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Abstract Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) or concussion is a substantial health problem globally, with up to 15% of patients experiencing persisting symptoms that can significantly impact quality of life. Currently, the diagnosis of mTBI relies on clinical presentation with ancillary neuroimaging to exclude more severe forms of injury. However, identifying patients at risk for a poor outcome or protracted recovery is challenging, in part due to the lack of early objective tests that reflect the relevant underlying pathology. While the pathophysiology of mTBI is poorly understood, axonal damage caused by rotational forces is now recognized as an important consequence of injury. Moreover, serum measurement of the neurofilament light (NfL) protein has emerged as a potentially promising biomarker of injury. Understanding the pathological processes that determine serum NfL dynamics over time, and the ability of NfL to reflect underlying pathology will be critical for future clinical research aimed at reducing the burden of disability after mild TBI. Using a gyrencephalic model of head rotational acceleration scaled to human concussion, we demonstrate significant elevations in serum NfL, with a peak at 3 days post-injury. Moreover, increased serum NfL was detectable out to 2 weeks post-injury, with some evidence it follows a biphasic course. Subsequent quantitative histological examinations demonstrate that axonal pathology, including in the absence of neuronal somatic degeneration, was the likely source of elevated serum NfL. However, the extent of axonal pathology quantified via multiple markers did not correlate strongly with the extent of serum NfL. Interestingly, the extent of blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability offered more robust correlations with serum NfL measured at multiple time points, suggesting BBB disruption is an important determinant of serum biomarker dynamics after mTBI. These data provide novel insights to the temporal course and pathological basis of serum NfL measurements that inform its utility as a biomarker in mTBI.

Abstract Background Asymptomatic carriage of infected red blood cells (iRBCs) can be prevalent in communities regardless of transmission patterns and can occur with infection of different Plasmodium species. Clinical immunity dampens the inflammatory responses leading to disease symptoms in malaria. The aim of this study was to define the immunological correlates of asymptomatic carriage of Plasmodium falciparum in a highly exposed population. Methods 142 asymptomatic Plasmodium-infected individuals greater than 2 years of age without fever (body temperature

Abstract Background Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is characterized by debilitating attacks of tissue swelling in various locations. While guidelines recommend the importance of early on-demand treatment, recent data indicate that many patients delay or do not treat their attacks. Objective This survey aimed to investigate patient behavior and evaluate the key factors that drive on-demand treatment decision-making, as reported by those living with HAE. Methods People living with HAE were recruited by the US Hereditary Angioedema Association (HAEA) to complete a 20-minute online survey between September 6, and October 19, 2022. Results Respondents included 107 people with HAE, 80% female, 98% adults (≥ 18 years). Attack management included on-demand therapy only (50%, n = 53) or prophylaxis with on-demand therapy (50%, n = 54). Most patients (63.6%) reported that they did not carry on-demand treatment at all times when away from home. The most common reason for not carrying on-demand treatment when away from home was ‘prefer to treat at home’ (72.1%). Overall, 86% of respondents reported delaying on-demand treatment, despite recognizing the initial onset of an HAE attack and despite 97% of patients agreeing that it is important to recover quickly from an HAE attack. Reasons for non-treatment or treatment delay included ‘the attack is not severe enough to treat’ (91.9% and 88.0%, respectively), ‘cost of treatment’ (31.1% and 40.2%, respectively), anxiety about refilling the prescription for on-demand treatment quickly (31.1% and 37.0%, respectively), the pain (injection or burning) associated with their on-demand treatment (18.9% and 28.3%, respectively), the lack of a suitable/private area to administer on-demand treatment (17.6% and 27.2%, respectively), lack of time to prepare on-demand treatment (16.2% and 16.3%, respectively), and a ‘fear of needles’ (13% and 12.2%, respectively). Survey findings from the patient perspective revealed that when on-demand treatment was delayed, 75% experienced HAE attacks that progressed in severity, and 80% reported longer attack recovery. Conclusions Survey results highlight that decision-making regarding on-demand treatment in HAE is more complicated than expected. The burden associated with current parenteral on-demand therapies is often the cause of treatment delay, despite acknowledgment that delays may result in progression of HAE attacks and longer time to recovery.

Abstract Background Dogs with lymphoma that fail cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone chemotherapy (CHOP) before completion of their protocol are commonly thought to have poor long‐term outcome, but no previous studies have evaluated the effect of early relapse on progression‐free interval (PFI) or overall survival time (OST) for patients undergoing rescue chemotherapy. Objective Correlate rescue treatment outcomes in dogs with multicentric lymphoma with outcomes after 1st‐line CHOP chemotherapy. Methods Data were collected from 6 previous retrospective or prospective studies in 187 dogs with multicentric lymphoma that received 1st‐line CHOP chemotherapy and then received either lomustine (CCNU), L‐asparaginase and prednisone (LAP), or rabacfosadine (RAB, Tanovea), with or without prednisone or L‐asparaginase. Results The PFI after initiation of CHOP chemotherapy was significantly associated with response rate postprogression, PFI, and postrescue survival time (ST) for both rescue protocols. Immunophenotype (B‐ vs T‐cell) was not significantly associated with response, PFI or OST for LAP but was significantly associated with response and PFI for RAB. Conclusion Dogs that experience short PFI during or after 1st‐line CHOP chemotherapy had lower response rates to rescue treatment, with shorter PFI and ST. Immunophenotype did not significantly affect outcome with LAP but was associated with PFI for RAB.

IntroductionThe molecular mechanisms underlying pressure adaptation remain largely unexplored, despite their significance for understanding biological adaptation and improving sterilization methods in the food and beverage industry. The heat shock response leads to a global stabilization of the proteome. Prior research suggested that the heat shock regulon may exhibit a transcriptional response to high-pressure stress.MethodsIn this study, we investigated the pressure-dependent heat shock response in E. coli strains using plasmid-borne green fluorescent protein (GFP) promoter fusions and fluorescence fluctuation microscopy.ResultsWe quantitatively confirm that key heat shock genes-rpoH, rpoE, dnaK, and groEL - are transcriptionally upregulated following pressure shock in both piezosensitive Escherichia coli and a more piezotolerant laboratory-evolved strain, AN62. Our quantitative imaging results provide the first single cell resolution measurements for both the heat shock and pressure shock transcriptional responses, revealing not only the magnitude of the responses, but also the biological variance involved. Moreover, our results demonstrate distinct responses in the pressure-adapted strain. Specifically, PgroEL is upregulated more than PdnaK in AN62, while the reverse is true in the parental strain. Furthermore, unlike in the parental strain, the pressure-induced upregulation of PrpoE is highly stochastic in strain AN62, consistent with a strong feedback mechanism and suggesting that RpoE could act as a pressure sensor.DiscussionDespite its capacity to grow at pressures up to 62 MPa, the AN62 genome shows minimal mutations, with notable single nucleotide substitutions in genes of the transcriptionally important b subunit of RNA polymerase and the Rho terminator. In particular, the mutation in RNAP is one of a cluster of mutations known to confer rifampicin resistance to E. coli via modification of RNAP pausing and termination efficiency. The observed differences in the pressure and heat shock responses between the parental MG1655 strain and the pressure-adapted strain AN62 could arise in part from functional differences in their RNAP molecules.

