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We present near-field radio holography measurements of the Simons Observatory Large Aperture Telescope Receiver optics. These measurements demonstrate that radio holography of complex millimeter-wave optical systems comprising cryogenic lenses, filters, and feed horns can provide detailed characterization of wave propagation before deployment. We used the measured amplitude and phase, at 4 K, of the receiver near-field beam pattern to predict two key performance parameters: 1) the amount of scattered light that will spill past the telescope to 300 K and 2) the beam pattern expected from the receiver when fielded on the telescope. These cryogenic measurements informed the removal of a filter, which led to improved optical efficiency and reduced sidelobes at the exit of the receiver. Holography measurements of this system suggest that the spilled power past the telescope mirrors will be less than 1%, and the main beam with its near sidelobes are consistent with the nominal telescope design. This is the first time such parameters have been confirmed in the lab prior to deployment of a new receiver. This approach is broadly applicable to millimeter and submillimeter instruments.

We present the design, fabrication, and measured performance of metamaterial antireflection cuttings (ARCs) for large-format alumina filters operating over more than an octave of bandwidth to be deployed at the Simons Observatory (SO). The ARC consists of subwavelength features diced into the optic's surface using a custom dicing saw with near-micrometer accuracy. The designs achieve percent-level control over reflections at angles of incidence up to 20 ∘ . The ARCs were demonstrated on four 42 cm diameter filters covering the 75 to 170 GHz band and a 50 mm diameter prototype covering the 200 to 300 GHz band. The reflection and transmission of these samples were measured using a broadband coherent source that covers frequencies from 20 GHz to 1.2 THz. These measurements demonstrate percent-level control over reflectance across the targeted pass-bands and a rapid reduction in transmission as the wavelength approaches the length scale of the metamaterial structure where scattering dominates the optical response. The latter behavior enables use of the metamaterial ARC as a scattering filter in this limit.

We present the design and measured performance of a new carbon fiber strut design that is used in a cryogenically cooled truss for the Simons Observatory small aperture telescope. The truss consists of two aluminum 6061 rings separated by 24 struts. Each strut consists of a central carbon fiber tube fitted with two aluminum end caps. We tested the performance of the strut and truss by (i) cryogenically cycling and destructively pull-testing strut samples, (ii) non-destructively pull-testing the final truss, and (iii) measuring the thermal conductivity of the carbon fiber tubes. We found that the strut strength is limited by the mounting fasteners and the strut end caps, not the epoxy adhesive or the carbon fiber tube. This result is consistent with our numerical predictions. Our thermal measurements suggest that the conductive heat load through the struts (from 4 to 1 K) will be less than 1 mW. This strut design may be a promising candidate for use in other cryogenic support structures.

The transcriptional antirepressor AppA is a blue light using flavin (BLUF) photoreceptor that releases the transcriptional repressor PpsR upon photoexcitation. Light activation of AppA involves changes in a hydrogen-bonding network that surrounds the flavin chromophore on the nanosecond time scale, while the dark state of AppA is then recovered in a light-independent reaction with a dramatically longer half-life of 15 min. Residue Y21, a component of the hydrogen-bonding network, is known to be essential for photoactivity. Here, we directly explore the effect of the Y21 pKa on dark state recovery by replacing Y21 with fluorotyrosine analogues that increase the acidity of Y21 by 3.5 pH units. Ultrafast transient infrared measurements confirm that the structure of AppA is unperturbed by fluorotyrosine substitution, and that there is a small (3-fold) change in the photokinetics of the forward reaction over the fluorotyrosine series. However, reduction of 3.5 pH units in the pKa of Y21 increases the rate of dark state recovery by 4000-fold with a Brønsted coefficient of ∼ 1, indicating that the Y21 proton is completely transferred in the transition state leading from light to dark adapted AppA. A large solvent isotope effect of ∼ 6-8 is also observed on the rate of dark state recovery. These data establish that the acidity of Y21 is a crucial factor for stabilizing the light activated form of the protein, and have been used to propose a model for dark state recovery that will ultimately prove useful for tuning the properties of BLUF photosensors for optogenetic applications.

