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BackgroundMyelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) is a recently described demyelinating disorder, and children represent about 50% of all cases. Almost half of the patients experience relapses, but very few studies have evaluated predictors of relapse risk, challenging clinical management. The study aimed to identify predictors at MOGAD onset that are associated with a relapsing course.MethodsProspectively collected data from paediatric patients with MOGAD seen by the US Network of Paediatric MS Centres were leveraged. Univariable and adjusted multivariable models were used to predict recurrent disease.ResultsWe identified 326 MOGAD cases (mean age at first event 8.9 years [SD 4.3], 57% female, 77% white and 74% non-Hispanic) and 46% relapsed during a mean follow-up of 3.9 years (SD 4.1). In the adjusted multivariable model, female sex (HR 1.66, 95% CI 1.17 to 2.36, p=0.004) and Hispanic/Latino ethnicity (HR 1.77, 95% CI 1.19 to 2.64, p=0.005) were associated with a higher risk of relapsing MOGAD. Maintenance treatment initiated before a second event with rituximab (HR 0.25, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.92, p=0.037) or intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) (HR 0.35, 95% CI 0.14 to 0.88, p=0.026) was associated with lower risk of a second event in multivariable analyses. Conversely, maintenance steroids were associated with a higher estimated relapse risk (HR 1.76, 95% CI 0.90 to 3.45, p=0.097).ConclusionSex and ethnicity are associated with relapsing MOGAD. Use of rituximab or IVIG therapy shortly after onset is associated with a lower risk of the second event. Preventive treatment after a first event could be considered for those with a higher relapse risk.

This article presents an analysis of the internal gate resistance of silicon carbide (SiC) power MOSFETs and its influence on the dynamic device performance. The internal gate resistance of SiC power MOSFETs features a frequency and voltage dependency that is not observed for silicon (Si) power MOSFETs, and hence, not investigated in mature Si device technology. Using numerical device modeling based on experimental electrical characterization, the low-frequency (LF) behavior of the internal gate resistance is attributed to the defects at the SiC-oxide interface. The high-frequency (HF) behavior is explained by the gate signal propagation across the die area and incorporated in a proposed MOSFET model. In the example of a reference SiC power MOSFET design, the developed model is used to evaluate the differences between the simulated and the measured switching waveforms in more detail. The results do not only reveal the physics of the internal gate resistance of SiC power MOSFETs but also highlight how the standard SPICE models, which include the internal gate resistance as a lumped resistor, can be limited in modeling the switching waveforms of SiC power MOSFETs and estimating switching losses with high accuracy.

This journal issue consists of articles and other information about immigration issues, as well as discussions of the utility of racial and ethnic categories. "An International Perspective on Migration" (Cathi Tactaquin) examines the intertwined economic, political, and environmental causes of international migration; discusses how development policies such as North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) ignore labor flows across borders; and suggests that anti-immigrant measures such as California's Proposition 187 respond simplistically to heightened intolerance; and suggests that migration is an international issue, a manifestation of uneven social, political and economic development and conflict that requires cooperation and collective action among countries and regions."Immigration and the Civil Rights Movement's Response" (Bill Tamayo) examines the racist elements of anti-immigrant policies and calls for civil rights groups to come together and forcefully articulate the issues involved. "Latino Immigrants in Los Angeles: A Portrait from the 1990 Census" (David Hayes-Bautista, Werner Schink, Gregory Rodriguez) summarizes data on Latino immigrants in Los Angeles County, including census count, estimates of undocumented immigrants, labor force participation, use of public assistance, education, and family characteristics; and compares these new immigrants to immigrant Anglos of an earlier era. "Job Competition between Immigrants & African Americans" (Paul Ong, Abel Valenzuela, Jr.) focuses on the impact of immigration on the joblessness and earnings among black males in Los Angeles County between the ages of 18 and 24, and 18 and 64 with no more than a high school education. Also included in this issue are four perspectives on the meaning of racial and ethnic categories and their uses in the census and other data collection, in federal policies and programs, and as a focus for political and social organizing; a quiz "Immigration: Myths & Facts"; a list of immigrant rights organizations; and a bibliography of materials criticizing "The Bell Curve; (Murray-Herrnstein). (LP)

