if( ! function_exists( 'filter_the_scrolling_post_args' ) ){
    /**
     *
     * Filter the query post args
     *
     * @param array $args
     * @return array
     *
     */
    function filter_the_scrolling_post_args( $args ) {
        // https://codex.wordpress.org/Class_Reference/WP_Query#Category_Parameters
        $args['category__not_in'] = array( 978 );
        return $args;
    }
    add_filter( 'mars_scrolling_post_args' , 'filter_the_scrolling_post_args', 10, 1 );
}