Abstract Halide perovskites show great optoelectronic performance, but their favorable properties are paired with unusually strong anharmonicity. It was proposed that this combination derives from the n s 2 electron configuration of octahedral cations and associated pseudo-Jahn–Teller effect. We show that such cations are not a prerequisite for the strong anharmonicity and low-energy lattice dynamics encountered in these materials. We combine X-ray diffraction, infrared and Raman spectroscopies, and molecular dynamics to contrast the lattice dynamics of CsSrBr3 with those of CsPbBr3, two compounds that are structurally similar but with the former lacking n s 2 cations with the propensity to form electron lone pairs. We exploit low-frequency diffusive Raman scattering, nominally symmetry-forbidden in the cubic phase, as a fingerprint of anharmonicity and reveal that low-frequency tilting occurs irrespective of octahedral cation electron configuration. This highlights the role of structure in perovskite lattice dynamics, providing design rules for the emerging class of soft perovskite semiconductors.

IntroductionNumerous studies have highlighted cognitive benefits in lifelong bilinguals during aging, manifesting as superior performance on cognitive tasks compared to monolingual counterparts. Yet, the cognitive impacts of acquiring a new language in older adulthood remain unexplored. In this study, we assessed both behavioral and fMRI responses during a Stroop task in older adults, pre- and post language-learning intervention.MethodsA group of 41 participants (age:60–80) from a predominantly monolingual environment underwent a four-month online language course, selecting a new language of their preference. This intervention mandated engagement for 90 minutes a day, five days a week. Daily tracking was employed to monitor progress and retention. All participants completed a color-word Stroop task inside the scanner before and after the language instruction period.ResultsWe found that performance on the Stroop task, as evidenced by accuracy and reaction time, improved following the language learning intervention. With the neuroimaging data, we observed significant differences in activity between congruent and incongruent trials in key regions in the prefrontal and parietal cortex. These results are consistent with previous reports using the Stroop paradigm. We also found that the amount of time participants spent with the language learning program was related to differential activity in these brain areas. Specifically, we found that people who spent more time with the language learning program showed a greater increase in differential activity between congruent and incongruent trials after the intervention relative to before.DiscussionFuture research is needed to determine the optimal parameters for language learning as an effective cognitive intervention for aging populations. We propose that with sufficient engagement, language learning can enhance specific domains of cognition such as the executive functions. These results extend the understanding of cognitive reserve and its augmentation through targeted interventions, setting a foundation for future investigations.

Cownose rays Rhinoptera bonasus and R. brasiliensis, are species distributed along the coastal waters from eastern United States, Gulf of Mexico to Brazil. This study represents the most extensive evaluation to date of the genetic diversity and population genetic structure of R. bonasus across its distribution, and it is the first to investigate the population genetics of R. brasiliensis. We analyzed sequences of COI and Cytb genes for Rhinoptera bonasus (COI: 230, Cytb: 108) and R. brasiliensis (COI: 181, Cytb: 105) to investigate the genetic diversity and their relationship with environmental variables, genetic structure, as well as demographic parameters. We found that benthic temperature and current velocity were the most important environmental variables in genetic diversity. The global population structure reveals the presence of significant population genetic structure in both species. Bayesian clusters in BAPS were consistent with the segregation pattern observed for haplotype networks based on COI and Cytb markers for both species, which may respond to philopatry and temperature. These results will further improve management and conservation efforts for theses species of ecological and economic importance.

Graphene metasurfaces have substantial potential for generating vortex electromagnetic waves carrying orbital angular momentum (OAM) at terahertz frequencies. In this paper, a deformed H-shaped graphene unit cell is utilized to design a half-space reflective metasurface (with a metal backplane, operating in the reflection mode) and a full-space metasurface (operating in both the reflection and transmission modes) to generate OAM beams. The two structures are intertransformable at the level of physical composition, where one configuration enables efficient anomalous reflection of electromagnetic waves within the 4.6–8.9 THz band, while the other enables uniform modulation efficiency of reflective and transmissive waves within the 5.5–7.0 THz band. Equivalent circuit models have been provided to establish a convenient closed-form mathematical description of the metasurface’s electromagnetic behavior. By performing the near- and far-field simulations, a series of THz vortex generators based on the proposed graphene metasurface are demonstrated. In particular, high-purity reflective and transmissive OAM waves with distinct topological charges are observed. Our study provides a path towards the practical realization of active THz OAM metadevices.

A low-profile monolayer dual-port orthomode antenna is presented for enhanced in-band full-duplex (IBFD) communication of wearable biomedical devices. The proposed antenna consists of a center patch surrounded by a complementary slot within a larger peripheral patch. The two ports, which are at opposite lateral sides in a coaxial configuration, are responsible for the Tx/Rx channels respectively. By implementing an asymmetric displacement from the geometric axis, an odd surface current mode is excited via Port 2 (Rx mode), while the even mode is achieved through Port 1 (Tx mode). This mode orthogonality implementation allows a high isolation of > 35 dB between Tx/Rx channels across the central frequency of 6 GHz without circuit elements. In addition, a −10 dB bandwidth of 280 MHz (4.7%) and 480 MHz (8%) is achieved for Port 1 and 2 respectively which supports stable communication channels. The antenna is verified to simultaneously support a unidirectional radiation pattern towards the broadside (Port 1) and a multidirectional hybrid radiation pattern (Port 2) composed of bidirectional $y$ -pol radiation (120° and 60°) as well as broadside $x$ -pol radiation. Both Tx/Rx channels achieve a large front-to-back ratio of > 15 dB. The free space characterization results agree well with the full-wave simulations. Furthermore, the odd/even modes are determined to be stable under local deformations and human loading effects. In conclusion, this monolayer orthomode full-duplex antenna is suitable for various wearable applications due to its low-profile, highly manufacturable design and robustness to environmental imperfections.

This work introduces a new equivalent circuit generation method which can compute an accurate equivalent circuit representation for the known/measured impedance characteristics of antennas, which may assist in matching circuit design, non-Foster matching network design, and deep-learning antenna design. The method utilizes a modified Drude-Lorentz resonator representation inspired by optical material dispersion modeling to create multiple sub-circuits based on determined resonances in the impedance spectrum. Each computed sub-circuit is necessarily composed of physically realizable resistors, capacitors, and inductors, and they are connected in series to accurately reconstruct the device’s corresponding impedance characteristics over a specified region of interest. The process is automated and applicable to a wide range of antennas and electromagnetic devices with multiple resonance phenomena. Current equivalent circuit design methods are limited by a lack of generalization and can require complex, active, or non-realizable circuit topologies. The proposed Drude-Lorentz-based approach can provide valuable insight into an antenna’s resonant behavior while remaining general-purpose and only requiring passive components which are physically realizable. This improved generality is achieved by not requiring physical insights, but rather only utilizing the impedance data alone. Additionally, the method creates simpler circuits than other general methods, requiring less components and component types. This method is employed to create equivalent circuits of four different exemplary types of antennas, a patch antenna, a loop antenna, a spherical helix antenna, and a metantenna unit cell. The impedances generated from these circuit examples are compared with results of their full-wave simulation counterparts and found to be in excellent agreement.

