Transmission Behavior Research Articles

Minimizing pathogen transmission through indoor environment optimization using central composite design of experiment

The human respiratory emission mechanism generates virus particles such as the COVID-19 virus that exists in both aerosols and water droplets form. Trajectories of airborne pathogens transmitted from coughing are influenced by the air flow pattern surrounding the transmission source, making it challenging to predict. ANSYS Fluent 2022 R1 is employed in this study to visualize the airborne pathogen transmission in indoor space of different environmental conditions with steady-state and periodic wind velocity. The effect of five different indoor parameters on airborne transmission is studied, which include wind velocity, air temperature, relative humidity of the air, particle residence time after emission, and the physical distancing of 3 feet, 6 feet, and 10 feet between two humans. The characteristics between airborne transmission and varying indoor conditions have motivated this study to correlate their dynamic relationship. Due to the limitation in controlling indoor conditions, obtaining optimum indoor conditions with minimal airborne transmission remains challenging. Simulation-based design of experiment of central composite design type yields optimum indoor condition with a wind velocity of 4.337 m/s, air temperature of 24.26 °C, and relative humidity of 40.14% showed 58.14% reduction in deposited particle mass relative to the base condition at a similar physical distancing of 3 feet. Surrounding air with higher relative humidity leads to a larger mean diameter of particles due to the hygroscopic growth effect. In comparison, the evaporation effect dominates in lower air humidity, leading to particle shrinkage. Particle deposition from human to human is lower with longer distances between humans, with comparable behaviour of particle transmission at each successive time step, suggesting prolonged exposure risk of the healthy individual as time progresses. This research focuses on adopting engineering simulation to find optimum indoor conditions with minimal human-to-human airborne transmission to strengthen safety and health judgement during a pandemic.

Price transmission behaviour of major seed spices in Rajasthan

The present study was based on secondary price information. The study period from January, 2011 to December 2021 was chosen to analyse the price behaviour of major seed spice markets in Rajasthan. The data was analysed using the Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) test and Vector Error Correction Model to accomplish the objectives of the study. ADF test results showed that price data for coriander, cumin, fenugreek, and fennel were non-stationary at the level and stationary at the first difference level. Values of trace and maximum Eigen of Johansen multiple co-integration tests revealed three co-integration equations in cumin and coriander crops, but only one co-integration equation in fennel prices. Prices of coriander, cumin, and fennel in selected KUMS (Krishi Upaj Mandi Samiti) were primarily influenced by the one-month and two-month lag prices of respective market in the long run. The prices of coriander, cumin and fennel demonstrated one-way co-integration in KUMS, Merta City→KUMS, Jodhpur and Ramganj Mandi→Baran while combination of Baran↔Kota, Ramganj Mandi↔Kota and Merta City↔Niwai showed bi-directional co-integration. Fenugreek prices in selected KUMS did not move in tandem over a long period of time. We find that the prices of coriander, cumin and fennel in Rajasthan's selected markets moved in lockstep over time and were influenced by one month or two months lag price of other respective markets.

Overcoming vaccine hesitancy by multiplex social network targeting: an analysis of targeting algorithms and implications

Incorporating social factors into disease prevention and control efforts is an important undertaking of behavioral epidemiology. The interplay between disease transmission and human health behaviors, such as vaccine uptake, results in complex dynamics of biological and social contagions. Maximizing intervention adoptions via network-based targeting algorithms by harnessing the power of social contagion for behavior and attitude changes largely remains a challenge. Here we address this issue by considering a multiplex network setting. Individuals are situated on two layers of networks: the disease transmission network layer and the peer influence network layer. The disease spreads through direct close contacts while vaccine views and uptake behaviors spread interpersonally within a potentially virtual network. The results of our comprehensive simulations show that network-based targeting with pro-vaccine supporters as initial seeds significantly influences vaccine adoption rates and reduces the extent of an epidemic outbreak. Network targeting interventions are much more effective by selecting individuals with a central position in the opinion network as compared to those grouped in a community or connected professionally. Our findings provide insight into network-based interventions to increase vaccine confidence and demand during an ongoing epidemic.

