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Human T cell leukaemia virus type-1 (HTLV-1) is an oncogenic retrovirus that causes lifelong infection in ~5–10 million individuals globally. It is endemic to certain First Nations populations of Northern and Central Australia, Japan, South and Central America, Africa, and the Caribbean region. HTLV-1 preferentially infects CD4+ T cells and remains in a state of reduced transcription, often being asymptomatic in the beginning of infection, with symptoms developing later in life. HTLV-1 infection is implicated in the development of adult T cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATL) and HTLV-1-associated myelopathies (HAM), amongst other immune-related disorders. With no preventive or curative interventions, infected individuals have limited treatment options, most of which manage symptoms. The clinical burden and lack of treatment options directs the need for alternative treatment strategies for HTLV-1 infection. Recent advances have been made in the development of RNA-based antiviral therapeutics for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type-1 (HIV-1), an analogous retrovirus that shares modes of transmission with HTLV-1. This review highlights past and ongoing efforts in the development of HTLV-1 therapeutics and vaccines, with a focus on the potential for gene therapy as a new treatment modality in light of its successes in HIV-1, as well as animal models that may help the advancement of novel antiviral and anticancer interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the theory, design, and application of a dual-branch series-diode analog pre-distortion (APD) linearizer to improve the linearity and efficiency of a K-band high-power amplifier (HPA). A first-of-its-kind, frequency-dependent large-signal APD model is presented. This model is used to evaluate different phase relationships between the linear and nonlinear branches, suggesting independent gain and phase expansion characteristics with this topology. This model is used to assess the impact of diode resistance, capacitance, and ideality factors on the APD characteristics. This feature is showcased with two similar GaAs diodes to find the best fit for the considered HPA. The selected diode is characterized and modeled between 1 and 26.5 GHz. A comprehensive APD design and simulation workflow is reported. Before fabrication, the simulated APD is evaluated with the measured HPA to verify linearity improvements. The APD prototype achieves a large-signal bandwidth of 6 GHz with 3 dB gain expansion and 8° phase rotation. This linearizer is demonstrated with a 17–21 GHz GaN HPA with 41 dBm output power and 35% efficiency. Using a wideband 750 MHz signal, this APD improves the noise–power ratio (NPR) by 6.5–8.2 dB over the whole HPA bandwidth. Next, the HPA output power is swept to compare APD vs. power backoff for the same NPR. APD improves the HPA output power by 1–2 W and efficiency by approximately 5–9% at 19 GHz. This efficiency improvement decreases by only 1–2% when including the APD post-amplifier consumption, thus suggesting overall efficiency and output power improvements with APD at K-band frequencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal-assisted interventions (AAI) are increasingly used in clinical and school settings to promote psychological and social-emotional well-being among youth. However, the precise role of youth-animal relationships in shaping developmental trajectories is understudied. Research is needed to expand human-centric models of child development, specifically to examine how youth relationships with animals may be ecological assets and identify potential processes of change underlying these relationships. This study analyzed interviews from 30 students attending a school for special education and mental health services that incorporates AAI. Results indicated that youth perceived their relationships with animals as contributing to enhanced social connection, which was perceived as leading to self-esteem and confidence, enjoyment, and self-regulation. Youth reported positive sensory experiences with animals as supporting self-regulation. These findings suggest that AAI may need to be structured to prioritize youths' ability to form positive social connections with animals and incorporate positive sensory experiences while limiting negative ones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical conductimetry and dynamic light scattering (DLS) were used to investigate the aggregation behaviors of four amino acid-based surfactants (AABSs; undecanoyl-glycine, undecanoyl-l-alanine, undecanoyl-l-valine, undecanoyl-l-leucine) in the presence of five linear diamine counterions (1,2-diaminoethane, 1,3-diaminopropane, 1,4-diaminobutane, 1,5-diaminopentane, 1,6-diaminohexane). Electrical conductimetry was used to measure the CMCs for each system, which ranged from 5.1 to 22.5 mM. With respect to counterions, the obtained CMCs decreased with increases in the interamine spacer length; this was attributed to the improved torsional binding flexibility in longer counterions. Strong linear correlations (mean R2 = 0.9443) were observed between the CMCs and predicted surfactant partition coefficients (logP; water/octanol), suggesting that micellization is primarily driven by the AABS's hydrophobicity for these systems. However, significant deviations in this linear relationship were observed for systems containing 1,2-diaminoethane, 1,4-diaminobutane, and 1,6-diaminohexane (p = 0.0774), suggesting altered binding dynamics for these counterions. pH measurements during the CMC determination experiments indicated the full deprotonation of the AABSs but did not give clear insights into the counterion protonation states, thus yielding an inconclusive evaluation of their charge stabilization effects during binding. However, DLS measurements revealed that the micellar size remained largely independent of the counterion length for counterions longer than 1,2-diaminoethane, with hydrodynamic diameters ranging from 2.2 to 2.8 nm. This was explained by the formation of charge-stabilized noncovalent dimers, with each counterion bearing a full +2 charge. Conductimetry-based estimates of the degrees of counterion binding (β) and free energies of micellization (ΔG°M) revealed that bulky AABSs exhibit preferential binding to counterions with an even number of methylene groups. It is proposed that when these counterions form noncovalent dimers, perturbations in their natural geometries result in the formation of a binding pocket that accommodates the AABS steric bulk. While the direct application of these systems remains to be seen, this study provides valuable insights into the structure–property relationships that govern AABS aggregation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute and chronic stress each have physical manifestations in the human body that can lead to many negative health impacts. Today, reported stress levels worldwide are at an all-time high, spurring the search for non-pharmaceutical interventions to maintain healthy stress levels. In this study, we examined whether a pet dog's presence influences healthy adults' acute stress responses as assessed through self-reports, heart rate, plasma cortisol, and salivary alpha-amylase. Participating pet dog owners were randomly assigned to undergo the Trier Social Stress Test either with their pet dog or alone. While there was no group difference in perceived anxiety levels, participants undergoing the acute psychological stressor with their pet dogs present had significantly lower heart rates, lower plasma cortisol responses, and higher salivary alpha-amylase responses than people without their dogs. Those who participated without their dogs had a statistically flat alpha-amylase response, which is typically associated with extreme or pathological stress. These findings extend the potential effects of pet dogs beyond merely lowering their owner's stress levels to maintaining a healthier, balanced response across the sympathoadrenal medullary axis and hypothalamic–pituitary-adrenal axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the metaphysics of nonreductive physicalism and its connection to F.H. Bradley's critique of relations. Nonreductive physicalism argues that while the physical domain is fundamental, there are higher-level items, like mental properties, that are distinct from the physical but dependent on it. Bradley's critique challenges the idea of relations as external entities, suggesting that they cannot be explained without an infinite regress of relating relations. The article discusses how this critique challenges the concept of supervenience, a key component of nonreductive physicalism, and suggests the need for a more intimate inter-level relation between the physical and the mental. The text also discusses the significance of relations in metaphysics, particularly in the context of nonreductive physicalism. [Extracted from the article]