C13H18N2O4S, orthorhombic, P212121 (no. 19), a = 6.8690(1) Å, b = 12.0694(2) Å, c = 16.6748(3) Å, V = 1382.42(4) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0278, wRref(F2) = 0.0729, T = 150 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Planners face a complex process from planning projects to final construction and evaluation in cycle planning. Planners tend to coordinate with peers in neighboring cities, advocates, politicians, other policymakers, and researchers to implement cycling plans. Documenting this decision-making process and the sources of information that guide decisions can provide insight into creating better cycling planning research and fostering stronger collaborations. We first provide a brief history of cycle planning in Tucson, Arizona, to demonstrate the current issues and efforts. Then, we present findings from interviews with Tucson planners and an advocate to explore information sources, collaboration, barriers, and opportunities for action for bicycle planning. Our results highlight the need for research presented in consumable ways, particularly through professional networks, and the potential for university outreach offices to assist in public participation and outreach, professional education, and collaboration on data collection and analysis on cycling projects. Focusing on these avenues can strengthen the science to decision-making pipeline. These lessons can also help improve bicycle planning in other communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additive manufacturing (AM) of ceramics has significantly contributed to advancements in ceramic fabrication, solving some of the difficulties of conventional ceramic processing and providing additional possibilities for the structure and function of components. However, defects induced by the layer-by-layer approach on which traditional AM techniques are based still constitute a challenge to address. This study presents the volumetric AM of a SiOC ceramic from a preceramic polymer using xolography, a linear volumetric AM process that allows to avoid the staircase effect typical of other vat photopolymerization techniques. Besides optimizing the trade-off between preceramic polymer content and transmittance, a pore generator is introduced to create transient channels for gas release before decomposition of the organic constituents and moieties, resulting in crack-free solid ceramic structures even at low ceramic yield. Formulation optimization alleviated sinking of printed parts during printing and prevented shape distortion. Complex solid and porous ceramic structures with a smooth surface and sharp features are fabricated under the optimized parameters. This work provides a new method for the AM of ceramics at µm/mm scale with high surface quality and large geometry variety in an efficient way, opening the possibility for applications in fields such as micromechanical systems and microelectronic components., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Shaping ceramic materials into sophisticated architecture with 3D hierarchical structure is desirable in multiapplication yet remains challenge due to their brittle and stiff nature. Herein, a new method to achieve ceramic architectures with unsupported and large-spanning structure by shaping vat photopolymerization 3D printed hydrogel preceramic skeleton with unique flexible and deformable character is proposed. Specifically, the present photopolymerizable hydrogel preceramic achieves one stone, two birds: the photosensitive polymer matrix coupled with ceramic nanoparticles for the first shaping by vat photopolymerization 3D printing and the secondary plasticity of the 3D printed ceramic body through flexible shape deformation of hydrogel networks. Inorganic binder aluminum dihydrogen phosphate serves as hydrogel dispersion medium to achieve ultralow shrinkage photopolymerization ceramic. Compared with conventional polymer-derived photocuring ceramics, the linear shrinkage of lamina structure is solely 2%, and which of cubic ceramic structure is just 13.3%. More importantly, one 3D printed preceramic is conducted to reshape repeatedly myriad constructions, realizing reusability of intrinsic brittle ceramic, improving manufacturing fault tolerance rate. Finally, a variety of paradigms for ceramic structure applications are proposed toward stereo circuit, biomedicine, and catalytic applications, breaking the limitation of intrinsic brittleness of ceramic in high-precision manufacturing of complex ceramic devices., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Photochromic fluorescent proteins (FPs) have proved to be indispensable luminous probes for sophisticated and advanced bioimaging techniques. Among them, an interplay between photoswitching and photoconversion has only been observed in a limited subset of Kaede-like FPs that show potential for discovering the key mechanistic steps during green-to-red photoconversion. Various spectroscopic techniques including femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy (FSRS), X-ray crystallography, and femtosecond transient absorption were employed on a set of five related FPs with varying photoconversion and photoswitching efficiencies. A 3-methyl-histidine chromophore derivative, incorporated through amber suppression using orthogonal aminoacyl tRNA synthetase/tRNA pairs, displays more dynamic photoswitching but greatly reduced photoconversion versus the least-evolved ancestor (LEA). Excitation-dependent