Abstract Background Perivascular spaces (PVSs) carry cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) around the brain, facilitating healthy waste clearance. Measuring those flows in vivo is difficult, and often impossible, because PVSs are small, so accurate modeling is essential for understanding brain clearance. The most important parameter for modeling flow in a PVS is its hydraulic resistance, defined as the ratio of pressure drop to volume flow rate, which depends on its size and shape. In particular, the local resistance per unit length varies along a PVS and depends on variations in the local cross section. Methods Using segmented, three-dimensional images of pial PVSs in mice, we performed fluid dynamical simulations to calculate the resistance per unit length. We applied extended lubrication theory to elucidate the difference between the calculated resistance and the expected resistance assuming a uniform flow. We tested four different approximation methods, and a novel correction factor to determine how to accurately estimate resistance per unit length with low computational cost. To assess the impact of assuming unidirectional flow, we also considered a circular duct whose cross-sectional area varied sinusoidally along its length. Results We found that modeling a PVS as a series of short ducts with uniform flow, and numerically solving for the flow in each, yields good resistance estimates at low cost. If the second derivative of area with respect to axial location is less than 2, error is typically less than 15%, and can be reduced further with our correction factor. To make estimates with even lower cost, we found that instead of solving for the resistance numerically, the well-known resistance of a circular duct could be scaled by a shape factor. As long as the aspect ratio of the cross section was less than 0.7, the additional error was less than 10%. Conclusions Neglecting off-axis velocity components underestimates the average resistance, but the error can be reduced with a simple correction factor. These results could increase the accuracy of future models of brain-wide and local CSF flow, enabling better prediction of clearance, for example, as it varies with age, brain state, and pathological conditions.

After the loss and fragmentation of habitat, vehicle collisions are one of the main threats to the long-term survival of wild koalas. Koala road strike data were analysed for a section of the Peak Downs Highway between Nebo and Spencer’s Gap, west of Mackay, Queensland, Australia. The analysis was carried out on 345 records (October 2014 to November 2023), and results suggested the spatial distribution of koala road strike followed a random pattern along this section of the highway, assuming a Poisson point pattern on a linear network. An analysis of the candidate predictors of koala vehicle collisions, including habitat and road variables, found that the amount of high-quality koala habitat (as defined by the local koalas’ tree species preference) present and the driver visibility were the only significant predictors. The relative homogeneity of landuse and vegetation across this landscape may mean that koalas do not concentrate at specific crossing points. More research, including detailed habitat mapping, is needed into this population, which currently lacks government and conservation attention, to inform mitigation efforts and reduce mortality rates for this potentially nationally significant population.

Abstract Patterns of genetic variation reflect interactions among microevolutionary forces that vary in strength with changing demography. Here, patterns of variation within and among samples of the mouthbrooding gafftopsail catfish (Bagre marinus, Family Ariidae) captured in the U.S. Atlantic and throughout the Gulf of Mexico were analyzed using genomics to generate neutral and non‐neutral SNP data sets. Because genomic resources are lacking for ariids, linkage disequilibrium network analysis was used to examine patterns of putatively adaptive variation. Finally, historical demographic parameters were estimated from site frequency spectra. The results show four differentiated groups, corresponding to the (1) U.S. Atlantic, and the (2) northeastern, (3) northwestern, and (4) southern Gulf of Mexico. The non‐neutral data presented two contrasting signals of structure, one due to increases in diversity moving west to east and north to south, and another to increased heterozygosity in the Atlantic. Demographic analysis suggested that recently reduced long‐term effective population size in the Atlantic is likely an important driver of patterns of genetic variation and is consistent with a known reduction in population size potentially due to an epizootic. Overall, patterns of genetic variation resemble that of other fishes that use the same estuarine habitats as nurseries, regardless of the presence/absence of a larval phase, supporting the idea that adult/juvenile behavior and habitat are important predictors of contemporary patterns of genetic structure.

Purpose: The urethra is a critical structure in prostate radiotherapy planning; however, it is impossible to visualise on CT. We developed a surrogate urethra model (SUM) for CT-only planning workflow and tested its geometric and dosimetric performance against the MRI-delineated urethra (MDU). Methods: The SUM was compared against 34 different MDUs (within the treatment PTV) in patients treated with 36.25Gy (PTV)/40Gy (CTV) in 5 fractions as part of the PACE-B trial. To assess the surrogate's geometric performance, the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), Hausdorff distance (HD), mean distance to agreement (MDTA) and the percentage of MDU outside the surrogate (UOS) were calculated. To evaluate the dosimetric performance, a paired t-test was used to calculate the mean of differences between the MDU and SUM for the D99, D98, D50, D2 and D1. The D(n) is the dose (Gy) to n% of the urethra. Results: The median results showed low agreement on DSC (0.32; IQR 0.21–0.41), but low distance to agreement, as would be expected for a small structure (HD 8.4mm (IQR 7.1–10.1mm), MDTA 2.4mm (IQR, 2.2mm-3.2mm)). The UOS was 30% (IQR, 18–54%), indicating nearly a third of the urethra lay outside of the surrogate. However, when comparing urethral dose between the MDU and SUM, the mean of differences for D99, D98 and D95 were 0.12Gy (p=0.57), 0.09Gy (p=0.61), and 0.11Gy (p=0.46) respectively. The mean of differences between the D50, D2 and D1 were 0.08Gy (p=0.04), 0.09Gy (p=0.02) and 0.1Gy (p=0.01) respectively, indicating good dosimetric agreement between MDU and SUM. Conclusion: While there were geometric differences between the MDU and SUM, there was no clinically significant difference between urethral dose-volume parameters. This surrogate model could be validated in a larger cohort and then used to estimate the urethral dose on CT planning scans in those without an MRI planning scan or urinary catheter.

Abstract Background This study was performed to determine the ability to escalate drug doses in a 15‐week CHOP protocol in dogs with multicentric lymphoma. Hypothesis We hypothesized that at least 50% of dogs could successfully be escalated in at least 1 drug. Secondary aims were to establish objective response rate (ORR), progression‐free interval (PFI), and overall survival time (OST). Animals Thirty dogs with newly diagnosed multicentric lymphoma were prospectively treated with a 15‐week CHOP protocol. Methods This was a prospective cohort study. Drug doses that did not cause dose‐limiting adverse effects (AEs) were increased using a standardized escalation protocol. AEs and response were assessed using VCOG criteria. Serial blood samples were collected after the first dose of each drug for pharmacokinetic analysis. Results Of the 23 dogs with the opportunity to dose escalate, at least 1 drug was successfully escalated in 18 (78%). Vincristine was successfully escalated to 0.8 mg/m2 or higher in 11 dogs, cyclophosphamide to 300 mg/m2 or higher in 16 dogs, and doxorubicin to 35 mg/m2 or 1.4 mg/kg or higher in 9 dogs. Three of the 23 dogs (13%) were hospitalized at least once because of drug‐induced AEs. Neutropenia was the most common dose‐limiting toxicosis for all drugs. Peak doxorubicin concentrations were significantly lower in dogs where doxorubicin was successfully escalated. The objective response rate was 100%. The median progression free interval was 171 days. The median overall survival time was 254 days. Conclusions Drugs in the CHOP protocol can often be escalated safely with manageable AEs.