In his recent The Parmenidean Ascent, Michael Della Rocca develops a regress-theoretic case, reminiscent of F. H. Bradley's famous argument in Appearance and Reality, against the intelligibility of relations and in favor of a monistic conception of reality. I argue that Della Rocca illicitly supposes that "internal" relations — in one sense of that word — lead to a "chain" regress, a regress of relations relating relations and relata. In contrast, I contend that if "internal" or grounded relations lead to a regress at all, it is a kind of "fission" regress within the relata themselves, and that a chain regress for relations only arises, if at all, for so-called "external" relations, relations not grounded in their relata. In this way, I contend that Della Rocca pursues a regress for so-called "internal" or grounded relations that only arise, if at all, for so-called "external" relations, relations not grounded in their relata. I compare Della Rocca's case against relations with Bradley's reasoning in Appearance and Reality and suggest in this context that Bradley may, perhaps, have the upper hand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the validity of a set of social and emotional functioning constructs derived from the PYD short form (PYD‐SF) measure within a sample of children and adolescents with one or more mental health diagnoses related to social, emotional, or behavioral challenges. Using repeated measures design, responses to the PYD‐SF and the Social‐emotional assets and resilience scale were collected over two years from 369 students enrolled in special education. Multilevel factor analyses parsed within‐person variability from between‐person differences to understand the internal consistency of the target measures when used with clinical and special education populations. Associations between the social‐emotional constructs from the PYD‐SF and an assessment of social‐emotional assets and resilience were examined. A two‐level confirmatory factor analysis using seven PYD factors and the Social‐Emotional Assets and Resilience Scale indicated a very good model fit; all factor loadings were statistically significant at both levels. Results supported the validity and internal reliability of the social‐emotional constructs from the PYD‐SF measure for assessing the social and emotional competencies of youth with social, emotional, and/or behavioral challenges, but with the caveat that researchers should consider a higher degree of specificity when using it with youth from this population. The broad factors utilized in previous work should be reframed to emphasize separate types of connection. When keeping this revised framing in mind, the social‐emotional constructs of the PYD‐SF measure provide a tool for teachers, parents, and clinicians to use in treatment planning and identifying strategies to support positive development for diverse youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NMR spectroscopy, molecular modeling, and conductivity experiments were used to investigate micelle formation by the amino acid-based surfactant tridecanoic L-glutamic acid. Amino acid-based biosurfactants are green alternatives to surfactants derived from petroleum. NMR titrations were used to measure the monomeric surfactant's primary and gamma (γ) carboxylic acid pKa values. Intramolecular hydrogen bonding within the surfactant's headgroup caused the primary carboxylic acid to be less acidic than the corresponding functional group in free L-glutamic acid. Likewise, intermolecular hydrogen bonding caused the micellar surfactant's γ carboxylic functional group to be less acidic than the corresponding monomer value. The binding of four positive counterions to the anionic micelles was also investigated. At pH levels below 7.0 when the surfactant headgroup charge was −1, the micelle hydrodynamic radii were larger (~30 Å) and the mole fraction of micelle-bound counterions was in the 0.4–0.7 range. In the pH range of 7.0–10.5, the micelle radii decreased with increasing pH and the mole fraction of micelle bound counterions increased. These observations were attributed to changes in the surfactant headgroup charge with pH. Above pH 10.5, the counterions deprotonated and the mole fraction of micelle-bound counterions decreased further. Finally, critical micelle concentration measurements showed that the micelles formed at lower concentrations at pH 6 when the headgroup charge was predominately −1 and at higher concentrations at pH 7 where headgroups had a mixture of −1 and −2 charges in solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, we have witnessed the politicizing effects of police killings in the United States. This project asks how such killings might (de)mobilize voters at the local level. We draw on multiple theoretical approaches to develop a theory of community contact with the police. We argue that when a highly visible event tied to government actions occurs—like a police killing—it can spur turnout. This is especially true where public narratives tie such events to government and structural causes. By comparing neighborhoods near a killing before and after election day, we estimate the causal effect on turnout. We find a mobilizing effect. These effects are larger when they "trend" on Google, occur in Black communities, or if the victim is Black. Proximity to a killing also increases support for abolishing the police. We conclude that police violence increases electoral participation in communities where narratives about racially unjust policing resonate most. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation explores memory performance using the California Verbal Learning Test in relation to morphometric and connectivity measures of the memory network in severe traumatic brain injury. Twenty-two adolescents with severe traumatic brain injury were recruited for multimodal MRI scanning 1–2 years post-injury at 13 participating sites. Analyses included hippocampal volume derived from anatomical T1-weighted imaging, fornix white matter microstructure from diffusion tensor imaging, and hippocampal resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging connectivity as well as diffusion-based structural connectivity. A typically developing control cohort of forty-nine age-matched children also underwent scanning and neurocognitive assessment. Results showed hippocampus volume was decreased in traumatic brain injury with respect to controls. Further, hippocampal volume loss was associated with worse performance on memory and learning in traumatic brain injury subjects. Similarly, hippocampal fornix fractional anisotropy was reduced in traumatic brain injury with respect to controls, while decreased fractional anisotropy in the hippocampal fornix also was associated with worse performance on memory and learning in traumatic brain injury subjects. Additionally, reduced structural connectivity of left hippocampus to thalamus and calcarine sulcus was associated with memory and learning in traumatic brain injury subjects. Functional connectivity in the left hippocampal network was also associated with memory and learning in traumatic brain injury subjects. These regional findings from a multi-modal neuroimaging approach should not only be useful for gaining valuable insight into traumatic brain injury induced memory and learning disfunction, but may also be informative for monitoring injury progression, recovery, and for developing rehabilitation as well as therapy strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