measurements of the green anionic chromophore reveal that the varying photoswitching efficiencies arise from both the initial transient dynamics of the bright cis state and the final trans-like photoswitched off state, with an exocyclic bridge H-rocking motion playing an active role during the excited-state energy dissipation. This investigation establishes a close-knit feedback loop between spectroscopic characterization and protein engineering, which may be especially beneficial to develop more versatile FPs with targeted mutations and enhanced functionalities, such as photoconvertible FPs that also feature photoswitching properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel semi-alicyclic copolyimides (CoPIs) containing appropriate ratios of isomeric 1,4;3,6-dianhydrohexitols (isohexides), namely isomannide (ISM) and isosorbide (ISS), were synthesized from isomannide- and isosorbide-3,6-diyl-bis(trimellitic anhydride), ISMDA and ISSDA, and 2,2′-bis(trifluoromethyl)benzidine (TFDB). The ISM-containing CoPIs exhibited enhanced optical properties, such as higher optical transparency, lower refractive index (nav), and smaller birefringence (Δn), than conventional PIs and even homopolyimide (HomoPI) from ISSDA. From the systematic conformational analysis using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, ISMDA has a boat-like and sterically constrained structure which inhibits the main-chain orientation and reduces the polarizability anisotropy of the PI chain. The ISMDA moiety also improves the dielectric properties with lowering the dielectric constant (Dk) and dissipation factor (Df) at 10–20 GHz due to the reduced dipolar polarization and suppression of local molecular motion. In particular, CoPI containing 30 mol% ISM, which provides a good balance between the rigidity and molecular packing, demonstrated enhanced optical, dielectric, and thermal properties with nav of 1.5537 at 1310 nm, an optical transmittance of 84% at 400 nm, a Dk of 2.92 at 10 GHz, a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 265 °C, and 5 wt% weight-loss temperature (T 5d) of 417 °C. This study clarifies the mechanism underlying the enhancement of various physical properties induced by the incorporation of a specific structure of ISM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The built environment, cyclist behavior, and driver interactions can influence route choice and, ultimately, cyclist safety. Recent studies use crowdsourced data, such as Strava, to document route selection; however, aggregated data may not fully explain the factors underpinning route selection. Utilizing naturalistic methods, we analyze videos of recorded rides and GPS data from six cyclists representing three types of riders—commuters, recreational, and athletes—to explore route choices, behavior, and driver interactions in Tucson, Arizona. Our analysis of three route selection cases highlights how intersection design, driver interactions, pavement conditions, and type of riding lead cyclists to modify behaviors and select longer detours to avoid unsafe intersections. Additionally, our study combines Strava heatmaps and physical bicycle counts to explore the number of cyclists potentially facing similar factors influencing route choice. By studying cyclists with different riding aims and utilizing both Strava heatmaps and video recordings, researchers can determine the underlying conditions, identify route locations in need of improvements, and collaborate with practitioners to implement changes to increase cyclist safety through appropriate solutions. This analysis can help ensure that designs meet user expectations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Cosmology Large Angular Scale Surveyor (CLASS) is a telescope array that observes the cosmic microwave background over 75% of the sky from the Atacama Desert, Chile, at frequency bands centered near 40, 90, 150, and 220 GHz. This paper describes the CLASS data pipeline and maps for 40 GHz observations conducted from 2016 August to 2022 May. We demonstrate how well the CLASS survey strategy, with rapid (∼10 Hz) front-end modulation, recovers the large-scale Galactic polarization signal from the ground: the mapping transfer function recovers ∼67% (85%) of EE and BB (VV) power at ℓ = 20 and ∼35% (47%) at ℓ = 10. We present linear and circular polarization maps over 75% of the sky. Simulations based on the data imply the maps have a white noise level of 110 μ K arcmin and correlated noise component rising at low- ℓ as ℓ −2.4. The transfer-function-corrected low- ℓ component is comparable to the white noise at the angular knee frequencies of ℓ ≈ 18 (linear polarization) and ℓ ≈ 12 (circular polarization). Finally, we present simulations of the level at which expected sources of systematic error bias the measurements, finding subpercent bias for the Λ cold dark matter EE power spectra. Bias from E -to- B leakage due to the data reduction pipeline and polarization angle uncertainty approaches the expected level for an r = 0.01 BB power spectrum. Improvements to the instrument calibration and the data pipeline will decrease this bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Moringa oleifera is well recognized for its rich nutritional content and diverse bioactive compounds. Moringa, abundant in various bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and alkaloids present across all plant parts including leaves, stems, and roots, is especially rich in glucomoringin within its seeds. The antioxidant activity of moringin has already been verified in numerous cellular and animal experiments. Objective: The study investigates the effects of Moringa seed extract (MSE), abundant in glucomoringin, on fatiguerelated physical discomfort and sleep quality, as indicators of quality of life (QOL) in healthy individuals. