Article
Chemistry, Physical
Francesco Ambrosio, Filippo De Angelis, Alejandro R. Goni
Summary: Metal halide perovskites (MHPs) are solution-processed materials that have revolutionized photovoltaics with their exceptional photoconversion efficiencies. The debate surrounding the existence of ferroelectricity in MHPs and its impact on photovoltaic activity is still ongoing. In this review, we critically analyze recent experimental and theoretical results and propose an alternative interpretation based on ferroelasticity instead of ferroelectricity. We also emphasize that the ferroic behavior in MHPs would not significantly affect the physics of photogenerated charge carriers at room temperature or higher due to competing effects.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Iris M. Vennis, Mirjam M. Schaap, Petra A. M. Hogervorst, Arnout de Bruin, Sjors Schulpen, Marijke A. Boot, Mark W. J. van Passel, Saskia A. Rutjes, Diederik A. Bleijs
Summary: Research on pathogenic organisms is crucial but can be misused for dual-use purposes. The Netherlands Biosecurity Office has developed a tool to assess potential dual-use risks of research and promote awareness among scientists.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Sriharshita Musunuri, Jonas B. Sandbrink, Joshua Teperowski Monrad, Megan J. Palmer, Gregory D. Koblentz
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the world's vulnerability to biological disasters and triggered unprecedented scientific efforts. However, the dual-use risks of some research have not been adequately addressed, potentially increasing the threat of dangerous pathogens. Comprehensive evaluation is needed to mitigate these risks and prevent future health emergencies.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Anders Melin
Summary: Synthetic biology has valuable applications but also poses risks, with bioterrorism being a major concern. Some scholars argue risks are exaggerated, while I believe certain risks, like the creation and spread of known pathogenic viruses, should not be underestimated.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Political Science
Luca Tomini
Summary: A shift has occurred in recent comparative politics scholarship from studying democratization to autocratization. Scholars are now tackling essential issues related to conceptualization and measurement of autocratization. While the importance of studying autocratization is emphasized, debates around the concept of "waves" may be misleading and lack analytical power.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michele Gemunden, Svenja Vinke
Summary: Raising awareness for dual-use issues at the university level is crucial for reducing biological risks. However, most life sciences education programs do not currently include biosecurity and dual-use in their regular curriculum. This puts the responsibility on individual lecturers to incorporate dual-use topics into their teaching activities. For students interested in biosecurity and dual-use topics, their options are often limited to self-education through external or online courses. This article provides practical guidance on initiating and integrating a dual-use education program within the curriculum, and offers a selection of teaching materials.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Education & Educational Research
Andrew Cox, David Cameron, Alessandro Checco, Tim Herrick, Maria Mawson, Richard Steadman-Jones
Summary: AI and robots have the potential to transform Higher Education, but also pose ethical and implementation challenges. This article explores the potential of fictional narratives to engage in the debate about the future of HE with these technologies. By analyzing responses from expert readers, the article aims to enrich the understanding of quality in fiction-based research. The key qualities identified by the readers include substantive contribution, credibility, resonance, ambiguity, and aesthetics.
HIGHER EDUCATION RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Review
Social Issues
Zhi Ming Tan, Nikita Aggarwal, Josh Cowls, Jessica Morley, Mariarosaria Taddeo, Luciano Floridi
Summary: The gig economy is rapidly expanding and reshaping the nature of work, bringing along significant ethical challenges. The EU initiative to address these challenges is a positive step, but further deliberation and policy response is needed to tackle issues such as algorithmic control and discrimination faced by gig workers.
TECHNOLOGY IN SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Roberto Graci, Alessandro Capone
Summary: In the philosophy of language, there are ongoing controversies due to heavy reliance on utterance-based frameworks. To capture the complexity of human language, it is suggested to shift focus towards broader analysis levels that encompass conversations and discourses. Meaning is not confined to linguistic structures alone, but emerges from dynamic interactions between words, sociocultural knowledge, discursive situations, and psychological dispositions of speakers.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Azeem Majeed, Simon Hodes
Summary: The debate on whether GPs should be directly employed by the NHS has been sparked by the pandemic. Azeem Majeed argues for correcting a flawed model, while Simon Hodes believes that partnerships are still the best model for primary care.