Asymptotical profiles of an age-structured foot-and-mouth disease with nonlocal diffusion on a spatially heterogeneous environment

Spatial heterogeneity deeply affects the habits of animals and transmission behaviors of foot-and-mouth disease. To consider the effects of heterogeneous habits on the evolution of the disease prevalence, an age-structured foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) model with nonlocal diffusion is proposed to describe the long distance movements of cattle. The next generation operator G is derived through establishing an extensively renewal equation and then the basic reproduction number R0 is the spectral radius of G. Moreover, the value of R0 serves as a threshold which distinguishes between the disappearance and an outbreak of FMD. The outbreak of FMD is the presentation of the endemic steady state by using the Krasnoselskii fixed point theorem. Finally, numerical simulations shed light on how the magnitudes of nonlocal diffusions affect the evolution of FMD spread.

Substrate-Integrated Hybrid Metallo-Dielectric Waveguide Architecture for Millimeter-Wave and Terahertz Applications

In millimeter-wave (mmW) and terahertz (THz) applications, the transmission behavior along circuit structures and components, such as radiation and leakage losses, is critical for their overall performances. It is imperative to develop low-loss interconnect and transmission techniques that should be used for the construction of building circuit blocks and elements. In this work, a hybrid metallo-dielectric (MD) waveguide architecture is proposed and studied for the first time. The scheme is made of mixed substrate-integrated dielectric waveguide (SIDW) and substrate-integrated nonradiative dielectric (SINRD) waveguide, which are deployed for the design of specific building parts in consideration of respective transmission properties of the two waveguides. A back-to-back WR3-band prototype based on this hybrid scheme is investigated theoretically and validated experimentally. The hybrid MD waveguide architecture with SINRD is found to outperform the hybrid MD waveguide architecture with substrate-integrated waveguide (SIW) in terms of transmission performance and manufacturing complexity because of the advantageous features of metallized-via-free structure. The presented hybrid MD waveguide architecture shows its potential for developing low-loss highly integrated mmW and THz circuits and systems.

Roaming behavior of the owned domestic cats (Felis catus) with possible roles in the transmission of Opisthorchis viverrini in the endemic area in Khon Kaen, Thailand

In the endemic area of the liver fluke (Opisthorchis viverrini) infection, effective control of opisthorchiasis using One Health approaches requires transmission interruption in all hosts in the parasite life cycle. Owned domestic cats (Felis catus) are considered an important species among mammalian reservoirs. Similar to humans, household cats become infected by eating raw, contaminated fish and spread the O. viverrini eggs to the environment by defecation. In rural areas, cat owners usually feed their cats with human food or food waste, especially fish dishes. There is a high risk for cats to become infected and deposit eggs in the peri-household environment. The lack of research on domestic cats led us to study their roaming behavior, roaming range, habitat preference and risk of disease transmission. GPS loggers were harnessed to 28 domestic cats in 7 villages around Lawa Lake, the endemic area of human opisthorchiasis. All cats were examined for the O. viverrini infection status using modified formalin-ether concentration technique (MFECT) before application of the GPS device used to observe and record their roaming distance and range area. Then, composition analysis for habitat selection was performed using the location data. Additionally, cat owners were interviewed using participatory epidemiologic methods for their perceptions and knowledge about the reservoir hosts of this trematode. Our study suggested that the prevalence of O. viverrini in cats in this area has not declined appreciably in comparison with our previous study four years ago, although the treatment and control has been applied intensively in humans. The longest distance that individual cats roamed ranged from 51 to 363 meters (mean±SD = 154.48±90.71). The cats traveled tracks around their home. There was no significant difference in the average distance that cats ranged between O. viverrini infected group (154.13±72.80 meters) and the non-infected group (154.67±101.39 meters) was found. Compositional analysis suggested that the domestic cats preferred urban habitats where food and safety were probably more available. It appears that the main transmission route for infection of cats was contaminated fish fed to cats or fish that remained in their houses. Therefore, owners should refrain from feeding their cats potentially contaminated foods, food scraps and raw fish remains and prevent their cats from accessing them. Moreover, the participatory epidemiology results suggest that awareness of villagers is not enough for the effective and sustainable control of the disease.

