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Electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) can measure similar information to x-ray, UV–Vis, and IR spectroscopies but with atomic resolution and increased scattering cross-sections. Recent advances in electron monochromators have expanded EELS capabilities from chemical identification to the realms of synchrotron-level core-loss measurements and to low-loss, 10–100 meV excitations, such as phonons, excitons, and valence structures. EELS measurements are easily correlated with electron diffraction and atomic-scale real-space imaging in a transmission electron microscope (TEM) to provide detailed local pictures of quasiparticle and bonding states. This perspective provides an overview of existing high-resolution EELS (HR-EELS) capabilities while also motivating the powerful next step in the field—ultrafast EELS in a TEM. Ultrafast EELS aims to combine atomic-level, element-specific, and correlated temporal measurements to better understand spatially specific excited-state phenomena. Ultrafast EELS measurements also add to the abilities of steady-state HR-EELS by being able to image the electromagnetic field and use electrons to excite photon-forbidden and momentum-specific transitions. We discuss the technical challenges ultrafast HR-EELS currently faces, as well as how integration with in situ and cryo measurements could expand the technique to new systems of interest, especially molecular and biological samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attachment relationships are widely recognized as influential in increasing prosocial tendencies, with existing literature indicating that human attachment can increase empathetic processes, thereby potentially facilitating prosocial behavior. Given that pets frequently fulfill the criteria for attachment figures, this study investigates whether the observed associations among human attachment, empathy, and prosocial attitudes extend to human-animal interactions (HAI). This study examines the relationship between pet attachment, animal empathy, and prosocial attitudes toward humans. The study hypothesizes that animal empathy mediates the association between pet attachment and prosocial attitudes. A cross-sectional survey was administered to 343 Filipino participants, predominantly consisting of single female young adults with college education backgrounds. Participants completed a battery of assessments including the Contemporary Companion Animal Bonding Scale (CCABS), the Animal Empathy Scale (AES), and the Prosocialness Scale for Adults (PSA). Aligned with our hypothesis, our study reveals that animal empathy plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between pet attachment and attitudes toward humans. We found that stronger pet attachment correlates positively with heightened animal empathy, subsequently leading to elevated levels of prosocial attitudes. Our findings prompt discussions on implications for understanding human-animal relationships and suggest avenues for future research exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: A favorable postnatal prognosis in cases of pulmonary atresia/critical stenosis with intact ventricular septum (PA/CS‐IVS) is generally equated with the possibility of achieving biventricular (BV) repair. Identification of fetuses that will have postnatal univentricular (UV) circulation is key for prenatal counseling, optimization of perinatal care and decision‐making regarding fetal therapy. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of published models for predicting postnatal circulation in PA/CS‐IVS using a large internationally derived validation cohort. Methods: This was a systematic review of published uni‐ and multiparametric models for the prediction of postnatal circulation based on echocardiographic findings at between 20 and 28 weeks of gestation. Models were externally validated using data from the International Fetal Cardiac Intervention Registry. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, area under the receiver‐operating‐characteristics curves (AUCs) and proportion of cases with true vs predicted outcome were calculated. Results: Eleven published studies that reported prognostic parameters of postnatal circulation were identified. Models varied widely in terms of the main outcome (UV (n = 3), non‐BV (n = 3), BV (n = 3), right‐ventricle‐dependent coronary circulation (n = 1) or tricuspid valve size at birth (n = 1)) and in terms of the included predictors (single parameters only (n = 6), multiparametric score (n = 4) or both (n = 1)), and were developed on small sample sizes (range, 15–38). Nine models were validated externally given the availability of the required parameters in the validation cohort. Tricuspid valve diameter Z‐score, tricuspid regurgitation, ratios between right and left cardiac structures and the presence of ventriculocoronary connections (VCC) were the most commonly evaluated parameters. Multiparametric models including up to four variables (ratios between right and left structures, right ventricular inflow duration, presence of VCC and tricuspid regurgitation) had the best performance (AUC, 0.80–0.89). Overall, the risk of UV outcome was underestimated and that of BV outcome was overestimated by most models. Conclusions: Current prenatal models for the prediction of postnatal outcome in PA/CS‐IVS are heterogeneous. Multiparametric models for predicting UV and non‐BV circulation perform well in identifying BV patients but have low sensitivity, underestimating the rate of fetuses that will ultimately have UV circulation. Until better discrimination can be achieved, fetal interventions may need to be limited to only those cases in which non‐BV postnatal circulation is certain. © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

North Dakota lignite has the potential to be a new source of mineral commodities that are vital to the economic and national security of the United States. There is little to no current domestic production for many of the raw mineral materials needed to manufacture many components in energy and defense applications, in addition to a wide array of modern electronic consumer goods. The U.S. currently relies on imports of many of these commodities, termed critical minerals, including the sixteen rare earth elements (REE). Some of the REEs (e.g., lanthanum and cerium) are relatively abundant and overproduced by traditional hard rock mines, but other, less abundant REEs (e.g., dysprosium, terbium, scandium) are highly valuable and thus may be economic at relatively low concentrations if cost-effective extraction methods can be developed. Broadly speaking, techniques which need to break down REE-bearing primary minerals to extract the elements are costly, but in coal, especially low ranks like lignite, an appreciable percentage of the REE content may be weakly bound into organic complexes and easily extracted. REE concentrations in U.S. coal are generally around three times lower than the average concentrations in rocks and sediment near the Earth's surface but occasionally can be found enriched or significantly enriched 5 to 10 times higher than average upper continental crust. Other high-value critical elements (e.g., gallium and germanium) may also occur in economic concentrations in lignite and could be co-produced with the REEs. With higher relative proportions of the more valuable REEs and other critical elements, easy extraction, and lower amounts of radioactive contaminants like thorium, lignite may be an economical source of REEs at far lower concentrations than traditional ores. The U.S. Department of Energy has proposed coal containing 300 ppm REE could be a potentially promising feedstock. The North Dakota Geological Survey (NDGS) has collected 324 samples of lignite and carbonaceous mudstone that exceed 300 ppm REE, from 1,706 samples collected from outcrops across