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study was conducted, administering MSE containing 12 mg of glucomoringin or placebo to healthy adult males and females daily for four consecutive weeks. Quality of life (QOL) questionnaire on fatigue, physical discomfort, sleep, and motivation was evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS) at the start of the study and the end of each subsequent week until week 4. The impact on QOL was assessed through subjective evaluations and oxidative stress markers. Results: As a result, the efficacy of MSE intake in reducing stiff shoulder/neck pain, joint pain, and muscle pain was confirmed. Based on the oxidative stress markers, significant effects were observed among the participants with relatively high oxidative stress. A greater improvement in physical discomfort, reduced fatigue, and enhanced sleep quality were also noticed among female participants with MSE consumption. Conclusion: MSE consumption has showed potential in lowering physical discomfort brought on by exhaustion, promoting overall QOL, and improving sleep quality. (UMIN000049070). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current intramuscular vaccines cannot effectively prevent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) transmission and infection in nasal epithelium. Although face masks represent an additional preventive measure against SARS‐CoV‐2, their low breathability hinders wearing compliance. Herein, the development of SuperNeut, a protein‐based breathable high‐efficiency face mask, is reported. The mask contains KP‐LCB1, a fusion protein that can capture SARS‐CoV‐2 spike proteins on one end and attach to keratin fibres on the other. The meltblown fabric is replaced by a thin electrospun keratin layer that allows uniform adhesion of KP‐LCB1, which serves as an effective barrier to filter incoming viruses, while substantially improving breathability. The studies demonstrate that the fusion protein is stable and can efficiently neutralise multiple SARS‐CoV‐2 wildtype (WT), Alpha (B.1.1.7), Delta (B.1.617.2), and Omicron (B.1.1.529). The breathability of SuperNeut mask compared to commercial surgical masks is also quantified. Importantly, it is shown that SuperNeut Mask is able to effectively prevent SARS‐CoV‐2 Delta transmission in Syrian hamster model. Overall, the highly breathable SuperNeut mask can efficiently prevent SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission. This design serves as a proof‐of‐concept that face mask designs can be improved with biological components. The neutralising proteins in this mask can be altered to combat future respiratory disease outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic created mass disruptions throughout the world that continue to reverberate today. Among those are increasing demands for how public health information is delivered and consumed. Interactive dashboards such as the iconic Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering dashboard have become a staple of the pandemic. Today, public health departments in all 50 states, many universities, school systems, and cities maintain active COVID-19 dashboards driving demand for those with skills and expertise to create new and innovative solutions to communicate critical public health information. This article describes a data visualization curriculum, learning objectives, and course activities using an active learning approach in a fully online, asynchronous undergraduate setting. The activities utilize publicly available data whereby students assemble the requisite data and develop an interactive dashboard in Tableau to analyze the intersection of food accessibility, the social determinants of health, and health outcomes in select South Carolina counties. The lesson resulted in an improved student understanding of the factors associated with dietary-related illness while enhancing data literacy and dashboard design skills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The versatile functions of fluorescent proteins (FPs) as fluorescence biomarkers depend on their intrinsic chromophores interacting with the protein environment. Besides X-ray crystallography, vibrational spectroscopy represents a highly valuable tool for characterizing the chromophore structure and revealing the roles of chromophore–environment interactions. In this work, we aim to benchmark the ground-state vibrational signatures of a series of FPs with emission colors spanning from green, yellow, orange, to red, as well as the solvated model chromophores for some of these FPs, using wavelength-tunable femtosecond stimulated Raman spectroscopy (FSRS) in conjunction with quantum calculations. We systematically analyzed and discussed four factors underlying the vibrational properties of FP chromophores: sidechain structure, conjugation structure, chromophore conformation, and the protein environment. A prominent bond-stretching mode characteristic of the quinoidal resonance structure is found to be conserved in most FPs and model chromophores investigated, which can be used as a vibrational marker to interpret chromophore–environment