Hepatitis B virus vaccination is currently recommended in Australia for adults at an increased risk of acquiring infection or at high risk of complications from infection. This retrospective cohort study used data from an Australian sentinel surveillance system to assess the proportion of individuals who had a recorded test that indicated being susceptible to hepatitis B infection in six priority populations, as well as the proportion who were then subsequently vaccinated within six months of being identified as susceptible. Priority populations included in this analysis were people born overseas in a hepatitis B endemic country, people living with HIV, people with a recent hepatitis C infection, gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, people who have ever injected drugs, and sex workers. Results of the study found that in the overall cohort of 43,335 individuals, 14,140 (33%) were identified as susceptible to hepatitis B, and 5,255 (37%) were subsequently vaccinated. Between 26% and 33% of individuals from priority populations were identified as susceptible to hepatitis B infection, and the proportion of these subsequently vaccinated within six months was between 28% and 42% across the groups. These findings suggest further efforts are needed to increase the identification and subsequent vaccination of susceptible individuals among priority populations recommended for hepatitis B vaccination, including among people who are already engaged in hepatitis B care.

We improve known estimates for the number of points of bounded height in semigroup orbits of polarized dynamical systems. In particular, we give exact asymptotics for generic semigroups acting on the projective line. The main new ingredient is the Wiener-Ikehara Tauberian theorem, which we use to count functions in semigroups of bounded degree.

We prove a nonabelian variant of the classical Mordell–Lang conjecture in the context of finite- dimensional central simple algebras. We obtain the following result as a particular case of a more general statement. Let K be an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero, let $B_1,\dots ,B_r\in \mathrm {GL}_m(K)$ be matrices with multiplicatively independent eigenvalues and let V be a closed subvariety of $\mathrm {GL}_m(K)$ not passing through zero. Then there exist only finitely many elements of $\mathrm {GL}_m(K)$ of the form $B_1^{n_1}\cdots B_r^{n_r}$ (as we vary $n_1,\dots ,n_r$ in $\mathbb {Z}$) lying on the subvariety V.

Vector-borne parasites are important ecological drivers influencing life-history evolution in birds by increasing host mortality or susceptibility to new diseases. Therefore, understanding why vulnerability to infection varies within a host clade is a crucial task for conservation biology and for understanding macroecological life-history patterns. Here, we studied the relationship of avian life-history traits and climate on the prevalence of Plasmodium and Parahaemoproteus parasites. We sampled 3569 individual birds belonging to 53 species of the family Thraupidae. Individuals were captured from 2007 to 2018 at 92 locations. We created 2 phylogenetic generalized least-squares models with Plasmodium and Parahaemoproteus prevalence as our response variables, and with the following predictor variables: climate PC1, climate PC2, body size, mixed-species flock participation, incubation period, migration, nest height, foraging height, forest cover, and diet. We found that Parahaemoproteus and Plasmodium prevalence was higher in species inhabiting open habitats. Tanager species with longer incubation periods had higher Parahaemoproteus prevalence as well, and we hypothesize that these longer incubation periods overlap with maximum vector abundances, resulting in a higher probability of infection among adult hosts during their incubation period and among chicks. Lastly, we found that Plasmodium prevalence was higher in species without migratory behaviour, with mixed-species flock participation, and with an omnivorous or animal-derived diet. We discuss the consequences of higher infection prevalence in relation to life-history traits in tanagers.

A multivariate, formal power series over a field K is a Bézivin series if all of its coefficients can be expressed as a sum of at most r elements from a finitely generated subgroup $G \le K^*$; it is a Pólya series if one can take $r=1$. We give explicit structural descriptions of D-finite Bézivin series and D-finite Pólya series over fields of characteristic $0$, thus extending classical results of Pólya and Bézivin to the multivariate setting.

We formulate a strengthening of the Zariski dense orbit conjecture for birational maps of dynamical degree one. So, given a quasiprojective variety X defined over an algebraically closed field K of characteristic $0$, endowed with a birational self-map $\phi $ of dynamical degree $1$, we expect that either there exists a nonconstant rational function $f:X\dashrightarrow \mathbb {P} ^1$ such that $f\circ \phi =f$, or there exists a proper subvariety $Y\subset X$ with the property that, for any invariant proper subvariety $Z\subset X$, we have that $Z\subseteq Y$. We prove our conjecture for automorphisms $\phi $ of dynamical degree $1$ of semiabelian varieties X. Moreover, we prove a related result for regular dominant self-maps $\phi $ of semiabelian varieties X: assuming that $\phi $ does not preserve a nonconstant rational function, we have that the dynamical degree of $\phi $ is larger than $1$ if and only if the union of all $\phi $-invariant proper subvarieties of X is Zariski dense. We give applications of our results to representation-theoretic questions about twisted homogeneous coordinate rings associated with abelian varieties.

