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Laws concerning the growing, selling and consuming of cannabis and its related products have been changing considerably over the last few years. The legalization of hemp in 2018 sparked an interest in ∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆9-THC) isomers and analogs that are derived from hemp and sold with minimal oversight. One example is ∆8-tetrahydrocannabinol (∆8-THC). Although less potent than ∆9-THC, ∆8-THC is gaining popularity and can easily be found where cannabis-related products are sold. The Forensic Toxicology Laboratory at the University of Florida routinely tested decedents for 11-nor-∆9-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid (∆9-THC-acid), the primary metabolite of ∆9-THC. Urine samples from ∼900 decedents were received by the laboratory between mid-November 2021 and mid-March 2022 and subjected to CEDIA™ immunoassay testing. Subsequent confirmation of 194 presumptive positive samples was performed by gas chromatography--mass spectrometry. A peak eluting immediately after ∆9-THC-acid was identified as 11-nor-∆8-tetrahydrocannabinol-9-carboxylic acid (∆8-THC-acid), a metabolite of ∆8-THC, in 26 of those samples (13%). Six of the samples were positive for ∆8-THC-acid only. Other toxicological findings were consistent with poly-drug use including fentanyl/fentanyl analogs, ethanol, cocaine and methamphetamine. There has been an emergence of ∆8-THC use as indicated by the presence of ∆8-THC-acid in 26 of 194 presumptive positive cases during a four-month period. The majority of individuals were White males with a history of drug and/or alcohol use. ∆9-THC-acid, as well as other drugs, was often present. Given the psychoactive potential and availability of ∆8-THC, monitoring ∆8-THC-acid in decedents is important to characterize the risk and prevalence of ∆8-THC use.

A new tool to identify possible Zeeman pairs is presented here: the right circularly polarized (RCP) and left circularly polarized (LCP) components of a pair with velocity drift at the same rate. Long-term monitoring of hydroxyl transitions towards NGC 6334I-MM3 has resulted in the identification of three possible Zeeman pairs, one each at the 1.667, 6.030, and 6.035 GHz transitions, where the rate of drift of the RCP feature equals that of the LCP component. Historical observations suggest that their drift has been occurring over 40 yr. A fourth pair in the 1.720 GHz OH transition may indicate magnetic field variation over 50 yr.

Ungulates are a main component in carnivore diets but determining consumption of juveniles is difficult. Past studies have used size of prey remains such as small hooves or bones to classify scat samples as containing content attributable to juveniles. Hair thickness and color may also be used, but seasonality could influence the coat of an adult by developing thinner hairs in summer that more closely resemble those from juveniles. Given this uncertainty, we aimed to quantitatively determine a hair diameter threshold to categorize the age-class of ungulate hair in scats. We obtained hair samples from captive (n = 133) and vehicle-killed (n = 5) white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from Georgia and Virginia. We used microphotography image analysis to measure the width of hairs and their cuticular casts. We used a linear model to assess differences among body locations, age-classes, and locations along the hair strand. We also analyzed the change in hair width of juveniles as they aged. Hair diameter of adults, but not juveniles, differed significantly depending on body location, yet adult hairs were always significantly wider than those from juveniles. Juvenile hairs significantly increased in width after mid-September, when they molt into adult coats in our study area. We identified 104.2 µm measured at either 1/8 or 1/4 distance from the follicle as a threshold width to distinguish adult from juvenile hairs, with 95.3% accuracy. Our findings indicate that juvenile white-tailed deer can be distinguished from adults based on the width of hairs found in carnivore scats up until juveniles are 5 months old. More broadly, our results demonstrate that hair width may be used to classify juvenile versus adult prey remains in carnivore diet studies in other predator–prey systems.