NMR spectroscopy was used to investigate the binding of cationic counterions to anionic micelles formed by undecyl LL-leucinevalaninate (und-LV). Amino acid-based surfactants like und-LV are green alternatives to commercial surfactants. Monomeric and polymeric forms of und-LV micelles have also been used as chiral selectors in capillary electrophoresis (CE) separations. The counterions investigated were Na+, the tetraethylammonium ion, L-Lysine, 1,4-diaminobutane, 1,6-diaminohexane, and cis and trans isomers of 1,2-diaminocyclohexane and 1,4-diaminocyclohexane. NMR measurements of counterion and micelle diffusion coefficients were used to calculate micelle radii and the mole fraction of counterion molecules bound to the micelles. Two-dimensional NMR experiments were used to investigate the structures of the counterion: micelle complexes. The mole fraction of bound counterions did not change with pH in solutions containing Na+ or tetraethylammonium counterions. With all other counterions, however, the mole fraction of micelle-bound counterions was higher below pH 10 when counterions had a + 1 or +2 charge, and lower above pH 10–10.5 when the counterions were neutral or zwitterionic. Changes in micelle radii with pH and two-dimensional NMR experiments suggested that L-Lysine, 1,4-diaminobutane, and 1,6-diaminohexane bound parallel to the micelle surface with their amine functional groups interacting with different surfactant monomers. In contrast, the diaminocyclohexane isomers were found to bind perpendicular to the micelle surface. The mole fractions of micelle-bound cis-1,4-diaminocyclohexane and trans-1,4-diaminocyclohexane were very similar to one another. However, with 1,2-cyclohexanediamine, at low pH the mole fraction of micelle-bound counterions was larger for the cis isomer than for the trans isomer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Prolonged mechanical ventilation increases the risk of mortality and morbidity. Optimising sedation and early testing for possible liberation from invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) has been shown to reduce time on the ventilator. Alongside a multicentre trial of sedation and ventilation weaning, we conducted a mixed method process evaluation to understand how the intervention content and delivery was linked to trial outcomes. Methods: 10,495 children admitted to 18 paediatric intensive care units (ICUs) in the United Kingdom participated in a stepped-wedge, cluster randomised controlled trial, with 1955 clinical staff trained to deliver the intervention. The intervention comprised assessment and optimisation of sedation levels, and bedside screening of respiratory parameters to indicate readiness for a spontaneous breathing trial prior to liberation from ventilation. 193 clinical staff were interviewed towards the end of the trial. Interview data were thematically analysed, and quantitative adherence data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: The intervention led to a reduced duration of IMV (adjusted median difference– 7.1 hours, 95% CI -9.6 to -5.3, p = 0.01). Overall intervention adherence was 75% (range 59–85%). Ease and flexibility of the intervention promoted it use; designated responsibilities, explicit pathways of decision-making and a shared language for communication fostered proactivity and consistency towards extubation. Delivery of the intervention was hindered by established hospital and unit organisational and patient care routines, clinician preference and absence of clinical leadership. Conclusions: The SANDWICH trial showed a significant, although small, reduction in duration of IMV. Findings suggest that greater direction in decision-making pathways, robust embedment of new practice in unit routine, and capitalising on the skills of Advanced Nurse Practitioners and physiotherapists would have contributed to greater intervention effect. Trial registration: isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN16998143. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the aftermath of the United States' 2020 presidential election, state legislatures have introduced and passed an unprecedented number of restrictive voting bills. While past research has looked at the state -level drivers of restrictive voting legislation, this project explores what factors predict which legislators within states push for these laws. Specifically, I ask whether district-level characteristics predict when lawmakers use bill sponsorship to send messages about their positions beyond those sent by simple roll-call votes. I use theories of geographical threat and racial resentment to predict where sponsorship of these bills is most likely. My results tie these theoretical expectations to observed legislative activity: the whitest state legislative districts in the least-white states were the most likely to be represented by lawmakers who sponsored restrictive bills, as were districts with the most racially resentful white residents. I conclude that, despite lawmakers justifying these restrictive laws by claiming that fraud is a major problem, race and racism are inherently tied to the introduction and passage of these bills. This raises important questions about commitments to multiracial democracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cultural competence is recognized as critical to reducing disparities within human healthcare settings, but it is rarely incorporated into evaluations of companion animal services. We developed and validated an animal welfare-focused cultural competence instrument with client and provider versions. We then used the instrument to assess the relationship between animal welfare providers' cultural competence and services provided to clients in historically underserved communities. 24 providers across 17 sites participated in the provider survey. 422 clients across those sites also participated and had their service utilization data analyzed. We found a significant correlation between the number of client-provider interactions and their level of agreement within the instrument's "competence/confidence" subscale. We also found that these interactions had a significant correlation with veterinarian care and spay/neuter services. This study provides initial evidence that increasing the use of culturally competent engagement strategies has the potential to increase service utilization for pets in historically underserved communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The American criminal legal system is an important site of political socialization: scholars have shown that criminal legal contact reduces turnout and that criminalization pushes people away from public institutions more broadly. Despite this burgeoning literature, few analyses directly investigate the causal effect of lower-level police contact on voter turnout. To do so, we leverage individual-level administrative ticketing data from Hillsborough County, Florida. We show that traffic stops materially decrease participation for Black and non-Black residents alike, and we also find temporal variation in the effect for Black voters. Although stops reduce turnout more for Black voters in the short term, they are less demobilizing over a longer time horizon. Although even low-level contacts with the police can reduce political participation across the board, our results point to a unique process of political socialization vis-à-vis the carceral state for Black Americans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Traditional evaluation procedure in National Turfgrass Evaluation Program (NTEP) relies on visually assessing replicated turf plots at multiple testing locations. This process yields ordinal data; however, statistical models that falsely assume these to be interval or ratio data have almost exclusively been applied in the subsequent analysis. This practice raises concerns about procedural subjectivity, preventing objective comparisons of cultivars across different test locations. It may also lead to serious errors, such as increased false alarms, failures to detect effects, and even inversions of differences among groups. Methods: We reviewed this problem, identified sources of subjectivity, and presented a model-based approach to minimize subjectivity, allowing objective comparisons of cultivars across different locations and better monitoring of the evaluation