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Background: The 2022–23 US influenza season peaked early in fall 2022. Methods: Late‐season influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) against outpatient, laboratory‐confirmed influenza was calculated among participants of the US Influenza VE Network using a test‐negative design. Results: Of 2561 participants enrolled from December 12, 2022 to April 30, 2023, 91 laboratory‐confirmed influenza cases primarily had A(H1N1)pdm09 (6B.1A.5a.2a.1) or A(H3N2) (3C.2a1b.2a.2b). Overall, VE was 30% (95% confidence interval −9%, 54%); low late‐season activity precluded estimation for most subgroups. Conclusions: 2022–23 late‐season outpatient influenza VE was not statistically significant. Genomic characterization may improve the identification of influenza viruses that circulate postinfluenza peak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In 2019, the Louisiana Department of Health reported an early influenza B/Victoria (B/VIC) virus outbreak. Method: As it was an atypically large outbreak, we deployed to Louisiana to investigate it using genomics and a triplex real‐time RT‐PCR assay to detect three antigenically distinct B/VIC lineage variant viruses. Results: The investigation indicated that B/VIC V1A.3 subclade, containing a three amino acid deletion in the hemagglutinin and known to be antigenically distinct to the B/Colorado/06/2017 vaccine virus, was the most prevalent circulating virus within the specimens evaluated (86/88 in real‐time RT‐PCR). Conclusion: This work underscores the value of portable platforms for rapid, onsite pathogen characterization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since 2004, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Influenza Division (ID) has supported seven countries in the Eastern Mediterranean region and the World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean to establish and strengthen influenza surveillance. The substantial growth of influenza surveillance capacities in the region demonstrates a commitment by governments to strengthen national programs and contribute to global surveillance. The full value of surveillance data is in its use to guide local public health decisions. CDC ID remains committed to supporting the region and supporting partners to translate surveillance data into policies and programs effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In March 2021, Lao People's Democratic Republic (Laos) reported an avian influenza A(H5N6) virus infection in a 5‐year‐old child identified through sentinel surveillance. This was the first human A(H5N6) infection reported outside of China. A multidisciplinary investigation undertook contact tracing and enhanced human and animal surveillance in surrounding villages and live bird markets. Seven Muscovy ducks tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza A(H5N6) viruses. Sequenced viruses belonged to clade 2.3.4.4h and were closely related to viruses detected in poultry in Vietnam and to previous viruses detected in Laos. Surveillance and coordinated outbreak response remain essential to global health security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyze new aerosol products from NASA satellite retrievals over the western USA during August 2013, with special attention to locally generated wildfire smoke and downwind plume structures. Aerosol optical depth (AOD) at 550 nm from MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) (Terra and Aqua Collections 6 and 6.1) and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) Deep Blue (DB) and MODIS (Terra and Aqua) Multi‐Angle Implementation of Atmospheric Correction (MAIAC) retrievals are evaluated against ground‐based AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET) observations. We find a significant improvement in correlation with AERONET and other metrics in the latest DB AOD (MODIS C6.1 r2 = 0.75, VIIRS r2 = 0.79) compared to MODIS C6 (r2 = 0.62). In general, MAIAC (r2 = 0.84) and DB (MODIS C6.1 and VIIRS) present similar statistical evaluation metrics for the western USA and are useful tools to characterize aerosol loading associated with wildfire smoke. We also evaluate three novel NASA MODIS plume injection height (PIH) products, one from MAIAC and two from the Aerosol Single scattering albedo and layer Height Estimation (ASHE) (MODIS and VIIRS) algorithm. Both Terra and Aqua MAIAC PIHs statistically agree with ground‐based and satellite lidar observations near the fire source, as do ASHE, although the latter is sensitive to assumptions about aerosol absorption properties. We introduce a first‐order approximation Smoke Height Boundary Layer Ratio (SHBLR) to qualitatively distinguish between aerosol pollution within the planetary boundary layer and the free troposphere. We summarize the scope, limitations, and suggestions for scientific applications of surface level aerosol concentrations specific to wildfire emissions and smoke plumes using these novel NASA MODIS and VIIRS aerosol products. Key Points: Aerosol optical depth and plume injection height products from new collections of Moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite demonstrate improved capabilities for smoke eventsNew Smoke Height Boundary Layer Ratio indicates when wildfire smoke aerosols are likely to be confined within the planetary boundary layerHeterogeneous vertical aerosol profiles were found downwind of wildfires induced by mountainous terrain and complex boundary layer physics [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Australian wildfires burning from December 2019 to January 2020 injected approximately 0.9 Tg of smoke into the stratosphere; this is the largest amount observed in the satellite era. A comparison of numerical simulations to satellite observations of the plume rise suggests that the smoke mass contained 2.5% black carbon. Model calculations project a 1 K warming in the stratosphere of the Southern Hemisphere midlatitudes for more than 6 months following the injection of black‐carbon containing smoke. The 2020 average global mean clear sky effective radiative forcing at top of atmosphere is estimated to be −0.03 W m−2 with a surface value of −0.32 W m−2. Assuming that smoke particles coat with sulfuric acid in the stratosphere and have similar heterogeneous reaction rates as sulfate aerosol, we estimate a smoke‐induced chemical decrease in total column ozone of 10–20 Dobson units from August to December in mid‐high southern latitudes. Plain Language Summary: The 2019–2020 Australian bushfires injected a large amount of smoke that rose well into the stratosphere due to absorption of solar