western North Dakota. REEs are known to be mobilized by acidic waters during the weathering of clastic sediments. North Dakota lignites are found to be slightly enriched (364 to 910 ppm REE) where they occur below uplands that have experienced long-term, low-intensity modern weathering, and can be enriched (910 to 1,820 ppm REE) or even significantly enriched (over 1,820 ppm REE) where they occur below intervals of intense Paleocene weathering. The first REE-enriched lignite identified by the NDGS was from the Logging Camp Ranch area in Slope County, where several samples from the Harmon, Hanson, and H lignite interval showed elevated REE concentrations. The 768 sample analyses from 165 measured geologic sections in this report detail that initial elevated REE concentrations from the top of the Harmon lignite are very localized, likely the result of upland weathering as the slight REE enrichment is confined to a small terrace. The H lignite bed has been miscorrelated by previous authors, causing the name to previously be assigned to an REE-enriched coal in the Logging Camp Ranch area, but the detailed correlation in this report suggests an overlying, non-enriched lignite is the H bed, and the thinner REE-enriched lignite(s) below are unnamed coals within a zone of weathered strata known as the Rhame bed. The Rhame bed is a 10- to 30-foot (3 to 9 m) thick sequence of kaolinized sediment that was apparently weathered during an extended period of little to no deposition when the climate was much warmer than today, roughly 61 million years ago. Lignites below this thick bed of kaolinite can be significantly enriched in antimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, germanium, lithium, molybdenum, uranium, and total REE, including the highest dry coal basis concentration (2,792 ppm REE) and dry ash basis concentration (5,642 ppm REE) from this project to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Quantitative methods of Fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (FDG‐PET) interpretation, including the percent change in FDG uptake from baseline (ΔSUV), are under investigation in lymphoma to overcome challenges associated with visual scoring systems (VSS) such as the Deauville 5‐point scale (5‐PS). Methods: In CALGB 50303, patients with DLBCL received frontline R‐CHOP or DA‐EPOCH‐R, and although there were no significant associations between interim PET responses assessed centrally after cycle 2 (iPET) using 5‐PS with progression‐free survival (PFS) or overall survival (OS), there were significant associations between central determinations of iPET ∆SUV with PFS/OS. In this patient cohort, we retrospectively compared local vs central iPET readings and evaluated associations between local imaging data and survival outcomes. Results: Agreement between local and central review was moderate (kappa = 0.53) for VSS and high (kappa = 0.81) for ∆SUV categories (<66% vs. ≥66%). ∆SUV ≥66% at iPET was significantly associated with PFS (p = 0.03) and OS (p = 0.002), but VSS was not. Associations with PFS/OS when applying local review vs central review were comparable. Conclusions: These data suggest that local PET interpretation for response determination may be acceptable in clinical trials. Our findings also highlight limitations of VSS and call for incorporation of more objective measures of response assessment in clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Critical mineral commodities, especially the rare earth elements (REE), are increasingly vital components in the manufacturing of modern products, especially those needed for electronics, electrified energy infrastructure components, and advanced defense technologies. There is little or no production of these minerals in the United States, and domestic industries rely on supplies from often adversarial foreign sources. This strategic vulnerability could be mitigated through the development of new and non-traditional mineral resources, and the U.S. has recently made extensive investments to better characterize its critical mineral resources and refine ore processing technologies. One alternative source that has been investigated for its potential to accumulate critical minerals is coal, which can contain relatively high proportions of the heavy REEs (terbium, dysprosium) that are not major components of traditional igneous REE ores. The average total REE concentration of U.S. coal is 66 ppm, much lower than the 182 ppm average concentrations of upper continental crust, but some coals are far more enriched. The North Dakota Geological Survey has previously identified zones of enrichment exceeding 1,000 ppm REE (dry coal basis) in some Paleocene lignites, illustrating that the Williston Basin has potential to host feedstocks exceeding the 300-ppm threshold which the U.S. Department of Energy has proposed could be economic in coal and coal byproducts. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain REE enrichment in world coal, including the introduction of volcanic ash during the peat bog stage or a later influence from hydrothermal or meteoric REE-laden fluids. Infiltrational models have been used to explain the occurrence of uraniferous coals in the Fort Union Group, but extensive sampling efforts by the NDGS since 2015 have shown that high-REE lignites are not well correlated to those enriched in uranium or proximal to its overlying Eocene to Miocene volcaniclastic source beds. Earlier episodes of contemporaneous volcanism also do not appear to have contributed significant REE source beds to the basin, since elevated REE concentrations are largely absent in carbonaceous lithologies adjacent to Paleocene and Cretaceous volcanic tuffs. Lignites exhibiting moderate REE enrichment occur in many stratigraphic positions throughout the Paleocene record of the Williston basin but are frequently associated with an overlying permeable upland surface and appear to often be the result of long-term, low-intensity weathering and infiltration during the Quaternary. Fort Union clastics, which contain relatively normal amounts of REE-bearing primary and secondary minerals, are subject to leaching by weakly acidic meteoric waters which transport REE and other elements into organic complexes in the underlying lignites. Although much of this enrichment appears recent and topographically controlled, a few stratigraphic intervals contain consistently high REE concentrations where lignites are present. One of these intervals is the Bear Den Member of the Golden Valley Formation, which is a weathering profile formed during the anomalously warm and humid climate of the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum. Intense pedogenesis during this event kaolinized and leached 30 feet (9.1 m) or more of Late Paleocene sediments, transporting REE into lower portions of the profile. Mudstones and claystones in lower portions of the weathering profile are commonly slightly enriched (>364 ppm REE; 2 times UCC) and lignites, where they occur, can be significantly enriched (up to 2,570 ppm REE; over 14 times UCC) on a dry coal basis and several-fold higher on an ash basis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO) is a condition characterized by acute dilation of the large bowel without evidence of mechanical obstruction that occurs in a variety of hospitalized patients with many predisposing factors. Management includes supportive care and limitation of offending medications with mainstays of treatment of neostigmine administration and colonic decompression. We report the case of a critically ill patient with ACPO who experienced bradycardia and a brief episode of asystole when receiving concomitant dexmedetomidine and neostigmine infusions but who later remained hemodynamically stable when receiving propofol and neostigmine infusions. The bradycardia and associated hemodynamic instability experienced while on dexmedetomidine and neostigmine infusions were