interactions and structural effects on the electronic properties of the chromophore. The fundamental insights gained for these light-sensing units (e.g., protein active sites) substantiate the unique and powerful capability of wavelength-tunable FSRS in delineating FP chromophore properties with high sensitivity and resolution in solution and protein matrices. The comprehensive characterization for various FPs across a colorful palette could also serve as a solid foundation for future spectroscopic studies and the rational engineering of FPs with diverse and improved functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compact, mineralized cortical bone tissues are often concealed on magnetic resonance (MR) images. Recent development of MR instruments and pulse techniques has yielded significant advances in acquiring anatomical and physiological information from cortical bone despite its poor 1H signals. This work demonstrates the first MR research on cortical bones under an ultrahigh magnetic field of 14 T. The 1H signals of different mammalian species exhibit multi‐exponential decays of three characteristic T2 or T2* values: 0.1–0.5 ms, 1–4 ms, and 4–8 ms. Systematic sample comparisons attribute these T2/T2* value ranges to collagen‐bound water, pore water, and lipids, respectively. Ultrashort echo time (UTE) imaging under 14 T yielded spatial resolutions of 20–80 microns, which resolves the 3D anatomy of the Haversian canals. The T2* relaxation characteristics further allow spatial classifications of collagen, pore water and lipids in human specimens. The study achieves a record of the spatial resolution for MR imaging in bone and shows that ultrahigh‐field MR has the unique ability to differentiate the soft and organic compartments in bone tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infrared spectroscopy is a widely used technique to characterize protein structures and protein mediated processes. While the amide I band provides information on proteins' secondary structure, amino acid side chains are used as infrared probes for the investigation of protein reactions and local properties. In this paper, we use a hybrid quantum mechanical/classical molecular dynamical approach based on the perturbed matrix method to compute the infrared band due to the C=O stretching mode of amide-containing side chains. We calculate, at first, the infrared band of zwitterionic glutamine in water and obtain results in very good agreement with the experimental data. Then, we compute the signal arising from glutamine side chains in a microcrystal of the yeast prion Sup35-derived peptide, GNNQQNY, with a fibrillar structure. The infrared bands obtained by selective isotopic labeling of the two glutamine residues, Q4 and Q5, of each peptide were experimentally used to investigate the local hydration in the fibrillar microcrystal. The experimental spectra of the two glutamine residues, which experience different hydration environments, feature different spectral signals that are well reproduced by the corresponding calculated spectra. In addition, the analysis of the simulated spectra clarifies the molecular origin of the experimentally observed spectroscopic differences that arise from the different local electric field experienced by the two glutamine residues, which is, in turn, determined by a different hydrogen bonding pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vat photopolymerization (VPP) based three-dimensional (3D) printing, including stereolithography (SLA) and digital light projection (DLP), is known for producing intricate, high-precision prototypes with superior mechanical properties. However, the challenge lies in the non-recyclability of covalently crosslinked thermosets used in these printing processes, limiting the sustainable utilization of printed prototypes. This review paper examines the recently explored avenue of VPP 3D-printed dynamic covalent network (DCN) polymers, which enable reversible crosslinks and allow for the reprocessing of printed prototypes, promoting sustainability. These reversible crosslinks facilitate the rearrangement of crosslinked polymers, providing printed polymers with chemical/physical recyclability, self-healing capabilities, and degradability. While various mechanisms for DCN polymer systems are explored, this paper focuses solely on photocurable polymers to highlight their potential to revolutionize the sustainability of VPP 3D printing., (© 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

This study investigates the ability to locally ignite metallized propellants via microwave absorption. Metallized energetic composite films incorporating high mass loadings of aluminum and titanium nanoparticle fuels within a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer matrix were constructed by direct-write additive manufacturing (3D printing). Simulations of power absorption for both Ti and Al nanoparticles reveal that the passivating shell composition likely plays a significant role in the observed ignition phenomenon. Various architectures of interest were constructed for predictable microwave ignition and propellant propagation. It was found that, although aluminum nanoparticles and composites do not ignite via exposure to microwaves, titanium nanoparticles can be used as efficient reactive microwave susceptors enabling a localized ignition source. This approach enables various architectures of previously studied high energy Al/PVDF systems to be fabricated and