The short-circuit (SC) performance of Silicon Carbide (SiC) power MOSFETs has been extensively characterized in recent years. During a SC event, a SiC power MOSFET experiences a thermo-mechanical (TM) stress originating from a high temperature change during the SC event and the different coefficients of thermal expansions (CTEs) of source metallization, polySilicon gate, SiC and gate-source insulator. High temperature and TM stress cause the aluminum source metallization to melt, and a crack to form and grow within the gate-source insulation, leading to a short connection between the gate and source terminals typically referred to as fail-to-open (FTO) failure mode. This paper presents a 2-D thermo-mechanical (TM) model of a 2-D MOSFET half-cell for assessing the TM stress in the gate-source insulating layer during SC including the phase change behavior and the temperature-dependent properties of the source metallization. The developed modeling approach allows to assess how different metallization thicknesses and materials affect the TM stress of the gate-source insulation and, hence, enables the development of device design guidelines for improving SC withstand time of SiC power MOSFETs.

Silicon carbide (SiC) power MOSFETs with trench-gate structure have been irradiated with heavy-ion broad beam and microbeam. Microdose effects resulting in higher subthreshold drain leakage were observed when irradiating the devices at low drain-source voltages and reported for the first time for SiC power devices. Increasing the drain-source bias during the exposure, single-event leakage current (SELC), characterized by microbreaks in the gate oxide, was measured. The accumulation of microbreaks eventually led to a complete gate rupture. The differences with respect to the SiC planar-gate MOSFETs and the impact of these results on the testing procedures for the two technologies are discussed.

The synthesis and characterization of three new hybrid metal halide hydrates in which mer-[CrIIICl3(H2O)3]0cocrystallizes alongside α-methylbenzylammonium chloride are described. The enantiomorphic crystals, ((R)-(+)-α-methylbenzylammonium)2(mer-[CrCl3(H2O)3])Cl2((R)-1) and ((S)-(−)-α-methylbenzylammonium)2(mer-[CrCl3(H2O)3])Cl2((S)-1), have C2221space group symmetry and show mirrored circular dichroism signals. The racemate, (rac-α-methylbenzylammonium)2(mer-[CrCl3(H2O)3])Cl2((rac)-1), adopts a polar structure with Cmspace group symmetry in which enantiomers are related by mirror planes within organic bilayers. Alongside detailed crystallography and magnetism of each compound, the optical properties of the mer-[CrIIICl3(H2O)3]0unit are revisited. Understanding the intermolecular forces that stabilize each of these crystal structures lends insights into crystal engineering methodologies for stabilizing noncentrosymmetric hybrid metal halides.

Relationships are complex, particularly so at work since employees have limited control over who they interact with. While there's no shortage of advice on how to deal with matters of [...]

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The efficient management of municipal sewage sludge (MSS) daily produced worldwide by biological wastewater treatment processes is nowadays of utmost importance. Classic treatment/disposal methods are affected by efficiency and/or safety issues. Innovative thermochemical treatments are gaining momentum as promising alternatives. Pyrolysis of MSS can result in the recovery of precious resources, such as nutrients and organic matter, and their conversion into three valuable fractions, i.e.biochar, bio-oil, and pyrolysis gas. These products are employable in innovative biorefinery pathways towards a wide range of value-added materials. In this review, an integrated biorefinery platform for MSS valorization is presented. After a brief introduction on MSS properties and issues related to its management, a deep focus on the influence that the feedstock and pyrolysis conditions have on the product yields and composition was conducted. Innovative valorization routes for biochar, bio-oil and pyrolysis gas were extensively discussed by highlighting challenges, opportunities, advantages and drawbacks. The characteristics required by these products to be efficiently valorized, as well as the main solution for their enhancement, were described. Additionally, economic considerations on MSS pyrolysis derived from full-scale applications conducted at the European and global level were elaborated. Finally, future perspectives about biochar, bio-oil and pyrolysis gas employment in cutting-edge upcycling routes have been reported.

Total-ionizing dose (TID) and displacement damage (DD) are investigated in SiC power MOSFETs at ultrahigh doses with 10-keV X-ray and 3-MeV protons. Significant parametric shifts in the electrical responses of the devices are observed depending on the bias condition and on the fabrication technology. Worst TID degradation is measured when positive gate bias is applied during the irradiation, due to positive charge trapping in the gate oxide. Devices built in the latest generation SiC technology reveal a smaller subthreshold swing degradation, thanks to a better quality of the SiC/SiO2 interface. Devices exposed to 3-MeV protons exhibit a complex combination of TID and DD effects. The $I-V$ and capacitance–voltage ( $C-V$ ) measurements in SiC power MOSFETs identify two main degradation mechanisms: 1) TID-induced charge trapping in the gate oxide and SiC/SiO2 interface and 2) DD-induced lattice damage in the SiC drift region, which degrades the series resistance of the devices.