Studying the Transmission Behavior of Two-Phase Flow Oil-Water Mixing Using a Laboratory Multiple Porous Media Model

The formation and flow of emulsions in porous media are common to all technologies used to extract or process oil. In most cases, oil and water emulsions are formed in a porous medium due to oil spills near watery areas or soils containing water. This emulsion leads to a reaction between oil and water, which finds its way to the porous medium. The detailed flow mechanisms of emulsions through porous media are not well understood. In this study, the soil’s oil percentage variation was studied when sand was introduced or an emulsion, i.e., mixed with water, and two porous media, different in composition and physical properties, were used to find out their effect on oil transmission. The percentage of oil and water was calculated at several points at different distances and times. It was noted that the results differed in both mediums due to the difference in permeability, porosity, arrangement of soil particles, compaction process, and other physical properties. Liquids’ viscosity, density, and chemical composition clearly and significantly affect the results. The time for the oil to reach the last point in the pipe differed for both soils. If the time period in the experiment of pumping oil only in sandy soil took 6 hours and the washing process took 3 hours. In organic soil, the time period for the pollutant pumping stage took about 7 hours and the washing stage about 4 hours because the oil is transmitted in sandy soil is faster, but in the experiment of pumping oil and water together, the time period in the process of pumping oil and water together in sandy soil took 4 hours and the washing process 3 hours In organic soil, the period of pumping oil and water together took 5 hours, and the washing period 3 hours, because the percentage of oil was less than in the experiment of pumping oil only. In the soil, that is, if the period of pumping the pollutant increased for more than 15 hours, the oil may reach a distance of more than 4 meters in the soil. As for the washing process, when the oil is mixed with water, it gives better results when washing it than if the oil enters alone into the soil because the proportions of oil when it enters the soil together with the water, it is little and does not rise much, so it is easy to wash.

Cost effectiveness and optimal control analysis for bimodal pneumonia dynamics with the effect of children's breastfeeding

The global impact of exclusive versus inclusive nursing on particular baby mortalities and morbidities from conception to 6 months is examined in this study. Exclusive breastfeeding practices are more crucial and effective in preventing illness outbreaks when there is no access to appropriate medications or vaccinations. Additionally, this study takes optimal control theory into account, applying it to a system of differential equations that uses Pontryagin's Maximum Principle to describe a bimodal pneumonia transmission behavior in a vulnerable compartment. The proposed pneumonia transmission model was then updated to include two control variables. These include preventing illness exposure in susceptible children through various preventative measures and treating infected children through antibiotics, hospital care, and other treatments. If the threshold number (ℜ0) is less than one, then treatment and prevention rates are increased, and the disease will be wiped out of the population. However, when (ℜ0) is greater than one, then the disease persists in the population, which indicates that prevention and treatment rates are low. To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of all potential control techniques and their combinations, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) was determined. The simulation results of the identified model show that the interventions of prevention and treatment scenarios were the most successful in eradicating the dynamics of the pneumonia disease's propagation during the epidemic, but they were ineffective from a cost-saving perspective. Therefore, limiting pneumonia transmission to prevention alone during an outbreak is the most economical course of action.

CaMKII mediates sexually dimorphic synaptic transmission at neuromuscular junctions in C. elegans.

Sexually dimorphic behaviors are ubiquitous throughout the animal kingdom. Although both sex-specific and sex-shared neurons have been functionally implicated in these diverse behaviors, less is known about the roles of sex-shared neurons. Here, we discovered sexually dimorphic cholinergic synaptic transmission in C. elegans occurring at neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), with males exhibiting increased release frequencies, which result in sexually dimorphic locomotion behaviors. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that males have significantly more synaptic vesicles (SVs) at their cholinergic synapses than hermaphrodites. Analysis of previously published transcriptome identified the male-enriched transcripts and focused our attention on UNC-43/CaMKII. We ultimately show that differential accumulation of UNC-43 at cholinergic neurons controls axonal SV abundance and synaptic transmission. Finally, we demonstrate that sex reversal of all neurons in hermaphrodites generates male-like cholinergic transmission and locomotion behaviors. Thus, beyond demonstrating UNC-43/CaMKII as an essential mediator of sex-specific synaptic transmission, our study provides molecular and cellular insights into how sex-shared neurons can generate sexually dimorphic locomotion behaviors.