outfitted with a microwave-sensitive titanium composite in strategic locations as a means of remote ignition for aluminum systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C16H26Cl2CoN2O14S2, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 5.3261(4) Å, b = 39.755(2) Å, c = 6.2518(4) Å, β = 96.880(6)∘, V = 1314.21(15) Å3, Z = 2, Rgt(F) = 0.0487, wRref(F2) = 0.1040, T = 153(2) K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinases (ROCKs) are members of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase/protein kinase G/protein kinase C family that participates in a variety of important physiological functions, including smooth muscle contraction, cell proliferation, cell adhesion, migration, and inflammatory responses. In this study, we focused on ROCK1 and ROCK2, which are targets of the Food and Drug Administration-approved inhibitor 2-(3-(4-((1 H -Indazol-5-yl)amino)quinazolin-2-yl)phenoxy)- N -isopropylacetamide (belumosudil). We constructed four representative belumosudil/ROCK complex structures by molecular docking. The interactions between belumosudil and ROCK were then investigated via molecular dynamics simulations and binding free energy calculations. It was found that belumosudil showed a stronger binding affinity toward ROCK2 than toward ROCK1. Binding free energy calculations and free energy decompositions suggested that the modification of various regions of the belumosudil structure may enhance its binding affinity with ROCK, in addition to improving the selectivity between ROCK1 and ROCK2. This work therefore provides useful information to aid future drug design. Belumosudil showed a stronger binding affinity toward ROCK2 than ROCK1. Conformations of the quinazoline ring contribute to the observed selectivity. Modification of various regions of the belumosudil may enhance its binding affinity and improve the selectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present time‐resolved Gd−Gd electron paramagnetic resonance (TiGGER) at 240 GHz for tracking inter‐residue distances during a protein's mechanical cycle in the solution state. TiGGER makes use of Gd‐sTPATCN spin labels, whose favorable qualities include a spin‐7/2 EPR‐active center, short linker, narrow intrinsic linewidth, and virtually no anisotropy at high fields (8.6 T) when compared to nitroxide spin labels. Using TiGGER, we determined that upon light activation, the C‐terminus and N‐terminus of AsLOV2 separate in less than 1 s and relax back to equilibrium with a time constant of approximately 60 s. TiGGER revealed that the light‐activated long‐range mechanical motion is slowed in the Q513A variant of AsLOV2 and is correlated to the similarly slowed relaxation of the optically excited chromophore as described in recent literature. TiGGER has the potential to valuably complement existing methods for the study of triggered functional dynamics in proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Facing the more contagious COVID-19 variant, Omicron, nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) were still in place and booster doses were proposed to mitigate the epidemic. However, the uncertainty and stochasticity in individuals' behaviours toward the NPIs and booster dose increase, and how this randomness affects the transmission remains poorly understood. We present a model framework to incorporate demographic stochasticity and two kinds of environmental stochasticity (notably variations in adherence to NPIs and booster dose acceptance) to analyze the effects of different forms of stochasticity on transmission. The model is calibrated using the data from December 31, 2021, to March 8, 2022, on daily reported cases and hospitalizations, cumulative cases, deaths and vaccinations for booster doses in Toronto, Canada. An approximate Bayesian computational (ABC) method is used for calibration. We observe that demographic stochasticity could dramatically worsen the outbreak with more incidence compared with the results of the corresponding deterministic model. We found that large variations in adherence to NPIs increase infections. The randomness in booster dose acceptance will not affect the number of reported cases significantly and it is acceptable in the mitigation of COVID-19. The stochasticity in adherence to NPIs needs more attention compared to booster dose hesitancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we introduce a model for the spread of COVID-19 which takes into account competing SARS-CoV-2 mutations as well as the possibility of reinfection due to fading of vaccine protection. Our primary focus is to describe the impact of the B.1.617.2 (Delta) and B.1.1.529 (Omicron) variants on the state of Hawai'i and to illustrate how the model performed during the pandemic, both in terms of accuracy, and as a resource for the government and media. Studying the effect of the pandemic on the Hawaiian archipelago is of notable interest because, as an isolated environment, its unique geography affords partially controlled travel to and from the state. We highlight the modeling efforts of the Hawai'i Pandemic Applied Modeling Work Group (HiPAM) which used the model presented here, and we detail the model fitting and forecasting for the periods from July 2021 to October 2021 (Delta surge) and from November 2021 to April 2022 (Omicron surge). Our results illustrate that the model was both accurate when the forecasts were built on assumptions that held true, and was inaccurate when the public response