BMJ-BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Applied
Marie T. Dasborough, Neal M. Ashkanasy, Ronald H. Humphrey, P. D. Harms, Marcus Crede, Dustin Wood
Summary: The study of emotional intelligence (EI) in leadership and organizational sciences has faced controversies and criticism, but researchers have continued to develop new measures and models. This exchange of letters revisits the arguments from a decade ago, discussing the predictive power, validity, measurement, and appropriate tests for establishing the value of EI. Despite disagreements, both author teams agree on the value of emotion research and rigorous study, proposing alternative agendas and priorities for the future.
LEADERSHIP QUARTERLY
(2022)
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Claire Delnatte, Emmanuel Roze, Pierre Pouget, Cecile Gallea, Quentin Welniarz
Summary: Free will has long been a topic of discussion in philosophy and science. Recent advances in neuroscience, however, pose a threat to the common understanding of free will by challenging the notions of determinism and mental causation. This article presents classical philosophical positions on these concepts and explores how neuroscience can contribute to the ongoing debate. Ultimately, the current evidence is deemed insufficient to undermine the existence of free will.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Wei He, Zhen-bing Luo, Xiong Deng, Can Peng, Qiang Liu, Tian-xiang Gao, Pan Cheng, Yan Zhou, Wen-qiang Peng
Summary: Through numerical and experimental methods, this study reveals the atomization mechanism of synthetic jet/dual synthetic jet (SJ/DSJ) through high-turbulence unsteady jet at the gas-liquid interface. The SJ/DSJ atomization process is divided into two stages: primary breakup induced by K-H instability and secondary atomization induced by R-T instability. Liquid fragmentation during the suction stroke involves passive-fracture mode induced by aerodynamic force and active-detachment mode induced by velocity difference. Active flow control significantly enhances the atomization performance of SJ/DSJ, converting 63% of its kinetic energy into high-speed spray.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Emma E. Don, Velja Mijatovic, Judith A. F. Huirne
Summary: Fibroids are common gynecologic abnormalities that can cause various symptoms and are associated with infertility. This article proposes seven hypotheses on how fibroids may reduce fertility and discusses their impact on early pregnancy loss. The current surgical treatments for fibroids do not target their pathophysiology, highlighting the need for research and development of pharmaceutical treatments specifically for fibroids.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Analytical
Mingxing Jiao, Fei Jiang, Junhong Xing, Yun Liu, Tianhong Lian, Jianning Liu, Guangtao Li
Summary: Frequency-difference-stabilized dual-frequency solid-state lasers are ideal light sources for high-accuracy absolute-distance interferometric systems due to their stable synthetic wavelengths. This review summarizes the advances in research on different kinds of dual-frequency solid-state lasers, including birefringent, biaxial, and two-cavity lasers. The system composition, operating principle, and main experimental results are briefly introduced. Several frequency-difference stabilizing systems for dual-frequency solid-state lasers are analyzed, and the main development trends in this field are predicted.
