The evolution and future of influenza pandemic preparedness

The influenza virus is a global threat to human health causing unpredictable yet recurring pandemics, the last four emerging over the course of a hundred years. As our knowledge of influenza virus evolution, distribution, and transmission has increased, paths to pandemic preparedness have become apparent. In the 1950s, the World Health Organization (WHO) established a global influenza surveillance network that is now composed of institutions in 122 member states. This and other surveillance networks monitor circulating influenza strains in humans and animal reservoirs and are primed to detect influenza strains with pandemic potential. Both the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the WHO have also developed pandemic risk assessment tools that evaluate specific aspects of emerging influenza strains to develop a systematic process of determining research and funding priorities according to the risk of emergence and potential impact. Here, we review the history of influenza pandemic preparedness and the current state of preparedness, and we propose additional measures for improvement. We also comment on the intersection between the influenza pandemic preparedness network and the current SARS-CoV-2 crisis. We must continually evaluate and revise our risk assessment and pandemic preparedness plans and incorporate new information gathered from research and global crises.Subject terms: Influenza virus, Infectious diseases     

Radiation and scattering from loaded bodies of revolution

The problem of electromagnetic radiation and scattering from loaded bodies of revolution of arbitrary shape is considered. The analysis assumes the existence of an impedance function relating the tangential electric field to the surface current on the body. A solution is obtained by the method of moments applied to the potential integral formulation of the problem. The results are expressed in terms of generalized network parameters, using formulas previously obtained for unloaded bodies. Representative computations are given for plane-wave scattering and radiation from apertures in loaded cylinders and hemispheres. A general computer program for arbitrary bodies of revolution is available.     

Radiation and scattering from bodies of revolution

The problem of electromagnetic radiation and scattering from perfectly conducting bodies of revolution of arbitrary shape is considered. The mathematical formulation is an integro-differential equation, obtained from the potential integrals plus boundary conditions at the body. A solution is effected by the method of moments, and the results are expressed in terms of generalized network parameters. The expansion functions chosen for the solution are harmonic in ø (azimuth angle) and subsectional in t (contour length variable). Because of rotational symmetry, the solution becomes a Fourier series in ø, each term of which is uncoupled to every other term.Illustrative computations are given for radiation from apertures and plane wave scattering from bodies of revolution. The impedance elements, currents, radiation patterns, and scattering patterns for a conducting sphere are computed both from the general solution and from the classical eigenfunction solution. The agreement obtained serves to check the general solution. Similar computations for a cone-sphere illustrate the application of the general solution to problems not solvable by classical methods.     

Effect of loading variables on the acoustic emissions of fatigue-crack growth

A series of experiments has been conducted to determine the effect of loading variables such as cyclic frequency, load ratio, and material on acoustic emission from fatigue-crack propagation. It is shown that the applied-stress intensity range (ΔK) is the controlling parameter for all materials studied while the other parameters have lesser effects. Two potential methods for engineering application of acoustic emission during fatigue loading are described.     

A Convenient Synthesis of Methyl (Z)-1-Carbamoyl-2-ethenylcyclopropanecarboxylate and (Z)-1-Carbamoyl-2-ethenylcyclopropanecarboxylic Acid

A simple method for the preparation of the title compounds via the reaction of dimethyl 2-ethenylcyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylate with 6M ammonia in methanol is described.