to the forecasts was to enforce safety measures that invalidated the assumptions in the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although judges may be well intended when taking an oath to be impartial when they reach the bench, psychological and legal literature suggests that their legal approaches, behaviour, and decision‐making processes are subconsciously impacted by biases stemming from and influenced by their attitudes, ideology, backgrounds, and previous experiences. Drawing from prior models of sources of bias in legal contexts and existing literature on judges, this paper discusses and models potential sources of pro‐prosecution bias in judges with prosecutorial backgrounds. These include (1) professional and self‐selection into the judiciary; (2) prosecutorial socialization and attitudes that can shape a prosecutorial mindset; and (3) the effects of common unconscious biases, confirmation bias and role induced bias, that may shape judicial behaviour through formed beliefs and approaches stemming from the prosecutorial mindset and selection into the judiciary. As the vast majority of judges are former prosecutors in the U.S. as well as in many other countries, this paper considers possible ways to deal with pro‐prosecution bias and the potential importance of diversifying judges' professional backgrounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurobiological evidence has grown increasingly relevant in U.S. criminal proceedings, particularly during sentencing. Neuroimaging, such as functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Positron Emission Tomography scans, may be introduced by defense counsel to demonstrate brain abnormalities to argue for more lenient sentencing. This practice is common for penalty mitigation in cases eligible for capital punishment. This article reviews the history of the use of neuroscience in criminal cases from the early 20th Century to present, noting pertinent legal and ethical considerations for the use of such evidence. The authors review important empirical research conducted in recent years regarding the use of neurobiological evidence in legal proceedings (such as mock-juror studies) and guidance from the federal sentencing guidelines and the American Bar Association. The discussion also notes relevant case law in which neuroimaging, behavioral genetics, or other neurobiological data were introduced in criminal proceedings, particularly precedent-setting U.S. Supreme Court cases., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

We report on the cryogenic properties of a low-contraction silicon–aluminum composite, namely Japan Fine Ceramics SA001, to use as a packaging structure for cryogenic silicon devices. SA001 is silicon–aluminum composite material (75% silicon by volume) and has a low thermal expansion coefficient (∼ 1/3 that of aluminum). The superconducting transition temperature of SA001 is measured to be 1.18 K, which is in agreement with that of pure aluminum and is thus available as a superconducting magnetic shield material. The residual resistivity of SA001 is 0.065 µΩm, which is considerably lower than equivalent silicon–aluminum composite material. The measured thermal contraction of SA001 immersed in liquid nitrogen is L 293 K - L 77 K L 293 K = 0.12 % , which is consistent with the expected rate obtained from the volume-weighted mean of the contractions of silicon and aluminum. The machinability of SA001 is also confirmed with a demonstrated fabrication of a conical feedhorn array, with a wall thickness of 100 µm. These properties are suitable for packaging applications for large-format superconducting detector devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Simons Observatory (SO) will detect and map the temperature and polarization of the millimeter-wavelength sky from Cerro Toco, Chile, across a range of angular scales, providing rich data sets for cosmological and astrophysical analysis. The SO focal planes will be tiled with compact hexagonal packages, called universal focal-plane modules (UFMs), in which the transition-edge sensor (TES) detectors are coupled to 100 mK microwave-multiplexing electronics. Three different types of dichroic TES detector arrays with bands centered at 30/40, 90/150, and 220/280 GHz will be implemented across the 49 planned UFMs. The 90/150 GHz and 220/280 GHz arrays each contain 1764 TESes, which are read out with two 910x multiplexer circuits. The modules contain a series of routed silicon chips, which are packaged together in a controlled electromagnetic environment and operated at 100 mK. Following an overview of the module design, we report on early results from the first 220/280 GHz UFM, including detector yield, as well as readout and detector noise levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The immobilization of fluorinated tetraphenylporphyrins in the matrix of the sulfocathionite perfluorinated copolymer MF-4SK and the photosensitized oxidation of the cholesterol in the presence of the obtained composite are carried out in the supercritical (SC) carbon dioxide medium. It is shown that the reaction proceeds with the formation of 6-formyl-B-norchlorestane-3β,5β-diol (a potential antitumor agent), in contrast to the homogeneous photooxidation of cholesterol, where the main product is 7α-hydroperoxide-3β-hydroxy-chlorest-5-ene. A reaction mechanism is proposed, which assumes the process takes place inside the "ion channels" of MF-4SK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grounded