed satisfaction with the results and reported no nasal obstruction. Additionally, the patient noted improved breathing, despite having had no difficulties in breathing prior to the operation. No asymmetry was detected.A CBCT scan was ordered 3 months post-surgery to validate the histopathologic outcomes and confirm the complete removal of the lesion. The CBCT evaluation confirmed the successful and complete excision of the lesion, thus supporting the rhinolith diagnosis. Synechia was found to be limited. (fig.3)DiscussionRhinoliths are uncommon findings, likely caused by the deposition of mineral salts around a nidus, such as a foreign body (8). A high level of suspicion is necessary, and differential causative factors, including osteoma, calcified nasal polyps, and ossifying fibroma should be considered to choose the best treatment approach (9). A variety of symptoms may be reported, depending on the localization and size of the lesion, such as unilateral nasal obstruction, epistaxis, headache, anosmia, epiphora, and purulent rhinorrhea (2, 9). However, rhinoliths can also be asymptomatic (6). Therefore, in cases with no symptoms, radiographic scans can lead to a diagnosis of rhinolith (4). A radiopaque lesion with lesser radiopacity in the center, located in either the nasal cavity or maxillary sinus, is a good predictor for rhinolith (5). However, rhinoliths may also appear as a homogeneous radiopaque view due to the presence of a radiopaque nidus (2).In the present case, CBCT evaluations revealed a mixture of radiopaque and radiolucent radiographic findings. Furthermore, in the absence of any symptoms, a histopathological examination was conducted to establish a definitive diagnosis.In cases where there is a coexistence of septal deviation and rhinoliths, the septum is typically deviated towards the opposite side of the rhinolith (2). This is likely due to the influence of the rhinolith on the cartilaginous septum during mass growth (2). This finding is consistent with our case.Although previous studies have reported the concurrent performance of septoplasty or septorhinoplasty and removing rhinolith (2), the specific details of the septoplasty procedures used are unclear. In this case presentation, we have provided a detailed description of the septorhinoplasty procedure to assist surgeons in surgical planning.The defects in the intranasal mucosal lining may be asymptomatic and do not require additional treatment procedures (10). However, the intranasal exposure of the spreader grafts may occur due to the presence of a defect in the mucosa. Therefore, large defects may require covering the grafts using various techniques to protect them from intranasal exposure (11).A variety of surgical interventions have been introduced to manage perforations of the septal mucosa in cases where the underlying septum is also perforated. These procedures are categorized into local flaps only or incorporation of interposition grafts (10). The local flap may be used unilaterally or bilaterally, unipedicled or bipedicled, and with an anterior or posterior base (12). The interposition graft can also be harvested from various sites including temporalis fascia, conchal cartilage, and tragal cartilage (10). In the present case, despite the absence of supporting septal cartilage, the unilateral perforation of septal mucoperichondrial tissue was left unsutured because of the intact contralateral mucoperichondrial tissue of the septum. Moreover, the internasal splint was used to prevent synechia following the unsutured perforation of the mucosa of the septum and inferior and middle conchae. Favorable outcomes revealed the secondary intention was successfully performed.However, there is insufficient evidence regarding the critical limit of septal mucosa perforation that prevents synechiae and ensures secondary intention. This may also be influenced by many other factors, including the cite of the perforation. Therefore, further researches should be conducted in this matter.Based on the favorable outcomes and absence of complications, the introduced procedure may be useful for assisting surgeons in carrying out septorhinoplasty and successfully removing the rhinolith without concerns about synechia.Conflict of interest statementThe authors have no conflict of interest to declare.ConsentWritten informed consent was obtained from the patient to publish this report in accordance with the journal’s patient consent policy.References1. Orhan K, Kocyigit D, Kisnisci R, Paksoy CS. Rhinolithiasis: an uncommon entity of the nasal cavity. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology. 2006;101(2):e28-e32.2. Aksakal C. Rhinolith: Examining the clinical, radiological and surgical features of 23 cases. Auris Nasus Larynx. 2019;46(4):542-7.3. Hsiao J-C, Tai C-F, Lee K-W, Ho K-Y, Kou W-R, Wang L-F. Giant rhinolith: a case report. The Kaohsiung journal of medical sciences. 2005;21(12):582-5.4. Ersözlü T, Gültekin E. Rhinolith in the concha bullosa as a rare location: a case report. Journal of International Medical Research. 2020;48(8):0300060520951019.5. Barros CA, Martins RR, Silva JB, Souza JB, Ribeiro-Rotta RF, Batista AC, et al. Rhinolith: a radiographic finding in a dental clinic. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology. 2005;100(4):486-90.6. Maheshwari N, Etikaala B, Syed AZ. Rhinolith: An incidental radiographic finding. Imaging Sci Dent. 2021;51(3):333-6.7. Manzi FR, Peyneau PD, Piassi FP, Machado VdC, Lopes AC. Radiographic and imaging diagnosis of rhinolith in dental clinics: A case report. Revista Odonto Ciência. 2012;27:170-3.8. Seyhun N, Toprak E, Kaya KS, Dizdar SK, Turgut S. Rhinolithiasis, a rare entity: Analysis of 31 cases and literature review. North Clin Istanb. 2021;8(2):172-7.9. Vedasalam S, Sipaul F, Hill A, Porter G. Nasendoscopy for unusual nasal symptoms. BMJ Case Rep. 2010;2010.10. Goh A, Hussain S. Different surgical treatments for nasal septal perforation and their outcomes. The Journal of Laryngology & Otology. 2007;121(5):419-26.11. Toriumi DM. Structure rhinoplasty: lessons learned in 30 years: DMT Solutions; 2019.12. Watson D, Barkdull G. Surgical management of the septal perforation. Otolaryngologic clinics of North America. 2009;42(3):483-93.Figure legends:Fig.1: pre-operative CBCT. (a) sagittal view; (b) coronal aspect; (c) axial section.Fig.2: histopathological micrograph. Note the fragments of calcified foreign bodies.Fig.3: post-operative CBCT. (a) sagittal aspect; (b) coronal view; (c) axial section. Note the limited synechiae in comparison with pre-operative CBCT.