In 2019 September, a sudden flare of the 6.7 GHz methanol maser was observed toward the high-mass young stellar object (HMYSO) G24.33+0.14. This may represent the fourth detection of a transient mass accretion event in an HMYSO after S255IR NIRS3, NGC 6334I-MM1, and G358.93−0.03-MM1. G24.33+0.14 is unique among these sources as it clearly shows a repeating flare with an 8 yr interval. Using the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), we observed the millimeter continuum and molecular lines toward G24.33+0.14 in the pre-flare phase in 2016 August (ALMA Cycle 3) and the mid-flare phase in 2019 September (ALMA Cycle 6). We identified three continuum sources in G24.33+0.14, and the brightest source, C1, which is closely associated with the 6.7 GHz maser emission, shows only a marginal increase in flux density with a flux ratio (Cycle 6$/$Cycle 3) of 1.16 ± 0.01, considering an additional absolute flux calibration uncertainty of $10\%$. We identified 26 transitions from 13 molecular species other than methanol, and they exhibit similar levels of flux differences with an average flux ratio of 1.12 ± 0.15. In contrast, eight methanol lines observed in Cycle 6 are brighter than those in Cycle 3 with an average flux ratio of 1.23 ± 0.13, and the higher excitation lines tend to show a larger flux increase. If this systematic increasing trend is real, it would suggest radiative heating close to the central HMYSO due to an accretion event which could expand the size of the emission region and/or change the excitation conditions. Given the low brightness temperatures and small flux changes, most of the methanol emission is likely to be predominantly thermal, except for the 229.759 GHz (8−1–70 E) line known as a class I methanol maser. The flux change in the millimeter continuum of G24.33+0.14 is smaller than in S255IR NIRS3 and NGC 6334I-MM1 but is comparable with that in G358.93−0.03-MM1, suggesting different amounts of accreted mass in these events.

Background/Aims Macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), a form of secondary haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, is a severe, life-threatening complication of rheumatic diseases such as Still’s disease (systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis or adult-onset Still’s disease) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Interferon gamma has been implicated in the underlying pathology of both conditions. Standard first-line treatment for MAS is high-dose glucocorticoids (GCs); however, additional treatments are used without a standardised approach in patients who are treatment-refractory. When 9 patients with an inadequate response to high-dose GCs were administered emapalumab in a pilot study (NCT03311854), interferon gamma was rapidly neutralised and MAS was controlled. Emapalumab also had a favourable safety profile. A new study (EMERALD) is currently enrolling patients with MAS in Still’s disease and SLE to further evaluate the efficacy and safety of emapalumab. Methods The open-label, single arm, multicentre, phase 2/3 interventional EMERALD study (NCT05001737) is enrolling paediatric and adult subjects with MAS and an inadequate response to high-dose GCs into two cohorts: MAS in Still’s disease (n = 25) and MAS in SLE (n = 16). Each cohort is a single-arm study comprising two phases: an optional run-in phase and an interventional phase. Key eligibility criteria vary by cohort and phase (Table). During the run-in phase, patients are treated with high-dose GCs and followed until MAS remission or inadequate response, or for a maximum of 12 weeks. Patients enrolled in the interventional phase are treated with intravenous emapalumab (initial dose 6 mg/kg, subsequent doses 3 mg/kg) for 4 weeks or until protocol-defined complete response (CR), then followed up for 1 year. Results The primary endpoint of the study is protocol-defined CR at Week 8 after first emapalumab administration. Secondary efficacy endpoints include GC tapering, survival, time to first CR, overall response (CR and partial response), time to first overall response, MAS recurrence, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic profile of emapalumab and patient-reported outcomes. Safety endpoints include assessments of adverse events, abnormal laboratory parameters and anti-drug antibodies. Conclusion The ongoing EMERALD study is designed to address the unmet need for new efficacious and safe therapies for the treatment of MAS. Disclosure P. Brogan: Consultancies; P.B. has acted as a consultant for Sobi, Novartis, Roche and UCB. A. Grom: Consultancies; A.G. has acted as a consultant for Novartis, AB2 Bio, Novimmune and Sobi. R. Kanceva: Corporate appointments; R.K. is an employee of Sobi. F. De Benedetti: Consultancies; F.D.B. has acted as a consultant for AbbVie, Sobi, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, Novartis and Novimmune. Grants/research support; F.D.B has received research grants from AbbVie, Sobi, Pfizer, Roche, Sanofi, Novartis and Novimmune.

Objective To describe the incidence of Kawasaki Disease (kDa) between 2006 and 2021 in England. Methods We identified all cases in hospital episode statistics with an ICD-10 diagnostic code M303 (for kDa) between 1 April 2006 and 31 March 2021. We validated 83 diagnoses using hospital medical records and found >97% accuracy. We calculated incidence rate ratios (IRRs) using Poisson regression and assessed the influence of age, sex, ethnicity and index of multiple deprivation (IMD). We used Office for National Statistics population estimates for England as the denominator. Results We identified a total of 5908 cases of kDa in all children under the age of 16 (mean age 3.8, s.d.=3.2, 95% CI: 3.7, 3.9). Incidence in children aged Conclusions Incidence rates of kDa derived from hospital admission data in England were higher than in studies relying on clinician reporting. We confirm previous findings on the influence of sex and ethnicity on kDa incidence and observe that there was a higher incidence of kDa within more deprived socioeconomic groups.

