Overdose Prevention Centers, Crime, and Disorder in New York City.

Importance: The first government-sanctioned overdose prevention centers (OPCs) in the US opened in New York City (NYC) in November 2021 amid concerns that they may increase crime and disorder, representing a significant political challenge to OPCs. Objective: To identify whether opening the first 2 government-sanctioned OPCs in the US was associated with changes in crime and disorder. Design, Setting, and Participants: In this cohort study, difference-in-differences Poisson regression models were used to compare crime, residents' requests for assistance for emergencies and nuisance complaints, and police enforcement in the vicinity of NYC's 2 OPCs with those around 17 other syringe service programs that did not offer overdose prevention services from January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2022. Main Outcomes and Measures: Changes in the volume of crimes reported by the public or observed by police; arrests for drug possession and weapons; 911 calls and 311 calls regarding crime, public nuisances, and medical events; and summonses issued by police for criminal infractions in both the immediate vicinity of the sites (ie, a hexagonal area spanning about 6 city blocks) and their wider neighborhoods (ie, a tesselated 3-hexagon array spanning about 18 city blocks). Results: No significant changes were detected in violent crimes or property crimes recorded by police, 911 calls for crime or medical incidents, or 311 calls regarding drug use or unsanitary conditions observed in the vicinity of the OPCs. There was a significant decline in low-level drug enforcement, as reflected by a reduction in arrests for drug possession near the OPCs of 82.7% (95% CI, -89.9% to -70.4%) and a reduction in their broader neighborhoods of 74.5% (95% CI, -87.0% to -50.0%). Significant declines in criminal court summonses issued in the immediate vicinity by 87.9% (95% CI, -91.9% to -81.9%) and in the neighborhoods around the OPCs by 59.7% (95% CI, -73.8% to -38.0%) were observed. Reductions in enforcement were consistent with the city government's support for the 2 OPCs, which may have resulted in a desire not to deter clients from using the sites by fear of arrest for drug possession. Conclusions and Relevance: In this difference-in-differences cohort study, the first 2 government-sanctioned OPCs in the US were not associated with significant changes in measures of crime or disorder. These observations suggest the expansion of OPCs can be managed without negative crime or disorder outcomes.

Active stabilization of a pseudoheterodyne scattering scanning near field optical microscope.

Scattering scanning near-field optical microscopes (s-SNOMs) based on pseudoheterodyne detection and operating at ambient conditions typically suffer from instabilities related to the variable optical path length of the interferometer arms. These cause strong oscillations in the measured optical amplitude and phase comparable with those of the signal and, thus, resulting in dramatic artifacts. Besides hampering the comparison between the topography and the optical measurements, such oscillations may lead to misinterpretations of the physical phenomena occurring at the sample surface, especially for nanostructured materials. Here, we propose a stabilizing method based on interferometer phase control, which improves substantially the image quality and allows the correct extraction of optical phase and amplitude for both micro- and nanostructures. This stabilization method expands the measurement capabilities of s-SNOM to any slowly time-dependent phenomena that require long-term stability of the system. We envisage that active stabilization will increase the technological significance of s-SNOMs and will have far-reaching applications in the field of heat transfer and nanoelectronics.

Oxidized Alginate Dopamine Conjugate: A Study to Gain Insight into Cell/Particle Interactions.

Background: We had previously synthetized a macromolecular prodrug consisting of oxidized Alginate and dopamine (AlgOx-Da) for a potential application in Parkinson disease (PD). Methods: In the present work, we aimed at gaining an insight into the interactions occurring between AlgOx-Da and SH-SY5Y neuronal cell lines in view of further studies oriented towards PD treatment. With the scope of ascertaining changes in the external and internal structure of the cells, multiple methodologies were adopted. Firstly, fluorescently labeled AlgOx-Da conjugate was synthetized in the presence of fluorescein 5(6)-isothiocyanate (FITC), providing FITC-AlgOx-Da, which did not alter SH-SY5Y cell viability according to the sulforhodamine B test. Furthermore, the uptake of FITC-AlgOx-Da by the SH-SY5Y cells was studied using scanning near-field optical microscopy and assessments of cell morphology over time were carried out using atomic force microscopy. Results: Notably, the AFM methodology confirmed that no relevant damage occurred to the neuronal cells. Regarding the effects of DA on the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, AlgOx-Da reduced them in comparison to free DA, while AlgOx did almost not influence ROS production. Conclusions: these findings seem promising for designing in vivo studies aiming at administering Oxidized Alginate Dopamine Conjugate for PD treatment.