Foundational thinking for later use of technology, particularly coding, is necessary for an inclusive and sustainable future. Inclusive practices beginning in early childhood recognize children’s innate development of computational thinking—sequencing, repetition and looping, debugging, decomposing and composing, representation, and causality. This qualitative research describes processes of developing and evaluating hypothesized developmental progressions. Inclusive engagement of children with and without disabilities is described in examples for each level of each developmental progression. Implications for teaching and learning with inclusive practices are described for children with and without disabilities.

Abstract On migration from low latitude breeding grounds to high latitude feeding grounds, humpback whale mothers and calves spend time resting in coastal embayments. Unlike other areas where resting has been documented, Jervis Bay, on Australia’s east coast, is remote from both breeding and feeding grounds, and provides a unique opportunity to compare resting behaviour observed within a semi-enclosed embayment to observations offshore. Land-based, and UAV surveys were conducted in Jervis Bay in 2018, 2019, and 2021. We show that (i) a disproportionately high percentage of groups with a calf enter Jervis Bay during the southbound migration, (ii) travelling speeds are significantly slower in the Bay compared to offshore, indicating resting behaviour, and (iii) aerial observations highlight resting and nurturing behaviour. Subsequently, we conclude that Jervis Bay is an important area for resting mother-calf humpback whale groups. Comparison with reports of resting behaviour during migration in areas nearer the breeding grounds shows commonalities that characterise resting behaviour in mothers and calves. This characterisation will allow improved monitoring and management of humpback whales in nearshore embayments during a critical stage of calf development, particularly those with increased anthropogenic activities.

Abstract Background Flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through brain perivascular spaces (PVSs) is essential for the clearance of interstitial metabolic waste products whose accumulation and aggregation is a key mechanism of pathogenesis in many diseases. The PVS geometry has important implications for CSF flow as it affects CSF and solute transport rates. Thus, the size and shape of the perivascular spaces are essential parameters for models of CSF transport in the brain and require accurate quantification. Methods We segmented two-photon images of pial (surface) PVSs and the adjacent arteries and characterized their sizes and shapes of cross sections from 14 PVS segments in 9 mice. Based on the analysis, we propose an idealized model that approximates the cross-sectional size and shape of pial PVSs, closely matching their area ratios and hydraulic resistances. Results The ratio of PVS-to-vessel area varies widely across the cross sections analyzed. The hydraulic resistance per unit length of the PVS scales with the PVS cross-sectional area, and we found a power-law fit that predicts resistance as a function of the area. Three idealized geometric models were compared to PVSs imaged in vivo, and their accuracy in reproducing hydraulic resistances and PVS-to-vessel area ratios were evaluated. The area ratio was obtained across different cross sections, and we found that the distribution peaks for the original PVS and its closest idealized fit (polynomial fit) were 1.12 and 1.21, respectively. The peak of the hydraulic resistance distribution is $$1.73\times 10^{15}$$ 1.73 × 10 15 Pa s/m $$^{5}$$ 5 and $$1.44\times 10^{15}$$ 1.44 × 10 15 Pa s/m $$^{5}$$ 5 for the segmentation and its closest idealized fit, respectively. Conclusions PVS hydraulic resistance can be reasonably predicted as a function of the PVS area. The proposed polynomial-based fit most closely captures the shape of the PVS with respect to area ratio and hydraulic resistance. Idealized PVS shapes are convenient for modeling, which can be used to better understand how anatomical variations affect clearance and drug transport.

Using household-level U.S. food-purchase data, this study investigates pandemic-induced changes in two measures of diet quality, a Berry Index that measures food diversity and a USDAScore that measures adherence to dietary guidelines. Using NielsenIQ consumer panel data and a total of XXX households that neither moved location nor left the panel from 2018 through 2020, we estimate an event-study model where each household's diet quality measures before and during the pandemic period are compared against the same households' scores one year prior. In the two-to-three months following pandemic-based school closures, which spanned the March-June 2020 period, depending on the specific U.S. state, we find modest increases in food diversity (of up to 2.6 percent compared to the prior year) for the Berry Index and larger temporary increases (of up to 8.5 percent) in diet quality as measured by the USDAScore. We also find that households with different demographic characteristics generally follow the same patters; however, households with young children, low-income households, and households that do not own a vehicle exhibit smaller increases.

Inclusion of a decoy alternative dominated by a target option, but not its competitor, typically leads to increased choice for the target over the competitor, known as the attraction effect. However, the reverse sometimes occurs, known as the repulsion effect. This research tested factors that moderate the repulsion effect in preferential choice scenarios with numerical attributes. Experiment 1 used a between-subjects design with a small set of consumer products and demonstrated robust repulsion effects that did not depend on the relative similarity of the decoy and target. Experiments 2 and 4 used a more powerful within-subjects design along with an expanded set of products and showed that repulsion effects were generally enhanced when the decoy and target had more similar attributes; however, the moderating effect of decoy–target similarity appeared to be fragile and sensitive to stimulus presentation factors. These findings provided mixed support for the hypothesis that the target is tainted by its proximity to the decoy. Experiments 3 and 5 tested whether the extremity of values on the attribute favoring the target moderates the repulsion effect. The results demonstrated that repulsion is more likely when all the alternatives have extremely high values on the target’s better attribute. Extremity of attribute values on the dimension favoring the target may result in a categorical assessment along that dimension and shift focus to the attribute favoring the competitor as one way to foster the repulsion effect.

Abstract Nuclear compartments are prominent features of 3D chromatin organization, but sequencing depth limitations have impeded investigation at ultra fine-scale. CTCF loops are generally studied at a finer scale, but the impact of looping on proximal interactions remains enigmatic. Here, we critically examine nuclear compartments and CTCF loop-proximal interactions using a combination of in situ Hi-C at unparalleled depth, algorithm development, and biophysical modeling. Producing a large Hi-C map with 33 billion contacts in conjunction with an algorithm for performing principal component analysis on sparse, super massive matrices (POSSUMM), we resolve compartments to 500 bp. Our results demonstrate that essentially all active promoters and distal enhancers localize in the A compartment, even when flanking sequences do not. Furthermore, we find that the TSS and TTS of paused genes are often segregated into separate compartments. We then identify diffuse interactions that radiate from CTCF loop anchors, which correlate with strong enhancer-promoter interactions and proximal transcription. We also find that these diffuse interactions depend on CTCF’s RNA binding domains. In this work, we demonstrate features of fine-scale chromatin organization consistent with a revised model in which compartments are more precise than commonly thought while CTCF loops are more protracted.