Prakriti Adhikari1, Anil Nepali1,2, Amit Shah2, Shailes Paudel2, Prakriti Bhandari2, and Prakash Nepali31 MBBS doctor, Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences2 MBBS doctor, Patan Academy of Health Sciences3 MBBS doctor, Chitwan Medical CollegeCorresponding AuthorDr. Anil Nepali, Patan Academy of Health [email protected]

Objective: Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for anxiety and depression disorders. Nonetheless, nearly 50% of all patients do not respond. Besides other factors, this seems to be linked to the experience of traumatic life events. This study aims to assess the effects of trauma history on the choice of therapy interventions and treatment outcomes. Methods: We analyzed data from 340 CBT outpatients diagnosed with a depression or anxiety disorder and possibly a trauma history treated under naturalistic conditions. Based on their written therapy files, we collected information on trauma history, psychiatric diagnoses, duration of therapy, applied interventions, and severity of depression and anxiety symptoms at the start and end of therapy. The influence of trauma, diagnoses, and intervention use on the development of depression and anxiety symptoms were analyzed. Results: Patients with a trauma history reported higher overall depression and anxiety symptoms than those without trauma. No differences in the duration of therapy, applied interventions, or decrease in symptom severity were found between patients with and without a trauma history. Trauma-specific interventions failed to boost treatment success; however, they were also seldom applied. Conclusion: Although no differences between traumatized and non-traumatized patients were found for naturalistic CBT, traumatized patients maintained higher levels of symptom severity irrespective of diagnoses. These results indicate a need for more trauma-specific and personalized interventions. Therapists may need evidence-based guidelines to personalize CBT for patients with a trauma history and high symptom severity.

The use of strategic implants for the optimization of prosthetic balance of distal extension removable mandibular prosthesis: a five- year follow-up report

As virtual reality display technologies advance, resolutions and refresh rates continue to approach human perceptual limits, presenting a challenge for real-time rendering algorithms. Neural super-resolution is promising in reducing the computation cost and boosting the visual experience by scaling up low-resolution renderings. However, the added workload of running neural networks cannot be neglected. In this paper, we try to alleviate the burden by exploiting the foveated nature of the human visual system, where acuity decreases rapidly from the focal point to the periphery. With the help of dynamic and geometric information (i.e.,pixel-wise motion vectors, depth, and camera transformation) available inherently in the real-time rendering content, we propose a neural accumulator to effectively aggregate the amortizedly rendered low-resolution visual information from frame to frame recurrently. By leveraging a partition-assemble scheme, we use a neural super-resolution module to upsample the low-resolution image tiles to different qualities according to their perceptual importance and reconstruct the final output heterogeneously. Perceptually high-fidelity foveated high-resolution frames are generated in real-time, surpassing the quality of other foveated super-resolution methods.

