Comparison of the inhomogeneous SEPIR model and data from the COVID-19 outbreak in South Carolina

During the COVID-19 pandemic authorities have been striving to obtain reliable predictions for the spreading dynamics of disease. We recently developed an in-homogeneous multi-"sub-populations" (multi-compartments: susceptible, exposed, pre-symptomatic, infectious, recovered) model, that accounts for the spatial in-homogeneous spreading of the infection and shown, for a variety of examples, how the epidemic curves are highly sensitive to location of epicenters, non-uniform population density, and local restrictions. In the present work we tested our model against real-life data from South Carolina during the period May 22 to July 22 (2020), that was available in the form of infection heat-maps and conventional epidemic curves. During this period, minimal restrictions have been employed, which allowed us to assume that the local reproduction number is constant in time. We accounted for the non-uniform population density in South Carolina using data from NASA, and predicted the evolution of infection heat-maps during the studied period. Comparing the predicted heat-maps with those observed, we find high qualitative resemblance. Moreover, the Pearson's correlation coefficient is relatively high and does not get lower than 0.8, thus validating our model against real-world data. We conclude that our model accounts for the major effects controlling spatial in-homogeneous spreading of the disease. Inclusion of additional sub-populations (compartments), in the spirit of several recently developed models for COVID-19, can be easily performed within our mathematical framework.

Persecution of Minorities in Algeria: What Fuels the Maltreatment?

Algeria, the largest country in Africa, has nearly a uniform population. Arab Sunni Muslims comprise fully 99% of the 42 million strong-populace. Why, then, does its government grapple with fears of separatist movements from its own Sunni population? Further, why does it use suppression and persecution to hold down its meager minority populations that includes ethnic, cultural, religious, and linguistic denizens whose combined numbers total just 1% and who pose no serious threat to the powerful and often highly corrupt government and military force? The answer may lie in the rise of fundamentalist Islam, a movement that strives to make theocracy and Sharia law replace the current democratic government system. This balance of pleasing and thus containing the fundamentalist movement, which has consumed much of the Middle East and North Africa, has made its mark felt in Algeria and could threaten to destabilize one of the continent’s most powerful nations.

Effect of row spacing and herbicide programs for control of glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) in dicamba/glyphosate-resistant soybean

Glyphosate-resistant (GR) Palmer amaranth is one of the most difficult to control weeds in soybean production fields in Nebraska and the United States. An integrated approach is required for effective management of GR Palmer amaranth. Cultural practices such as narrow row spacing might augment herbicide efficacy for management of GR Palmer amaranth. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effect of row spacing and herbicide programs for management of GR Palmer amaranth in dicamba/glyphosate-resistant (DGR) soybean. Field experiments were conducted in a grower’s field with a uniform population of GR Palmer amaranth near Carleton, Nebraska in 2018 and 2019. Year-by-herbicide program-by-row spacing interactions were significant for all variables; therefore, data were analyzed by year. Herbicides applied preemergence (PRE) controlled GR Palmer amaranth ≥ 95% in both years 14 d after PRE (DAPRE). Across soybean row-spacing, most PRE fb early-POST (EPOST) herbicide programs provided 84% to 97% control of Palmer amaranth compared with most EPOST fb late-post (LPOST) programs, excluding dicamba in single and sequential applications (82% to 95% control). Mixing microencapsulated acetochlor with a POST herbicide in PRE fb EPOST herbicide programs controlled Palmer amaranth ≥ 93% 14 DAEPOST and ≥ 96% 21 DALPOST with no effect on Palmer amaranth density. Interaction of herbicide program-by-row spacing on Palmer amaranth control was not significant; however, biomass reduction was significant at soybean harvest in 2019. The herbicide programs evaluated in this study caused no soybean injury. Due to drought conditions during a majority of the 2018 growing season, soybean yield in 2018 was reduced compared to 2019.

Non-genetic Heterogeneity of Macrophages in Diseases—A Medical Perspective

Macrophages are sessile immune cells with a high functional plasticity. Initially considered as a uniform population of phagocytic scavengers, it is now widely accepted that these cells also assume developmental and metabolic functions specific of their tissue of residence. Hence, the paradigm is shifting while our comprehension of macrophage heterogeneity improves. Accordingly, exploiting this intrinsic versatility appears more and more promising for the establishment of innovative therapeutic strategies. Nevertheless, identifying relevant therapeutic targets remains a considerable challenge. Herein, we discuss various features of macrophage heterogeneity in five main categories of human diseases: infectious, inflammatory, metabolic, age-related, and neoplastic disorders. We summarize the current understanding of how macrophage heterogeneity may impact the pathogenesis of these diseases and propose a comprehensive overview with the aim to help in establishing future macrophage-targeted therapies.

Comparison of two forced-air warming devices during foot and ankle surgery: a randomised controlled trial

Inadvertent perioperative hypothermia is a frequent problem associated with surgical patients which can have significant consequences during surgery and in the immediate postoperative period. We compared 35 randomised patients using over vs. under body forced air heating. There were no statistically significant differences between some demographic and surgical parameters such as: age, weight, height, body mass index, length of anaesthesia and operation. Statistically significant differences were found between the patient’s admission to the operating room and 30 minutes and the end of the procedure on the under body patients group. This study analyses a uniform population of patients (Foot and Ankle Surgery) previously not studied and supports the use of under body blankets.

Geriatric Dysphonia: Characteristics of Diagnoses in Age-Based Cohorts in a Tertiary Voice Clinic

Objective: An aging population has increased focus on geriatric otolaryngology. Those ≥65 years old are not a uniform population, however, and recent gerontology literature recognizes important physiologic differences between the young-old (ages 65-74 years), middle-old (75-84), and old-old (≥85). This study evaluates differences within these groups among dysphonia patients ≥65 years relative to diagnosis and voice-related quality of life (V-RQOL). Methods: Chart review of all new patients ≥65 years presenting to the Johns Hopkins Voice Center between April 2015 and March 2017 identified chief complaint, diagnosis, and self-reported voice handicap. Etiology of dysphonia diagnoses were classified. Diagnostic categories and V-RQOL were evaluated as functions of patient age and gender. Results: Of 839 new patients ≥65 years, 463 (55.2%) reported chief complaint of dysphonia, with the most common etiologies being vocal fold immobility (28.3%) and atrophy (21.6%). Younger cohorts were more likely to present with benign vocal fold lesion and vocal fold immobility, while older cohorts were more likely to present with atrophy ( P = .016). The odds of having a diagnosis of vocal fold atrophy increased 7% with each year of life (odds ratio = 1.07; 95% CI, 1.03-1.11). V-RQOL scores were similar across gender and age categorization. Conclusion: Dysphonia patients ≥65 years are not a uniform group, and important differences exist in terms of diagnosis as a function of age. Knowledge of these differences may inform further investigations in the growing field of geriatric otolaryngology.