Variation in HIV Transmission Behaviors Among People Who Use Drugs in Rural US Communities

People who use drugs (PWUD) continue to be at risk of HIV infection, but the frequency and distribution of transmission-associated behaviors within various rural communities is poorly understood. To examine the association of characteristics of rural PWUD with HIV transmission behaviors. In this cross-sectional study, surveys of PWUD in rural communities in 10 states (Illinois, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin) were collected January 2018 through March 2020 and analyzed August through December 2022. A chain-referral sampling strategy identified convenience sample seeds who referred others who used drugs. Rural PWUD who reported any past 30-day injection drug use or noninjection opioid use "to get high" were included. Individual characteristics, including age, race, gender identity, sexual orientation, partnership status, drug of choice, and location, were collected. Past 30-day frequency of behaviors associated with HIV transmission, including drug injection, syringe sharing, opposite- and same-gender partners, transactional sex, and condomless sex, was assessed. Of 3048 rural PWUD (mean [SD] age, 36.1 [10.3] years; 225 American Indian [7.4%], 96 Black [3.2%], and 2576 White [84.5%] among 3045 with responses; and 1737 men [57.0%] among 3046 with responses), most participants were heterosexual (1771 individuals [86.8%] among 2040 with responses) and single (1974 individuals [68.6%] among 2879 with responses). Opioids and stimulants were reported as drug of choice by 1636 individuals (53.9%) and 1258 individuals (41.5%), respectively, among 3033 individuals with responses. Most participants reported recent injection (2587 of 3046 individuals [84.9%] with responses) and condomless sex (1406 of 1757 individuals [80.0%] with responses), among whom 904 of 1391 individuals (65.0%) with responses indicated that it occurred with people who inject drugs. Syringe sharing (1016 of 2433 individuals [41.8%] with responses) and transactional sex (230 of 1799 individuals [12.8%] with responses) were reported less frequently. All characteristics and behaviors, except the number of men partners reported by women, varied significantly across locations (eg, mean [SD] age ranged from 34.5 [10.0] years in Wisconsin to 39.7 [11.0] years in Illinois; P < .001). In multivariable modeling, younger age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] for ages 15-33 vs ≥34 years, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.08-1.72) and being single (aOR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.08-1.74) were associated with recent injection; younger age (aOR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.20-1.85) and bisexual orientation (aOR vs heterosexual orientation, 2.27; 95% CI, 1.60-3.23) with syringe sharing; gender identity as a woman (aOR vs gender identity as a man, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.01-2.12), bisexual orientation (aOR vs heterosexual orientation, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.67-4.03), and being single (aOR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.15-2.55) with transactional sex; and bisexual orientation (aOR vs heterosexual orientation, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.04-2.46) and stimulants as the drug of choice (aOR vs opioids, 1.45; 95 CI, 1.09-1.93) with condomless sex with someone who injects drugs. This study found that behaviors associated with HIV transmission were common and varied across communities. These findings suggest that interventions to reduce HIV risk among rural PWUD may need to be tailored to locally relevant factors.

Energy consumption reduction in OFDMA wireless sensor networks in existence of interference hazards