rapidly corrected with atropine and cessation of offending agents. Because ACPO is encountered frequently and the use of dexmedetomidine as a sedative agent in the ICU is increasing, practitioners should be aware of the additive risk of bradycardia and potential for asystole with the combination of neostigmine and dexmedetomidine. Electronic drug interaction databases should be updated and drug information sources should include a drug-drug interaction between dexmedetomidine and neostigmine to reduce the likelihood of concomitant administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sampling and testing of sandstone deposits of the Fox Hills and Hell Creek Formations in southwestern and south-central North Dakota were completed in 2022 to characterize these deposits for potential use as proppant in the hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells in the Williston Basin. Proppant sand testing was performed on eight samples from four areas where sandstones of these formations are best exposed. Sandstones of the Colgate and Bullhead Members of the Fox Hills Formation and from the lower Hell Creek Formation were tested as these represented the most likely deposits for proppant development which are consistently well sorted, medium to very-fine grained, with quartz contents averaging 67%, with crush resistance ranging from 1,000 psi (1K) to 5,000 psi (5K) in the 70/140, and 40/140 size classes. Acid solubility averaged 9.1% and turbidity 106 NTU with a very low loss on ignition (LOI) values averaging 0.7% suggesting a low presence of detrital lignite and deleterious mineralogy. Sand grain particle shape factors approach but are below the desired ranges specified for proppant use and average 0.5 for roundness and 0.8 for sphericity. Mineralogically, carbonates were not found in the washed and sized samples which averaged 60% quartz, with 20% feldspars (albite), and 10% clays (illite). Based on current industry proppant sand requirements these sandstones would be of lower overall quality as compared to the windblown sand deposits currently being produced for proppant sand use from the Hazen-Stanton and Denbigh Dunes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrate that in solar cells with highly reflective back mirrors, the measured internal quantum efficiency exhibits a shift in bandgap relative to the measured external quantum efficiency. The shift arises from the fact that the measured reflectance at the front surface includes a superposition of waves reflecting from the front and back surfaces. We quantify the magnitude of the apparent shift and discuss the errors that can result in determination of quantities such as the photocurrent. Because of this apparent shift, it is important the bandgap be determined from the external quantum efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This report integrates new and previously reported findings of rare earth and other critical element concentrations with three main areas of focus: 1) the lateral extent of REE enrichment in beds where isolated samples contained unique REE enrichment, most notably site 17 at Crooked Creek in Billings County, 2) the co-occurrence of other critical minerals with uranium in coals near the White River unconformity at Sentinel Butte in Golden Valley County, and 3) critical mineral concentrations in carbonaceous beds around the prominent "blue bed" volcanic ash in the Sentinel Butte Formation of McKenzie County. In total, 18 new geologic sections were measured, and 163 new rock samples were submitted for critical element ICP-MS analysis. Of the 240 sample analyses included in this report, 77 were previously reported from 10 sites of interest, and 89 additional samples and six measured sections are reported here to further contextualize the critical mineral enrichment at those sites. Twelve new measured sections and 74 new samples are also reported from across Billings, McKenzie, and Golden Valley Counties. Most samples (215) were lignites and carbonaceous claystones or mudstones. The samples were analyzed for the rare earth elements, including yttrium and scandium, 26 additional elements deemed critical to the economic security of the United States, and noncritical elements molybdenum and thorium. Between 16 and 163 new analyses of each element were acquired, with the more economically promising elements receiving more focus. In samples with all rare earth elements analyzed and total concentrations >300 ppm, the high-demand elements dysprosium, neodymium, scandium, and terbium make up 23.0% of the total rare earth elements. Lateral samples of a one-footthick lignite at the Crooked Creek site in western Billings County showed consistent REE enrichment (>300 ppm) occurring over an area of one square mile (2.6 km2), however lateral sampling of carbonaceous beds at most other sites failed to match the REE contents of the original sample. Laboratory analysis of samples exhibiting elevated radioactivity via field measurement at Sentinel Butte confirmed enrichment in uranium as well as other elements (molybdenum, arsenic, hafnium, tungsten, zirconium), but did not show a directly corresponding enrichment of REE in the same samples. Sampling of a known Paleocene volcanic ash, associated bentonites, and adjacent lignites and carbonaceous mudstones across McKenzie County did not show REE enrichment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fox Hills, Hell Creek, and Ludlow strata were sampled and analyzed for critical mineral content in southwestern and south-central North Dakota. Sampling occurred in three main areas in southwestern North Dakota: an eight square mile (21 km2) area where the Marmarth ash is exposed in Slope County, a four-square mile (10 km2) area around Mud Buttes in Bowman County, and the 32-acre (13 ha) area around Sunset Butte in Bowman County. The study area in south-central North Dakota covers 2,400 square miles (6,200 km2) encompassing portions of Morton, Sioux, and Emmons Counties. Twenty-six geologic sections were measured in these study areas and 261 rock samples were collected, of which 242 were analyzed. Roughly 64% of the analyzed rock samples came from the Ludlow Formation (154 samples), 34% from the Hell Creek (82), and 2% from the Fox Hills (6). Rare earth element concentrations in Hell Creek lignites and carbonaceous mudstones averaged 173 ppm. The lignites and carbonaceous mudstones from the Ludlow Fm. averaged significantly higher at 229 ppm REE, possibly due to their proximity to upland weathering surfaces. Only four of the 53 carbonaceous samples in the Hell Creek Fm. were over 300 ppm REE, compared to 28 of 148 in the Ludlow Fm. All six samples from the Fox Hills Fm. were from the Linton volcanic ash, which was geochemically similar to the Breien ash (1 sample) and Marmarth ash (7 samples) from the Hell Creek Fm. These ashes did not contain high concentrations of the REE or most associated critical elements, but were relatively enriched in Mn, Rb, Ta, Th, and Sn. Bentonites (12 samples) also showed enrichment in these elements (sans Mn) and were, on average, the most enriched lithology in Co, Ga, Hf, Li, Mg, Ni, Sn, and Ti. Nodules from Hell Creek strata contained very high concentrations of As, Sb, and Mn, and also contained the highest concentrations of Sr and W. The most enriched samples of the REE, Ba, Be, Bi, Cs, Cr, Co, Ga, Ge, Hf, In, Li, Mg, Mo, Nb, Te, Ti, U, V, and Zr were from lignites and carbonaceous mudstones. Germanium, one of the most promising critical elements, was particularly high in samples from the Hell Creek Formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