Beyond 1,2,3-Triazoles: Formation and Applications of Ketenimines Derived from Copper Catalyzed Azide Alkyne Cycloaddition.

The ketenimines represent an interesting class of organic intermediates which has undergone a regrowth as a consequence of recent extensions of copper catalyzed azide alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) to other synthetic fields. This review summarizes the most recent generation methods of ketinimines from CuAAC reaction, highlighting chemical properties focused to the synthesis of cyclic compounds among others, affording a general outlook towards the development of new biologically active compounds.

Floración algal nociva del dinoflagelado Blixaea quinquecornis en el Perú / Harmful algal bloom of dinoflagellate Blixaea quinquecornis in Peru

Resumen En el presente trabajo, se registra por primera vez floraciones algales nocivas del dinoflagelado Blixaea quinquecornis (Abé) Gottschling, 2017 para aguas costeras del mar peruano. La determinación taxonómica de esta especie se realizó mediante microscopia de luz, electrónica de barrido y contraste interferencial diferencial (DIC). La fórmula tecal encontrada fue: pp, 3', 2a, 7'',5c, 5"' y 2''' 4s. Blixaea quinquecornis fue registrada en las bahías Sechura, Miraflores y Paracas entre el 2014 y 2017, usualmente con altas densidades de 3.2 x105 cel.L-1 (Miraflores) y 2.11x105 cel.L-1 (Paracas) en verano y 4.11 x104 (Paracas) en otoño 2016. Blixaea quinquecornis estuvo alternando con floraciones algales del dinoflagelado atecado Akashiwo sanguinea. El florecimiento de B. quinquecornis se observó con TSM entre 18.5 a 26.6 °C, salinidades entre 34.70 y 35.32 ups, pH entre 7.32 y 8.82 y oxígeno disuelto entre 3.8 y 12.5 mL/L. En Bahía Miraflores, la floración de B. quinquecornis fue asociado positivamente con el incremento de la TSM, salinidad y negativamente con la concentración de nitratos, mientras que las floraciones algales de A. sanguinea se correlacionó positivamente con la concentración de fosfatos y oxígeno disuelto. El registro de la floración de B. quinquecornis en las bahías de Miraflores y Paracas, coincidió con eventos de inusual calentamiento del mar asociado con el evento cálido El Niño 2015-2016.

Abstract In the present work, harmful algal blooms of the dinoflagellate Blixaea quinquecornis (Abé) Gottschling, 2017 are recorded for the first time for coastal waters of the Peruvian sea. The taxonomic determination of this species was done with light microscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Differential Interference Contrast (DIC) microscopy. The thecal formula is: pp, 3', 2a, 7'', 5c, 5"' and 2''' 4s. Blixaea quinquecornis was recorded in Sechura, Miraflores and Paracas bays between 2014 - 2016, mainly with algal blooms of 3.2 x105 cel.L-1 (Miraflores) and 2.11x105 cel.L-1 (Paracas) and 4.11 x104 cel.L-1 (Paracas) in autumn of 2016. Blixaea quinquecornis was found alternating with algal bloom produced by the athecate dinoflagellate Akashiwo sanguinea. The physicochemical variables associated with the bloom of B. quinquecornis were SST (18.5 to 26.6° C), salinities (34.7 to 35.325), pH (7.32 to 12.5), and dissolved oxygen (3.8 to 12.5 mL/L). The bloom of B. quinquecornis in Miraflores Bay was positively associated with the increase in SST, salinity and negatively with the concentration of nitrates, whereas the algal blooms of A. sanguinea were positively correlated with the concentration of phosphates and oxygen. The record of the bloom of B. quinquecornis in the 3 bays coincided with unusual sea warming event associated with the El Niño phenomenon 2015-2016.

Synthesis and Development of Indole Based 5-HT3 Receptor Antagonists as Anti-Emetic Drugs in Oncology: An Update.

An important group of antiemetic drugs used in the treatment of nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy containing an indole moiety in their structures, working as 5- hydroxytryptamine type 3 serotonin receptor antagonist (5-HT3). This study focuses on compounds bearing an indole core that present a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist activity, which have been successfully used as antiemetic drugs for reducing chemotherapy adverse secondary effects during cancer treatment. Their synthesis, biological activities, and some outstanding characteristics are discussed, providing a general outlook towards the development of more efficient antiemetic drugs.