Nuclear hormone receptors exist in dynamic equilibrium between transcriptionally active and inactive complexes dependent on interactions with ligands, proteins, and chromatin. The present studies examined the hypothesis that endogenous ligands activate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-β/δ (PPARβ/δ) in keratinocytes. The phorbol ester treatment or HRAS infection of primary keratinocytes increased fatty acids that were associated with enhanced PPARβ/δ activity. Fatty acids caused PPARβ/δ-dependent increases in chromatin occupancy and the expression of angiopoietin-like protein 4 (Angptl4) mRNA. Analyses demonstrated that stearoyl Co-A desaturase 1 (Scd1) mediates an increase in intracellular monounsaturated fatty acids in keratinocytes that act as PPARβ/δ ligands. The activation of PPARβ/δ with palmitoleic or oleic acid causes arrest at the G2/M phase of the cell cycle of HRAS-expressing keratinocytes that is not found in similarly treated HRAS-expressing Pparb/d-null keratinocytes. HRAS-expressing Scd1-null mouse keratinocytes exhibit enhanced cell proliferation, an effect that is mitigated by treatment with palmitoleic or oleic acid. Consistent with these findings, the ligand activation of PPARβ/δ with GW0742 or oleic acid prevented UVB-induced non-melanoma skin carcinogenesis, an effect that required PPARβ/δ. The results from these studies demonstrate that PPARβ/δ has endogenous roles in keratinocytes and can be activated by lipids found in diet and cellular components.

Abstract Over the years, aircraft and spacecraft designs incorporated highly integrated and/or complex systems that can manage complex scenarios during its operation. In addition to the inherent complexity and/or high level of integration of those systems, the development process applied to aerospace programs is also challenged by other factors: program schedule, budget, multidisciplinary teams, new industry emerging technologies, large number of different processes and procedures that guide the activities along the development life cycle, and others. Given the fact many tasks executed during the development of such systems require human interaction, that yields the introduction of design errors that can contribute to the occurrence of non-desired system behaviors during operation phase. It is already recognized by the civil aviation industry that it is unfeasible to have a deterministic test set to demonstrate that such systems are completely free of such design errors. In that context, a huge effort is applied by the industry, by using qualitative methods to mitigate the occurrence of design errors during the development phases. This paper discusses how MBSE methodology applied together with a design assurance process could prevent such design errors, and presents an analysis showing how some events in aerospace industry where a design error was one of the contributing factors could be avoided.

Summary: Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) have successfully identified 145 genomic regions that contribute to schizophrenia risk, but linkage disequilibrium makes it challenging to discern causal variants. We performed a massively parallel reporter assay (MPRA) on 5,173 fine-mapped schizophrenia GWAS variants in primary human neural progenitors and identified 439 variants with allelic regulatory effects (MPRA-positive variants). Transcription factor binding had modest predictive power, while fine-map posterior probability, enhancer overlap, and evolutionary conservation failed to predict MPRA-positive variants. Furthermore, 64% of MPRA-positive variants did not exhibit expressive quantitative trait loci signature, suggesting that MPRA could identify yet unexplored variants with regulatory potentials. To predict the combinatorial effect of MPRA-positive variants on gene regulation, we propose an accessibility-by-contact model that combines MPRA-measured allelic activity with neuronal chromatin architecture.

Recent declines of grassland bird populations in North America are linked to habitat loss and fragmentation associated with agricultural practices. One tool used to conserve soil, water and wildlife habitat on agricultural fields is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the largest agricultural conservation program in the United States. Managers and conservationists recognize CRP as an important component of conserving grassland birds in the central portion of the United States. However, recent widespread expiration of CRP contracts could negatively influence grassland bird populations. Few studies have evaluated how former CRP-enrolled fields may function as grassland bird habitat. In this paper, we analyzed data from a long-term (1990–2017) study aimed at comparing grassland bird abundance (24 species) between idled CRP grasslands and fields where the CRP contracts expired. Some of these fields where contracts expired were maintained as pasture or hayland, and others were converted back to cropland. Estimated abundances of most species were considerably higher in idled CRP than in fields with expired CRP contracts. Post-CRP land use also appeared to affect most bird abundances, with lower abundance in grazed grasslands and haylands relative to idled CRP, but higher abundance than cropland. The responses of obligate and facultative grassland specialists to post-CRP management varied among species, with some being negative and some being positive depending on post-CRP land use, which is unsurprising given the variable habitat requirements of grassland birds. Our results have implications for wildlife managers who must design conservation strategies around the land use decisions of private landowners. Our results support the idea of maintaining a mosaic of undisturbed CRP grasslands and post-CRP grasslands that are hayed or grazed, which should guarantee some undisturbed nesting cover in the landscape for some bird species and some disturbed grasslands that may have long-term benefits for other species.

Reconfigurability and robustness are two key properties for electromagnetic devices. Here, the use of compliant mechanisms—which are known for their inherent durability, structural stability, and high-accuracy manipulation capabilities in mechanical applications—is introduced for reconfigurable electromagnetic systems.

The feed for reflectarrays and transmitarrays is crucial for determining the overall antenna aperture efficiency, gain, and power handling. In the past, several methods, such as altering the horn shape to achieve higher modes, have been employed to modify the feed radiation pattern to improve these key parameters. However, another approach is to use gradient index (GRIN) lenses, which offer unprecedented control over the radiation pattern and can be used to shrink the overall antenna. In this paper, we demonstrate highly effective approaches for optimizing GRIN lenses to achieve different design objectives including high gain radiation with a compact feed as well as improved aperture efficiency and power handling. Additive manufacturing is employed to fabricate the lenses, and measured results agree well with simulations.

Abstract Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most fatal cancers worldwide with high mortality, which is mainly due to the lack of reliable biomarkers for PDAC diagnosis/prognosis in the early stages and effective therapeutic strategies for the treatment. Cancer-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs), which carry various messages and signal biomolecules (e.g. RNAs, DNAs, proteins, lipids, and glycans) to constitute the key features (e.g. genetic and phenotypic status) of cancer cells, are regarded as highly competitive non-invasive biomarkers for PDAC diagnosis/prognosis. Additionally, new insights on the biogenesis and molecular functions of cancer-derived sEVs pave the way for novel therapeutic strategies based on cancer-derived sEVs for PDAC treatment such as inhibition of the formation or secretion of cancer-derived sEVs, using cancer-derived sEVs as drug carriers and for immunotherapy. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the most recent scientific and clinical research on the discovery and involvement of key molecules in cancer-derived sEVs for PDAC diagnosis/prognosis and strategies using cancer-derived sEVs for PDAC treatment. The current limitations and emerging trends toward clinical application of cancer-derived sEVs in PDAC diagnosis/prognosis and treatment have also been discussed.