World-record power conversion efficiencies for Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) solar cells have been achieved via a post-deposition treatment with alkaline metals, which increases the open-circuit voltage and fill factor. We explore the role of the potassium fluoride (KF) post-deposition treatment in CIGS by employing energy- and time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy and electrical characterization combined with numerical modeling. The bulk carrier lifetime is found to increase with post-deposition treatment from 255 ns to 388 ns, which is the longest charge carrier lifetime reported for CIGS, and within ∼40% of the radiative limit. We find evidence that the post-deposition treatment causes a decrease in the electronic potential fluctuations. These potential fluctuations have previously been shown to reduce the open-circuit voltage and the device efficiency in CIGS. Additionally, numerical simulations based on the measured carrier lifetimes and mobilities show a diffusion length of ∼10 lm, which is ∼4 times larger than the film thickness. Thus, carrier collection in the bulk is not a limiting factor for device efficiency. By considering differences in doping, bandgap, and potential fluctuations, we present a possible explanation for the voltage difference between KF-treated and untreated samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High rare earth element concentrations (>300 ppm) were found in a thin lignite bed at Tracy Mountain during reconnaissance sampling in southern Billings County, North Dakota in 2016. Tracy Mountain is a series of buttes comprised of alternating beds of sandstone, siltstone, mudstone, claystone, lignite, and clinker representing roughly the lower two-thirds of the Sentinel Butte Formation of the Fort Union Group (Paleocene). A dozen carbonaceous beds and bentonites were traced across the study area. In total, 15 geologic sections were measured across Tracy Mountain and the surrounding area, and 169 rock samples were submitted for critical element ICP-MS analysis, most of which (155) were lignites and carbonaceous claystones or mudstones. Tracy Mountain samples were analyzed for the rare earth elements including yttrium and scandium, 26 additional elements deemed critical to the economic security of the United States, and noncritical elements molybdenum and thorium. Between 21 and 169 analyses of each element were acquired, with the more economically promising elements receiving more focus. Extensive sampling revealed that high rare earth concentrations (>300 ppm) occur in multiple thin carbonaceous beds over an area of approximately 25 acres, with multiple beds exhibiting spot concentrations over 1000 ppm on a whole coal basis. The highest rare earth concentrations occur in the stratigraphically highest carbonaceous beds, carbonaceous beds immediately below bentonites, and in carbonaceous beds associated with white, greasy claystones and mudstones. In samples with rare earth element concentrations >300 ppm, the high-demand elements dysprosium, neodymium, scandium, and terbium make up 25.7% of the total rare earth elements. Magnesium, zirconium, molybdenum, vanadium, gallium, and uranium are also enriched at Tracy Mountain relative to other US coals. Many critical elements, most notably gallium, vanadium, and uranium, are strongly correlated with the rare earths and may have become enriched via the same pathways. Establishing the presence of these elements in North Dakota lignites and the tendency for each to co-occur has implications in identifying the feedstocks, target mineral commodities, and extraction methods for any future commercial production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a proof-of-concept framework to independently determine the bulk Shockley-Read- Hall (SRH) lifetime and surface recombination velocity in silicon wafers self-consistently. We measure the transient decay of free-carrier absorption (FCA) using two different excitation wavelengths (1050 and 750 nm) for p-type crystalline Si (c-Si) wafers over a wide injection range and fit the FCA transients for the two excitation wavelengths in a coupled manner. In this way, we can estimate the surface recombination lifetime accurately. However, we find that the capability to uniquely measure extrinsic bulk-SRH recombination is challenging in the presence of other recombination processes and can be broadly categorized into five different regimes depending on the relative strengths of each recombination pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Core Ideas: All of the 120 accessions of Palmer amaranth collected in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina were controlled by atrazine and dicamba applied at field use rates in the greenhouse.Reduced sensitivity among accessions was noted when S‐metolachlor and 2,4‐D were applied to Palmer amaranth at field use rates in the greenhouse.Additional research is needed to determine if reduced sensitivity of Palmer amaranth to S‐metolachlor and 2,4‐D is associated with evolved resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports on spectroscopy results from a high‐speed optical spectrograph of two naturally occurring lightning return strokes. The two strokes occurred near Melbourne, FL and were from two separate flashes that were about 10 min apart and had National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) peak currents of −19 and −63 kA. The larger peak current stroke was from a dart leader and was the last stroke in a 5 return stroke flash, while the −19 kA stroke originated from a stepped leader and was the only stroke in that flash. From the flash spectra, the return stroke channel temperature was calculated using the neutral lines of 715.7 nm (OI) and 777.4 nm (OI). In addition to the use of the neutral emission lines, the use of novel instrumentation and image processing techniques allowed the temperature to be calculated for nearly the entire visible channel (several km) and for long durations (several hundred μs). This enables temperature estimates on an unprecedented spatial and temporal scale, which show that the vertical temperature profile is not uniform across the channel. The lower altitudes are significantly hotter than higher altitudes near the time of the return stroke, with temperature gradients along the channel as large as 12,000 K/km. The rate of cooling of the channel is also initially 3–4 times larger at lower altitudes in comparison with the segments at higher altitudes. The stroke with the larger peak current shows larger maximum temperatures, larger temperature gradients along the channel, and also cools quicker. Key Points: Spectra derived temperature estimates for long path lengths (km) of two natural return strokes are presentedThe peak temperature at lower altitudes is significantly higher, resulting in gradients as a large 12,000 K/km at return stroke onsetAs the temperature decays, lower altitudes initially cool faster than higher altitudes for both strokes [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic hypoxia (CH)-induced pulmonary hypertension (PH) results, in part, from T helper-17 (TH17) cell-mediated perivascular inflammation. However, the antigen(s) involved is unknown. Cellular immunity to collagen type V (col V) develops after ischemia-reperfusion injury during lung transplant and is mediated by naturally occurring (n)TH17 cells. Col5a1 gene codifies for the α1-helix of col V, which is normally hidden from the immune system within type I collagen in the extracellular matrix. COL5A1 promoter analysis revealed nuclear factor of activated T cells, cytoplasmic 3 (NFATc3) binding sites. Therefore, we hypothesized that smooth muscle NFATc3 upregulates col V expression, leading to nTH17 cell-mediated autoimmunity to col V in response to CH, representing an upstream mechanism in PH development. To test our hypothesis, we measured indexes of PH in inducible smooth muscle cell (SMC)-specific NFATc3 knockout (KO) mice exposed to either CH (380 mmHg) or normoxia and compared them with wild-type (WT) mice. KO mice did not develop PH. In addition, COL5A1 was one of the 1,792 genes differentially affected by both CH and SMC NFATc3 in isolated intrapulmonary