The article presents a case study on block selection for monolithic CAD/CAM restorations, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the "Value Rule" to achieve consistent aesthetic results across different tooth preparations. Topics include the challenges of managing varying thicknesses and shades of restorations, surgical crown lengthening to improve gingival aesthetics, and the strategic use of translucent blocks to mask underlying discoloration while ensuring uniformity in incisal thickness.

Heterozygous, pathogenic CUX1variants are associated with global developmental delay or intellectual disability. This study delineates the clinical presentation in an extended cohort and investigates the molecular mechanism underlying the disorder in a Cux1+/−mouse model. Through international collaboration, we assembled the phenotypic and molecular information for 34 individuals (23 unpublished individuals). We analyze brain CUX1 expression and susceptibility to epilepsy in Cux1+/−mice. We describe 34 individuals, from which 30 were unrelated, with 26 different null and four missense variants. The leading symptoms were mild to moderate delayed speech and motor development and borderline to moderate intellectual disability. Additional symptoms were muscular hypotonia, seizures, joint laxity, and abnormalities of the forehead. In Cux1+/−mice, we found delayed growth, histologically normal brains, and increased susceptibility to seizures. In Cux1+/−brains, the expression of Cux1transcripts was half of WT animals. Expression of CUX1 proteins was reduced, although in early postnatal animals significantly more than in adults. In summary, disease-causing CUX1variants result in a non-syndromic phenotype of developmental delay and intellectual disability. In some individuals, this phenotype ameliorates with age, resulting in a clinical catch-up and normal IQ in adulthood. The post-transcriptional balance of CUX1 expression in the heterozygous brain at late developmental stages appears important for this favorable clinical course.

The Vaccine Acceleration by Modular Progression (VAMP) program is discussed in this article, which focuses on accelerating the delivery of vaccines against priority threats. The program was created in response to the pharmaceutical industry's rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating their ability to address new threats. VAMP aims to bring vaccines to clinical trials and beyond within the next five years by partnering with pharmaceutical leaders. The program takes a modular approach to vaccine development, emphasizing collaboration with government agencies and performers with a proven track record. It utilizes vaccine platform technologies to develop vaccines quickly and efficiently, with a focus on optimizing vaccines for specific uses. The program employs a modular contracting strategy with go/no-go decision checkpoints to ensure performance and mitigate risks. By selecting performers with proven track records and manufacturing capabilities, the program aims to enhance protection against current and emerging biological threats for the warfighter. [Extracted from the article]

This article reflects on the policing of sexual and gender minorities in New South Wales (NSW) in connection with Justin Ellis’ Policing Legitimacy: Social media, scandal and sexual citizenship. Ellis’ book approaches the scandal precipitated by the social media circulation of bystander footage of police assaulting a young gay man at the 2013 Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras as a threshold case of ‘sousveillance’ – ‘watching from below’ – and investigates the disruption this practice can make to instituted relations between police, media and other organisations, and its significance for sexual citizenship.

Obesity is a risk factor for abdominal wall hernia development and hernia recurrence. The management of these two pathologies is complex and often entwined. Bariatric and ventral hernia surgery require careful consideration of physiologic and technical components for optimal outcomes. In this review, a multidisciplinary group of Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons’ bariatric and hernia surgeons present the various weight loss modalities available for the pre-operative optimization of patients with severe obesity and concurrent hernias. The group also details the technical aspects of managing abdominal wall defects during weight loss procedures and suggests the optimal timing of definitive hernia repair after bariatric surgery. Since level one evidence is not available on some of the topics covered by this review, expert opinion was implemented in some instances. Additional high-quality research in this area will allow for better recommendations and therefore treatment strategies for these complex patients.