Closed-head traumatic brain injury (TBI) is induced by rapid motion of the head, resulting in diffuse strain fields throughout the brain. The injury mechanism(s), loading thresholds, and neuroanatomical distribution of affected cells remain poorly understood, especially in the gyrencephalic brain. We utilized a porcine model to explore the relationships between rapid head rotational acceleration-deceleration loading and immediate alterations in plasmalemmal permeability within cerebral cortex, sub-cortical white matter, and hippocampus. To assess plasmalemmal compromise, Lucifer yellow (LY), a small cell-impermeant dye, was delivered intraventricularly and diffused throughout the parenchyma prior to injury in animals euthanized at 15-min post-injury; other animals (not receiving LY) were survived to 8-h or 7-days. Plasmalemmal permeability preferentially occurred in neuronal somata and dendrites, but rarely in white matter axons. The burden of LY+ neurons increased based on head rotational kinematics, specifically maximum angular velocity, and was exacerbated by repeated TBI. In the cortex, LY+ cells were prominent in both the medial and lateral gyri. Neuronal membrane permeability was observed within the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex, including morphological changes such as beading in dendrites. These changes correlated with reduced fiber volleys and synaptic current alterations at later timepoints in the hippocampus. Further histological observations found decreased NeuN immunoreactivity, increased mitochondrial fission, and caspase pathway activation in both LY+ and LY– cells, suggesting the presence of multiple injury phenotypes. This exploratory study suggests relationships between plasmalemmal disruptions in neuronal somata and dendrites within cortical and hippocampal gray matter as a primary response in closed-head rotational TBI and sets the stage for future, traditional hypothesis-testing experiments.

Abundance surveys are commonly used to estimate plant or animal densities and frequently require estimating detection probabilities to account for imperfect detection. The estimation of detection probabilities requires additional measurements that take time, potentially reducing the efficiency of the survey when applied to high-density populations. We conducted quadrat, removal, and distance surveys of zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) in three central Minnesota lakes and determined how much survey effort would be required to achieve a pre-specified level of precision for each abundance estimator, allowing us to directly compare survey design efficiencies across a range of conditions. We found that the required sampling effort needed to achieve our precision goal depended on both the survey design and population density. At low densities, survey designs that could cover large areas but with lower detection probabilities, such as distance surveys, were more efficient (i.e., required less sampling effort to achieve the same level of precision). However, at high densities, quadrat surveys, which tend to cover less area but with high detection rates, were more efficient. These results demonstrate that the best survey design is likely to be context-specific, requiring some prior knowledge of the underlying population density and the cost/time needed to collect additional information for estimating detection probabilities.

BackgroundInformation on dogs that undergo limb preserving local treatment for ulnar tumors is currently limited.ObjectiveTo describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes in dogs that underwent partial ulnectomy or radiation therapy (RT) for ulnar bone tumors, and to evaluate potential risk factors for outcomes as well as pre-treatment factors for association with treatment modality selected.AnimalsForty client-owned dogs that underwent partial ulnectomy or RT for an ulnar tumor from July 2006 to July 2021.MethodsThe medical records database from a single institution were retrospectively reviewed, and data were recorded and analyzed.ResultsRadiation therapy was performed in 24 dogs, with 12 stereotactic body RT (SBRT) and 12 palliative RT (PRT) plans, and partial ulnectomy was performed in 16 dogs. Biomechanical complications occurred in 6/12 (50%) dogs that underwent SBRT, 6/12 (50%) dogs that underwent PRT, and 3/16 (18.8%) dogs that underwent ulnectomy. The majority of dogs had a good functional outcome following partial ulnectomy, and no dogs required surgical stabilization of the carpus even with lateral styloid process excision. Pathologic fracture occurred in 4/12 (33.3%) dogs following SBRT and 5/12 (41.7%) dogs following PRT. Local progression or recurrence was documented in 5/12 (41.7%) dogs that underwent SBRT, 2/12 (16.7%) dogs that underwent PRT, and 2/16 (12.5%) dogs that underwent ulnectomy. The overall median survival time was 198 days, and factors that were significantly associated with improved survival time included adjuvant chemotherapy administration and partial ulnectomy as local treatment method for dogs that received chemotherapy.Clinical relevanceBoth RT and ulnectomy were effective and well tolerated local treatment modalities for dogs with ulnar tumors.

Summary: During mouse embryogenesis, expression of the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) Airn leads to gene repression and recruitment of Polycomb repressive complexes (PRCs) to varying extents over a 15-Mb domain. The mechanisms remain unclear. Using high-resolution approaches, we show in mouse trophoblast stem cells that Airn expression induces long-range changes to chromatin architecture that coincide with PRC-directed modifications and center around CpG island promoters that contact the Airn locus even in the absence of Airn expression. Intensity of contact between the Airn lncRNA and chromatin correlated with underlying intensity of PRC recruitment and PRC-directed modifications. Deletion of CpG islands that contact the Airn locus altered long-distance repression and PRC activity in a manner that correlated with changes in chromatin architecture. Our data imply that the extent to which Airn expression recruits PRCs to chromatin is controlled by DNA regulatory elements that modulate proximity of the Airn lncRNA product to its target DNA.

Super-enhancers and their associated transcription factor networks have been shown to influence ovarian cancer biology. Here, based on an integrated set of genomic and epigenomic datasets, the authors identify clinically relevant super-enhancers amplified in ovarian cancer patients and functionally validate their activity.

Abstract Species often exhibit regionally specific habitat associations, so habitat association models developed in one region might not be accurate or even appropriate for other regions. Three programs to survey wetland‐breeding birds covering (respectively) Great Lakes coastal wetlands, inland Great Lakes wetlands, and the Prairie Pothole Region offer an opportunity to test whether regionally specific models of habitat use by wetland‐obligate breeding birds are transferrable across regions. We first developed independent, regional population density models for four species of wetland‐obligate birds: Pied‐billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps), Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola), Sora (Porzana carolina), and American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus). We then used adjusted pseudo‐R2 values to compare the amount of variation explained by each model when applied to data collected in each of the three regions. Although certain habitat characteristics, such as emergent vegetation and wetland area, were consistently important across regions, models for each species differed by region—both in variables selected for inclusion and often in the directionality of relationships for common variables—indicating that habitat associations for these species are regionally specific. When we applied a model developed in one region to data collected in another region, we found that explanatory power was reduced in most (71%) models. Therefore, we suggest that ecological analyses should emphasize regionally specific habitat association models whenever possible. Nonetheless, models created from inland Great Lakes wetland data had higher median explanatory power when applied to other regions, and the amount of explanatory power lost by other transferred models was relatively small. Thus, while regionally specific habitat association models are preferable, in the absence of reliable regional data, habitat association models developed in one region may be applied to another region, but the results need to be cautiously interpreted. Additionally, we found that median explanatory power was higher when local‐scale habitat characteristics were included in the models, indicating that regionally specific models should ideally be based on a combination of local‐ and landscape‐scale habitat characteristics. Conservation practitioners can leverage such regionally specific models and associated monitoring data to help prioritize areas for management activities that contribute to regional conservation efforts.