Background Pill burden associated with antiretroviral multiple-tablet regimens (MTR) can impact adherence. The shift to single-tablet regimens (STR) has lagged for people living with HIV (PLWH) covered by Medicaid. This study examines persistence, adherence, healthcare resource utilization (HCRU), and costs by STR or MTR use for new initiators and treatment-experienced PLWH over a 1-year study period. Methods A linked patient population was applied using data from IQVIA’s Prescription Claims (Rx), Professional Fee Claims (Dx), and Hospital Charge Data Master (CDM). A 6-month pre-index period was used to assess study eligibility and baseline characteristics. A 12-month post-index period was used to descriptively evaluate treatment patterns and HCRU/costs. Two mutually exclusive cohorts were created based on STR or MTR use during the selection window (01/2018-07/2019). For the STR cohort, date of the first STR claim during the selection window was termed the index date. For the MTR cohort, the date of the first MTR drug during the selection window was termed the index date. Results The final sample comprised 4,603 PLWH in the STR cohort and 2,728 in the MTR cohort (Table 1). The proportion persistent over the 1-year follow-up was higher among treatment experienced compared to new initiators, and higher for STR compared to MTR (Figure 1A). The proportion adherent was higher among treatment experienced compared to new initiators, and higher for STR compared to MTR (Figure 1B). HIV-specific per member per month (PMPM) pharmacy costs were higher among treatment experienced compared to new initiators, and higher for MTR compared to STR (Figure 2). Adherent PLWH had a lower proportion with ≥ 1 all-cause emergency room visit compared to non-adherent PLWH within a cohort/treatment status category; minimal differences in ≥ 1 all-cause hospitalization. Adherent PLWH had higher mean all-cause costs than non-adherent PLWH, driven by pharmacy costs. STR PLWH had lower mean all-cause total costs compared to MTR PLWH with the same adherence/treatment experience status (Figure 3). Conclusion PLWH enrolled in Medicaid are more persistent and adherent to STR than MTR. Among PLWH adherent to antiretroviral therapy, STR offer potential cost savings over MTR for appropriate patients. Disclosures Andrew P. Brogan, PhD, ViiV Healthcare: Employee, Salary|ViiV Healthcare: Stocks/Bonds Cindy Garris, MS, ViiV Healthcare: Employee|ViiV Healthcare: Stocks/Bonds Julie Priest, MSPH, ViiV Healthcare: Employee, Salary|ViiV Healthcare: Stocks/Bonds Victoria Divino, BA, IQVIA: Employee, Salary|ViiV Healthcare: Grant/Research Support Jing He, PhD, IQVIA: Employee, Salary|ViiV Healthcare: Grant/Research Support Justin Chen, MHS, IQVIA: Employee, Salary|ViiV Healthcare: Grant/Research Support Mitch DeKoven, MHSA, IQVIA: Employee, Salary|ViiV Healthcare: Grant/Research Support.