Species distribution models (SDMs) underpin a wide range of decisions concerning biodiversity. Although SDMs can be built using presence-only data, rigorous evaluation of these models remains challenging. One evaluation method is the Boyce index (BI), which uses the relative frequencies between presence points and background points within a series of bins spanning the entire range of predicted values from the SDM (the original version), or a modified version using moving windows. Obtaining accurate estimates of the index using this approach relies upon having large number of presences which is often not feasible, particularly for rarer or restricted species that are often the focus of modelling. Wider application of BI requires a method that can accurately and reliably estimate the index using small numbers of presence records. In this study we investigated the effectiveness of five statistical smoothing methods and the mean of these five methods (denoted as ‘mean’) to estimate the BI. We simulated 800 species with varying levels of prevalence, built distribution models using random forest and Maxent methods with two levels of training presences (NPT: 20 and 500) together with 2×NPT and 10000 random points for the two modelling methods respectively. We used four levels of presences (NP: 1000, 200, 50 and 10) and 5000 random points to calculate the BI. Our results indicate that both the original and the modified versions of the calculation of the BI are severely affected by the decrease of NP, but one smoothing method (i.e., the thin plate spline) and the ‘mean’ were almost not affected by the decrease of NP for most realistic situations. Hence, these methods are recommended for estimating BI for evaluating species distribution models when verified absence data are unavailable.

COVID-19 vaccination and pregnancy: getting the word outVictoria Male, Senior Lecturer in Reproductive Immunology, Imperial College LondonPregnancy is a risk factor for severe COVID-19, doubling the likelihood that an unvaccinated individual requires intensive care, invasive ventilation, or ECMO. Between March 2020 and December 2021 in the UK, COVID-19 emerged as the leading cause of death during pregnancy: among the 33 women who succumbed to the virus, none had been fully vaccinated (Knight et al, ISBN: 978-1-7392619-4-8). Furthermore, in unvaccinated individuals, SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy can adversely affect infants, increasing the odds of preterm birth by 1.5-fold and those of stillbirth or neonatal death by approximately 3-fold (Male, Nat Rev Immunol, 2022, 22:277-82).In the face of these concerning statistics, COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy seems a sensible precaution. Clinical trials and subsequent observational studies demonstrated that COVID-19 vaccination is safe and effective in the general population, but expectant parents naturally have an important additional question: is it safe for my baby?In the clinical trials of the COVID-19 vaccines, pregnancy was an exclusion criterion but nonetheless 102 participants became pregnant during mRNA vaccine trials, with miscarriage rates no different between the vaccinated and control groups. Early observational studies focussed on outcomes at birth which, during the pandemic, have been somewhat better in vaccinated individuals, particularly with respect to outcomes influenced by SARS-CoV2 infection (Prasad, Nat Comms, 2022, 13:2412*). A population-based cohort study published in this issue of BJOG (please add reference) is the latest in a mounting number of observational studies that examine the risk of early pregnancy loss following COVID-19 vaccination, controlling for gestational age and relevant medical and social confounders. This is the first to formally consider termination of pregnancy at the patient’s request as a competing risk, but whether or not this was including in the analysis, the authors found no increased risk of miscarriage associated with COVID-19 vaccination either during or before pregnancy.The evidence is now clear: COVID-19 vaccination is safe in pregnancy, but infection is not. Despite this, COVID-19 booster uptake among those eligible due to pregnancy remains low, peaking at 19% in the 2022-23 booster season. Some people are not aware their pregnancy makes them eligible for a booster and, among those who are, not all are informed of the extensive evidence on the safety and benefits of COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy. Others believe their primary course of vaccination, or a previous infection, is sufficient to protect them. Although a primary course of vaccination continues to protect against severe disease, evidence on how long protection lasts, particularly in the face of new variants, is not yet available: as time elapses the benefit of a booster is expected to increase. Pertinently, people continue to die of flu during and shortly after pregnancy, despite having been exposed to the virus throughout their lives. In the UK, two women recently died this way: neither had received the recommended flu booster during pregnancy (Knight et al, ISBN: 978-1-7392619-4-8).While ongoing research remains important for confirming the safety of COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, it is unlikely that any new study will overturn the wealth of evidence we have already amassed. The challenge now is to get the word out.* For a regularly updated list of studies concerning the safety of COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy, please see http://bit.ly/pregnancysafety