Letter
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Irina Rajakumar, Debra L. Isaac, Nowell M. Fine, Brian Clarke, Linda P. Ward, Rebecca J. Malott, Kanti Pabbaraju, Kara Gill, Byron M. Berenger, Yi-Chan Lin, David H. Evans, John M. Conly
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Thomas Sean Lendvay, James Chen, Brian H. Harcourt, Florine E. M. Scholte, Ying Ling Lin, F. Selcen Kilinc-Balci, Molly M. Lamb, Kamonthip Homdayjanakul, Yi Cui, Amy Price, Belinda Heyne, Jaya Sahni, Kareem B. Kabra, Yi-Chan Lin, David Evans, Christopher N. Mores, Ken Page, Larry F. Chu, Eric Haubruge, Etienne Thiry, Louisa F. Ludwig-Begall, Constance Wielick, Tanner Clark, Thor Wagner, Emily Timm, Thomas Gallagher, Peter Faris, Nicolas Macia, Cyrus J. Mackie, Sarah M. Simmons, Susan Reader, Rebecca Malott, Karen Hope, Jan M. Davies, Sarah R. Tritsch, Lorene Dams, Hans Nauwynck, Jean-Francois Willaert, Simon De Jaeger, Lei Liao, Mervin Zhao, Jan Laperre, Olivier Jolois, Sarah J. Smit, Alpa N. Patel, Mark Mayo, Rod Parker, Vanessa Molloy-Simard, Jean-Luc Lemyre, Steven Chu, John M. Conly, May C. Chu
Summary: The study found that methylene blue (MB) photochemical treatment is effective in decontaminating PPE contaminated with coronaviruses, while maintaining the integrity of the PPE after 5 cycles of treatment. This method is not only effective and low-cost, but also does not require specialized equipment, making it suitable for various resource settings.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Mira M. Shenouda, Ryan S. Noyce, Stephen Z. Lee, Jun Li Wang, Yi-Chan Lin, Nicole A. Favis, Megan A. Desaulniers, David H. Evans
Summary: Poxvirus genomes possess hairpin structures that play a crucial role in genome packaging and replication. Through mutant vaccinia virus construction and experimental testing, it was found that the hairpin structure, rather than its sequence, determines its function. Mismatches within the hairpin were shown to be critical for genome packaging, and the study also provided insights into the arrangement of VACV flip and flop telomeres.
Review
Virology
Tom Jefferson, Carl J. Heneghan, Elizabeth Spencer, Jon Brassey, Annette Pluddemann, Igho Onakpoya, David Evans, John Conly
Summary: Systematic reviews of primary studies on the modes of transmission for SARS-CoV-2 indicate methodological shortcomings and heterogeneity, highlighting the need for evidence rules to evaluate viral transmission. By integrating clinical, epidemiologic, molecular, and laboratory perspectives, a hierarchy of evidence can reduce uncertainty. Experimental research, consistency, and independent replication provide a chain of evidence to increase confidence in transmission modes.
Review
Microbiology
David Hugh Evans
Summary: This review highlights the significance of genetic recombination in modifying the composition of poxvirus genomes and provides insights into the history of its development, the processes involved in virus recombination, and the connections between recombination and DNA replication and repair. The study emphasizes the importance of recombination reactions in shaping virus genomes and their association with cytoplasmic replication factories, as well as the potential for further understanding of poorly known features of poxvirus DNA replication through studying these reactions.
Article
Microbiology
Yi-Chan J. Lin, David H. Evans, Ninette F. Robbins, Guillermo Orjuela, Queenie Hu, Reuben Samson, Kento T. Abe, Bhavisha Rathod, Karen Colwill, Anne-Claude Gingras, Ashleigh Tuite, Qi-Long Yi, Sheila F. O'Brien, Steven J. Drews
Summary: The FDA initially allowed the use of COVID-19 convalescent plasma for treating COVID-19 patients, but later revised the authorization to limit it to high-titer plasma and specific patient groups. Research found that the Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG II Quant assay can effectively identify high- and low-titer plasma, including for variant strains of the virus.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
I. J. Onakpoya, C. J. Heneghan, E. A. Spencer, J. Brassey, E. C. Rosca, S. Maltoni, A. Pluddemann, D. H. Evans, J. M. Conly, T. Jefferson
Summary: This study provides evidence that SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted through fomites, as demonstrated by viral culture studies. The presence of replication-competent virus on fomites suggests a potential role in the spread of the virus. The findings also highlight the importance of timely detection and control measures to prevent fomite-mediated transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
JOURNAL OF HOSPITAL INFECTION
(2022)
Article
Virology
Ryan S. S. Noyce, Landon W. W. Westfall, Siobhan Fogarty, Karen Gilbert, Onesmo Mpanju, Helen Stillwell, Jose Esparza, Bruce Daugherty, Fusataka Koide, David H. H. Evans, Seth Lederman
Summary: The ongoing global Monkeypox outbreak highlights the importance of live virus vaccines based on vaccinia virus (VACV) to protect the population. There is a need for a safer and more effective vaccine against both Monkeypox and Smallpox. One potential approach is the use of horsepox virus (HPXV) as a vaccine, which shares a common ancestor with VACV. A proof-of-concept study shows that TNX-801, a recombinant chimeric horsepox virus, elicited protective immune responses against Monkeypox virus.