Background: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a major source of morbidity and mortality. Even after recovery, recurrent CDI (rCDI) occurs frequently, and concomitant antibiotic use for treatment of a concurrent non–C. difficile infection is a major risk factor. Treatment with fidaxomicin versus vancomycin is associated with similar rate of cure and lower recurrence risk. However, the comparative efficacy of these 2 agents remains unclear in those receiving concomitant antibiotics. Methods: We conducted a randomized, controlled, open-label trial at the University of Michigan and St. Joseph Mercy hospitals in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Patients provided written informed consent at enrollment. We included all hospitalized patients aged ≥18 years with a positive test for toxigenic C. difficile, >3 unformed stools per 24 hours, and ≥1 qualifying concomitant antibiotic with a planned treatment of an infection for ≥5 days after enrollment. We excluded patients with complicated CDI, allergy to vancomycin–fidaxomicin, planned adjunctive CDI treatments, CDI treatment for >24 hours prior to enrollment, concomitant laxative use, current or planned colostomy or ileostomy, and/or planned long-term (>12 weeks) concomitant antibiotic use. Clinical cure was defined as resolution of diarrhea for 2 consecutive days maintained until the end of therapy and for 2 days afterward. rCDI was defined as recurrent diarrhea with positive testing within 30 days of initial treatment. Patients were randomized (stratified by ICU status) to fidaxomicin 200 mg twice daily or vancomycin 125 mg orally 4 times daily for 10 days. If concomitant antibiotic treatment continued >10 days, the study drug continued until the concomitant antibiotic ended. Bivariable statistics included t tests and χ2 tests. Results: After screening 5,101 patients for eligibility (May 2017–May 2021), 144 were included and randomized (Fig. 1). Study characteristics and outcomes are noted in Table 1. Baseline characteristics were similar between groups. Most patients were aged <65 years, were on a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI), and were not in the ICU. The mean duration of concomitant antibiotic was 18.4 days. In the intention-to-treat population, clinical cure (73% vs 62.9%; P =.195), and rCDI (3.3% vs 4.0%; P >.99) were similar for fidaxomicin and vancomycin, respectively. Conclusions: In this study of patients with CDI receiving a concomitant antibiotic, a numerically higher proportion were cured with fidaxomicin versus vancomycin, but this result did not reach statistical significance. Overall recurrence was lower than anticipated in both arms compared to previous studies in which duration of CDI treatment was not extended during concomitant antibiotic treatment. Future studies are needed to ascertain whether clinical cure is higher with fidaxomicin than vancomycin during concomitant antibiotic exposure, and whether extending the duration of CDI treatment reduces recurrence.

Funding: Merck & Co.

Disclosures: None

Let q a prime power and ${\mathbb F}_q$ the finite field of q elements. We study the analogues of Mahler’s and Koksma’s classifications of complex numbers for power series in ${\mathbb F}_q((T^{-1}))$. Among other results, we establish that both classifications coincide, thereby answering a question of Ooto.

The following theorem, which includes as very special cases results of Jouanolou and Hrushovski on algebraic $D$-varieties on the one hand, and of Cantat on rational dynamics on the other, is established: Working over a field of characteristic zero, suppose $\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}_{1},\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}_{2}:Z\rightarrow X$ are dominant rational maps from an (possibly nonreduced) irreducible scheme $Z$ of finite type to an algebraic variety $X$, with the property that there are infinitely many hypersurfaces on $X$ whose scheme-theoretic inverse images under $\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}_{1}$ and $\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}_{2}$ agree. Then there is a nonconstant rational function $g$ on $X$ such that $g\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}_{1}=g\unicode[STIX]{x1D719}_{2}$. In the case where $Z$ is also reduced, the scheme-theoretic inverse image can be replaced by the proper transform. A partial result is obtained in positive characteristic. Applications include an extension of the Jouanolou–Hrushovski theorem to generalised algebraic ${\mathcal{D}}$-varieties and of Cantat’s theorem to self-correspondences.