IntroductionApproximately three-fourths of all pelagic marine prokaryotes live in the deep sea, an environment characterized by high hydrostatic pressure and, in most cases, low temperature. Labile organic matter is often scarce within these settings, providing a competitive advantage to motile cells that can access the nutrients within a greater seawater volume. Because many cells present at depth are shallow water-adapted microbes descending from more productive surface waters, deep-sea conditions could significantly reduce their motility and, consequently, their biogeochemical activities.MethodsIn this study, we address this possibility by examining the impact of deep-sea physical conditions on the motility of three representative marine microbes belonging to the cosmopolitan genera Halomonas, Alcanivorax, and Shewanella. Growth-dependent motility agar assays and growth-independent microscopy assays were employed at four pressures and two temperatures.ResultsAt pressures equivalent to bathyal and abyssal depths (10 – 50 Megapascals), decreases in temperature (30°C – 4°C or 23°C – 7°C depending on the assay) had a greater negative impact on motility than pressure. In addition, the high-pressure and low-temperature impacts were additive. Exposure to high pressure and/or low temperature had varying degrees of effect on flagellar function, depending on the strain and the magnitude of the applied stress. These ranged from short-term impacts that were quickly reversible to long-term impacts that were detrimental to the function of the flagellum, leading to complete loss of motility.DiscussionThese findings highlight the sensitivity of motility systems of piezosensitive mesophilic marine bacteria to the combined pressure/temperature conditions present in the deep sea, phenotypes that in situ are likely to manifest themselves in the modulation of diverse microbial activities.

Abstract Purpose Neuroplasticity may be enhanced by increasing brain activation and bloodflow in neural regions relevant to the target behavior. We administered precisely formulated and dosed taste stimuli to determine whether the associated brain activity patterns included areas that underlie swallowing control. Methods Five taste stimuli (unflavored, sour, sweet‐sour, lemon, and orange suspensions) were administered in timing‐regulated and temperature‐controlled 3 mL doses via a customized pump/tubing system to 21 healthy adults during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Whole‐brain analyses of fMRI data assessed main effects of taste stimulation as well as differential effects of taste profile. Results Differences in brain activity associated with taste stimulation overall as well as specific stimulus type were observed in key taste and swallowing regions including the orbitofrontal cortex, insula, cingulate, and pre‐ and postcentral gyri. Overall, taste stimulation elicited increased activation in swallowing‐related brain regions compared to unflavored trials. Different patterns of blood oxygen level‐dependent (BOLD) signal were noted by taste profile. For most areas, sweet‐sour and sour trials elicited increases in BOLD compared to unflavored trials within that region, whereas lemon and orange trials yielded reductions in BOLD. This was despite identical concentrations of citric acid and sweetener in the lemon, orange, and sweet‐sour solutions. Conclusions These results suggest that neural activity in swallowing‐relevant regions can be amplified with taste stimuli and may be differentially affected by specific properties within very similar taste profiles. These findings provide critical foundational information for interpreting disparities in previous studies of taste effects on brain activity and swallowing function, defining optimal stimuli to increase brain activity in swallowing‐relevant regions, and harnessing taste to enhance neuroplasticity and recovery for persons with swallowing disorders.

Macrophages are ancient, phagocytic immune cells thought to have their origins 500 million years ago in metazoan phylogeny. The understanding of macrophages has evolved to encompass their foundational roles in development, homeostasis, tissue repair, inflammation, and immunity. Notably, macrophages display high plasticity in response to environmental cues, capable of a strikingly wide variety of dynamic gene signatures and phenotypes. Macrophages are also involved in many pathological states including neural disease, asthma, liver disease, heart disease, cancer, and others. In cancer, most tumor-associated immune cells are macrophages, coined tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). While some TAMs can display anti-tumor properties such as phagocytizing tumor cells and orchestrating an immune response, most macrophages in the tumor microenvironment are immunosuppressive and pro-tumorigenic. Macrophages have been implicated in all stages of cancer. Therefore, interest in manipulating macrophages as a therapeutic strategy against cancer developed as early as the 1970s. Companion dogs are a strong comparative immuno-oncology model for people due to documented similarities in the immune system and spontaneous cancers between the species. Data from clinical trials in humans and dogs can be leveraged to further scientific advancements that benefit both species. This review aims to provide a summary of the current state of knowledge on macrophages in general, and an in-depth review of macrophages as a therapeutic strategy against cancer in humans and companion dogs.

Abstract Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is associated with the development of a range of neurodegenerative pathologies, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Current consensus diagnostic criteria define the pathognomonic cortical lesion of CTE neuropathologic change (CTE-NC) as a patchy deposition of hyperphosphorylated tau in neurons, with or without glial tau in thorn-shaped astrocytes, typically towards the depths of sulci and clustered around small blood vessels. Nevertheless, although incorporated into consensus diagnostic criteria, the contribution of the individual cellular components to identification of CTE-NC has not been formally evaluated. To address this, from the Glasgow TBI Archive, cortical tissue blocks were selected from consecutive brain donations from contact sports athletes in which there was known to be either CTE-NC (n = 12) or Alzheimer’s disease neuropathologic change (n = 4). From these tissue blocks, adjacent tissue sections were stained for tau antibodies selected to reveal either solely neuronal pathology (3R tau; GT-38) or mixed neuronal and astroglial pathologies (4R tau; PHF-1). These stained sections were then randomised and independently assessed by a panel of expert neuropathologists, blind to patient clinical history and primary antibody applied to each section, who were asked to record whether CTE-NC was present. Results demonstrate that, in sections stained for either 4R tau or PHF-1, consensus recognition of CTE-NC was high. In contrast, recognition of CTE-NC in sections stained for 3R tau or GT-38 was poor; in the former no better than chance. Our observations demonstrate that the presence of both neuronal and astroglial tau pathologies facilitates detection of CTE-NC, with its detection less consistent when neuronal tau pathology alone is visible. The combination of both glial and neuronal pathologies, therefore, may be required for detection of CTE-NC.

Early science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) learning experiences often exclude children with disabilities and intersecting identities. To promote learning in STEM for all children, the Curriculum Research Framework (CRF) was applied to build learning trajectories of STEM for children from birth to age 5. The CRF was extended and enhanced to generate explicitly inclusive learning trajectories for children with and without disabilities. The process of generating a priori foundations, building learning trajectories, and testing the results in inclusive settings led to new resources for early childhood education (ECE) and early childhood special education (ECSE) practitioners and generated implications for creating and evaluating learning trajectories in ways that affirm that all children belong in STEM. Challenges faced and lessons learned in this process are presented to guide future research and development using the revised and enhanced CRF.

Anthropologists are often the custodians of long-term unidentified human remains though their positions as curators of university or museum skeletal collections. Various factors decrease the solvability of these legacy cases including the passage of time, the loss of provenience for specific cases, and lack of documentation or case records. While anthropologists can contribute important information toward identification, it is often necessary to explore novel and cross-disciplinary strategies to resolve difficult cold cases.In long cold cases, the postmortem interval, in particular, may be difficult to estimate leading to further challenges in achieving identification. Modern advances in radiocarbon bomb pulse dating, isotope analysis, and actualistic studies have contributed to positive identification of unidentified human remains in some legacy cases, but may not be available to all forensic practitioners and law enforcement from resource-poor agencies. Pooling resources, as well as collaborating with professionals outside of forensic anthropology, is a useful strategy to pursue when anthropological methods are exhausted.The case study presented here demonstrates a collaborative approach between forensic anthropologists, forensic genetic genealogists, and law enforcement in a century-old homicide. The dismembered and mummified parts of a male body were recovered in a remote cave in 1979 and again in 1991. Despite forensic anthropologists creating and updating the biological profile over the decades from recovery to present, no identification was made until the application of forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) to the case in 2019. New interpretations of bone microstructure and trauma analysis are presented for the case, alongside the historical documentation and “proof of life” evidence used by the genealogy team. A review of the FGG methods underscores the challenges in this case (e.g. significant endogamy, multiple aliases used by the victim) and the steps taken toward resolution. Ultimately, a combined anthropology and genealogy approach resulted in a confirmed identity for a man who was murdered in 1916.Key pointsForensic scientists should leverage a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach toward human identification.When combined with forensic anthropology methods, forensic genetic genealogy is a valuable tool linking biological and cultural-historical aspects of identity.Forensic anthropologists should review challenging cases in their labs as new methods are introduced and new resources become available.