Accelerated single event burnout (SEB) tests with 200 MeV protons and atmospheric neutrons were performed for commercial silicon carbide (SiC) power MOSFETs with different architectures (i.e., planar gate, asymmetric trench, and symmetric trench). The average electric fields over the depletion layer width and the electric field distributions are reported for the tested conditions and compared for the three architectures, confirming the necessity of a lower de-rating for the trench design to protect from SEB, compared to planar ones. In addition to the epitaxial layer design, the influence of other design parameters on the SEB threshold is discussed. Finally, to investigate the presence of precursor damage in the pre-SEB region, a methodology is presented and used to study the radiation-induced degradation of the channel and drift resistances of devices that survived the SEB tests.

We report the dual-catalytic enantioselective allylic alkylation of 2-(pyridylmethyl)amine-derived ketimines with allylic carbonates. The reaction proceeds under mild reaction conditions to generate α-amino heteroaryl benzylamine stereocenters in good yield and enantioselectivity. Enantioselectivity is achieved through the use of a copper catalyst modified with chiral bisphosphine ligand (2S,4S)-bis(diphenylphosphino)pentane.

SiC power MOSFETs show very promising electrical performance for efficient and reliable high temperature operation. This work presents a novel approach for the determination of the temperature dependence of SiC power MOSFET’s channel and drift resistance components in the on-state, which are extracted based on current-voltage (I-V) and capacitance-voltage (C-V) measurements without the need of data extrapolation. The results show that the channel resistance has weak, whereas the drift resistance has strong temperature dependence.

In this work, the improvement of SiC power MOSFET performance achieved using high-κ gate-dielectrics instead of the standard SiO2 is investigated by means of advanced gate-impedance characterization. The benefit of using high-κ gate-dielectrics with high dielectric constant is demonstrated by comparing SiC MOSFETs with pure high-κ, a stack of SiO2/high-κ, as well as pure SiO2. Namely, the fabricated high-κ SiC MOSFETs show a superior performance to commercial SiC MOSFETs with SiO2/SiC interface with respect to channel resistance and interface quality. The proposed characterization approach is non-destructive and applicable to packaged power devices.

When people think summer camp, they think tranquil natural setting, fun, happiness, and bliss. While this permeates throughout camp life, the threat of stress--and a lack of resiliency to that [...]

This article situates drug harm-reduction scholarship within an immanent tradition that emphasizes how nature and culture are differently mixed into each other depending on the 'actual occasions' in which drug [...], This article works with Connolly's (2004) concept of 'emergent causality' to counter the insistence on linear expressions of cause and effect in dominant strands of drug prevention evaluation. I elaborate this concept with reference to recent controversies concerning the policing of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras. The use of sniffer dogs to furnish the reasonable suspicion required to authorize police 'stop and search' procedures has been a key part of this controversy. Substantiated in terms of its universal applicability, high visibility and purported deterrent effect, this practice actually forms part of the complex and evolving environment in which new and more dangerous forms of sex-related drug consumption have emerged. Emergent causality makes it possible to see how any element in a given assemblage can acquire contingent agentic capacities. Grasping these developments as events, or processes of eventuation, sets out an active, engaged and agonistic role for research practice. Key words: Drug policing, experiments, sniffer dogs, events, harm reduction, chemsex.

Background/AimsRecent incidents have raised awareness about how corporate decisions and behaviour can negatively affect the health and wellbeing of healthcare professionals. This article uses a case study to explore the harm that failing to follow human resources procedures can cause to individuals, organisational culture and effectiveness, and make recommendations to improve practice.MethodsSeven experts from a range of professional backgrounds offered opinions on an individual case study involving the misapplication of a human resources policy, considering how it may have deviated from lawful practice and the potential impact this had on both the individual and the organisation. Thematic analysis was carried out on this qualitative feedback to identify superordinate and subordinate themes.ResultsThe thematic analysis identified four superordinate themes: failure to follow organisational policies; impact on the individual; impact on the organisation; and failure to learn.ConclusionsPoor application of human resources procedures can cause harm to individuals and organisations in a number of different ways. Human resources departments need to actively protect the health and wellbeing of the individual/s involved in investigative procedures, rather than focusing solely on executing the process.

This article argues against the lingering pejorative usage of the term ‘provincialism’ in public discourse in particular. It engages with transnational debates emerging from Australia and French-speaking settings, where provincialism often denotes backwardness, isolation, and a lack of high culture. Through explorations of (a) the universalizing value of the provincial and (b) the diversifying concept of ‘provincializing’, the article advocates for a reconceptualization of the term ‘provincialism’. This is worthwhile on at least two counts: challenging stale dichotomies such as cosmopolitan/unworldly; acknowledging the agency of so-called ‘provincials’ and their essential cultural contributions. The article contributes to debates in human geography and related disciplines by unpacking longstanding questions of inclusion and exclusion. Ultimately, it reclaims the value of provincialism as a term with the capacity to bridge varied areas of scholarship, thereby fostering empowerment and moving beyond deleteriousideas of geography.