Low probability risks create challenges for individual decisions and potential pressures for government regulation. This article reports original survey evidence regarding the public’s perception and valuation of water-related risks from plastic bottles with bisphenol A, residues in drinking water of the herbicide atrazine, and trace amounts of prescription drugs in water. People who believe that they face high water-related risks generally believe that the risks apply and, given that belief, are willing to pay more to limit the risk. However, the expressed willingness to pay for risk reductions is inordinately high even among those who are unsure of whether they are even exposed to the risk, and therefore may not be reliable as values for the actual benefits.

Uncertain future risks pose cognitive and analytical challenges to household decision makers. Risks with uncertain probabilities, coupled with potentially severe outcomes pose problems for decision-making and are prone to overreactions. Imprecision in risk estimates generates behavioral distortions such as ambiguity aversion. This article presents new empirical results indicating household overvaluations of uncertain threats posed by several drinking water risks: traces of prescription drugs in drinking water, plastic water bottles with bisphenol-A, and the weed killer atrazine in drinking water. Negative reactions reflect responses to ambiguous risks, but policies driven by these concerns may misallocate regulatory resources due to risk conservatism and “no-regrets” responses.

Social norms are strongly associated with pro-environmental behaviors, but the evolution and dynamic effects of norms are less well understood. This article builds on the distinction of norms being descriptive, characterizing what people actually do, or injunctive, characterizing what people should do. It identifies four categories of norms with the further distinction of whether the norms arise from the personal beliefs and actions or from the behaviors and judgments of others. The analysis uses five years of longitudinal US data that track household recycling and controls for household characteristics as well as differences in state recycling laws. The results extend previous research by showing that personal norms exhibit cascading dynamics in which norms encourage later changes in recycling, while recycling encourages later changes in personal norms. This mutual reinforcement implies that societal actions encouraging change in either personal norms or recycling will support growth in the other. Recognizing this interdependence can assist in the effective utilization of social norms as a behavioral policy instrument.

Avian malaria is a vector transmitted disease caused by Plasmodium and recent studies suggest that variation in its prevalence across avian hosts is correlated with a variety of ecological traits. Here we examine the relationship between prevalence and diversity of Plasmodium lineages in southeastern Amazonia and: (1) host ecological traits (nest location, nest type, flocking behaviour and diet); (2) density and diversity of avian hosts; (3) abundance and diversity of mosquitoes; and (4) season. We used molecular methods to detect Plasmodium in blood samples from 675 individual birds of 120 species. Based on cytochrome b sequences, we recovered 89 lineages of Plasmodium from 136 infected individuals sampled across seven localities. Plasmodium prevalence was homogeneous over time (dry season and flooding season) and space, but heterogeneous among 51 avian host species. Variation in prevalence among bird species was not explained by avian ecological traits, density of avian hosts, or mosquito abundance. However, Plasmodium lineage diversity was positively correlated with mosquito abundance. Interestingly, our results suggest that avian host traits are less important determinants of Plasmodium prevalence and diversity in southeastern Amazonia than in other regions in which they have been investigated.

Parasites of the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus (Apicomplexa: Haemosporida) are a diverse group of pathogens that infect birds nearly worldwide. Despite their ubiquity, the ecological and evolutionary factors that shape the diversity and distribution of these protozoan parasites among avian communities and geographic regions are poorly understood. Based on a survey throughout the Neotropics of the haemosporidian parasites infecting manakins (Pipridae), a family of Passerine birds endemic to this region, we asked whether host relatedness, ecological similarity and geographic proximity structure parasite turnover between manakin species and local manakin assemblages. We used molecular methods to screen 1343 individuals of 30 manakin species for the presence of parasites. We found no significant correlations between manakin parasite lineage turnover and both manakin species turnover and geographic distance. Climate differences, species turnover in the larger bird community and parasite lineage turnover in non-manakin hosts did not correlate with manakin parasite lineage turnover. We also found no evidence that manakin parasite lineage turnover among host species correlates with range overlap and genetic divergence among hosts. Our analyses indicate that host switching (turnover among host species) and dispersal (turnover among locations) of haemosporidian parasites in manakins are not constrained at this scale.

