Journalistic Role Performance in Australia During the COVID-19 Pandemic:Events, Media Systems and Journalistic Practice

This study analyses data gathered as part of an international comparative study of journalistic role performance during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. We situate role performance at the intersection between anterior factors that shape journalistic decision-making and practice, and the contingent events and issues journalists are tasked with communicating. Based on this, we ground our analysis by considering (a) how news is shaped by media systems, and how Australia’s media system may be characterised; (b) studies of journalists’ work during previous health crises; and (c) analyses of media coverage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our analysis focuses, firstly, on whether role performance in Australia’s 2020 news coverage was discernibly “consensus-based”; and, secondly, on whether there were any indicators of Australian coverage being “polarised” during this period. Our findings suggest role performance in 2020 was broadly reflective of a relative political consensus and that evidence of polarisation was limited. We find, nevertheless, that there were notable differences between different mediums and outlets, and reflect on factors that may have contributed to such differences. In light of this, we emphasise the importance of taking account of the relationship between local contexts and historical contingency in considering how role performances are produced.</p

Proteomic Mapping of the Interactome of KRAS Mutants Identifies New Features of RAS Signalling Networks and the Mechanism of Action of Sotorasib

RAS proteins are key regulators of cell signalling and control different cell functions including cell proliferation, differentiation, and cell death. Point mutations in the genes of this family are common, particularly in KRAS. These mutations were thought to cause the constitutive activation of KRAS, but recent findings showed that some mutants can cycle between active and inactive states. This observation, together with the development of covalent KRASG12C inhibitors, has led to the arrival of KRAS inhibitors in the clinic. However, most patients develop resistance to these targeted therapies, and we lack effective treatments for other KRAS mutants. To accelerate the development of RAS targeting therapies, we need to fully characterise the molecular mechanisms governing KRAS signalling networks and determine what differentiates the signalling downstream of the KRAS mutants. Here we have used affinity purification mass-spectrometry proteomics to characterise the interactome of KRAS wild-type and three KRAS mutants. Bioinformatic analysis associated with experimental validation allows us to map the signalling network mediated by the different KRAS proteins. Using this approach, we characterised how the interactome of KRAS wild-type and mutants is regulated by the clinically approved KRASG12C inhibitor Sotorasib. In addition, we identified novel crosstalks between KRAS and its effector pathways including the AKT and JAK-STAT signalling modules.European Commission Horizon 2020Science Foundation Irelan

BUDGET PERSPECTIVES 2007

1. DISABILITY BENEFIT – CONTROLLED OR UNDER-CONTROLLED? Brenda Gannon p. 3 2. CHILD POVERTY AND CHILD INCOME SUPPORTS: IRELAND IN COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE Tim Callan, Kieran Coleman, Brian Nolan and John Walsh p. 23 3. STATE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR HORSE RACING IN IRELAND Tony Fahey and Liam Delaney p. 3

Development of a Selective Inhibitor for Kv1.1 Channels Prevalent in Demyelinated Nerves

Members of the voltage-gated K+ channel subfamily (Kv1), involved in regulating transmission between neurons or to muscles, are associated with human diseases and, thus, putative targets for neurotherapeutics. This applies especially to those containing Kv1.1 α subunits which become prevalent in murine demyelinated axons and appear abnormally at inter-nodes, underlying the perturbed propagation of nerve signals. To overcome this dysfunction, akin to the consequential debilitation in multiple sclerosis (MS), small inhibitors were sought that are selective for the culpable hyper-polarising K+ currents. Herein, we report a new semi-podand – compound 3 – that was designed based on the modelling of its interactions with the extracellular pore region in a deduced Kv1.1 channel structure. After synthesis, purification, and structural characterisation, compound 3 was found to potently (IC50 = 8 µM) and selectively block Kv1.1 and 1.6 channels. The tested compound showed no apparent effect on native Nav and Cav channels expressed in F-11 cells. Compound 3 also extensively and selectively inhibited MS-related Kv1.1 homomer but not the brain native Kv1.1- or 1.6-containing channels. These collective findings highlight the therapeutic potential of compound 3 to block currents mediated by Kv1.1 channels enriched in demyelinated central neurons

Occupational Therapy on College Campuses: Facilitating Student Success Through Occupation

