Divergent pathogenetic outcomes in BALB/c mice following Omicron subvariant infection

Following the emergence of B.1.1.529 Omicron, the SARS-CoV-2 virus evolved into a significant number of sublineage variants that possessed numerous mutations throughout the genome, but particularly within the spike glycoprotein (S) gene. For example, the BQ.1.1 and the XBB.1 and XBB.1.5 subvariants contained 34 and 41 mutations in S, respectively. However, these variants elicited largely replication only or mild disease phenotypes in mice. To better model pathogenic outcomes and measure countermeasure performance, we developed mouse adapted versions (BQ.1.1 MA; XBB.1 MA; XBB.1.5 MA) that reflect more pathogenic acute phase pulmonary disease symptoms of SARS-CoV-2, as well as derivative strains expressing nano-luciferase (nLuc) in place of ORF7 (BQ.1.1 nLuc; XBB.1 nLuc; XBB.1.5 nLuc). Amongst the mouse adapted (MA) viruses, a wide range of disease outcomes were observed including mortality, weight loss, lung dysfunction, and tissue viral loads in the lung and nasal turbinates. Intriguingly, XBB.1 MA and XBB.1.5 MA strains, which contained identical mutations throughout except at position F486S/P in S, exhibited divergent disease outcomes in mice (Ao et al., 2023). XBB.1.5 MA infection was associated with significant weight loss and ∼45 % mortality across two independent studies, while XBB.1 MA infected animals suffered from mild weight loss and only 10 % mortality across the same two independent studies. Additionally, the development and use of nanoluciferase expressing strains provided moderate throughput for live virus neutralization assays. The availability of small animal models for the assessment of Omicron VOC disease potential will enable refined capacity to evaluate the efficacy of on market and pre-clinical therapeutics and interventions

Entomologic and Virologic Investigation of Chikungunya, Singapore

Data from longitudinal analyses can be useful in the design and implementation of control strategies

A Historiometric Examination of Machiavellianism and a New Taxonomy of Leadership

Although researchers have extensively examined the relationship between charismatic leadership and Machiavellianism (Deluga, 2001; Gardner & Avolio, 1995; House & Howell, 1992), there has been a lack of investigation of Machiavellianism in relation to alternative forms of outstanding leadership. Thus, the purpose of this investigation was to examine the relationship between Machiavellianism and a new taxonomy of outstanding leadership comprised of charismatic, ideological, and pragmatic leaders. Using an historiometric approach, raters assessed Machiavellianism via the communications of 120 outstanding leaders in organizations across the domains of business, political, military, and religious institutions. Academic biographies were used to assess twelve general performance measures as well as twelve general controls and five communication specific controls. The results indicated that differing levels of Machiavellianism is evidenced across the differing leader types as well as differing leader orientation. Additionally, Machiavellianism appears negatively related to performance, though less so when type and orientation are taken into account.Yeshttps://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/manuscript-submission-guideline

Safety aspects of the Brookhaven High Flux Beam Reactor

SAFETY DESIGN BASIS for the HFBR and Current Statu

Virtual Reality Negotiation Training Increases Negotiation Knowledge and Skill

Abstract. In this paper we test the hypothesis that Virtual Reality (VR) negotiation training positively influences negotiation skill and knowledge. We discuss the design of the VR training. Then, we present the results of a between subject experiment (n=42) with three experimental conditions (control, training once, repeated training) investigating learning effects on subjects ’ negotiation skill and knowledge. In our case negotiation skill consists of negotiation outcome (final bid utility) and conversation skill (exploratory conversational choices in VR scenario), and negotiation knowledge is the subjects ’ quality of reflection upon filmed behavior of two negotiating actors. Our results confirm the hypothesis. We found significant effects of training on conversation skill and negotiation knowledge. We found a marginally significant effect of training on negotation outcome. As the effect of training on negotiation outcome was marginally significant and only present when controlling for overshadowing effects of the act of reflecting, we postulate that other learning approaches (e.g., instruction) are needed for trainees to use the information gained during the joint exploration phase of a negotiation for the construction of a bid. Our results are particularly important given the sparse availability of experimental studies that show learning effects of VR negotiation training, and gives additional support to those studies that do report possitive effects such as with the BiLAT system.