Palmer amaranth is the most troublesome weed of soybean in the southern United States. Field experiments were conducted at two Arkansas locations to determine the effect of drill-seeded soybean density on Palmer amaranth emergence. Experimental factors were multiple soybean seeding rates planted on a 19-cm-wide row spacing and the presence or absence of a PRE residual herbicide (flumioxazin plus pyroxasulfone). Soybean groundcover was measured throughout the growing season and daily soil temperature was recorded in selected soybean densities. In the absence of a PRE residual herbicide, at least a 1.7-fold reduction in Palmer amaranth emergence occurred when soybean were present. Differences in Palmer amaranth emergence occurred among soybean densities for both locations, suggesting the value of crop canopy in preventing Palmer amaranth emergence in the absence of an effective residual herbicide. In plots treated with the PRE herbicide, no difference in Palmer amaranth emergence occurred among soybean densities, except for the absence of soybean. Achievement of 95% groundcover by soybean reduced daily soil temperature fluctuations, which in turn reduced Palmer amaranth emergence. For both locations, soybean grain yields were greatest at the highest seeding rate (617,500 seed ha−1). In the presence of flumioxazin plus pyroxasulfone applied PRE, greater grain yields occurred compared to the absence of a PRE herbicide at both Fayetteville and Marianna. Based on this research, an effective PRE-applied residual herbicide has more influence on Palmer amaranth emergence than soybean density, and Palmer amaranth germination and emergence are dependent upon daily soil temperature fluctuations, which is a function of soybean density.

A field experiment was conducted at Marianna, AR in 2012 and 2013 to test various combinations of (1) soybean production systems: full-season tillage (rye plus deep tillage using a moldboard plow), full season (no rye plus no tillage), late-season tillage (wheat plus deep tillage), and late season (no wheat plus no tillage); (2) soybean cultivars: glufosinate or glyphosate resistant; and (3) four herbicide programs for management of glyphosate-resistant Palmer amaranth. At soybean harvest, Palmer amaranth control was 95 to 100% when flumioxazin plus pyroxasulfone was applied PRE. In both years full-season tillage and late-season tillage systems in combination with flumioxazin plus pyroxasulfone applied PRE increased Palmer amaranth control over the same systems in the absence of flumioxazin plus pyroxasulfone applied PRE. The addition of deep tillage in the form of a moldboard plow to the full-season and late-season systems reduced Palmer amaranth densities at harvest. Similarly, Palmer amaranth seed production was often lower in the full-season tillage and late-season tillage systems compared with the full-season and late-season no-tillage systems, regardless of soybean cultivar and herbicide programs. Overall, the use of deep tillage in the full-season or late-season systems in combination with a PRE application of flumioxazin plus pyroxasulfone provided greater control of Palmer amaranth, decreasing both density and seed production and increasing soybean grain yields.

A field experiment was conducted in Fayetteville, AR, in 2012 and 2013 to determine the influence of soybean row spacing, seeding rate, and herbicide program in glufosinate-resistant soybean on Palmer amaranth control, survival, and seed production; soybean groundcover and grain yield; and economic returns. Soybean groundcover was > 80% by 85 d after soybean planting (DAP) for all row spacing and seeding rates in 2012 and in 2013 all soybean row spacings and soybean seeding rates had achieved > 90% groundcover by 50 DAP. Difference in groundcover between years was due to lack of precipitation in 2012. Palmer amaranth control at 21 DAP was 99 to 100% for both years when a PRE application of S-metolachlor plus metribuzin was made at planting. At 42 DAP, Palmer amaranth control following PRE-applied S-metolachlor plus metribuzin was ≥ 98 and ≥ 88% in 2012 and 2013, respectively. When relying on a POST-only herbicide program initiated at 21 DAP, Palmer amaranth control ranged from 52 to 84% across row spacings at 42 DAP. At soybean harvest, Palmer amaranth control was ≥ 95% in 2012 and ≥ 86% in 2013 regardless of row spacing or seeding rate when S-metolachlor plus metribuzin was applied at planting. Conversely, total-POST programs had no more than 50 and 85% Palmer amaranth control in 2012 and 2013, respectively. In both years, Palmer amaranth density and seed production at soybean harvest were generally lower in the PRE herbicide programs compared to POST-only programs. Use of a PRE herbicide at planting also improved soybean grain yield and economic returns over programs that relied on a POST-only program. Overall, the impacst of soybean row spacing and seeding rate on Palmer amaranth control, density, or seed production were less apparent than the influence of herbicide programs.