in a framework of high-impact educational practices, this article offers a model for incorporating Community Based Participatory Action Research (CBPR) into the social work graduate curriculum. The authors review the history of CBPR in social work and social work education and identify challenges and gaps when CBPR has been used in university settings. Two case studies are then examined: a MSW course that conducted a study on youth experiencing homelessness and a doctoral course centered on a study of HIV in the Ethiopian immigrant community. Implications for social work education at both the MSW and PhD levels are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The kinetics of processes related to the dissociation of ferrocene in bisphenol А dicyanate oligomer under UV light is studied. Using the kinetic data rate constants are calculated and assumption regarding the mechanism of photochemical reactions occurring in the system is made. The photodissociation of ferrocene under medium-wave UV irradiation becomes possible due to the presence of cyanate ester iminocarbamate derivatives in the oligomer mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human influenza viruses cause acute respiratory symptoms that can lead to death. Due to the emergence of antiviral drug-resistant strains, there is an urgent requirement for novel antiviral agents and innovative therapeutic strategies. Using the peptidomimetic ketobenzothiazole protease inhibitor RQAR-Kbt (IN-1, aka N-0100) as a starting point, we report how substituting P2 and P4 positions with natural and unnatural amino acids can modulate the inhibition potency toward matriptase, a prototypical type II transmembrane serine protease (TTSP) that acts as a priming protease for influenza viruses. We also introduced modifications of the peptidomimetics N-terminal groups, leading to significant improvements (from μM to nM, 60 times more potent than IN-1) in their ability to inhibit the replication of influenza H1N1 virus in the Calu-3 cell line derived from human lungs. The selectivity towards other proteases has been evaluated and explained using molecular modeling with a crystal structure recently obtained by our group. By targeting host cell TTSPs as a therapeutic approach, it may be possible to overcome the high mutational rate of influenza viruses and consequently prevent potential drug resistance., (© 2023 The Authors. ChemMedChem published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Flavin mononucleotide (FMN) is a dye belonging to the flavin family. These dyes produce photosensitized degradation of organic compounds via reaction with the excited states of the dye or with reactive oxygen species photogenerated from the triplet of the dye. This article presents a new polymeric dye (FMN-CS) composed of the photosensitizer FMN covalently bonded to chitosan polysaccharide (CS). FMN-CS obtained has a molecular weight of 230 × 10 3  g mol -1 and a deacetylation degree of 74.8%. The polymeric dye is an environmentally friendly polymer with spectroscopic and physicochemical properties similar to those of FMN and CS, respectively. Moreover, under sunlight, it is capable of generating 1 O 2 with a quantum yield of 0.31. FMN-CS, like CS, is insoluble in basic media. This allows easy recovery of the polymeric dye once the photosensitized process has been carried out and makes FMN-CS a suitable photosensitizer for the degradation of pollutants in contaminated waters. To evaluate whether FMN-CS may be used for pollutant degradation, the photosensitized degradation of two trihydroxybenzenes by FMN-CS was studied., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to European Photochemistry Association, European Society for Photobiology.)

Competing Interests: The author certifies that there are no funding or commercial associations (consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc.) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article related to the author or any immediate family members. All ICMJE Conflict of Interest Forms for authors and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research ® editors and board members are on file with the publication and can be viewed on request.

Research on dance lower extremity joint motion has been limited. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the lower limb biomechanics differences between the side chasse step (SCS) and the bounce step (BS) of the second landing phase in Jive. Thirteen female recreational Latin dancers (Age: 22 ± 2.5 years; Height: 1.65 ± 0.05 m; Weight: 50 ± 4.5 kg; Dance experience: 4 ± 2 years) were involved in the experiment. The same music was used throughout the data collection period. We intended to determine whether these two steps generate different kinematic and kinetic data. The ankle, hip, and knee joint angle, moment, velocity, and ground reaction force were calculated for each step. Results demonstrated that the lower limb biomechanics of the two different steps showed significant differences. As a result, strengthening the lower limb muscles (gastrocnemius, Tibialis muscle, and quadriceps) is significantly important to balance the joint strength and prevent foot injury. According to the training time reasonably increasing the heel height should be recognized as important. The current study could provide new insights into reducing lower extremity injuries and improving dance performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]