arteries, which was confirmed by RT-PCR and immunostaining. Cellular immunity to col V was determined using a trans vivo delayed-type hypersensitivity assay (Tv-DTH). Tv-DTH response was evident only when splenocytes were used from control mice exposed to CH but not from KO mice, and mediated by nTH17 cells. Our results suggest that SMC NFATc3 is important for CH-induced PH in adult mice, in part, by regulating the expression of the lung self-antigen COL5A1 protein contributing to col V-reactive nTH17-mediated inflammation and hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lateral inflows control the spatial distribution of river discharge, and understanding their patterns is fundamental for accurately modelling instream flows and travel time distributions necessary for evaluating impacts of climate change on aquatic habitat suitability, river energy budgets, and fate of dissolved organic carbon. Yet, little is known about the spatial distribution of lateral inflows in Arctic rivers given the lack of gauging stations. With a network of stream gauging and meteorological stations within the Kuparuk River watershed in northern Alaska, we estimated precipitation and lateral inflows for nine subcatchments from 1 July to 4 August,2013, 2014, and 2015. Total precipitation, lateral inflows, runoff ratios (area‐normalized lateral inflow divided by precipitation), percent contribution to total basin discharge, and lateral inflow per river kilometre were estimated for each watershed for relatively dry, moderate, or wet summers. The results show substantial variability between years and subcatchments. Total basin lateral inflow depths ranged 24‐fold in response to a threefold change in rainfall between dry and wet years, whereas within‐basin lateral inflows varied fivefold from the coastal plain to the foothills. General spatial trends in lateral inflows were consistent with previous studies and mean summer precipitation patterns. However, the spatially distributed nature of these estimates revealed that reaches in the vicinity of a spring‐fed surficial ice feature do not follow general spatial trends and that the coastal plain, which is typically considered to produce minimal runoff, showed potential to contribute to total river discharge. These findings are used to provide a spatially distributed understanding of lateral inflows and identify watershed characteristics that influence hydrologic responses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report above-bandgap ordinary optical properties of [variant_greek_epsilon]-phase GaSe single crystal. Reference-quality pseudodielectric function <[variant_greek_epsilon](E)>＝<[variant_greek_epsilon]1(E)>+i<[variant_greek_epsilon]2(E)> and pseudorefractive index ＝ +i spectra were measured by spectroscopic ellipsometry from 0.73 to 6.45 eV at room temperature for the light polarization perpendicular to the optic axis (E[accent:_right_hook_over]⊥c⁁). The <[variant_greek_epsilon]> spectrum exhibited several interband-transition critical-point structures. Analysis of second-energy derivatives calculated numerically from the measured data yielded the critical-point energy values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We show that time-resolved photoluminescence measurements of completed polycrystalline CdTe solar cells provide a measure of recombination near the CdTe/CdS metallurgical interface that is strongly correlated to the open-circuit voltage in spite of complex carrier dynamics in the junction region. Oxygen in the growth ambient during close-spaced sublimation generally reduces this recombination rate; grain size does not have a strong effect. © 2003 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both plasmonic and photonic materials manipulate light by structurally-defined optical properties. While photonic architectures can promote the scattering and reflection of certain wavelengths of light, plasmonic materials have plasmon resonances that confine light at the nanoscale. Coupling photonic materials to plasmon resonances could enhance the plasmonic response via wavelength-dependent interference and confinement properties. Here we explore the use of wavelength-dependent, naturally-abundant photonic crystal structures found in butterfly wings as substrates for plasmonic nanoparticle deposition, and probe the plasmonic–photonic interactions using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. To better understand the wavelength dependence of field enhancement and localization of these systems, we examined the SERS responses of plasmonic nanoparticles deposited on four different butterfly wing colors with three excitation wavelengths. We find that excitation at wavelengths most closely matching the butterfly wing color produces the most intense SERS signal, with signal magnitude increases up to an order of magnitude, beyond a mere additive effect. These naturally abundant photonic structures show potential to create cheaper, wavelength-selective SERS substrates, and they provide a quantitative insight on plasmon–photonic crystal coupling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Primary Health Care strategy is based on organization of interdisciplinary teams and comprehensive approach to health, disease and health care processes. To strengthen information systems so that they represent primary health care complexities, participatory meetings were held with primary care practitioners from the public health care system of Buenos Aires City. Terms for the record tool and its components were chosen using consensus methodologies. This process involved 300 practitioners from 49 centers, and submission of 21 proposals. It was decided to change the term "Electronic Medical Record" with "Comprehensive Health Record." It was also agreed that, apart from "Reason for Consultation," the field "Problem Situation" would be added, that "Care Service" would be replaced with "Care Act," and that a new module "Health Team Management and Education Activities" would be included to document practitioners team activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Primary Health Care strategy is based on organization of interdisciplinary teams and comprehensive approach to health, disease and health care processes. To strengthen information systems so that they represent primary health care complexities, participatory meetings were held with primary care practitioners from the public health care system of Buenos Aires City. Terms for the record tool and its components were chosen using consensus methodologies. This process involved 300 practitioners from 49 centers, and submission of 21 proposals. It was decided to change the term "Electronic Medical Record" with "Comprehensive Health Record." It was also agreed that, apart from "Reason for Consultation," the field "Problem Situation" would be added, that "Care Service" would be replaced with "Care Act," and that a new module "Health Team Management and Education Activities" would be included to document practitioners team activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we report the first observations of gigantic jets (GJs) by the Geostationary Lightning Mapper (GLM) on board the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite‐R series. Fourteen GJs produced by Tropical Storm Harvey on 19 August 2017 were observed by both GLM and a ground‐based low‐light‐level camera system. The majority of the GJs produced distinguishable signatures in the GLM data, which include long continuous emissions, large peak flash optical energies, and small lateral propagation distances in comparison with other flashes observed by GLM. For two GJs with the best ground‐based images, each have a single pixel that contains the largest optical energy throughout the duration of the GJ and also coincides with the azimuth of the GJ from the video images. The optical energy of the pixel increases as the GJ propagates