Energy consumption reduces Wireless Sensor Network’s (WSN’s) lifetime. Hence, this paper addresses energy saving problematic in cooperative Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing Access (OFDMA) systems for WSNs (COFDMA-WSN). Analytical handlings are implemented. The performance improvement of COFDMA-WSNs is executed by considering two different COFDMA-WSNs schemes. These schemes represent classical COFDMA-WSNs and Relay Supported (R-S) COFDMA-WSNs. Additionally, there are different pondered configurations due to these schemes. These configurations denote classical OFDMA network with classical WSN, R-S OFDMA network with classical WSN, classical OFDMA network with R-S WSN, and R-S OFDMA network with R-S WSN. Moreover, each configuration is applied with four different fractional frequency reuse (FrFR) techniques. These techniques represent strict (St) FrFR technique with Frequency Reuse Factor (FReF) = 3, St FrFR technique with FReF = 4, sectored (Sc) FrFR technique and soft frequency reuse (SoFR) technique. Consequently, there are sixteen different patterns of COFDMA-WSNs are considered. Moreover, closed-form terms (CFTs) for cluster-head’s (C-H’s) signal to interference ratio (SIR) and sensor node’s (SN’s) SIR are presented. Additionally, different metrics are evaluated to contrast the performance of altered patterns using the obtained CFTs. The outcomes demonstrate, that St FrRF4 system outperforms other systems in prime and ensuing links. The cause of this outcome can be credited, to the frequency reuse process decrement due to FReF increment. As a result, the interference sources decrease. Hence, the interfering signals drop. Consequently, St FrRF4 system achieves the highest values of SIR. Moreover, St FrRF3 technique has the second usage priority in the prime link. But, it losses this preference in the ensuing link and SoFR technique that applied in the fourth configuration takes this significance. The work outcomes attain much higher C-H's and SN’s SIR improvements. Accordingly, the packet transmission and protocol behaviour are enhanced. So, the energy consumption is reduced. Consequently, WSN’s lifetime is maximized.

Vibration energy transfer in variable stiffness laminated composite panel with a cutout

This study investigates the vibration power flow transmission behavior of laminated composite plates with a cutout and a variable angle tow (VAT) design. The steady-state response of the harmonically excited plate is determined. The power flow density vectors (PLDV) are used to show the vibration transmission paths. The effects of the VAT design parameters on the dominant power flow paths within the plate are explored. It shows that the forced vibration responses and vibration energy transfer within the structure can be tailored with fiber layer scheme. The findings benefit enhanced vibration suppression of composite plates with a cutout.

Theoretical modeling and analysis of Uplink performance for Three-dimension spatial RISs-aided Wireless communication systems

Reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS) has emerged as a crucial technology capable of improving the performance of future wireless communication (WC) systems. Although a significant body of studies has investigated into the performance analysis of RIS-aided WC systems, most of them fail to consider the impact of multiple RISs on WC systems. Particularly, the influence of RISs randomly distributed in 3-D (three dimension) space is still an open issue. Furthermore, how phase shift error and ARQ (automatic repeat request) scheme affect the transmission behavior of RIS-aided WC systems should also be taken into account. In light of the above limitations, we propose a novel theoretical model to analyze the uplink transmission performance of 3-D spatial RISs-aided WC systems. In the modeling process, we firstly provide an end-to-end (E2E) channel model using a single RIS, where the RIS enables optimal phase shift control. Next we construct a 3-D spatial uplink transmission model, where the multiple RISs are spatially distributed as a homogeneous 3-D PPP (Poisson point process). The impacts of multiple factors including the selection of RISs, buffer size of user, traffic rate and ARQ scheme are comprehensively considered. With this, we derive the closed-form expressions of uplink transmission metrics. Moreover, we further extend the proposed theoretical model under imperfect phase shift control. Finally, we evaluate the uplink transmission performance of 3-D spatial RIS-aided WC systems, and validate the proposed theoretical model.

The effect of fluorine doping on the improvement of optical properties of lithium oxide

The field of optical properties encompasses a wide range of phenomena that offer insights into the interaction between light and matter. Understanding and manipulating these properties are essential for various technological applications, including optics, photonics, telecommunications, and advanced material design. In this research, the impact of fluorine doping on the optical properties of lithium oxide was explored using Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. DFT is a widely employed computational method in materials science, solid-state physics, and quantum chemistry for studying the electronic structure and properties of materials. It provides an efficient approach to calculate optical properties, facilitating predictions without extensive experimental measurements. The study involves analyzing the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric function, as well as absorption, transmission, and reflection behaviors of the novel fluorine-doped lithium oxide configuration. The optical properties of both pristine and doped Li2O were examined, leading to a comprehensive understanding of the material's characteristics. The resulting spectra exhibited distinctive peaks and valleys, providing valuable insights into the material's energy levels and electronic structure. Doping lithium oxide with fluorine enhanced the absorption power from 140 to 190 in the UV range, making it a promising candidate for applications in optics, photonics, and UV light protection.