The brain dynamically transforms cognitive information. Here the authors build task-performing, functioning neural network models of sensorimotor transformations constrained by human brain data without the use of typical deep learning techniques.

A new design for a quasi-endfire spoof surface plasmon polariton (SSPP) leaky-wave antenna (LWA) is presented for wearable application. The antenna consists of an ultra-thin corrugated metallic structure screen-printed on a flexible textile substrate, which supports extremely confined spoof surface plasmon polaritons. To enable a highly directional leaky mode, two unit-cell designs with different surface impedances are incorporated to realize binary perturbations on the in-plane wavenumber. An auto-adaptive multi-objective optimizer (MOO) is utilized to intelligently design the surface impedance configuration, which achieves significant dimensional reduction compared to the periodically modified SSPP LWAs. A final miniaturized version with 28-unit-cells achieved about 70% size reduction in comparison to the longer design of 75 unit-cells. For proof of concept, the antenna is designed and optimized for operation at 6 GHz. A bandwidth of >200 MHz (5.90 GHz - 6.13 GHz) is achieved, centered around 6 GHz, for which the highly directional endfire pattern can be tilted to 22° and 14° for the 28 and 75 unit-call designs, respectively. The measured results agree well with the simulations. Meanwhile, experimental results show that the Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) is lower than 1.6 W/kg standard when the antenna is 2 mm away from the human phantom. This textile-based antenna realized with advanced screen-printing technology is extremely suitable for garment integration due to its high flexibility, low-profile, good fabrication accuracy, and robustness in its performance.

OBJECTIVES: Infections are the main complications in terminal diseases. Many patients die using antibiotics, which raises questions about their real usefulness and role in unnecessary prolongation of suffering. This survey evaluated how doctors use antibiotics in palliative care. METHODS: From June to August of 2016, an online survey was conducted with 224 doctors who provide palliative care. They had to decide whether to initiate antibiotics in fictitious scenarios involving patients with suspected infections (urinary tract infection, pneumonia, sepsis) in end-of-life (from cancer, dementia, malignant stroke with sequelae, advanced COPD, multiple organ failure). Then, they had to decide whether to stop, maintain, or extend antibiotics after non-response in 72 hours. RESULTS: 88-100% of doctors decided to initiate antibiotics in all situations, except in advanced dementia (45%), and most of them decided to maintain/extend antibiotics inadequately. Factors associated with maintaining/extending antibiotics inadequately were: longer time since graduation (over 13 years; significant in all 7 clinical situations; OR range: 2.45-10.11), and not having formal specialization in palliative care (statistically significant in 3 of 7 situations). CONCLUSIONS: Most palliative care physicians in this study decided to initiate and maintain/extend antibiotics at the end-of-life.

Abstract Background Rabacfosadine (RAB, Tanovea‐CA1) is a novel chemotherapy agent conditionally approved for the treatment of lymphoma in dogs. Hypothesis/Objectives To determine the efficacy and safety of RAB in dogs with lymphoma. Animals One hundred and fifty‐eight client‐owned dogs with naïve or relapsed multicentric lymphoma were prospectively enrolled from January to October 2019. Methods Dogs were randomized to receive RAB or placebo at a 3 : 1 ratio. Treatment was given every 21 days for up to 5 treatments. Study endpoints included progression‐free survival (PFS), overall response rate (ORR) at a given visit, best overall response rate (BORR), and percent progression free 1 month after treatment completion. Safety data were also collected. Results The median PFS was significantly longer in the RAB group compared to placebo (82 vs 21 days; P

Additive manufacturing used in combination with versatile shape generation methods can enable designers to realize unintuitive antenna designs with bespoke electromagnetic behaviors that would normally be extremely difficult or even impossible to manufacture using conventional techniques. In this paper, we present a new custom algorithm that produces arbitrary three-dimensional (3D) meander line antennas. This algorithm is used in conjunction with multi-objective optimization to create two quadrifilar helix antennas (QHAs) and one monopole antenna, all with unique electromagnetic performances. One QHA has a wide bandwidth, high broadside gain, and compact size, while the other has a dual-band nature with different radiation patterns in each band. Similarly, the monopole example is a dual-wideband design which targets Wi-Fi applications. These structures possess a meander radius that varies with height as well as conductor thickness that varies along the meander path which allows for improved antenna performance over conventional meander line antennas. An example design was fabricated and tested in order to validate the performance of the optimized virtual antenna model.

Opioid use disorder (OUD) represents a public health crisis in the United States. Medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) with buprenorphine in primary care is a proven OUD treatment strategy. MOUD induction is when patients begin withdrawal and receive the first doses of buprenorphine. Differences between induction methods might influence short-term stabilization, long-term maintenance, and quality of life. This paper describes the protocol for a study designed to: (1) compare short-term stabilization and long-term maintenance treatment engagement in MOUD in patients receiving office, home, or telehealth induction and (2) identify clinically-relevant practice and patient characteristics associated with successful long-term treatment. The study design is a randomized, parallel group, pragmatic comparative effectiveness trial of three care models of MOUD induction in 100 primary care practices in the United States. Eligible patients are at least 16 years old, have been identified by their clinician as having opioid dependence and would benefit from MOUD. Patients will be randomized to one of three induction comparators: office, home, or telehealth induction. Primary outcomes are buprenorphine medication-taking and illicit opioid use at 30, 90, and 270 days post-induction. Secondary outcomes include quality of life and potential mediators of treatment maintenance (intentions, planning, automaticity). Potential moderators include social determinants of health, substance use history and appeal, and executive function. An intent to treat analysis will assess effects of the interventions on long-term treatment, using general/generalized linear mixed models, adjusted for covariates, for the outcomes analysis. Analysis includes practice- and patient-level random effects for hierarchical/longitudinal data. No large-scale, randomized comparative effectiveness research has compared home induction to office or telehealth MOUD induction on long-term outcomes for patients with OUD seen in primary care settings. The results of this study will offer primary care providers evidence and guidance in selecting the most beneficial induction method(s) for specific patients.

Sunetra Das et al. combine genetic and immunohistochemistry data to characterize mutation and expression profiles of canine osteosarcoma and its association with clinical outcomes. Their results provide further insight into the pathogenesis and potential future therapeutic targets for osteosarcoma.