upward, reaches its peak when the GJ connects to the ionosphere, and then fades away. Key Points: Gigantic jets produce distinguishable signatures observed by the Geostationary Lightning MapperThe signatures include long continuous emissions, large peak flash energies, and small lateral propagation distancesAll of the largest energies during a gigantic jet come from a single GLM pixel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bismuth aluminoborosilicate glasses were prepared using a standard melt‐quench technique, and the viscosity and thermal properties were measured and analyzed. Electron microprobe analysis was used to examine glass homogeneity. Fragility was calculated based on Mauro–Yue–Ellison–Gupta–Allan model fits to the viscosity curves. The system is characterized by an open structure with high fragility (44‐59). Based on microanalysis and differential scanning calorimetry results, the addition of network intermediate Al2O3 appears to mitigate both phase separation and crystallization. From thermal property data, mixture models were created to predict the glass transition temperatures and softening temperatures as functions of composition. Based on K‐fold validation findings, the first‐order mixture model predictions of glass transition and softening appear to approximate actual values better than models with any additional second‐order terms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sandstones in the Fort Union Group (Paleocene) were sampled in western and central North Dakota, along the Little Missouri River Valley in northwestern Billings, southern McKenzie, and northwestern Slope counties, and from surface coal mines near Underwood and Beulah, North Dakota, during the fall of 2018. During the following winter, some of these sandstones were evaluated for use as proppant sand in the hydraulic fracturing of oil and gas wells in the Williston Basin. Sandstone characterization testing was performed on 11 samples from six locations revealing that these sandstones are dominantly well-;sorted, fine-;grained (70/140), sands containing quartz contents ranging from 41 to 63%, with crush resistance K-;values of 3,000 psi or less. Acid solubilities in these sandstones ranged from 6.5 to 22.2% with turbidity values ranging from 29 to 220 FTU. Loss on ignition testing, as a proxy for detrital lignite content, ranged from 2.44 to 9.62%. Sand grain roundness and sphericity averaged 0.5 and 0.6, respectively. Average bulk density of these sandstones is 77.2 pcf. Albite contents averaged 26% within a single 56-;foot thick outcrop of channel sandstone of the Sentinel Butte Formation in northwestern Billings county. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study that explored the minority electron carrier recombination in n-type gallium arsenide heterostructures using photoluminescence decay measurements. Methodology; Examination of the low density decay constants of the samples; Analysis of the photon recycling in the samples.

The symmetry algebra of the real elliptic Liouville equation is an infinite-dimensional loop algebra with the simple Lie algebra o(3, 1) as its maximal finite-dimensional subalgebra. The entire algebra generates the conformal group of the Euclidean plane E2. This infinite-dimensional algebra distinguishes the elliptic Liouville equation from the hyperbolic one with its symmetry algebra that is the direct sum of two Virasoro algebras. Following a previously developed discretization procedure, we present a difference scheme that is invariant under the group O(3, 1) and has the elliptic Liouville equation in polar coordinates as its continuous limit. The lattice is a solution of an equation invariant under O(3, 1) and is itself invariant under a subgroup of O(3, 1), namely, the O(2) rotations of the Euclidean plane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding how environmental factors modulate foraging is key to recognizing the adaptive value of animal behavior, especially in ectothermic organisms such as ants. We experimentally analyzed the effect of rain on the foraging of leaf-cutting ants, a key ant group that is commonly found in rainy habitats. Specifically, we experimentally discriminate among direct and indirect effects of rain on laden ants and explore whether ants respond to rain predictors by incrementing their speed. Watered loads were frequently dropped although ants were not wet, and watered ants also dropped their loads although loads were not wet. Watered leaf fragments increased their weight by 143% and were dropped independently with regards to area or symmetry. Watering the trail did not affect the proportion of ants that dropped their loads. Ants increased their speed by 30% after experimental increments in relative humidity and the noise of raindrops on leaves near the trail. Our experimental results confirm earlier anecdotic evidence of the negative effect of rainfall on the foraging of leaf-cutting ants. We demonstrate that rain can strongly limit ant foraging through different mechanisms, affecting both the ant itself, and the maneuverability of laden ants, by increasing the weight of their loads. We also depict behavioral responses that may mitigate this negative effect on foraging: walking faster at signals of rainfall to reduce the portion of leaf fragments lost. Our results illustrate how environmental factors can directly and indirectly constrain ant foraging and highlight the relevance of behavioral responses to mitigate these effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twenty geologic sections were measured along the steep cliff faces near Tepee Buttes on Logging Camp Ranch in Slope County, North Dakota. A total of 113 samples were collected and analyzed for rare earth element concentrations. The majority of these samples were lignite coming from the Harmon, Hanson, and H beds in the Bullion Creek Formation of the Fort Union Group (Paleocene). Samples were collected from three main areas, 94 samples came from the measured sections north of the Little Missouri River and 19 samples were obtained from two localities on the south side of the river first reported by Kruger and others (2017). Rare earth concentrations at the top of the Harmon bed averaged 112 ppm on the north side of the river, but averaged 314 ppm on a whole rock basis in section 7 on the south side of the river. Samples from the top of the H bed, two on the north side of the river and one on the south side had rare earth element whole rock analysis of 171, 638, and 1,026 ppm. The rare earth element concentrations of 638 and 1,026 ppm are the highest values yet reported from North Dakota lignite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gene regulatory networks govern the function of key cellular processes, such as control of the cell cycle, response to stress, DNA repair mechanisms, and more. Boolean networks have been used successfully in modeling gene regulatory networks. In the Boolean network model, the transcriptional state of each gene is represented by 0 (inactive) or 1 (active), and the relationship among genes is represented by logical gates updated at discrete time points. However, the Boolean gene states are never observed directly, but only indirectly and incompletely through noisy measurements based on expression technologies such as cDNA microarrays, RNA-Seq, and cell imaging-based assays. The Partially-Observed Boolean Dynamical System (POBDS) signal model is distinct from other deterministic and stochastic Boolean network models in removing the requirement of a directly observable Boolean state vector and allowing uncertainty in the measurement process, addressing the scenario encountered in practice in transcriptomic analysis. Results: BoolFilter is an R package that implements the POBDS model and associated algorithms for state and parameter estimation. It allows the user to estimate the Boolean states, network topology, and measurement parameters