The seAFOod randomized controlled trial tested colorectal polyp prevention by the omega-3 (ω-3) highly unsaturated fatty acid (HUFA) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and aspirin. Variable dietary intake of omega-3 HUFAs (also including docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]) and differential EPA capsule compliance could confound analysis of trial outcomes.

Electrocardiogram (ECG) disposable electrodes contain a substantial amount of silver (Ag), which can be extracted and recycled. Most current methods for recovering Ag from waste are expensive and environmentally harmful. This study investigated a sustainable chemical process for extracting Ag from discarded medical electrodes using a simple Cu(II) solution under moderately acidic conditions. Using response surface methodology (RSM) based on a three-level, full-factorial design, the optimized extraction conditions were determined as pH = 4.78, T = 80°C, [Cu(II)]₀ = 8.0 × 10⁻³ M, and [NaCl]₀ = 3.72 M. Under these conditions, a process efficiency approaching 100 % was achieved. Moreover, the recovery of metallic silver exceeded 85 %, even when using real matrices. (i.e., discarded ECG electrodes). As a result, the Ag-containing leachate solutions were utilized to synthesize silver-based materials with varying Ag content. These materials demonstrated (i) excellent photocatalytic activity for hydrogen production in aqueous solutions containing organic compounds and (ii) significant antipathogenic properties. In summary, effective Ag/TiO₂ photocatalytic materials with high efficiency for hydrogen production and antimicrobial activity were successfully prepared through a novel, sustainable, and cost-effective chemical recovery process of silver from discarded ECG electrodes.

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The article focuses on the growing significance of Computer-Aided Design/Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) restorations in dental practices, emphasizing their strength and aesthetic advantages over traditional layered solutions. Topics discussed include the application of monolithic restorations through a case report, highlighting the importance of digital photography, block selection, and meticulous preparation techniques for achieving optimal results in challenging anterior cases.

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On the morning of September 11, 2001, three hundred million Americans woke up to discover that there were Muslims in America. For many, this was news. For the better-read, however, [...]

Background: Potential complications after inguinal hernia repair include uncontrolled post-operative pain and post-operative urinary retention (POUR). Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols aim to mitigate post-operative morbidity. We study the impact of ERAS measures alongside discharge without a narcotic prescription on post-operative pain and POUR after minimally invasive inguinal hernia repair. Methods: A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database identified patients that underwent minimally invasive inguinal hernia repair at a single institution. Intra-operative data included operative time, narcotic usage, non-narcotic adjunct medication, and fluid administration. Primary outcomes included rates of POUR and uncontrolled post-operative pain. Operations performed after 2018 were included in the ERAS cohort. Uncontrolled post-operative pain was defined as needing additional narcotic prescriptions, admission, or ER visits for post-operative pain. POUR was defined as requiring an indwelling urethral catheter at discharge, admission for retention, or returning to the ER for urinary retention. Results: Between January 2008 and March 2021, 1097 patients who underwent minimally invasive inguinal hernia repair were identified. 91.3% of these procedures were laparoscopic and 8.7% were robotic. Average patient age was 57.4 years, 93% were male. Patients receiving care after initiation of the ERAS protocol were significantly less likely to experience POUR when compared to their prior counterparts (1.4% vs. 4.2% p= 0.01); there was no difference in post-operative pain complications (1.4% vs. 2.9% p= 0.15). Patients who were discharged without a narcotic prescription had 0% incidence of POUR. Significant differences were found between the ERAS and non-ERAS cohort regarding narcotic usage and fluid administration. Age, higher fluid volume, and higher narcotic usage were found to be risk factors for POUR while ERAS, sugammadex, and dexamethasone were found to be protective. Conclusion: Implementation of an ambulatory ERAS protocol can significantly decrease urinary retention and narcotic usage rates after minimally invasive inguinal hernia repair.

APC's independent reviewers point to the best technologies in the top-selling product categories each month. We only change products when a better one comes along. What you see here is […]