Background The shift to antiretroviral single-tablet regimens (STR) from multiple-tablet regimens (MTR) has lagged for people living with HIV (PLWH) covered by Medicaid. This study examines STR and MTR utilization and pharmacy costs over a 5-year period for PLWH enrolled in Medicaid. Methods This retrospective study used IQVIA’s Prescription Claims (Rx) data to identify two mutually exclusive cohorts based on STR or MTR use within each of 5 calendar years (2016-2020). For the STR cohort, the date of the first STR claim in each calendar year was termed the index date. For the MTR cohort, the date of the first MTR drug in the first observed complete MTR regimen in each calendar year was termed the index date; a window of 5 days between prescription fills for the agents used in an MTR regimen was allowed. The regimen received on the index date was used to assign the study cohort for each year and study measures were reported for each of the 5 calendar years. Additional eligibility criteria are provided in Table 1. Results The final STR cohort was 47,140 (14.5% of the initial sample) in 2016 and 73,111 (13.5%) in 2020 (Table 1). The final MTR cohort was 36,007 (15.5%) in 2016 and 20,264 (13.5%) in 2020. The distribution of PLWH with Medicaid Fee-For-Service (FFS) or Medicaid managed care was generally similar by year for both STR and MTR cohorts from 2016 to 2019 (Figure 1); Medicaid managed care enrollment for both cohorts increased in 2020 (62.4-62.9%). Among PLWH, STR use increased annually from 56.7% in 2016 to 78.3% in 2020 (Figure 2). Conversely, MTR use decreased from 43.3% to 21.7% over the same time period. The increase in STR utilization over time was consistent for both plan types. Mean HIV-specific per member per month (PMPM) pharmacy costs were similar across years for both STR and MTR cohorts, ranging from $2,016-$2,342 for STR cohorts and $2,247-$2,380 for MTR cohorts (Figure 3). Conclusion Between 2019 and 2020, PLWH enrolled in Medicaid shifted from FFS towards managed care. STR use among PLWH enrolled in Medicaid increased from 2016 to 2020 with minimal differences in PMPM pharmacy costs compared with PLWH enrolled in Medicaid receiving MTR. Disclosures Andrew P. Brogan, PhD, ViiV Healthcare: Employee, Salary|ViiV Healthcare: Stocks/Bonds Cindy Garris, MS, ViiV Healthcare: Employee|ViiV Healthcare: Stocks/Bonds Julie Priest, MSPH, ViiV Healthcare: Employee, Salary|ViiV Healthcare: Stocks/Bonds Victoria Divino, BA, IQVIA: Employee, Salary|ViiV Healthcare: Grant/Research Support Jing He, PhD, IQVIA: Employee, Salary|ViiV Healthcare: Grant/Research Support Justin Chen, MHS, IQVIA: Employee, Salary|ViiV Healthcare: Grant/Research Support Mitch DeKoven, MHSA, IQVIA: Employee, Salary|ViiV Healthcare: Grant/Research Support.

Introduction/Background Sarcoidosis is a rare multisystemic inflammatory disorder with 2 distinct presentations in childhood. A monogenic form associated with mono-allelic mutation in NOD2 presents with the triad of uveitis, rash and arthritis in children less than 4-years (early-onset sarcoidosis). The other presentation affects older children with similar presentation to adults, with greater pulmonary and lymph node involvement. Histopathological evidence of non-caseating granulomas is essential for the diagnosis but does not exclude alternative diagnoses. We report a 17-month-old infant, who presented with atypical features suggestive of sarcoidosis, but was subsequently found to have a rare cardiac angiosarcoma driving an exaggerated granulomatous reaction. Description/Method A previously healthy 17-month-old girl born to non-consanguineous Caucasian parents presented with recurrent fever for 3-months, associated with lethargy, weight loss and worsening anemia. Examination revealed an irritable