from time series of transcriptomic data using exact and approximated (particle) filters, as well as simulate the transcriptomic data for a given Boolean network model. Some of its infrastructure, such as the network interface, is the same as in the previously published R package for Boolean Networks BoolNet, which enhances compatibility and user accessibility to the new package. Conclusions: We introduce the R package BoolFilter for Partially-Observed Boolean Dynamical Systems (POBDS). The BoolFilter package provides a useful toolbox for the bioinformatics community, with state-of-the-art algorithms for simulation of time series transcriptomic data as well as the inverse process of system identification from data obtained with various expression technologies such as cDNA microarrays, RNA-Seq, and cell imaging-based assays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For much of the last century, forecasting centers around the world have offered seasonal streamflow predictions to support water management. Recent work suggests that the two major avenues to advance seasonal predictability are improvements in the estimation of initial hydrologic conditions (IHCs) and the incorporation of climate information. This study investigates the marginal benefits of a variety of methods using IHCs and/or climate information, focusing on seasonal water supply forecasts (WSFs) in five case study watersheds located in the US Pacific Northwest region. We specify two benchmark methods that mimic standard operational approaches - statistical regression against IHCs and model-based ensemble streamflow prediction (ESP) - and then systematically intercompare WSFs across a range of lead times. Additional methods include (i) statistical techniques using climate information either from standard indices or from climate reanalysis variables and (ii) several hybrid/hierarchical approaches harnessing both land surface and climate predictability. In basins where atmospheric teleconnection signals are strong, and when watershed predictability is low, climate information alone provides considerable improvements. For those basins showing weak teleconnections, custom predictors from reanalysis fields were more effective in forecast skill than standard climate indices. ESP predictions tended to have high correlation skill but greater bias compared to other methods, and climate predictors failed to substantially improve these deficiencies within a trace weighting framework. Lower complexity techniques were competitive with more complex methods, and the hierarchical expert regression approach introduced here (hierarchical ensemble streamflow prediction - HESP) provided a robust alternative for skillful and reliable water supply forecasts at all initialization times. Three key findings from this effort are (1) objective approaches supporting methodologically consistent hindcasts open the door to a broad range of beneficial forecasting strategies; (2) the use of climate predictors can add to the seasonal forecast skill available from IHCs; and (3) sample size limitations must be handled rigorously to avoid over-trained forecast solutions. Overall, the results suggest that despite a rich, long heritage of operational use, there remain a number of compelling opportunities to improve the skill and value of seasonal streamflow predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we study the integrability of a class of nonlinear non-autonomous quad graph equations compatible around the cube introduced by Boll in the framework of the generalized Adler, Bobenko, and Suris (ABS) classification. We show that all these equations possess three-point generalized symmetries which are subcases of either the Yamilov discretization of the Krichever-Novikov equation or of its non-autonomous extension. We also prove that all those symmetries are integrable as they pass the algebraic entropy test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inflammation is a prominent pathological feature in pulmonary arterial hypertension, as demonstrated by pulmonary vascular infiltration of inflammatory cells, including T and B lymphocytes. However, the contribution of the adaptive immune system is not well characterized in pulmonary hypertension caused by chronic hypoxia. CD4+ T cells are required for initiating and maintaining inflammation, suggesting that these cells could play an important role in the pathogenesis of hypoxic pulmonary hypertension. Our objective was to test the hypothesis that CD4+ T cells, specifically the T helper 17 subset, contribute to chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. We compared indices of pulmonary hypertension resulting from chronic hypoxia (3 wk) in wild-type mice and recombination- activating gene 1 knockout mice (RAG1-/-, lacking mature T and B cells). Separate sets of mice were adoptively transferred with CD4+, CD8+, or T helper 17 cells before normoxic or chronic hypoxic exposure to evaluate the involvement of specific T cell subsets. RAG1-/- mice had diminished right ventricular systolic pressure and arterial remodeling compared with wild-type mice exposed to chronic hypoxia. Adoptive transfer of CD4+ but not CD8+ T cells restored the hypertensive phenotype in RAG1-/- mice. Interestingly, RAG1-/- mice receiving T helper 17 cells displayed evidence of pulmonary hypertension independent of chronic hypoxia. Supporting our hypothesis, depletion of CD4+ cells or treatment with SR1001, an inhibitor of T helper 17 cell development, prevented increased pressure and remodeling responses to chronic hypoxia. We conclude that T helper 17 cells play a key role in the development of chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last two decades, additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing technologies have become pervasive in both the public and private sectors. Despite this growth, there has been little to no deviation from the fundamental approach of building parts using planar layers. This undue reliance on a flat build surface limits part geometry and performance. To address these limitations, a new method of applying material onto or around existing surfaces with multilayer, thick features will be explored. Prior work proposes algorithms for defining conformal layers between existing and desired surfaces, however this work does not address the derivation of deposition paths, trajectories, or required hardware to achieve this new type of deposition. This paper presents (1) the derivation of deposition paths given a prescribed set of layers; (2) the design, characterization, and control of a proof-of-concept testbed; and (3) the derivation and application of time evolving trajectories subject to the material deposition constraints and mechanical constraints of the testbed. Derivations are presented in a general context with examples extending beyond the proposed testbed. Results show the feasibility of conformal material deposition (i.e., onto and around existing surfaces) with multilayer, thick features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For much of the last century, forecasting centers around the world have offered seasonal streamflow predictions to support water management. Recent work suggests that the two major avenues to advance seasonal predictability are improvements in the estimation of initial hydrologic conditions (IHCs) and the incorporation of climate information. This study investigates the marginal benefits of a variety of methods using IHC and/or climate information, focusing on seasonal water supply forecasts (WSFs) in five case study watersheds located in the U.S. Pacific Northwest region. We specify two benchmark methods that mimic standard operational approaches - statistical regression against IHCs, and model-based ensemble streamflow prediction (ESP) - and then systematically inter-compare WSFs across a range of lead times. Additional methods include: (i) statistical