Purpose: To explore how occupational therapy services fit into a supported education model on college campuses. Rationale: College students present with many strengths and challenges in college settings. There are limited services for young adults to succeed in college and students with various diagnoses face challenges in the areas of time management, organization, academic skills, and in social areas of college (Orentlicher, & Olson, 2010; Rogers, Kash-MacDonald, Bruker, & Maru, 2010). Higher education is a role emerging area for occupational therapists, and there are some pioneering occupational therapists who have discovered multiple ways to provide services to students who are challenged by aspects of college life. Objectives: Describe the history and current practice of supported education and its fit within the domain of OT. Describe a variety of OT supported education programmes Identify aspects of the supported education programmes that participants could apply to their college or practice setting Format: This workshop will begin by describing the history and models of supported education. The presenters will define six examples of OT programmes on college campuses. Finally, the presenters will encourage participants to share ideas and identify aspects of the various programs that they could apply to their college or practice setting

A Rational Design of a Selective Inhibitor for Kv1.1 Channels Prevalent in Demyelinated Nerves That Improves Their Impaired Axonal Conduction

K+ channels containing Kv1.1 α subunits, which become prevalent at internodes in demyelinated axons, may underlie their dysfunctional conduction akin to muscle weakness in multiple sclerosis. Small inhibitors were sought with selectivity for the culpable hyper-polarizing K+ currents. Modeling of interactions with the extracellular pore in a Kv1.1-deduced structure identified diaryldi(2-pyrrolyl)methane as a suitable scaffold with optimized alkyl ammonium side chains. The resultant synthesized candidate [2,2′-((5,5′(di-p-topyldiaryldi(2-pyrrolyl)methane)bis(2,2′carbonyl)bis(azanediyl)) diethaneamine·2HCl] (8) selectively blocked Kv1.1 channels (IC50 ≈ 15 μM) recombinantly expressed in mammalian cells, induced a positive shift in the voltage dependency of K+ current activation, and slowed its kinetics. It preferentially inhibited channels containing two or more Kv1.1 subunits regardless of their positioning in concatenated tetramers. In slices of corpus callosum from mice subjected to a demyelination protocol, this novel inhibitor improved neuronal conduction, highlighting its potential for alleviating symptoms in multiple sclerosis

First demonstration of hydrophobic membrane contactors for removal of ammonia from condensate wastewater

Hydrophobic membrane contactors represent a promising solution to the problem of recovering ammoniacal nitrogen from wastewater. The process has been shown to work best with wastewater streams that present high ammonia concentrations, low buffering capacities and low total suspended solids. The removal of ammonia from rendering condensate, produced during heat treatment of waste animal tissue, was assessed in this research using a hydrophobic membrane contactor. The main objective was to test the ammonia stripping technology using two types of hydrophobic membrane materials, polypropylene and polytetrafluoroethylene, at pilot scale and carry out process modification for ammonia removal. The results demonstrate that polypropylene membranes are not compatible with the condensate waste as it caused wetting. The polytetrafluoroethylene membranes showed potential and had a longer lifetime than the polypropylene membranes, removing up to 64% of ammonia from the condensate waste. The product formed contained a 30% concentrated ammonium sulphate salt which has a potential application as a fertilizer. This is the first demonstration of hydrophobic membrane contactors for treatment of condensate wastewater

CE14016

In the southwest of Ireland and the Celtic Sea (ICES Divisions VIIaS, g & j),herring acoustic surveys have been carried out since 1989. This survey was undertaken in early October. The geographical confines of the annual 21 day survey program have been modified in recent years to include areas to the south of the main winter spawning grounds in an effort to identify the whereabouts of winter spawning fish before the annual inshore spawning migration. Spatial resolution of acoustic transects has been increased over the entire south coast survey area. The acoustic component of the survey has been further complimented since 2004 by detailed hydrographic and marine mammal and seabird surveys

Sustained transatlantic coastal observations Report: Strategy for transatlantic sustained measurements in the coastal ocean, based on the strengthened forum for interaction between US IOOS, GOOS regional alliances and EuroGOOS

DoA: Task 4.4 Transatlantic cooperation and sustainability This task will enhance the European Forum for Coastal Technologies and establish a formal link between the US Alliance for Coastal Technologies and the European Forum for Coastal Technologies. We will strengthen links with coastal observing initiatives around the Atlantic basin including links between EuroGOOS ROOSes, and the regional operational oceanographic systems in the US and Canada. In doing so, we will create a forum for interaction between US IOOS, GOOS regional alliances, and EuroGOOS. The task will develop a strategy for transatlantic sustained measurements in the coastal ocean, building on developments such as OceanObs, Coastal GOOS and JERICO FP7 project, to deliver data for social and economic benefi