Visitor satisfaction with a key wildlife tourism destination within the context of a damaged landscape

Wildlife tourism is a growing industry globally and visitor satisfaction is vital to ensure its long-term sustainability. The Lower Kinabatangan River is a premier wildlife tourism destination that is affected by surrounding land uses and needs careful management to ensure it continues to provide positive wildlife tourism experiences. As little is known about the motivations and satisfaction of tourists with this experience, a visitor survey was conducted along the Lower Kinabatangan River with 346 surveys completed. The attribute ‘Interest in viewing wildlife’ had the highest mean level of importance and satisfaction (mean = 4.54 and 4.1, respectively, on a 5-point scale). Respondents were very satisfied with their wildlife tour experience (85%) and would recommend the experience to their friends (87%). However, almost half of respondents (47%) felt more needed to be done to protect the Kinabatangan River and wildlife. Although respondents were satisfied overall with their experience, they also expressed concerns over the number of boats and the protection of the River. Comments focused on the presence of rubbish in the River, intrusion of oil palm and the loss of forest. Many issues are beyond the management realms of tour operators but will impact on the future of the industry

Outcomes and risk factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection in a North American registry of patients with multiple sclerosis

Importance: Emergence of SARS-CoV-2 causing COVID-19 prompted the need to gather information on clinical outcomes and risk factors associated with morbidity and mortality in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and concomitant SARS-CoV-2 infections. Objective: To examine outcomes and risk factors associated with COVID-19 clinical severity in a large, diverse cohort of North American patients with MS. Design, Setting, and Participants: This analysis used deidentified, cross-sectional data on patients with MS and SARS-CoV-2 infection reported by health care professionals in North American academic and community practices between April 1, 2020, and December 12, 2020, in the COVID-19 Infections in MS Registry. Health care professionals were asked to report patients after a minimum of 7 days from initial symptom onset and after sufficient time had passed to observe the COVID-19 disease course through resolution of acute illness or death. Data collection began April 1, 2020, and is ongoing. Exposures: Laboratory-positive SARS-CoV-2 infection or highly suspected COVID-19. Main Outcomes and Measures: Clinical outcome with 4 levels of increasing severity: not hospitalized, hospitalization only, admission to the intensive care unit and/or required ventilator support, and death. Results: Of 1626 patients, most had laboratory-positive SARS-CoV-2 infection (1345 [82.7%]), were female (1202 [74.0%]), and had relapsing-remitting MS (1255 [80.4%]). A total of 996 patients (61.5%) were non-Hispanic White, 337 (20.8%) were Black, and 190 (11.7%) were Hispanic/Latinx. The mean (SD) age was 47.7 (13.2) years, and 797 (49.5%) had 1 or more comorbidity. The overall mortality rate was 3.3% (95% CI, 2.5%-4.3%). Ambulatory disability and older age were each independently associated with increased odds of all clinical severity levels compared with those not hospitalized after adjusting for other risk factors (nonambulatory: hospitalization only, odds ratio [OR], 2.8 [95% CI, 1.6-4.8]; intensive care unit/required ventilator support, OR, 3.5 [95% CI, 1.6-7.8]; death, OR, 25.4 [95% CI, 9.3-69.1]; age [every 10 years]: hospitalization only, OR, 1.3 [95% CI, 1.1-1.6]; intensive care unit/required ventilator support, OR, 1.3 [95% CI, 0.99-1.7]; death, OR, 1.8 [95% CI, 1.2-2.6]). Conclusions and Relevance: In this registry-based cross-sectional study, increased disability was independently associated with worse clinical severity including death from COVID-19. Other risk factors for worse outcomes included older age, Black race, cardiovascular comorbidities, and recent treatment with corticosteroids. Knowledge of these risk factors may improve the treatment of patients with MS and COVID-19 by helping clinicians identify patients requiring more intense monitoring or COVID-19 treatment

JWST Imaging of the Cartwheel Galaxy Reveals Dust Associated with SN 2021afdx

We present near- and mid-infrared (0.9-18 $\mu$m) photometry of supernova (SN) 2021afdx, which was imaged serendipitously with the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) as part of its Early Release Observations of the Cartwheel Galaxy. Our ground-based optical observations show it is likely to be a Type IIb SN, the explosion of a yellow supergiant, and its infrared spectral energy distribution (SED) $\approx$200 days after explosion shows two distinct components, which we attribute to hot ejecta and warm dust. By fitting models of dust emission to the SED, we derive a dust mass of $(3.8_{-0.3}^{+0.5}) \times 10^{-3}\ M_\odot$, which is the highest yet observed in a Type IIb SN but consistent with other Type II SNe observed by the Spitzer Space Telescope. We also find that the radius of the dust is significantly larger than the radius of the ejecta, as derived from spectroscopic velocities during the photospheric phase, which implies that we are seeing an infrared echo off of preexisting dust in the progenitor environment, rather than dust newly formed by the SN. Our results show the power of JWST to address questions of dust formation in SNe, and therefore the presence of dust in the early universe, with much larger samples than have been previously possible.Comment: updated to match accepted versio