techniques using climate information either from standard indices or from climate reanalysis variables; and (ii) several hybrid/hierarchical approaches harnessing both land surface and climate predictability. In basins where atmospheric teleconnection signals are strong, and when watershed predictability is low, climate information alone provides considerable improvements. For those basins showing weak teleconnections, custom predictors from reanalysis fields were more effective in forecast skill than standard climate indices. ESP predictions tended to have high correlation skill but greater bias compared to other methods, and climate predictors failed to substantially improve these deficiencies within a trace weighting framework. Lower complexity techniques were competitive with more complex methods, and the hierarchical expert regression approach introduced here (HESP) provided a robust alternative for skillful and reliable water supply forecasts at all initialization times. Three key findings from this effort are: (1) objective approaches supporting methodologically consistent hindcasts open the door to a broad range of beneficial forecasting strategies; (2) the use of climate predictors can add to the seasonal forecast skill available from IHCs; and (3) sample size limitations must be handled rigorously to avoid over-trained forecast solutions. Overall, the results suggest that despite a rich, long heritage of operational use, there remain a number of compelling opportunities to improve the skill and value of seasonal streamflow predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The North Dakota Geological Survey has completed an initial investigation into the potential use of North Dakota lignite as a source for rare earth metals, which included fourteen of the lanthanide elements, yttrium, and scandium. Over a two-year period from 2015-2017, Survey geologists collected 479 rock samples from outcrops in the badlands of western North Dakota and described the settings where they were collected. The majority of samples were lignites or carbonaceous claystones and mudstones from the Fort Union Group (Paleocene) as well as carbonaceous mudstones from the Hell Creek Formation (Cretaceous). Ultimately, 352 of these samples were analyzed, including 277 samples of coal and 62 carbonaceous mudstones. Laboratory results were reported on a whole-mineral basis. Rare earth concentrations in lignites averaged 128 parts per million (ppm) and ranged from 15 - 603 ppm. Carbonaceous claystones and mudstones averaged 164 ppm with a range of 67 - 426 ppm. Coal samples were found to have a higher proportion of the more valuable heavy rare earths elements than the carbonaceous mudstones and claystones, and compared favorably to the rare earth element composition of the previously mined carbonatite at Mountain Pass, California. Most often, the highest concentrations of rare earths were found in samples collected near the top of the lignite beds, with some of the highest rare earth concentrations found when lignite was overlain by channel sandstones. In this setting, 29 samples averaged 243 ppm and the highest frequencies of samples (24%) reached concentrations of over 300 ppm. Uraniferous lignites were specifically targeted for sampling. While sample analyses did suggest a relationship to higher concentrations of rare earths, a direct correlation was not observed in all coals with elevated radioactivity levels. Coal ash near the base of clinker deposits and tonsteins were also targeted with mixed results. In comparison to data obtained from the United States Geological Survey's CoalQUAL national database, seven coal samples from this report would rank in the top 20 for total rare earth concentrations out of over 5,500 entries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: The use of patient-reported outcomes in clinical trials is a focal point for research and policy. Non-compliance with planned questionnaires and missing data can threaten both internal validity and generalizability. This retrospective analysis was conducted to determine the extent of, and characteristics associated with, missing patient-reported outcomes. Methods: Study characteristics, patient characteristics and adverse events, and reasons for non-compliance were compiled from 14 closed Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center, or Mayo Clinic Cancer Research Consortium clinical trials. Compliance rates were calculated for each patient using the number of booklets completed while the patient was on trial divided by the number of booklets the patient was expected to complete. Frequency counts and summary statistics were compiled. Logistic regression techniques were employed. Results: The 1640 included patients had a median age of 58 years and were mostly White (90.8%) and female (73.8%). Compliance rates per study ranged from 84.7% to 97.2%. The primary endpoint of overall compliance rate was 93.1%. A total of 1267 patients were compliant. Those non-compliant were slightly older (mean = 58.6 vs 57.5, p = 0.03) and had different types of cancers (p < 0.01). There were no differences in compliance according to tumor status (p = 0.66), clinical stage (p = 0.81), baseline quality of life (p = 0.42 for ≥8 vs <8 and p = 0.12 for ≥6 vs <6), or maximum adverse event grade incidence (p = 0.33 for grade 2 + incidence and p = 0.36 for grade 3 + incidence). Reasons for non-compliance included patient refusal (N = 136), booklet not administered to patient (N = 199), no clinic visit at the scheduled time for booklet completion (N = 40), and at-home-completed booklet not returned (N = 224). Logistic regression indicates gender (p < 0.01), race (p < 0.01), performance score (p = 0.02), dose delay status (p = 0.01), and incidence of grade 3 or higher adverse event (p = 0.03) were correlates of compliance. Conclusion: Patient-reported outcomes have successfully been implemented into Alliance and Mayo Clinic trials with high rates of patient compliance. Further improvement in compliance can be made with staff commitment and education. Patients are typically non-compliant only when the task at hand is burdensome, unclear, or logistically challenging. Existing tracking systems used for the other trial outcomes should be utilized to ensure successful capture of patient-reported outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We discuss the linearization of a nonautonomous nonlinear partial difference equation belonging to the Boll classification of quad-graph equations consistent around the cube. We show that its Lax pair is fake. We present its generalized symmetries, which turn out to be nonautonomous and dependent on an arbitrary function of the dependent variables defined at two lattice points. These generalized symmetries are differential-difference equations, which admit peculiar Bäcklund transformations in some cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita ( AMC) is characterized by heterogeneous nonprogressive multiple joint contractures appearing at birth. We present a consanguineous Israeli-Druze family with several members presenting with AMC. A variable intra-familial phenotype and pected autosomal recessive inheritance prompted molecular diagnosis by whole-exome sequencing. Variant analysis focused on rare homozygous changes, revealed a missense variant in MYBPC1, NM_002465:c. 556G>A (p. E286K), affecting the last nucleotide of Exon 8. This novel variant was not observed in the common variant databases and co-segregated as expected within the extended family. MYBPC1 encodes a slow skeletal muscle isoform, essential for muscle contraction. Heterozygous mutations in this gene are associated with distal arthrogryposis types 1b and 2, whereas a homozygous nonsense mutation is implicated in one family with lethal congenital contractural syndrome 4. We present a novel milder MYBPC1 homozygous phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]