febrile child, weight on 5th centile, with muffled heart sounds; there were no skin lesions, no lymphadenopathy, and no arthritis. Investigations showed severe anemia (Hb 46g/L), leukocytosis (WBC 24/L), thrombocytosis (662/L), high inflammatory markers (CRP >300mg/L, ESR 160mm/hr), high ferritin (600ug/L). CT thorax with cardiac angiogram revealed a large intra-atrial septal mass, extensive pulmonary nodules, bilateral hilar and mediastinal lymphadenopathy and pericardial effusion. She was managed with broad-spectrum antibiotics, blood transfusions and pericardiocentesis with endomyocardial biopsy. Extensive infectious workup, including TB from pericardial exudate, was negative. Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme was normal, with no blasts in blood film; eye examination was unremarkable. The endomyocardial biopsy was inconclusive, so underwent lung and lymph node biopsies, which were initially reported as revealing florid multiple non-necrotising granulomas, but no evidence of malignant cells. Whole-exome sequencing was performed, result pending at that stage. Differential diagnosis included malignancy, infection, immunodeficiency or autoimmune disorder including sarcoidosis, in light of histopathology. With malignancy and infection felt to be excluded, she was managed empirically for atypical sarcoidosis and treated with IV methylprednisolone 30mg/kg followed by tapering steroid and anti-TNF; IL-1 was added later. However, there was no clinical response with ongoing fever, irritability and static inflammatory markers (CRP∼300mg/L). Immunomodulating medications were subsequently stopped. Repeat chest imaging revealed progression of pulmonary findings and increasing cardiac mass. Open-heart bypass surgery with debulking of cardiac mass and further biopsies. Histopathology revealed an extremely rare primary cardiac malignant vascular tumour, angiosarcoma, with loss of SMARCB1 protein staining. Retrospective review and specific staining with SMARCB1 of initial lung biopsy subsequently confirmed that the granulomatous reaction was in response to micro-metastases of tumour throughout the lungs. Discussion/Results The differential diagnosis of granulomatous disease in paediatric patients is very broad. Ultimately, the diagnosis of cancer driving and exaggerated immunological response was provided by a combination of very invasive surgical biopsy of the heart; combined with whole exome sequencing. Whole exome sequencing revealed 2 distinct genetic diagnoses which fully explained the phenotype: heterozygosity for a stop mutation in SMARCB1 (p.R158X) consistent with Rhabdoid Tumour Predisposition Syndrome Type 1; and homozygosity for the hypomorphic PRF1 p.A91V mutation explaining low (but not absent) intracellular perforin levels and exaggerated granulomatous immunological response to tumour. The rare angiosarcoma detected is scarcely reported in the literature, but entirely compatible with the type of cancer associated with RTPS1. Hypomorphic perforin mutation probably explains the exaggerated but frustrated granulomatous immunological response to tumour in this case. Key learning points/Conclusion This case serves to remind us that granulomas can occur in response to malignancy in children. Lack of response to immunosuppression with ongoing severe systemic inflammation in this case provided an important clue to the need for more invasive diagnostic biopsies. Particular challenges relates to the time it takes to obtain genetic test results; but in this case whole-exome sequencing resolved the phenotype fully. Patients with rare and unusual presentations may have more than one genetic diagnosis, with a blending of phenotypes thereafter. Screening of other family members for the mutation associated with RTPS1 is ongoing.