Bushmeat hunting and extinction risk to the world's mammals

Terrestrial mammals are experiencing a massive collapse in their population sizes and geographical ranges around the world, but many of the drivers, patterns and consequences of this decline remain poorly understood. Here we provide an analysis showing that bushmeat hunting for mostly food and medicinal products is driving a global crisis whereby 301 terrestrial mammal species are threatened with extinction. Nearly all of these threatened species occur in developing countries where major coexisting threats include deforestation, agricultural expansion, human encroachment and competition with livestock. The unrelenting decline of mammals suggests many vital ecological and socio-economic services that these species provide will be lost, potentially changing ecosystems irrevocably. We discuss options and current obstacles to achieving effective conservation, alongside consequences of failure to stem such anthropogenic mammalian extirpation. We propose a multi-pronged conservation strategy to help save threatened mammals from immediate extinction and avoid a collapse of food security for hundreds of millions of people

Modelling Hepatic Endoderm Development: Highly Efficient Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells to Functional Hepatic Endoderm Requires ActivinA and Wnt3a Signalling.

Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are a valuable source of pluripotential primary cells. However, their homogeneous cellular differentiation to specific cell types _in vitro_ has proven difficult thus far. Wnt signalling has been shown to play important roles in coordinating development and we demonstrate that Wnt3a is differentially expressed at critical stages of human liver development _in vivo_. The essential role of Wnt3a in hepatocyte differentiation from hESCs is paralleled by our _in vitro_ model, demonstrating the importance of a physiological approach to cellular differentiation. Our studies provide compelling evidence that Wnt3a signaling is important for coordinated hepato-cellular function _in vitro_ and _in vivo_. In addition, we demonstrate Wnt3a facilitates clonal plating of hESCs capable of hepatic endoderm differentiation. These studies represent an important step forward toward the use of hESC-derived hepatocytes in biomedical applications and has opened the door to high through-put metabolic analysis of human liver function

3D human liver tissue from pluripotent stem cells displays stable phenotype in vitro and supports compromised liver function in vivo.

Liver disease is an escalating global health issue. While liver transplantation is an effective mode of therapy, patient mortality has increased due to the shortage of donor organs. Developing renewable sources of human liver tissue is therefore attractive. Pluripotent stem cell-derived liver tissue represents a potential alternative to cadaver derived hepatocytes and whole organ transplant. At present, two-dimensional differentiation procedures deliver tissue lacking certain functions and long-term stability. Efforts to overcome these limiting factors have led to the building of three-dimensional (3D) cellular aggregates. Although enabling for the field, their widespread application is limited due to their reliance on variable biological components. Our studies focused on the development of 3D liver tissue under defined conditions. In vitro generated 3D tissues exhibited stable phenotype for over 1 year in culture, providing an attractive resource for long-term in vitro studies. Moreover, 3D derived tissue provided critical liver support in two animal models, including immunocompetent recipients. Therefore, we believe that our study provides stable human tissue to better model liver biology 'in the dish', and in the future may permit the support of compromised liver function in humans

SN 2022jox: An extraordinarily ordinary Type II SN with Flash Spectroscopy

We present high cadence optical and ultraviolet observations of the Type II supernova (SN), SN 2022jox which exhibits early spectroscopic high ionization flash features of \ion{H}{1}, \ion{He}{2}, \ion{C}{4}, and \ion{N}{4} that disappear within the first few days after explosion. SN 2022jox was discovered by the Distance Less than 40 Mpc (DLT40) survey $\sim$0.75 days after explosion with followup spectra and UV photometry obtained within minutes of discovery. The SN reached a peak brightness of M$_V \sim$ $-$17.3 mag, and has an estimated $^{56}$Ni mass of 0.04 M$_{\odot}$, typical values for normal Type II SNe. The modeling of the early lightcurve and the strong flash signatures present in the optical spectra indicate interaction with circumstellar material (CSM) created from a progenitor with a mass loss rate of $\dot{M} \sim 10^{-3}-10^{-2}\ M_\odot\ \mathrm{yr}^{-1}$. There may also be some indication of late-time CSM interaction in the form of an emission line blueward of H$\alpha$ seen in spectra around 200 days. The mass-loss rate is much higher than the values typically associated with quiescent mass loss from red supergiants, the known progenitors of Type II SNe, but is comparable to inferred values from similar core collapse SNe with flash features, suggesting an eruptive event or a superwind in the progenitor in the months or years before explosion.Comment: Submitted to Ap