Characterizing the biomechanical transmission effects of elastic compression stockings on lower limb tissues by using 3D finite element modelling

Studies have primarily simulated the interface pressure and skin surface stress produced by compression textiles or garments with a single pressure level. However, only a few studies have reported the biomechanical transmission behaviors of compression fabrics from the skin to deeper soft tissues of the human body, especially within the context of compression fabrics providing multiple pressure levels. Therefore, to address this limitation, this study developed novel 3D finite element (FE) models to characterize and visualize the interface pressure exerted at the skin surface by elastic compression stockings (ECSs), a type of typical compression textiles, with either low- or high-pressure levels, and to analyze the resulting stress and stress transmission effects within lower limb tissues. The results of the validated FE models indicated that the simulated interface pressure favorably agreed with the measured pressure data. A close relationship existed between the pressure magnitudes and the lower limb surface curvatures, with the highest interface pressure occurring at the anterior and posterior bony regions of the ankle with greater surface curvatures than those of the posterior calf. The internal tissue stress distributions largely varied, which may be one of the potential causes for the inconsistency observed between the claimed pressure doses and those practically delivered inside. Overall, this study serves to improve the understanding of the working mechanisms of the ECS-lower limb system, allowing for improved functional material design and evaluation of the pressure effectiveness of compression textiles and garments used in physiotherapy.

Interleukin-10 enhances activity of ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons resulting in increased dopamine release

Dopamine transmission from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) regulates important aspects of motivation and is influenced by the neuroimmune system. The neuroimmune system is a complex network of leukocytes, microglia and astrocytes that detect and remove foreign threats like bacteria or viruses and communicate with each other to regulate non-immune (e.g neuronal) cell activity through cytokine signaling. Inflammation is a key regulator of motivational states, though the effects of specific cytokines on VTA circuitry and motivation are largely unknown. Therefore, electrophysiology, neurochemical, immunohistochemical and behavioral studies were performed to determine the effects of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) on mesolimbic activity, dopamine transmission and conditioned behavior. IL-10 enhanced VTA dopamine firing and NAc dopamine levels via decreased VTA GABA currents in dopamine neurons. The IL-10 receptor was localized on VTA dopamine and non-dopamine cells. The IL-10 effects on dopamine neurons required post-synaptic phosphoinositide 3-kinase activity, and IL-10 appeared to have little-to-no efficacy on presynaptic GABA terminals. Intracranial IL-10 enhanced NAc dopamine levels in vivo and produced conditioned place aversion. Together, these studies identify the IL-10R on VTA dopamine neurons as a potential regulator of motivational states.

Ablation of KIF2C in Purkinje cells impairs metabotropic glutamate receptor trafficking and motor coordination in male mice.

Kinesin family member 2C (KIF2C)/mitotic centromere-associated kinesin (MCAK), is thought to be oncogenic as it is involved in tumour progression and metastasis. Moreover, it also plays a part in neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's disease and psychiatric disorders such as suicidal schizophrenia. Our previous study conducted on mice demonstrated that KIF2C is widely distributed in various regions of the brain, and is localized in synaptic spines. Additionally, it regulates microtubule dynamic properties through its own microtubule depolymerization activity, thereby affecting AMPA receptor transport and cognitive behaviour in mice. In this study, we show that KIF2C regulates the transport of mGlu1 receptors in Purkinje cells by binding to Rab8. KIF2C deficiency in Purkinje cells results in abnormal gait, reduced balance ability and motor incoordination in male mice. These data suggest that KIF2C is essential for maintaining normal transport and synaptic function of mGlu1 and motor coordination in mice. KEY POINTS: KIF2C is localized in synaptic spines of hippocampus neurons, and regulates excitatory transmission, synaptic plasticity and cognitive behaviour. KIF2C is extensively expressed in the cerebellum, and we investigated its functions in development and synaptic transmission of cerebellar Purkinje cells. KIF2C deficiency in Purkinje cells alters the expression of metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGlu1) and the AMPA receptor GluA2 subunit at Purkinje cell synapses, and changes excitatory synaptic transmission, but not inhibitory transmission. KIF2C regulates the transport of mGlu1 receptors in Purkinje cells by binding to Rab8. KIF2C deficiency in Purkinje cells affects motor coordination, but not social behaviour in male mice.