Article
Oncology
Quinn T. Storozynsky, Kate C. Agopsowicz, Ryan S. Noyce, Amirali B. Bukhari, Xuefei Han, Natalie Snyder, Brittany A. Umer, Armin M. Gamper, Roseline Godbout, David H. Evans, Mary M. Hitt
Summary: Glioblastoma (GB) is an incurable brain cancer with immune suppression. Radiotherapy is commonly used, but it cannot completely eliminate GB cells due to radioresistance. In this study, researchers found that combining radiation with the oncolytic AF4LAJ2R vaccinia virus (VACV) had significantly superior anticancer effects compared to monotherapy in mouse models. The combination therapy also increased the ratio of CD8+ effector T cells to regulatory T cells. This study validates the use of radiation with an oncolytic AF4LAJ2R VACV to improve the treatment of GB.
Article
Virology
Joseph V. Vayalumkal, Amuchou S. Soraisham, Ayman Abou Mehrem, Anirban Ghosh, Jessica K. E. Dunn, Kevin Fonseca, Hong Zhou, Byron M. Berenger, Elaine S. Chan, Marie-Anne Brundler, Yi-Chan Lin, David H. Evans, Sharon Rousso, Verena Kuret, John M. Conly
Summary: This article describes two confirmed cases of congenital SARS-CoV-2 infections using epidemiologic and laboratory methods. In one case, the virus was successfully cultured from placental tissue. The placental tissue showed typical morphology for SARS-CoV-2. In the second case, both the mother and the infant tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, but the placental pathology was normal.
Article
Microbiology
Yi-Chan J. Lin, David H. Evans, Ninette F. Robbins, Guillermo Orjuela, Kento T. Abe, Bhavisha Rathod, Karen Colwill, Anne-Claude Gingras, Ashleigh Tuite, Qi-Long Yi, Sheila F. O'Brien, Steven J. Drews
Summary: The study found that vaccinated individuals have a higher neutralizing capacity against Omicron BA.1 compared to unvaccinated individuals. Neutralization assays showed that plasma with a higher level of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies provides protection against Omicron BA.1 infection.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Elena C. Rosca, Carl Heneghan, Elizabeth A. Spencer, Annette Plueddemann, Susanna Maltoni, Sara Gandini, Igho J. Onakpoya, David Evans, John M. Conly, Tom Jefferson
Summary: This study systematically reviewed the clinical and laboratory features of SARS-CoV-2 and Strongyloides coinfection, assessed possible interventions and outcomes, and identified research gaps. The results indicate the need for further research on the frequency and risk of Strongyloides reactivation in COVID-19 patients, and suggest that screening and treatment for Strongyloides infection should be conducted in patients receiving immunosuppressive COVID-19 therapies.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Virology
Vanessa Meier-Stephenson, David Evans, Tom Hobman, David Marchant, Ryan Noyce, Maya Shmulevitz
Article
Oncology
Quinn T. Storozynsky, Xuefei Han, Shae Komant, Kate C. Agopsowicz, Kyle G. Potts, Armin M. Gamper, Roseline Godbout, David H. Evans, Mary M. Hitt
Summary: Researchers found that cellular senescence induced by radiotherapy may impact the therapeutic potential of vaccinia virus (VACV)-based oncolytic viruses (OV) in treating glioblastoma (GBM). Both a VACV mutant, increment F4L & UDelta;J2R, and the wild-type VACV exhibited attenuated oncolytic properties towards GBM cells under irradiated senescence-enriched conditions, suggesting the presence of senescence-associated antiviral activity.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Elena Cecilia Rosca, Carl Heneghan, Elizabeth A. Spencer, Jon Brassey, Annette Pluddemann, Igho J. Onakpoya, David Evans, John M. Conly, Tom Jefferson
Summary: The review suggests that crowding and multiple persons per cabin were associated with an increased risk of transmission on cruise ships. However, variations in design, methodology, and case ascertainment limit comparisons across studies and quantification of transmission risk. Standardized guidelines for conducting and reporting studies on cruise ships of acute respiratory infection transmission should be developed.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2022)