Accuracy of FibroScan Controlled Attenuation Parameter and Liver Stiffness Measurement in Assessing Steatosis and Fibrosis in Patients With Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: We estimated the accuracy of FibroScan vibration-controlled transient elastography controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) and liver stiffness measurements (LSMs) in assessing steatosis and fibrosis in patients with suspected NAFLD. METHODS: We collected data from 450 consecutive adults who underwent liver biopsy analysis for suspected NAFLD at 7 centers in the United Kingdom from March 2014 through January 2017. FibroScan examinations with M or XL probe were completed within the 2 weeks of the biopsy analysis (404 had a valid examination). The biopsies were scored by 2 blinded expert pathologists according to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis clinical research network criteria. Diagnostic accuracy was estimated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUROC) for the categories of steatosis and fibrosis. We assessed effects of disease prevalence on positive and negative predictive values. For LSMs, the effects of histological parameters and probe type were appraised using multivariable analysis. RESULTS: Using biopsy analysis as the reference standard, we found that CAP identified patients with steatosis with an AUROCs of 0.87 (95% CI, 0.82-0.92) for S≥S1, 0.77 (95% CI, 0.71-0.82) for S≥S2, and 0.70 (95% CI, 0.64-0.75) for S=S3. Youden cut-off values for S≥S1, S≥S2 and S≥S3 were 302 dB/m, 331 dB/m, and 337 dB/m respectively. LSM identified patients with fibrosis with AUROCs of 0.77 (95% CI, 0.72-0.82) for F≥F2, 0.80 (95% CI, 0.75-0.84) for F≥F3, and 0.89 (95% CI, 0.84-0.93) for F=F4. Youden cut-off values for F≥F2, F≥F3 and F=F4 were 8.2 kPa, 9.7 kPa, and 13.6 kPa respectively. Applying the optimal cut-off values, determined from this cohort, to populations of lower fibrosis prevalence increased negative predictive values and reduced positive predictive values. Multivariable analysis found that the only parameter that significantly affect LSMs was fibrosis stage (P<10-16); we found no association with steatosis or probe type. CONCLUSIONS: In a prospective analysis of patients with NAFLD, we found CAP and LSMs by FibroScan to assess liver steatosis and fibrosis, respectively, with AUROC values ranging from 0.7 to 0.89. Probe type and steatosis did not affect LSMs

Isolation of Primary Human Hepatocytes from Normal and Diseased Liver Tissue: A One Hundred Liver Experience

Successful and consistent isolation of primary human hepatocytes remains a challenge for both cell-based therapeutics/transplantation and laboratory research. Several centres around the world have extensive experience in the isolation of human hepatocytes from non-diseased livers obtained from donor liver surplus to surgical requirement or at hepatic resection for tumours. These livers are an important but limited source of cells for therapy or research. The capacity to isolate cells from diseased liver tissue removed at transplantation would substantially increase availability of cells for research. However no studies comparing the outcome of human hepatocytes isolation from diseased and non-diseased livers presently exist. Here we report our experience isolating human hepatocytes from organ donors, non-diseased resected liver and cirrhotic tissue. We report the cell yields and functional qualities of cells isolated from the different types of liver and demonstrate that a single rigorous protocol allows the routine harvest of good quality primary hepatocytes from the most commonly accessible human liver tissue samples

Revealing the progenitor of SN 2021zby through analysis of the TESSTESS shock-cooling light curve

We present early observations and analysis of the double-peaked Type IIb supernova (SN IIb) 2021zby. $TESS$ captured the prominent early shock cooling peak of SN 2021zby within the first $\sim$10 days after explosion with a 30-minute cadence. We present optical and near-infrared spectral series of SN 2021zby, including three spectra during the shock cooling phase. Using a multi-band model fit, we find that the inferred properties of its progenitor are consistent with a red supergiant or yellow supergiant, with an envelope mass of $\sim$0.3-3.0 M$_\odot$ and an envelope radius of $\sim$50-350$R_\odot$. These inferred progenitor properties are similar to those of other SNe IIb with double-peak feature, such as SNe 1993J, 2011dh, 2016gkg and 2017jgh. This study further validates the importance of the high cadence and early coverage in resolving the shape of the shock cooling light curve, while the multi-band observations, especially UV, is also necessary to fully constrain the progenitor properties.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figures, 2 tables, submitted to ApJ