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     

Role of FTFSI Anion Asymmetry on Physical Properties of AFTFSI (A=Li,Na and K) Based Electrolytes and Consequences on Supercapacitor Application

This study compares the physicochemical properties of six electrolytes comprising of three salts: LiFTFSI, NaFTFSI and KFTFSI in two solvent mixtures, the binary (3EC/7EMC) and the ternary (EC/PC/3DMC). The transport properties (conductivity, viscosity) as a function of temperature and concentration were modeled using the extended Jones-Dole-Kaminsky equation, the Arrhenius model, and the Eyring theory of transition state for activated complexes. Results are discussed in terms of ionicity, solvation shell, and cross-interactions between electrolyte components. The application of the six formulated electrolytes in symmetrical activated carbon (AC)//AC supercapacitors (SCs) was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic cycling with potential limitation (GCPL), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and accelerated aging. Results revealed that the geometrical flexibility of the FTFSI anion allows it to access and diffuse easily in AC whereas its counter ions (Li⁺, Na⁺ or K⁺) can remain trapped in porosity. However, this drawback was partially resolved by mixing LiFTFSI and KFTFSI salts in the electrolyte.     

Response surface methodology toward the optimization of high-energy carotenoid extraction from Aristeus antennatus shrimp

High-energy assisted extraction techniques, like ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) and microwave assisted extraction (MAE), are widely applied over the last years for the recovery of bioactive compounds such as carotenoids, antioxidants and phenols from foods, animals and herbal natural sources. Especially for the case of xanthophylls, the main carotenoid group of crustaceans, they can be extracted in a rapid and quantitative way with the use of UAE and MAE.     

Recent advances on the use of active anodes in environmental electrochemistry

Active anodes, especially those consisting of metal mixed oxides (MMOs) containing Ru and/or Ir oxides, have been applied in the treatment of wastewater, especially when chloride ions are present. Their characteristics continuously drive the study of applications of these materials, be they in the degradation of different organic molecules, the preparation of new electrode materials and in the association of various processes to increase pollutant removal. Thus, this brief review aims to present some of the recent advances in the application of active anode materials in environmental electrochemistry. Focussing on the 2018–2020 period, it is possible to note many applied studies, using commercially available materials, covering a wide range of target pollutants. Still other studies aim to modify the catalyst surfaces to increase the mineralization capacity, and the use of these anodes in the production of free chlorine species to mediate indirect organic reduction is observed.     

On the redox reactions between allyl radicals and NOx

NO_x mitigation is a central focus of combustion technologies with increasingly stringent emission regulations. NO_x can also enhance the autoignition of hydrocarbon fuels and can promote soot oxidation. The reaction between allyl radical (C₃H₅) and NO_x plays an important role in the oxidation kinetics of propene. In this work, we measured the absolute rate coefficients for the redox reaction between C₃H₅ and NO_x over the temperature range of 1000–1252 K and pressure range of 1.5–5.0 bar using a shock tube and UV laser absorption technique. We produced C₃H₅ by shock heating of C₃H₅I behind reflected shock waves. Using a Ti:Sapphire laser system with frequency quadrupling, we monitored the kinetics of C₃H₅ at 220 nm. Unlike low-temperature chemistry, the two target reactions, C₃H₅ + NO → products (R1) and C₃H₅ + NO₂ → products (R2), exhibited a strong positive temperature dependence for this radical-radical type reaction. However, these reactions did not show any pressure dependence over the pressure range of 1.5–5.0 bar, indicating that the measured rate coefficients are close to the high-pressure limit. The measured values of the rate coefficients resulted in the following Arrhenius expressions (in unit of cm³/molecule/s):$k_1\left({\mathrm{C}}_3{\mathrm{H}}_5+\text{NO}\right)=1.49\times {10}^{?10}\exp \left(?6083.6\frac{\mathrm{K}}{T}\right)\left(1017?1252K\right)$$k_2\left({\mathrm{C}}_3{\mathrm{H}}_5+\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{O}}_2\right)=1.71\times {10}^{?10}\exp \left(?3675.7\frac{\mathrm{K}}{T}\right)\left(1062?1250K\right)$To our knowledge, these are the first high-temperature measurements of allyl + NO_x reactions. The reported data will be highly useful in understanding the interaction of NO_x with resonantly stabilized radicals as well as the mutual sensitization effect of NO_x on hydrocarbon fuels.     

Differential Graded Bocses and A ∞ $A_{\infty }$ -Modules

Algebras and Representation Theory - We introduce and study the category of twisted modules over a triangular differential graded bocs. We show that in this category idempotents split, that it...     

Synthesis,characterization, and transport properties of Nafion-polypyrrole membrane for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) application

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Due to their distinctive chemical, electronic, and environmental properties, polypyrrole is used as a blocking barrier for methanol leakage in direct...     

Linear Quadratic Gaussian Homing for Markov Processes with Regime Switching and Applications to Controlled Population Growth/Decay

Methodology and Computing in Applied Probability - The problem of optimally controlling one-dimensional diffusion processes until they enter a given stopping set is extended to include Markov...     

Application of TiO2-nanotubes/PbO2 as an anode for the electrochemical elimination of Acid Red 1 dye

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - In this study, galvanostatic electrolysis, through the use of the platinum supported on Ti (Ti/Pt) and Ti/TiO2-nanotubes/PbO2 anodes, was conducted in an...