Schizochytrium sp. is a heterotrophic microorganism capable of accumulating polyunsaturated fatty acids, and has achieved industrial production of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). It also has the potential for eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) production. In this study, it was found that the cell growth, lipid synthesis and fatty acid composition of Schizochytrium sp. were significantly affected by the level of cobalamin in the medium, especially with regards to the content of EPA in the fatty acids. The content of EPA in the fatty acids increased 17.91 times, reaching 12.0%, but cell growth and lipid synthesis were significantly inhibited under cobalamin deficiency. The response mechanism for this phenomenon was revealed through combined lipidomic and transcriptomic analysis. Although cell growth was inhibited under cobalamin deficiency, the genes encoding key enzymes in central carbon metabolism were still up-regulated to provide precursors (Acetyl-CoA) and reducing power (NADPH) for the synthesis and accumulation of fatty acids. Moreover, the main lipid subclasses observed during cobalamin deficiency were glycerolipids (including glycerophospholipids), with EPA primarily distributed in them. The genes involved in the biosynthesis of these lipid subclasses were significantly up-regulated, such as the key enzymes in the Kennedy pathway for the synthesis of triglycerides. Thus, this study provided insights into the specific response of Schizochytrium sp. to cobalamin deficiency and identified a subset of new genes that can be engineered for modification.

Local minority languages and dialects, through the local knowledge and expertise associated with them, can play major roles in analyzing climate change and biodiversity loss, in facilitating community awareness of environmental crises and in setting up locally-adapted resilience and sustainability strategies. While the situation and contribution of deeply-rooted Indigenous Peoples are of emblematic importance, the issue of the relationships between cultural and linguistic diversity and environmental awareness and protection does not solely concern peripheral highly-specialized communities in specific ecosystems of the Global South, but constitutes a worldwide challenge, throughout all of the countries, whatever their geographical location, their economical development, or their political status. Environmental emergency and climate change resilience should therefore raise international awareness on the need to promote the survival and development of minority languages and dialects and to take into account their creativity and expertise in relation with the dynamics of their local environments.

Metabolism underpins all life-sustaining processes and varies profoundly with body size, temperature, and locomotor activity. A current theory explains some of the size-dependence of metabolic rate (its mass exponent, b) through changes in metabolic level (L). We propose two predictive advances that: (a) combine the above theory with the evolved avoidance of oxygen limitation in water-breathers experiencing warming, and (b) quantify the overall magnitude of combined temperatures and degrees of locomotion on metabolic scaling across air- and water-breathers. We use intraspecific metabolic scaling responses to temperature (523 regressions) and activity (281 regressions) in diverse ectothermic vertebrates (fish, reptiles and amphibians) to show that b decreases with temperature-increased L in water-breathers, supporting surface area-related avoidance of oxygen limitation, whereas b increases with activity-increased L in air-breathers, following volume-related influences. This new theoretical integration quantitatively incorporates different influences (warming, locomotion) and respiration modes (aquatic, terrestrial) on animal energetics.

Natural hybridisation is now recognised as pervasive in its occurrence across the Tree of Life. Resurgent interest in natural hybridisation fuelled by developments in genomics has led to an improved understanding of the genetic factors that promote or prevent species cross-mating. Despite this body of work overturning many widely held assumptions about the genetic barriers to hybridisation, it is still widely thought that ploidy differences between species will be an absolute barrier to hybridisation and introgression. Here, we revisit this assumption, reviewing findings from surveys of polyploidy and natural hybrids in the wild. In a case study in the British flora, 203 hybrids representing 35% of hybrids with suitable data have formed via cross-ploidy matings, while a wider literature search revealed 48 studies (45 in plants and 3 in animals), where cross-ploidy hybridisation has been confirmed with genetic data. These results show cross-ploidy hybridisation is readily overlooked, and potentially common in some groups. General findings from these studies include strong directionality of hybridisation, with introgression usually towards the higher ploidy parent, and cross-ploidy hybridisation being more likely to involve allopolyploids than autopolyploids. Evidence for adaptive introgression across a ploidy barrier and cases of cross-ploidy hybrid speciation show the potential for important evolutionary outcomes.