procedure. We demonstrate how to fit the described model in a Bayesian framework with Stan, using datasets on overall turf quality ratings from the 2017 NTEP Kentucky bluegrass trials at seven testing locations. Results: Compared with the existing method, ours allows the estimation of additional parameters, i.e., category thresholds, rating severity, and within-field spatial variations, and provides better separation of cultivar means and more realistic standard deviations. Discussion: To implement the proposed model, additional information on rater identification, trial layout, rating date is needed. Given the model assumptions, we recommend small trials to reduce rater fatigue. For large trials, ratings can be conducted for each replication on multiple occasions instead of all at once. To minimize subjectivity, multiple raters are required. We also proposed new ideas on temporal analysis, incorporating existing knowledge of turfgrass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emotion regulation is a key developmental skillset, but many existing measures rely on self-report or laboratory-based measurement approaches. This study aimed to develop a training and implementation protocol for the widely used Facial Expression Coding System (FACES) to be used in real-world settings with pre-recorded video data. A revised coding system with supplemental guidelines and training procedures was developed to use FACES with video data recorded in special education classrooms. This system resulted in adequate interrater reliability as well as reduced training time for coders. Specific training methods included close study of code definitions, coding of practice video, quantitative analysis of observation data to generate interrater agreement and kappa statistics, review of comparison charts to identify discrepancies between coder and training observations using the Noldus Observer XT software, and post-observation discussions. The revised FACES protocol and new training method presented here offer a more robust, efficient, and versatile tool that can be applied to systematic behavior observations conducted of students in real-world classroom settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The binding of linear diamine counterions with different methylene chain lengths to the amino-acid-based surfactants undecanoic L-isoleucine (und-IL) and undecanoic L-norleucine (und-NL) was investigated with NMR spectroscopy. The counterions studied were 1,2-ethylenediamine, 1,3-diaminopropane, 1,4-diaminobutane, 1,5-diaminopentane, and 1,6-diaminohexane. These counterions were all linear diamines with varying spacer chain lengths between the two amine functional groups. The sodium counterion was studied as well. Results showed that when the length of the counterion methylene chain was increased, the surfactants' critical micelle concentrations (CMC) decreased. This decrease was attributed to diamines with longer methylene chains binding to multiple surfactant monomers below the CMC and thus acting as templating agents for the formation of micelles. The entropic hydrophobic effect and differences in diamine counterion charge also contributed to the size of the micelles and the surfactants' CMCs in the solution. NMR diffusion measurements showed that the micelles formed by both surfactants were largest when 1,4-diaminobutane counterions were present in the solution. This amine also had the largest mole fraction of micelle-bound counterions. Finally, the und-NL micelles were larger than the und-IL micelles when 1,4-diaminobutane counterions were bound to the micelle surface. A model was proposed in which this surfactant formed non-spherical aggregates with both the surfactant molecules' hydrocarbon chains and n-butyl amino acid side chains pointing toward the micelle core. The und-IL micelles, in contrast, were smaller and likely spherically shaped. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Knocking down genes by shRNAs in CAR T cells offers the potential of expanding the therapy's efficacy beyond its initial success. Since shRNAs are in the CAR construct, only the CAR specifically will be affected by the knockdown. Due to that intrinsic nature, we show that these knockdowns can make CAR T cells resistant to HIV and chemo-agents. Like other gene editing tools, such as CRISPR, shRNAs need to be optimized. In this article, we elucidate four common design optimizations necessary to construct a fully functional shRNA-containing CAR. Short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) have emerged as a powerful tool for gene knockdown in various cellular systems, including chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. However, the elements of shRNAs that are crucial for their efficacy in developing shRNA-containing CAR T cells remain unclear. In this study, we evaluated the impact of different shRNA elements, including promoter strength, orientation, multiple shRNAs, self-targeting, and sense and antisense sequence composition on the knockdown efficiency of the target gene in CAR T cells. Our findings highlight the importance of considering multiple shRNAs and their orientation to achieve effective knockdown. Moreover, we demonstrate that using a strong promoter and avoiding self-targeting can enhance CAR T cell functionality. These results provide a framework for the rational design of CAR T cells with shRNA-mediated knockdown capabilities, which could improve the therapeutic efficacy of CAR T cell-based immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Published reports of complex interventions in randomized controlled trials often lack sufficient detail to allow trial replication and adoption into practice. Aim: The aim of this paper is to describe our experience of using the Template for Intervention Description and Replication (TIDieR) checklist in reporting a recent trial of sedation and ventilation weaning in critically ill children (the Sedation and Weaning in Children [SANDWICH] trial). Methods: The TIDieR 12‐point checklist has been used to detail and describe the specific SANDWICH trial intervention and methods of implementation. Results/Discussion: Overall, we found the checklist a useful tool to direct and ensure consistency of reporting of our complex intervention used in a multi‐centre clinical trial. We experienced some minor limitations in classifying training materials and delivery mode into one item because of the overlapping nature of this component. Conclusion: Using the TIDieR checklist to report complex interventions tested in trials provides a structured, systematic way of describing necessary detail. This allows clinicians to understand the theory behind the intervention, how it should be delivered, and the resources required. Relevance to Clinical Practice: The SANDWICH intervention had a significant beneficial effect on reducing time on ventilation for children. The detailed description of the team‐based intervention will aid replication, implementation and monitoring of fidelity in other paediatric intensive care units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Free-roaming dogs, also referred to as reservation dogs or rez dogs, hold important and unique roles in Indigenous communities. The purpose of this study is to document the cultural significance of rez dogs, challenges related to rez dogs, and community-specific solutions to rez dog issues affecting community health and safety from the perspective of 14 members of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara (MHA) Nation, also referred to as the Three Affiliated Tribes (TAT), who live on the Fort Berthold reservation in North Dakota, U.S.A. The primary intervention areas described by the participants included: culturally relevant information sharing, improved animal control policies and practices, and improved access to veterinary care and other animal services. The research on the relationships between free-roaming dogs, also referred to as reservation dogs or rez dogs, and Indigenous communities is extremely limited. This study aimed to document the cultural significance of rez dogs, challenges related to rez dogs, and community-specific solutions for rez dog issues affecting community health and safety from members of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara (MHA) Nation, also referred to as the Three Affiliated Tribes (TAT), who live on the Fort Berthold reservation in North Dakota, U.S.A. One hour semi-structured interviews with 14 community members of the MHA Nation were conducted in 2016. The interviews were analyzed via systematic and inductive coding using Gadamer's hermeneutical phenomenology. The primary intervention areas described by the participants included: culturally relevant information sharing, improved animal control policies and practices, and improved access to veterinary care and other animal services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hurricane Michael made landfall in the Florida panhandle 27 days before the 2018 elections. In the aftermath the governor issued Executive Order 18-283, allowing election officials in eight affected counties to loosen a variety of voting laws and consolidate polling places but providing no emergency funding to maintain the planned number of polling places. We test the efficacy of the order, using a novel research design that separates the weather effects of the hurricane on turnout from the administrative effects of how the election was run. We find little evidence that the hurricane itself (as proxied by historically relative rainfall) reduced turnout but that the executive order likely had large, negative turnout effects thanks to widespread polling place consolidation. Natural disasters need not spell turnout disasters if state and local election officials can avoid reducing the number of polling places. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Detection of neurological complications during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) may be enhanced with non-invasive neuro-monitoring. We investigated the feasibility of non-invasive neuro-monitoring in a paediatric intensive care (PIC) setting. Methods: In a single centre, prospective cohort study we assessed feasibility of recruitment, and neuro-monitoring via somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP), electroencephalography (EEG) and near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) during venoarterial (VA) ECMO in paediatric patients (0–15 years). Measures were obtained within 24h of cannulation, during an intermediate period, and finally at decannulation or echo stress testing. SSEP/EEG/NIRS measures were correlated with neuro-radiology findings, and clinical outcome assessed via the Pediatric cerebral performance category (PCPC) scale 30 days post ECMO cannulation. Results: We recruited 14/20 (70%) eligible patients (median age: 9 months; IQR:4–54, 57% male) over an 18-month period, resulting in a total of 42 possible SSEP/EEG/NIRS measurements. Of these, 32/42 (76%) were completed. Missed recordings were due to lack of access/consent within 24 h of cannulation (5/42, 12%) or PIC death/discharge (5/42, 12%). In each patient, the majority of SSEP (8/14, 57%), EEG (8/14, 57%) and NIRS (11/14, 79%) test results were within normal limits. All patients with abnormal neuroradiology (4/10, 40%), and 6/7 (86%) with poor outcome (PCPC ≥4) developed indirect SSEP, EEG or NIRS measures of neurological complications prior to decannulation. No study-related adverse events or neuro-monitoring data interpreting issues were experienced. Conclusion: Non-invasive neuro-monitoring (SSEP/EEG/NIRS) during ECMO is feasible and may provide early indication of neurological complications in this high-risk population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Metered dose inhalers (MDIs) contain greenhouse gases which have a disproportionate effect on the carbon footprint of healthcare. There are more environmentally friendly alternatives such as dry powder inhalers (DPIs) or soft mist inhalers (SMIs). Aims: This study aims to approximate the carbon footprint of inhalers dispensed in Irish healthcare. Methods: Health Market Research data was used to examine the number of inhalers sold in Ireland in 2019 via dispensing data from pharmacy IT systems. The carbon footprint per inhaler data was then used to calculate the total carbon footprint of each drug class, and an estimate for the total carbon footprint of inhalers sold in Ireland was generated. Results: 4,427,287 inhalers were dispensed in Ireland in 2019 of which 2,608,433 (59%) were MDIs and 1,818,854 were DPIs/SMIs (41.1%). The total carbon equivalent of these inhalers was estimated to be 54,765 tCO2. MDIs account for 59% of inhaler units dispensed but account for 97% of inhaler-related carbon emissions. Conclusion: Targeting inhaler prescribing offers the potential to significantly improve the carbon footprint of Irish healthcare. Establishing the current carbon footprint of the inhalers that are prescribed, dispensed, and disposed in Ireland is a necessary baseline to inform moving towards a net zero health service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: There is a critical gap in the literature regarding how community engagement is employed to address animal cruelty and neglect. This study sought to understand community engagement from the perspective of animal control and field services officers. The results revealed that definitions of community engagement varied greatly among the officers interviewed. Participants shared barriers and best practices in their current community engagement efforts as well as their wishes for future directions of the field. Subsequent studies should seek to establish a consistent definition of community engagement in animal control and field services that can then be tailored to specific communities. Very little is known about the prevalence, scope, and methods of community engagement employed by animal control and field services officers to address the issue of animal cruelty and neglect. This study used a phenomenological approach to understand how officers defined community engagement. The researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with twenty-nine animal control and field services officers. The definitions of community engagement varied greatly across this sample of U.S. officers. However, most officers agreed that strategies such as relationship-building, providing assistance or information, and allowing time for compliance were among the most effective community engagement strategies. In addition, several barriers to incorporating community engagement strategies in the work of animal control professionals were identified. Future research and policymaking should seek to establish a consistent definition of community engagement in animal control and field services that can then be optimized for specific communities through rigorous evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature-based interventions that incorporate animals and the natural environment in therapeutic settings are increasingly common. However, there is a gap in understanding the intervention qualities that may facilitate treatment goals. To help answer this question, we analyzed interviews of 78 staff members at a residential and day treatment school that is an established leader in nature-based interventions. When reflecting on interventions, staff highlighted qualities such as delayed or immediate gratification, sense of safety or fear, and grounding or stimulation. Interventions were often described as offering qualities which could support more than one treatment goal. For example, a dog might provide immediate gratification by approaching a quietly seated student, or their presence could help a student feel safer in therapy. Each quality also displayed a subjective component: while one student might find time with horses grounding, another could benefit from the opportunity to manage the stimulation experienced by the horse's smells and sounds. Further research into understanding qualities of nature-based interventions and how practitioners might elicit them from a variety of intervention types is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding pet ownership in a community is an important factor for assessing the effectiveness of animal welfare programming. Data on pet ownership were collected from 2,327 households in two urban and two rural zip codes. The percentage of households owning pets and the species owned were calculated for the individual communities, the urban and rural pairs, and the