Protein valorisation from acid whey – Screening of various micro- and ultrafiltration membranes concerning the filtration performance

Cross-flow filtration allows a product-preserving and energy-saving unit operation for the production of whey protein concentrates (WPC) from acid whey. In micro- and ultrafiltration applications, size-exclusion is the governing separation mechanism. Flux and retention characteristics of 12 organic membranes of pore sizes between 5 and 450 nm were compared. Screening on a laboratory filtration plant revealed large differences regarding hydraulic resistance of the membrane and resistance of the deposit layer that forms on the membrane surface during filtration. As a result, notable variations in the permeate flux were observed between membranes. In contrast, the differences in protein retention were less pronounced. The protein transmission for all ultrafiltration membranes was below 5% whereas microfiltration membranes showed a deposit layer-dependent transmission behaviour. Compared with the conventional WPC35 production, the overall filtration efficiency with regard to the process duration for a comparable membrane area was 3-fold enhanced by a more appropriate membrane selection.

Social power and perceived risk of contagious disease: High power leads to lower risk estimation of catching COVID-19.

An accurate estimation of COVID-19 contagion risk is important in terms of understanding the dynamic of disease transmission and health behavior. Previous research has documented that many health-related variables influence the risk estimation of communicable diseases. We expanded the current understanding by investigating whether health-irrelevant factors-such as one's sense of power-can have a systematic and consequential impact on perceived risks of catching the coronavirus. Based on the social distance theory of power, we propose that people in a higher power position develop a greater sense of social distance than those in a lower power position, which may in turn predispose the former to think that they are less likely to catch contagious diseases from other people. In Study 1, we provided correlational evidence that the personal sense of power was associated with the underestimation of contagion probability in Chinese university students. In Study 2, we established the causal relationship between power and concerns for contagious diseases in nonstudent adults and revealed the mediating role of social distance in the observed effect. Overall, these results, for the first time, indicate that power can elevate perceived social distance, exerting downstreaming effects on health cognition during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Data-Driven Modeling and Analysis for COVID-19 Pandemic Hospital Beds Planning

The COVID-19 pandemic presents unprecedented challenges for the US healthcare system, and the critical care settings are heavily impacted by the pressures of caring for COVID-19 patients. However, hospital pandemic preparedness has been hampered by a lack of disease specific planning guidelines. In this paper, we proposed a holistic modeling and analysis approach, with a system dynamics model to predict COVID-19 cases and a discrete-event simulation to evaluate hospital bed utilization, to support the hospital planning decisions. Our model was trained using the public data from the JHU Coronavirus Resource Center and was validated using historical patient census data from the University of Florida Health Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL and public data from the Florida Department of Health (FDOH). Various experiments were conducted to investigate different control measures and the variants of the virus and their impact on the disease transmission, and subsequently, the hospital planning needs. Our proposed approach can be tailored to a given hospital setting of interest and is also generalizable to other hospitals to tackle the pandemic planning challenge. <italic xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">Note to Practitioners</i> —We proposed a holistic modeling and analysis approach to support hospital preparedness and resource planning during the COVID-19 pandemic. To capture the highly dynamic pandemic environment, we developed a numerical method to estimate <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$R_0$</tex-math> </inline-formula> , the effective basic reproductive rate, and used the most recent estimated data series of daily <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$R_0$</tex-math> </inline-formula> to project the change in <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$R_0$</tex-math> </inline-formula> in a short-term forecast window. The prediction of the daily confirmed cases in that forecast window were then obtained based on recursively solving the system dynamics model, and was validated to be very close to the real confirmed cases from the public record. This data-driven approach allows us to gain a systematic understanding of the common trends across different states and regions, and to evaluate the effect of the control measures like the stay-at-home order and the impact of the virus variants on the disease transmission behavior. Furthermore, the dynamic prediction allows us to evaluate the hospital resource needs during different stages of the pandemic. The insights obtained through this effort shed light on the impact of interventions (e.g., vaccines and control measures) on the hospital preparedness to support appropriate hospital resource allocation.