Absence of hypoxia events in the adjacent coastal waters of Grijalva-Usumacinta river, Southern Gulf of Mexico.

Globally, oxygen concentration in many coastal areas is depleting. River nutrient discharges may produce hypoxia events. The Southern Gulf of Mexico receives the discharges of the Grijalva-Usumacinta River System, the second largest in the Gulf of Mexico. To evaluate the influence of river discharges on dissolved oxygen concentrations in the receiving coastal ecosystem, we studied the variation of physicochemical variables in the water column. During the dry season, the influence of the river waters to the coastal area is scarce, but during the rainy season the river plume reached ~9 km offshore. The lowest concentration of dissolved oxygen (3.6 mg L-1) was observed within the river plume. We concluded that, in the studied area, hypoxia events (oxygen concentrations ≤ 2 mg L-1) would occur during the rainy season, low winds and in deeper waters (>80 m depth).

Spatial Distribution Patterns of Bacterioplankton in the Oxygen Minimum Zone of the Tropical Mexican Pacific.

Microbial communities within oxygen minimum zones (OMZs) are crucial drivers of marine biogeochemical cycles; however, we still lack an understanding of how these communities are distributed across an OMZ. We explored vertical (from 5 to 500 m depth) and horizontal (coast to open ocean) distribution of bacterioplankton and its relationships with the main oceanographic conditions in three transects of the tropical Mexican Pacific OMZ. The distribution of the microbial diversity and the main clades changed along the transition from oxygen-rich surface water to the OMZ core, demonstrating the sensitivity of key bacterial groups to deoxygenation. The euphotic zone was dominated by Synechococcales, followed by Flavobacteriales, Verrucomicrobiales, Rhodobacterales, SAR86, and Cellvibrionales, whereas the OMZ core was dominated by SAR11, followed by SAR406, SAR324, SAR202, UBA10353 marine group, Thiomicrospirales and Nitrospinales. The marked environmental gradients along the water column also supported a high potential for niche partitioning among OMZ microorganisms. Additionally, in the OMZ core, bacterial assemblages from the same water mass were more similar to each other than those from another water mass. There were also important differences between coastal and open-ocean communities: Flavobacteriales, Verrucomicrobiales, Rhodobacterales, SAR86, and Cellvibrionales were more abundant in coastal areas, while Synechococcales, SAR406, SAR324, SAR202, UBA10353 marine group, and Thiomicrospirales were more abundant in the open ocean. Our results suggest a biogeographic structure of the bacterioplankton in this OMZ region, with limited community mixing across water masses, except in upwelling events, and little dispersion of the community by currents in the euphotic zone.

Diffractive dipolar coupling in non-Bravais plasmonic lattices.

Honeycomb plasmonic lattices are paradigmatic examples of non-Bravais lattices. We experimentally measure surface lattice resonances in effectively free-standing honeycomb lattices composed of silver nanospheres. By combining numerical simulations with analytical methods, we analyze the dispersion relation and the near-field properties of these modes along high symmetry trajectories. We find that our results can be interpreted in terms of dipole-only interactions between the two non-equivalent triangular sublattices, which naturally lead to an asymmetric near-field distribution around the nanospheres. We generalize the interaction between the two sublattices to the case of variable adjacent interparticle distance within the unit cell, highlighting symmetry changes and diffraction degeneracy lifting associated to the transition between Bravais and non-Bravais lattices.

Diversity in the Globally Distributed Diatom Genus Chaetoceros (Bacillariophyceae): Three New Species from Warm-Temperate Waters.

Chaetoceros is one of the most species rich, widespread and abundant diatom genera in marine and brackish habitats worldwide. It therefore forms an excellent model for in-depth biodiversity studies, assessing morphological and genetic differentiation among groups of strains. The global Chaetoceros lorenzianus complex presently comprises three species known to science. However, our recent studies have shown that the group includes several previously unknown species. In this article, 50 strains, mainly from high latitudes and from warm-temperate waters, were examined morphologically and genetically and the results compared with those of field studies from elsewhere. The strains clustered into five groups, two of which are formed by C. decipiens Cleve and C. mitra (Bailey) Cleve, respectively. Their species descriptions are emended based on samples collected close to the type localities. The three other groups are formed by new species, C. elegans sp. nov., C. laevisporus sp. nov. and C. mannaii sp. nov. Characters used to distinguish each species are: orientation of setae, shape and size of the apertures, shape, size and density of the poroids on the setae and, at least in some species, characters of the resting spores. Our aim is to cover the global species diversity in this complex, as correct species delineation is the basis for exploring biodiversity, distribution of organisms, interactions in the food web and effects of environmental changes.