aggregate data. Findings were compared to the 2017–2018 AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook data. The rural communities had an 11.5% higher rate of overall pet keeping and a 19% higher dog ownership rate than the urban communities, but the measured cat ownership rate was similar in all four sites at an average of 19.4% (SD = 2.1%). The community-specific rates of pet ownership were different (p <.0001) than the rates predicted fromthe AVMA-recommended formula, but at 56.8%, the aggregate pet-keeping rate was exactly the same as that calculated by the AVMA. The findings reveal community-level variability in pet-keeping rates that must be accounted for when assessing pet service, emergency planning, and animal welfare programming needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) therapy is widely prescribed without a history of exacerbations and consensus guidelines suggest withdrawal of ICS in these patients would reduce the risk of side effects and promote cost-effective prescribing. The study describes the prescribing behaviour in the United Kingdom (UK) in relation to ICS withdrawal and identifies clinical outcomes following withdrawal using primary and secondary care electronic health records between January 2012 and December 2017. Patients with a history ≥12 months' exposure who withdrew ICS for ≥6 months were identified into two cohorts; those prescribed a long-acting bronchodilator maintenance therapy and those that were not prescribed any maintenance therapy. The duration of withdrawal, predictors of restarting ICS, and clinical outcomes were compared between both patient cohorts. Among 76,808 patients that had ≥1 prescription of ICS in the study period, 11,093 patients (14%) withdrew ICS therapy at least once during the study period. The median time without ICS was 9 months (IQR 7–14), with the majority (71%) receiving subsequent ICS prescriptions after withdrawal. Patients receiving maintenance therapy with a COPD review at withdrawal were 28% less likely to restart ICS (HR: 0.72, 95% CI 0.61, 0.85). Overall, 69% and 89% of patients that withdrew ICS had no recorded exacerbation event or COPD hospitalisation, respectively, during the withdrawal. This study provides evidence that most patients withdrawing from ICS do not experience COPD exacerbations and withdrawal success can be achieved by carefully planning routine COPD reviews whilst optimising the use of available maintenance therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: The optimal first-line mode of noninvasive respiratory support for acutely ill children is not known.Objective: To evaluate the noninferiority of high-flow nasal cannula therapy (HFNC) as the first-line mode of noninvasive respiratory support for acute illness, compared with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), for time to liberation from all forms of respiratory support.Design, Setting, and Participants: Pragmatic, multicenter, randomized noninferiority clinical trial conducted in 24 pediatric critical care units in the United Kingdom among 600 acutely ill children aged 0 to 15 years who were clinically assessed to require noninvasive respiratory support, recruited between August 2019 and November 2021, with last follow-up completed in March 2022.Interventions: Patients were randomized 1:1 to commence either HFNC at a flow rate based on patient weight (n = 301) or CPAP of 7 to 8 cm H2O (n = 299).Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was time from randomization to liberation from respiratory support, defined as the start of a 48-hour period during which a participant was free from all forms of respiratory support (invasive or noninvasive), assessed against a noninferiority margin of an adjusted hazard ratio of 0.75. Seven secondary outcomes were assessed, including mortality at critical care unit discharge, intubation within 48 hours, and use of sedation.Results: Of the 600 randomized children, consent was not obtained for 5 (HFNC: 1; CPAP: 4) and respiratory support was not started in 22 (HFNC: 5; CPAP: 17); 573 children (HFNC: 295; CPAP: 278) were included in the primary analysis (median age, 9 months; 226 girls [39%]). The median time to liberation in the HFNC group was 52.9 hours (95% CI, 46.0-60.9 hours) vs 47.9 hours (95% CI, 40.5-55.7 hours) in the CPAP group (absolute difference, 5.0 hours [95% CI -10.1 to 17.4 hours]; adjusted hazard ratio 1.03 [1-sided 97.5% CI, 0.86-∞]). This met the criterion for noninferiority. Of the 7 prespecified secondary outcomes, 3 were significantly lower in the HFNC group: use of sedation (27.7% vs 37%; adjusted odds ratio, 0.59 [95% CI, 0.39-0.88]); mean duration of critical care stay (5 days vs 7.4 days; adjusted mean difference, -3 days [95% CI, -5.1 to -1 days]); and mean duration of acute hospital stay (13.8 days vs 19.5 days; adjusted mean difference, -7.6 days [95% CI, -13.2 to -1.9 days]). The most common adverse event was nasal trauma (HFNC: 6/295 [2.0%]; CPAP: 18/278 [6.5%]).Conclusions and Relevance: Among acutely ill children clinically assessed to require noninvasive respiratory support in a pediatric critical care unit, HFNC compared with CPAP met the criterion for noninferiority for time to liberation from respiratory support.Trial Registration: ISRCTN.org Identifier: ISRCTN60048867. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a digital predistortion (DPD) model for the linearization of RF power amplifiers (PAs) is presented. The model provides a linearized gain (DPD + PA) independent of the instantaneous transistor channel temperature within a predefined temperature window. Channel temperature variations due to varying ambient temperatures or changes in the signal probability density function (PDF) cause long-term memory effects, which results in dispersed (dynamic) AM/AM and AM/PM characteristics. The presented model is used to compensate for the memory effects due to self-heating and external temperature changes by estimating the transistor channel temperature through a linear single-pole Foster thermal network. The DPD model uses a first-order Taylor approximation to cancel out temperature-based nonlinearities. Gaussian pulses are used to extract the PA intrapulse gain at different temperatures without being affected by the signal PDF, thus allowing temperature- and signal-independent PA characterization. The model is validated from $20~^\circ \text{C}$ to $80~^\circ \text{C}$ and by considering a class-B 3.75-GHz 10-W gallium nitride (GaN)-on-SiC PA. The DPD performance is evaluated by considering the normalized root-mean-squared error (NRMSE), the output spectra, and adjacent channel power ratio (ACPR) with and without DPD for multiple signals bandwidths and peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) and finally compared with other approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical Balance Duplexers (EBDs) provide transmit-receive isolation to implement a form of self-interference cancellation to facilitate simultaneous transmission and reception from a single antenna in systems like In-Band Full-duplex (IBFD) transceivers. EBD works by coupling transmitter, receiver, antenna, and balancing impedance using a hybrid coupler. In recent pieces of literature, antenna impedance variations are considered the main factor limiting the EBD isolation bandwidth, while the EBD balancing impedance needs to be equal as much as possible to the antenna impedance to achieve high isolation. But hybrid couplers are also not ideal elements, and their S-parameters are not stable in the frequency domain. In this work, five broadband RF devices (two antennas, two couplers, and a 50-Ohm RF-load) are used to form four EBD set-ups. One of the antennas, designed by the authors, has more impedance stability in the frequency domain than the other one, which is a commercial antenna. Also, one of the couplers, designed by the authors, has more S-parameter stability in Ultra-Wideband (UWB) frequency domain than the other one, which is a commercial UWB coupler. The implemented EBDs show that when both antenna and coupler have strong S-parameter stabilities in the frequency domain, wider isolation bandwidth (UWB 1.5–3.5 GHz range) and higher EBD isolation are obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Consciousness and Fundamental