Introduction/Background MAS is a severe, potentially fatal complication of systemic JIA (sJIA). It is characterised by uncontrolled activation and proliferation of T cells and macrophages, leading to a “cytokine storm” which manifests as hyperinflammation. Its consequences include fever, rash, cytopenias, transaminitis, coagulopathy and hyperferritinaemia. Prompt careful assessment is required to identify MAS and exclude other conditions like sepsis. This is often done in parallel, performing a septic screen and commencing antibiotics whilst considering immunosuppressive therapy and its timing. MAS can be refractory to familiar first line agents, presenting a challenge for Paediatric Rheumatologists as no consensus guidelines exist to inform management. Description/Method We present a case of a 15-month-old girl with sJIA and refractory MAS. Our patient became unwell at 8-months of age with fever and rash. She was initially treated with antibiotics. She then developed peeling of the fingers and toes. Management of Kawasaki Disease was initiated - IVIG (2 doses), IV methylprednisolone (IVMP) for 5 days, followed by oral prednisolone for ten days, and aspirin. Her fever persisted. The prednisolone and aspirin doses were increased which resulted in clinical improvement. After a few weeks, the fever recurred three times daily and associated with an erythematous rash. She was admitted to hospital and treated with antibiotics for a presumed UTI. The diagnosis of sJIA was made after exclusion of other infectious and haematological causes. Despite IVMP followed by oral prednisolone and anakinra, the fever persisted. She was transferred to our hospital for further management. Initial bloods showed Hb 103g/L, platelets 257x109/L, WBC 13.07x109/L, Neutrophils 4.18x109/L, ESR 32mm/hr, CRP 30mg/L, ferritin 2201ng/mL, ALT 89U/L, AST 218U/L, LDH 1859IU/L, triglycerides 4.2mmol/L, fibrinogen 2.8mg/dL, d-dimers 4641ng/mL. She was pulsed with IVMP for 3 days. The anakinra dose increased. Remission was not achieved biochemically. A further pulse with IVMP (3 days) was given with no improvement. IV ciclosporin was added. Tocilizumab 12mg/kg/day once daily was commenced. She remained on oral prednisolone 2mg/kg/day. She then developed sepsis. She had a positive blood culture from her PICC line. Despite IV antibiotics, her clinical picture didn’t improve. She eventually developed septic shock requiring a fluid bolus and worsening MAS. The PICC line was removed. She also required amlodipine for hypertension. There was no sign of MAS remission (table 1), and the decision was made to commence etoposide (initial 150mg/M2 for 6 doses; current dose 50mg/M2) whilst working our patient up for a HSCT eight months after first presentation. Discussion/Results MAS is a severe complication of sJIA. MAS can progress very rapidly and if left untreated, it is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Abnormal investigations include cytopenia, coagulopathy and hyperferritinaemia. These distinctive features usually occur in the later stages of MAS. This can lead to a delay in the diagnosis of the condition, resulting in a worse outcome. Early recognition of MAS is key to improving morbidity and mortality. The mainstay of treatment for MAS is glucocorticoids. However, as this patient highlights glucocorticoids alone are not often satisfactory in controlling the disease. Other treatments can be used, but there is a paucity of data from clinical trials as to what treatment should be used and in what order. HSCT is a potentially curative option for patients with refractory sJIA. Some of these patients can achieve drug free remission, although not all. In some, disease remission is only transient. HSCT is associated with significant risks, in particular Graft versus Host Disease. The data on success of HSCT in sJIA is sparce – making it challenging for clinicians to counsel parents. Currently this patient’s condition is being controlled with Etoposide whilst HSCT is awaited. Etoposide is a well-established therapy for Primary Hemophagocytic Lymphhistiocytosis (HLH). As clinicians we are continuing to learn more about its use in controlling sJIA. A recent article by Horne et al suggests that a moderate dose of etoposide may be beneficial in severe/refractory HLH. We are currently trialling this approach in our patient with the hope of decreasing the overall Etoposide dose, aiming to minimise toxicity whilst adequately controlling her disease. Finally, it is vital to screen for primary HLH in those whose first rheumatological presentation is with MAS. An important differential is a genetic cause which may or may not be identifiable. Key learning points/Conclusion Learning points: Improved awareness of MAS is paramount to aid timely diagnosis and ensure prompt treatment in order to try and improve MAS associated morbidity and mortality. Careful evaluation of serum ferritin in conjunction with other blood parameters is important and helpful in monitoring response to therapy. It is vital to screen for Primary HLH in patients whose first rheumatological presentation is MAS. There is a lack of evidence for treatment pathways in refractory sJIA and MAS. Some children develop refractory MAS and HSCT needs to be seriously considered, but when should clinicians consider HSCT? Many unanswered questions exist. It can be challenging as clinicians to know when to refer patients for HSCT and how best to manage these patients whilst awaiting HSCT. It would be useful to develop consensus guidelines to help answer some of the following questions: When should a child be referred for HSCT? How many drugs should be trialled prior to referral? What is the definition of treatment failure? Who should decide that the child should be referred for HSCT? What treatment should be used to bridge to HSCT and at what dose?