Morphological observations of the marine planktonic dinoflagellate Phalacroma turbineum Kofoid et Michener (Dinophyta), with discussion on its taxonomy and distribution.

The marine planktonic thecate dinoflagellate Phalacroma turbineum Kofoid et Michener was found at two oceanic stations in the southern Gulf of Mexico and studied by light and scanning electron microscopy. This species is extremely rare and has not been reported since 1911. The terms reticules and septa are introduced here for structures of theca and cingulum of the species. The peculiar morphological characters of P. turbineum are described: (1) two separate pores that might represent flagellar pores, (2) right and left sulcal lists are united, (3) left sulcal list showed no apparent ribs, (4) a parasagittal list occurs in the hypotheca as continuation of the left sulcal list, (5) structural complexity of the cingulum, with septa along the cingulum, (6) strong ribs supporting the two cingular lists, (7) large and spaced reticules in the theca, with elevated ridges, and (8) an elongation of the hypotheca. No chloroplasts were detected. The morphology and taxonomy of P. turbineum are discussed, especially the possibility that the species may be considered as belonging to a new genus. Finally, although information is yet limited, we suggest that the species is distributed in equatorial and tropical zones of both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, in oceanic environments.

[Dinoflagellates (Dinophyta) of orders Dinophysiales and Prorocentrales of the Veracruz Reef System, Mexico]. / Dinoflagelados (Dinophyta) de los ordenes Prorocentrales y Dinophysiales del Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano, México.

Dinoflagellates are a major taxonomic group in marine phytoplankton communities in terms of diversity and biomass. Some species are also important because they form blooms and/or produce toxins that may cause diverse problems. The composition of planktonic dinoflagellates of the orders Prorocentrales and Dinophysiales, in the Veracruz Reef System, were obtained during the period of October 2006 to January 2007. For this, samples were taken from the surface at 10 stations with net of 30 microm mesh, and were analyzed by light and scanning electron microscopy. Each species was described and illustrated, measured and their distribution and ecological data is also given. A total of nine species were found and identified, belonging to four genera: Dinophysis was represented by three species; Prorocentrum by three, Phalacroma by two, and only one species of Ornithocercus was detected. From the samples, four potentially toxin-producer species were found: Dinophysis caudata, D. rapa, Phalacroma rotundata and Prorocentrum micans. The number of species found in this study is low, especially considering the higher numbers observed in other areas of the Gulf of Mexico, where some reports have recorded up to 53 species of the order Dinophysiales and 14 for Prorocentrales. Identification keys for orders, genera and species for the study area are provided with this study.

Dinoflagelados (Dinophyta) de los órdenes Prorocentrales y Dinophysiales del Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano, México

Dinoflagellates (Dinophyta) of orders Dinophysiales and Prorocentrales of the Veracruz Reef System, Mexico. Dinoflagellates are a major taxonomic group in marine phytoplankton communities in terms of diversity and biomass. Some species are also important because they form blooms and/or produce toxins that may cause diverse problems. The composition of planktonic dinoflagellates of the orders Prorocentrales and Dinophysiales, in the Veracruz Reef System, were obtained during the period of October 2006 to January 2007. For this, samples were taken from the surface at 10 stations with net of 30μm mesh, and were analyzed by light and scanning electron microscopy. Each species was described and illustrated, measured and their distribution and ecological data is also given. A total of nine species were found and identified, belonging to four genera: Dinophysis was represented by three species; Prorocentrum by three, Phalacroma by two, and only one species of Ornithocercus was detected. From the samples, four potentially toxin-producer species were found: Dinophysis caudata, D. rapa, Phalacroma rotundata and Prorocentrum micans. The number of species found in this study is low, especially considering the higher numbers observed in other areas of the Gulf of Mexico, where some reports have recorded up to 53 species of the order Dinophysiales and 14 for Prorocentrales. Identification keys for orders, genera and species for the study area are provided with this study. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (1): 501-514. Epub 2011 March 01.