energy. A climate model is used to simulate the plume rise, transport, chemical, and climate impacts of the smoke from these massive bushfires. Simulations suggest that the smoke remained in the stratosphere for all of 2020 and that it measurably warmed the stratosphere by about 1–2 K for more than 6 months. The smoke particles were transported to high latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere and assuming similar heterogeneous reaction rates as sulfate aerosol should have produced about 4%–6% loss of the total column at high southern latitudes. Key Points: The 2019–2020 Australian wildfire injected about 0.9 Tg smoke containing 2.5% black carbon into the stratosphereClimate model simulations indicate that the smoke warmed the Southern Hemisphere stratosphere by 1 K for more than 6 monthsModel calculations estimate a decrease in ozone of 10–20 Dobson units from August to December at mid‐high southern latitudes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BILBY is a recently constructed and commissioned time‐of‐flight small‐angle neutron scattering instrument, operated by the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). BILBY provides a wide accessible q range (q ≃ 1.0 × 10−3 Å−1 to ∼1.8 Å−1) and variable wavelength resolution (Δλ/λ ≃ 3–30%) to complement the other small‐angle and ultra‐small‐angle neutron scattering capabilities available at ANSTO. Since its construction, BILBY has been used to study samples from a wide range of scientific disciplines, including biology, chemistry, physics and materials science. This article describes the BILBY design and components, and shows data collected from a number of reference samples. A description is presented of the instrument design and performance of BILBY, the new time‐of‐flight small‐angle neutron scattering instrument located at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives We aimed to determine the frequency of pH1N1 transmission between humans and swine on backyard farms in Tumbes, Peru. Design Two-year serial cross-sectional study comprising four sampling periods: March 2009 (pre-pandemic), October 2009 (peak of the pandemic in Peru), April 2010 (1st post-pandemic period), and October 2011 (2nd post-pandemic period). Sample Backyard swine serum, tracheal swabs, and lung sample were collected during each sampling period. Main outcome measures We assessed current and past pH1N1 infection in swine through serological testing, virus culture, and RTPCR and compared the results with human incidence data from a population-based active surveillance cohort study in Peru. Results Among 1303 swine sampled, the antibody prevalence to pH1N1 was 0% pre-pandemic, 8% at the peak of the human pandemic (October 2009), and 24% in April 2010 and 1% in October 2011 (post-pandemic sampling periods). Trends in swine seropositivity paralleled those seen in humans in Tumbes. The pH1N1 virus was isolated from three pigs during the peak of the pandemic. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these viruses likely represent two separate human-to-swine transmission events in backyard farm settings. Conclusions Our findings suggest that human-to-swine pH1N1 transmission occurred during the pandemic among backyard farms in Peru, emphasizing the importance of interspecies transmission in backyard pig populations. Continued surveillance for influenza viruses in backyard farms is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examined the influence of peripheral message cues on clinicians' judgment about the psychological status of clients. The elaboration likelihood model (ELM) of social persuasion suggests that peripheral message cues are likely to exert a greater influence on clinicians' judgments when a client's presentation meets some, but not all, diagnostic criteria for a disorder (i.e., when the presentation is ambiguous). Within this theoretical framework, we examined the effects of a peripheral message cue(level of irrelevant detail in the client's presentation) and presentation ambiguity on clinicians' judgments of need for treatment, illness severity, and distress. Consistent with predictions based on the ELM, for both obsessive-compulsive disorder and posttraumatic stress disorder presentations, high levels of irrelevant detail exerted a greater influence on clinicians' judgments of clients' need for treatment when presentation ambiguity was high than when it was low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Adamantanes resistance in H3N2 viruses has been increasing since 2000, and in 2005–2006 reached nearly 100% in most countries, with the circulation of the N-lineage. In 2006–2007, however, a significant decrease in resistance was observed in many regions. Objectives To explore potential links between adamantane resistance and the A(H3N2) viruses that circulated between 2006 and 2008. Methods A total of 1451 Influenza A (H3N2) viruses collected globally in 2001–2008 were screened for the presence of adamantane resistance markers. A subset of 100 viruses representing the broad genetic and geographic spectrum of these viruses was selected for complete genome sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. Results Full genome sequence analysis of 2006–2007 viruses revealed co-circulation of four distinct genotypes, designated A–D. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated reassortment between viruses from the N-lineage and other viruses that had circulated in prior seasons, including those bearing an adamantane sensitive marker. Genotype D viruses became dominant in late 2006–2007 and continued to be the main H3N2 genotype in 2007–2008. Viruses of this genotype retained all N-lineage genome segments except PB2 and NP, which were acquired through reassortment. Conclusions The decrease in adamantane resistance at that time was due to transient co-circulation of genotypes that emerged through reassortment. Our findings emphasize the importance of complete genome sequencing in understanding the complex nature of the relationship between influenza virus evolution and antiviral resistance. The recent emergence of the pandemic multi-reassortant H1N1 virus underscores the importance of whole genome sequence monitoring for rapid detection of such unusual and novel strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents patterns of small-angle X-ray scattering from two polyolefin samples that exhibit three-dimensional (3-d) symmetry. Materials whose morphology is of low symmetry resulting from processes for forming products from synthetic polymers; Mapping of the full 3-d scattering pattern as required for characterizing such morphology using small-angle scattering.