Aedes aegypti (L.) is an important vector of viruses causing dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever and as such presents a serious threat to public health in tropical regions. Control programs involving ‘rear and release’ of modified male Ae. aegypti are underway and require effective trapping methods for surveillance of both the released insects and the impacted wild mosquito population. The BG-Sentinel trap (BGS) is widely used in Ae. aegypti surveillance but its level of efficiency, that is, what proportion of the mosquitoes encountering the trap are captured, is unknown. This is especially true for male mosquitoes, the behavior of which is incompletely understood. We tested the efficiency of two versions of the BGS for capturing male Ae. aegypti under semifield conditions with and without CO2 and a human skin odor mimic lure and with these baits combined. A navy-blue BGS trap emitting CO2 and a human skin odor mimic captured 18% of the released male Ae. aegypti, with a capture efficiency of 9 % (of the total encounters with the trap). Male Ae. aegypti had multiple encounters with the BGS that did not result in capture; they crossed over the trap entrance without being captured or landed on the sides of the trap. Swarming behavior around the BGS was also recorded, even when only a visual cue was present. Understanding male Ae. aegypti behaviors during an encounter with the BGS can inform improvement of trap design and therefore capture efficiency for surveillance in control programs.

We report the detection of new 12.178, 12.229, 20.347, and 23.121 GHz methanol masers in the massive star-forming region G358.93-0.03, which are flaring on similarly short timescales (days) as the 6.668 GHz methanol masers also associated with this source. The brightest 12.178 GHz channel increased by a factor of over 700 in just 50 d. The masers found in the 12.229 and 20.347 GHz methanol transitions are the first ever reported and this is only the fourth object to exhibit associated 23.121 GHz methanol masers. The 12.178 GHz methanol maser emission appears to have a higher flux density than that of the 6.668 GHz emission, which is unusual. No associated near-infrared flare counterpart was found, suggesting that the energy source of the flare is deeply embedded., 9 pages, 3 figures, 2 tables, Published in MNRAS

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this research is to develop a machine learning supervised classification model to automatically code clinical encounter transcripts using a behavioral code scheme. METHODS: We first evaluated the efficacy of eight state-of-the-art machine learning classification models to recognize patient–provider communication behaviors operationalized by the motivational interviewing framework. Data were collected during the course of a single weight loss intervention session with 37 African American adolescents and their caregivers. We then tested the transferability of the model to a novel treatment context, 80 patient–provider interactions during routine human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) clinic visits. RESULTS: Of the eight models tested, the support vector machine model demonstrated the best performance, achieving a .680 F1-score (a function of model precision and recall) in adolescent and .639 in caregiver sessions. Adding semantic and contextual features improved accuracy with 75.1% of utterances in adolescent and 73.8% in caregiver sessions correctly coded. With no modification, the model correctly classified 72.0% of patient–provider utterances in HIV clinical encounters with reliability comparable to human coders (k = .639). CONCLUSIONS: The development of a validated approach for automatic behavioral coding offers an efficient alternative to traditional, resource-intensive methods with the potential to dramatically accelerate the pace of outcomes-oriented behavioral research. The knowledge gained from computer-driven behavioral research can inform clinical practice by providing clinicians with empirically supported communication strategies to tailor their conversations with patients. Lastly, automatic behavioral coding is a critical first step toward fully automated eHealth/mHealth (electronic/mobile Health) behavioral interventions.

The small hive beetle, Aethina tumida Murray, is a pest of honeybees, Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae). We investigated the significance of its association with the yeast, Kodamaea ohmeri (Etchells & Bell) (Ascomycota: Saccharomycotina), in laboratory experiments. The mean (± SEM) viability of A. tumida eggs was 84 (± 3)%; the viability was not affected if eggs were separated from clutches or if mucilage containing K. ohmeri was removed from the egg surface. Life tables of conventional (= K. ohmeri contaminated) A. tumida and K. ohmeri-free A. tumida revealed no differences in stage-specific mortality between the treatments; in both cases, the highest mortality occurred in the first larval instar. There was no significant difference in the initial egg production of conventionally reared and K. ohmeri-free A. tumida under laboratory conditions. The volatile profiles of pollen dough (Bee Build) fed on by conventional and K. ohmeri-free A. tumida larvae were qualitatively and quantitatively different; the volatiles produced by pollen dough fed on by conventional A. tumida were more attractive to adult beetles. There was a clear difference between growth of K. ohmeri on pollen dough substrate in the presence and absence of A. tumida. Results suggest that this association is facultative for A. tumida under laboratory conditions but has benefit for the yeast associate, K. ohmeri. A clearer understanding of the nature of this fungus-insect association is essential for the development of management strategies for this pest, especially in the development of fermentate-based attractants in trapping systems.

The small hive beetle, Aethina tumida Murray (Coleoptera: Nitidulidae), is a pest of colonies of social bees, including the honeybee Apis mellifera L. (Hymenoptera: Apidae). We investigated A. tumida oviposition behavior and development and found that it laid eggs in clutches that ranged in size (3-75 eggs per clutch) and that when fed on hive products in laboratory culture (27°C; RH 65%; 12:12 (L:D) h) it completed three larval instars before pupation. The yeast Kodamaea ohmeri (Etchells & Bell) Y. Yamada, T. Suzuki, M. Matsuda & K. Mikata (Ascomycota: Saccharomycotina) is associated with A. tumida, but the exact nature of this relationship is unknown. We examined the association in host eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults to establish its extent and potential specificity and determined the likely mechanism of vertical transmission. K. ohmeri was detected in egg mucilage and on host cuticle and from internal preparations of A. tumida at every stage of development. Based on colony forming unit (CFU) counts, the K. ohmeri densities varied significantly between developmental stages; the highest internal density was recorded in third instar larvae. Presence of K. ohmeri within adult A. tumida was not affected by contamination of the cuticle by the yeast during the larval and pupal stages nor by the mated status of the adult. This deepened understanding of A. tumida ovipositional behavior and larval development along with a better understanding of the relationship between K. ohmeri and its host is important for the development of management strategies for this important pest.