Los dinoflagelados son considerados como el grupo más abundante y diverso de microalgas del fitoplancton después de las diatomeas. Esta investigación da a conocer la composición específica de dinoflagelados planctónicos de los ordenes Prorocentrales y Dinophysiales, recolectados mediante arrastres superficiales con red (30μm de luz de malla) en el Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano (SAV), de las costas de Veracruz, México, en el período octubre 2006 a enero2007. Para el análisis del material se utilizaron microscopios de luz y electrónico de barrido. Se identificaron 9 especies de cuatro géneros: Dinophysis estuvo representado por 3 especies, al igual que Prorocentrum, dos de Phalacroma y una de Ornithocercus. Se presentan claves para identificación de los órdenes, géneros y especies de dinoflagelados, asimismo se describe e ilustra cada especie, incluyendo datos morfométricos y se menciona la distribución de las mismas. Dinophysis caudata, D. rapa, D. ovum y Phalacroma rotundata se han documentado como especies potencialmente productoras de toxinas. La riqueza de especies en el SAV se considera muy baja, especialmente considerando mayores riquezas en otras zonas del Golfo de México, como el sur del Golfo de México, donde se han listado 53 especies del orden Dinophysiales y 14 especies de Prorocentrales.

MORPHOLOGICAL VARIABILITY AND LIFE CYCLE TRAITS OF THE TYPE SPECIES OF THE DIATOM GENUS CHAETOCEROS, C. DICHAETA(1).

Chaetoceros dichaeta Ehrenb. is the type species of the genus Chaetoceros and is one of the dominant planktonic diatom species of the Southern Ocean. A number of varieties and forms have been described for C. dichaeta, which prompted us to investigate the morphological variability in clonal cultures to achieve a better circumscription of the morphological features of this species. We studied eight clonal cultures obtained from the type locality by sequencing the D1-D3 hypervariable domains of the LSU to assess their genetic identity, following cell-size reduction and sexual reproduction, and examining the morphological features of cells at different stages of the size reduction process using both LM and EM. Observation of sexual reproduction within clonal strains demonstrated that C. dichaeta is homothallic. The size and morphology of the cells vary considerably during size reduction: cell volume is reduced by over an order of magnitude, and the gradual diminution of the apical axis is accompanied by the elongation of the pervalvar axis. All forms and varieties described for C. dichaeta can be ascribed to the species, with the exception of C. dichaeta f. tenuiformis L. Mangin.

Toxic and harmful marine phytoplankton and microalgae (HABs) in Mexican Coasts.

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) are becoming an increasing problem to human health and environment (including effects on natural and cultured resources, tourism and ecosystems) all over the world. In Mexico a number of human fatalities and important economic losses have occurred in the last 30 years because of these events. There are about 70 species of planktonic and non-planktonic microalgae considered harmful in Mexican coasts. The most important toxin-producing species are the dinoflagellates Gymnodinium catenatum and Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum, in the Mexican Pacific, and Karenia brevis in the Gulf of Mexico, and consequently the poisonings documented in Mexico are Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) and Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning (NSP). Although there is evidence that Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP), Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) and Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP) also occur in Mexico, these problems are reported less frequently. The type of phytoplankton and epiphytic microalgae, their toxins and harmful effects as well as current methodology used to study these phenomena are presented in this paper. As an experienced group of workers, we include descriptions of monitoring and mitigation programs, our proposals for collaborative projects and perspectives on future research.

Un caso de marea roja en el Golfo de California / Red tide in the Gulf of California

Se reporta la composición y abundancia del fitoplancton en un punto del Golgo de California, donde se detectó una marea roja. El organismo responsable del fenómeno fue el ciliado no tóixico Resodinium rubrum, que llegó a ser completamente dominante en la comunidad, con una densidad de 1 millón 81 mil células por litro, representando más del 70% del total de los organismos contados. Fueron notables también las abundancias de cocolitofóridos y criptoficeas. M. rubrum parece ser comúm en todo el Golfo de California. Este ciliado no debe pasar desapercibido en los análisis de fitoplanction, ya que se trata de un productor primario fotosintético, a causa de un endosimbionte del tipo criptoficia. Ante la carencia de datos ambientales al momento de muestreo, se especula sobre las características prevelecientes, las cuales suponen una columna de agua estable, basándo-se en la composición del fitoplancton