Examines the specificity of microstructures using temperature-induced contrast variation technique. Pattern of scattering; Mechanisms of liquid-like scattering from amorphous components; Characterization of glass transition effects in semicrystalline polymers.

ABSTRACT Pest and disease problems in agriculture frequently extend beyond the boundaries of an individual grower’s fields, therefore management strategies in some pest and disease pathosystems may be more effectively addressed regionally. In the late 1980s, the tomato processing industry in the Del Fuerte Valley of Sinaloa, Mexico, became concerned about a complex of virus diseases affecting tomatoes. The principles of landscape ecology and the tools of geographic information systems were applied to help organize a cooperative regional approach to disease management of specific cropping systems. The major tomato producers in the region provided skilled personnel to assess the risk of virus disease incidence at the time of planting for specific fields and to assess virus disease incidence later in the growing season. All data were spatially referenced using a geographic information system (GIS) and global positioning systems. Summary maps of perceived site risk and observed disease incidence for the region were made using geostatistics and GIS. Classical plant virus disease management strategies (avoidance or removal of sources of the viruses and their insect vectors, use of virus-free seed and transplants, etc.) were focused on areas of highest risk and incidence. The use of pesticides to manage the vectors of the virus pathogens was actively discouraged and greatly reduced. The incidence of tomato virus diseases (representing as many as 10 possible viruses) in the Del Fuerte Valley peaked at an average of over 7% in 1991–1992 with disease incidence in individual fields varying from 0% to 69% and dropped consistently each year to less than 1% in the 1995–1996 season with disease incidence in individual fields varying from 0% to 11%. Geographic information systems and landscape ecology provided a regional perspective that was crucial in spatially referencing, interpreting, and communicating information necessary to implement a regional... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study of injection molded syndiotactic polystyrene (SPS) using small angle X-ray scattering. Methodology used to conduct the study; Identification of the features found; Results of the study.

The article focuses on the crystallization of the compound poly[[diaquacerium(III)]-μ5propane-1,2,3-tricarboxylato]. Crystals of were grown under hydrothermal conditions. Two bidentate and three monodentate carboxylate groups were coordinated to each cerium ion. In the crystal structure two coordinated water molecules contribute to the network by inter-unit hydrogen bonding.

The title compound, [ZnBr2(C4H8O2)] n or ZnBr2·(dioxan), has a zigzag chain structure in which the 1,4-dioxan mol­ecules link tetrahedrally coordinated Zn atoms. Each dioxan ring sits on a centre of symmetry. The Zn—Br distances are 2.3110 (8) and 2.3169 (8) Å, and angle Br1—Zn1—Br2 is 124.53 (3)°. The Zn—O distances are 2.054 (4) and 2.043 (3) Å, and angle O—Zn—O is 89.6 (15)°. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the use of titanium Ti6Al4V powder by Anatomics in designing a human heel via three-dimensional printing method at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, Australia's national science agency.

In the title compound, C2H10N22+·2C3H3O4−·H2O, the hydrogen malonate anion has an intramolecular O-H⋯O hydrogen bond of 2.430 (2) Å. The water mol­ecule lies on a twofold axis and connects the anions into pairs through hydrogen bonds of 2.734 (1) Å. The ethyl­enedi­ammonium cation lies across an inversion centre. Each of the ammonium protons is involved in hydrogen bonding to an anion or a water mol­ecule [N⋯O 2.815 (2)-2.875 (2) Å]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]