Reality, Philip Goff argues that the case against physicalist views of consciousness turns on 'Phenomenal Transparency', roughly the thesis that phenomenal concepts reveal the essential nature of phenomenal properties. This paper considers the argument that Goff offers for Phenomenal Transparency. The key premise is that our introspective judgments about current conscious experience are 'Super Justified', in that these judgments enjoy an epistemic status comparable to that of simple mathematical judgments, and a better epistemic status than run of the mill perceptual judgments. After presenting the key ideas in the 'Super Justification Argument', I distinguish two Super Justification theses, which vary according to the kind of introspective judgments that they take to be Super Justified. I argue that Goff's case requires 'Strong Super Justification', according to which a wide range of introspective judgments about conscious experience are Super Justified. Unfortunately, it turns out that Strong Super Justification is implausible and not well-supported by examples. In contrast, a weaker Super Justification thesis does not require anything like Phenomenal Transparency and, indeed, can be explained by physicalistic accounts of phenomenal concepts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Importance: The optimal first-line mode of noninvasive respiratory support following extubation of critically ill children is not known.Objective: To evaluate the noninferiority of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy as the first-line mode of noninvasive respiratory support following extubation, compared with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), on time to liberation from respiratory support.Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized, noninferiority trial conducted at 22 pediatric intensive care units in the United Kingdom. Six hundred children aged 0 to 15 years clinically assessed to require noninvasive respiratory support within 72 hours of extubation were recruited between August 8, 2019, and May 18, 2020, with last follow-up completed on November 22, 2020.Interventions: Patients were randomized 1:1 to start either HFNC at a flow rate based on patient weight (n = 299) or CPAP of 7 to 8 cm H2O (n = 301).Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was time from randomization to liberation from respiratory support, defined as the start of a 48-hour period during which the child was free from all forms of respiratory support (invasive or noninvasive), assessed against a noninferiority margin of an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 0.75. There were 6 secondary outcomes, including mortality at day 180 and reintubation within 48 hours.Results: Of the 600 children who were randomized, 553 children (HFNC, 281; CPAP, 272) were included in the primary analysis (median age, 3 months; 241 girls [44%]). HFNC failed to meet noninferiority, with a median time to liberation of 50.5 hours (95% CI, 43.0-67.9) vs 42.9 hours (95% CI, 30.5-48.2) for CPAP (adjusted HR, 0.83; 1-sided 97.5% CI, 0.70-∞). Similar results were seen across prespecified subgroups. Of the 6 prespecified secondary outcomes, 5 showed no significant difference, including the rate of reintubation within 48 hours (13.3% for HFNC vs 11.5 % for CPAP). Mortality at day 180 was significantly higher for HFNC (5.6% vs 2.4% for CPAP; adjusted odds ratio, 3.07 [95% CI, 1.1-8.8]). The most common adverse events were abdominal distension (HFNC: 8/281 [2.8%] vs CPAP: 7/272 [2.6%]) and nasal/facial trauma (HFNC: 14/281 [5.0%] vs CPAP: 15/272 [5.5%]).Conclusions and Relevance: Among critically ill children requiring noninvasive respiratory support following extubation, HFNC compared with CPAP following extubation failed to meet the criterion for noninferiority for time to liberation from respiratory support.Trial Registration: isrctn.org Identifier: ISRCTN60048867. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNAs are well characterized in their role in silencing gene expression by targeting 3´-UTR of mRNAs in cytoplasm. However, recent studies have shown that miRNAs have a role in the regulation of genes in the nucleus, where they are abundantly located. We show here that in mouse endothelial cell line (C166), nuclear microRNA miR-466c participates in the regulation of vascular endothelial growth factor a (Vegfa) gene expression in hypoxia. Upregulation of Vegfa expression in response to hypoxia was significantly compromised after removal of miR-466c with CRISPR-Cas9 genomic deletion. We identified a promoter-associated long non-coding RNA on mouse Vegfa promoter and show that miR-466c directly binds to this transcript to modulate Vegfa expression. Collectively, these observations suggest that miR-466c regulates Vegfa gene transcription in the nucleus by targeting the promoter, and expands on our understanding of the role of miRNAs well beyond their canonical role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the first study of the effect of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) on polling place consolidation and voting behavior. We draw upon individual-level observations from Milwaukee matched to similar observations in the surrounding municipalities to assess whether fewer polling places in the April 2020 presidential primary election decreased turnout in the city. We find polling place consolidation reduced overall turnout by about 8.7 points and reduced turnout among the Black population in the city by about 10 points. We conclude, based on these data, that polling place consolidation even accompanied by widespread absentee voting in the face of an emergency may result in disenfranchisement, particularly among Black voters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated neurological, mental health disorders, and neurocognitive issues. However, there is a lack of inexpensive and efficient brain evaluation and screening systems. As a result, a considerable fraction of patients with neurocognitive or psychobehavioral predicaments either do not get timely diagnosed or fail to receive personalized treatment plans. This is especially true in the elderly populations, wherein only 16% of seniors say they receive regular cognitive evaluations. Therefore, there is a great need for development of an optimized clinical brain screening workflow methodology like what is already in existence for prostate and breast exams. Such a methodology should be designed to facilitate objective early detection and cost-effective treatment of such disorders. In this paper we have reviewed the existing clinical protocols, recent technological advances and suggested reliable clinical workflows for brain screening. Such protocols range from questionnaires and smartphone apps to multi-modality brain mapping and advanced imaging where applicable. To that end, the Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics (SBMT) proposes the Brain, Spine and Mental Health Screening (NEUROSCREEN) as a multi-faceted approach. Beside other assessment tools, NEUROSCREEN employs smartphone guided cognitive assessments and quantitative electroencephalography (qEEG) as well as potential genetic testing for cognitive decline risk as inexpensive and effective screening tools to facilitate objective diagnosis, monitor disease progression, and guide personalized treatment interventions. Operationalizing NEUROSCREEN is expected to result in reduced healthcare costs and improving quality of life at national and later, global scales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Client engagement in behavioral and mental health services has been strongly linked to improved outcomes and treatment completion. Animal-assisted interventions (AAIs) are increasingly used to improve client engagement, for example, by involving a dog in therapy to support a client's sense of safety. Although existing research suggests that human-animal interactions may promote engagement, further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms, identify procedures needed for treatment fidelity, and determine the populations in which this intervention would be most effective. The aim was to identify the existing knowledge base to inform future research and practice in these areas.Methods: A review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines to answer three questions: What research has been completed regarding the use of animals to affect client engagement, including measurement of potential processes of change? How have interventions that use animals been structured and protocolized? How is engagement operationally defined by these studies?Results: Ten studies were identified for review. Preliminary evidence indicates that AAIs may support client engagement in behavioral and mental health services. A wide range of conceptualizations in which populations and settings could benefit from AAIs were identified, but it remains unclear who would benefit most. The review did not substantively address the efficacy of AAIs for increasing engagement or factors that may drive engagement.Conclusions: Further research is needed to quantify the impact of AAIs on service engagement and to identify mechanisms of change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Humane Community is defined by the presence of leaders, institutions, and policies working collaboratively across social and political systems to create and implement sustainable human, animal, and environmental welfare. Social-environmental-economic impact assessment (SEEIA) is a tool that can be used to inform policymaking at the municipal, county, state, and national levels to gain a comprehensive assessment of a proposed policy's impacts on humans, animals, and the environment. In this paper, the Humane Community framework will be described and demonstrated by summarizing three previous studies that applied SEEIA to three different animal welfare policies: the "Compassion Center" concept of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; the "No Kill" Resolution of Austin, Texas; and the "Pit Bull Ban" in Denver, Colorado. The authors will discuss how SEEIA studies support stakeholders in identifying potential mechanisms including, but not limited to, legislative efforts through which social change can be generated to achieve a Humane Community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 3-dB compact hybrid coupler is presented in this paper in an ultra-wideband frequency range from 1.5 GHz to 3.2 GHz with 90° phase deference between the two output ports. The proposed coupler is formed by two notched elliptically shaped microstrip lines and four phase shifters, which are broadside coupled through an elliptically shaped slot. A combination of impedance matching technique and structural modification then has been employed to increase coupler efficiency. The design is demonstrated assuming a 0.51-mm-thick Rogers RO4350B substrate. Results of simulation and measurements show that the designed device exhibits a coupling of 3 ± 1 dB across the aimed bandwidth. This ultra-wideband coupling is accompanied by smooth isolation in the order of better than 25 dB and return loss in the order of better than 17 dB. The manufactured device including microstrip ports and phase shifters occupy an area of 35mm x 30mm x 1:1mm (0:27λ x 0:23λ x 0:009λ) which makes it a compact suitable device for UHF applications and measurements, specifically measuring and determining isolation in in-band full duplex transceivers, because of its smooth isolation versus frequency and ultra-wideband bandwidth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical Balance Duplexers (EBDs) in modern communication systems provide Transmit (TX)-Receive (RX) isolation to implement a form of self-interference (SI) cancellation to facilitates simultaneous transmission and reception from single antenna. EBD works by coupling transmitter, receiver, antenna, and balancing impedance using a hybrid junction where the balancing impedance needs to be equal to the antenna impedance to achieve a high isolation. Variations in antenna impedance with respect to frequency significantly reduces the isolation bandwidth and is dominant factor in limiting the isolation. A method based on Sample Standard Deviation is firstly introduced to quantify impedance stability in the frequency domain. Then a frequency independent antenna with a core structure of equiangular Archimedean spiral is designed to achieve impedance stability in frequency domain. The antenna impedance at an ultra-wideband (UWB) frequency range of 1.5GHz to 4GHz is more smoothened in some design steps using electromagnetic absorbers, capacitive impedance tuning and modification techniques whilst this electrically small antenna also has circular polarization, electromagnetic compatibility, and suitable radiation efficiency. In comparison with the literature, using this antenna in the EBD stage along with a simpler balancing impedance has resulted to about six times wider 20 dB EBD isolation bandwidth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Though a growing body of evidence supports the efficacy of prison-based dog training programs, research on the process of change or the underlying mechanisms of change for incarcerated individuals who participate in these programs is limited. This qualitative study used interviews with 21 dog program staff to examine the utility of empowerment theory as a theoretical framework for understanding mechanisms of change for participants in prison-based dog training programs. Findings: Thematic analysis of interviews with program staff indicated that outcomes of prison-based dog training programs are consistent with constructs of empowerment theory. Reported outcomes were more aligned with individual-level empowerment; however, participation in these programs addressed some structural issues of power within the correctional institution. Analysis resulted in six themes: (1) finding purpose and meaning, (2) enhanced self-concept, (3) skill development, (4) greater perceived control, (5) increased community engagement, and (6) positive post-release outcomes. Applications: The alignment of prison-based dog training program outcomes with constructs of empowerment theory suggests that positive outcomes may be related to empowering handlers, though human–animal interactions and positive reinforcement training were often mentioned by staff. Consequently, programs may benefit from using empowerment theory as a guiding framework in program design and training of program staff. Prison-based dog training programs may be of particular interest to social workers in correctional settings, as program features align with core social work values of social justice, dignity and worth of the person, and the importance of human relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurological disorders significantly impact the world's economy due to their often chronic and life-threatening nature afflicting individuals which, in turn, creates a global disease burden. The Group of Twenty (G20) member nations, which represent the largest economies globally, should come together to formulate a plan on how to overcome this burden. The Neuroscience-20 (N20) initiative of the Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics (SBMT) is at the vanguard of this global collaboration to comprehensively raise awareness about brain, spine, and mental disorders worldwide. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of the various brain initiatives worldwide and highlight the need for cooperation and recommend ways to bring down costs associated with the discovery and treatment of neurological disorders. Our systematic search revealed that the cost of neurological and psychiatric disorders to the world economy by 2030 is roughly $16T. The cost to the economy of the United States is $1.5T annually and growing given the impact of COVID-19. We also discovered there is a shortfall of effective collaboration between nations and a lack of resources in developing countries. Current statistical analyses on the cost of neurological disorders to the world economy strongly suggest that there is a great need for investment in neurotechnology and innovation or fast-tracking therapeutics and diagnostics to curb these costs. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, SBMT, through this paper, intends to showcase the importance of worldwide collaborations to reduce the population's economic and health burden, specifically regarding neurological/brain, spine, and mental disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]