Feeding and Swallowing Disorders In Children With Autism: What Caregivers Need to Know

This study investigates the complex topic of feeding and swallowing disorders in children with autism, highlighting the significant challenges they pose, particularly related to sensory sensitivities and oral motor difficulties, and the persistent lack of understanding. We examine diagnostic criteria, risks, familial impacts, cultural nuances, and evidence-based intervention strategies, with a focus on practical guidance for caregivers, to equip them with resources for navigating these challenges (Schulz & Eden, 2016). Despite the prevalence of these disorders, many remain unaware of the struggles, underscoring the urgent need for targeted investigations and supportive measures. Specifically, this paper aims to provide Speech Language Pathologists with the tools to empower caregivers to better support families of autistic children facing feeding and swallowing difficulties (Gent et al., 2024)

Simulation of Rocket Response to Electromagnetic Environments using Finite Element Modeling

The purpose of this project is to develop a rocket model in FEMAP with NX-Nastran to simulate how a rocket might respond when exposed to external electromagnetic conditions. A simplified model of the SpaceX Starship will be constructed and analyzed to explore how various electromagnetic conditions interact with the rocket’s materials and geometry

Blockade of chPD1 T cell derived cytokines decreases inflammatory molecules related to cytokine release syndrome in acute lymphocytic leukemia

Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) is a common pediatric cancer that is characterized by its high incidence of relapsed and refractory (R/R) cases. This brings about a need for new treatments that are safe and effective. One type of novel cancer immunotherapy uses chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) expressing T cells. CARs target tumor-associated antigens and enhance T cell responses. CAR T cell therapy has been successful in treating ALL, however there are associated toxicities such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS). One potential way to reduce CRS is to inhibit cytokine secretion and to alter the costimulatory domain in the CAR T cell. Therefore, we developed CAR T cells containing different costimulatory domains to test the role of costimulation in CRS induction. We used a chimeric-PD1 (chPD1) receptor with the Programmed Death 1 receptor as the tumor-targeting domain. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether T cell secretion of inflammatory cytokines was required for tumor cell cytotoxicity and release of CRS-inducing inflammatory molecules. Additionally, if inclusion of costimulatory domains, CD28, 4-1BB, and Dap10, in the chPD1 receptor altered tumor cell cytotoxicity and cytokine secretion was evaluated. ChPD1 T cells had significant tumor cell killing compared to control T cells. Compared to 4-1BB and Dap10, inclusion of CD28 in the chPD1 receptor increased secretion of CRS-related cytokines. Blocking antibodies were used to test the requirement of T-cell cytokine secretion in CRS induction. Blockade of IFN-γ, GM-CSF, and IL-10 alone or in combination did not decrease tumor cell death. However, blockade of these cytokines did alter release of CRS-related molecules NO, TNF-α, and IL-6 from activated leukocytes. Therefore, blocking chPD1 derived cytokines could reduce the induction of CRS, and the inclusion of 4-1BB and Dap10 could provide safer costimulation for chPD1 CAR T cell therapy used against ALL

Euro Interest Rate Swap Yields: A GARCH Analysis

This paper models the month-over-month change in euro-denominated (EUR) long-term interest rate swap yields. It shows that the change in the short-term interest rate has an economically and statistically significant effect on the change in EUR swap yields of different maturity tenors in the subsequent period, after controlling for various macroeconomic and financial variables, such as the month-over-month change in inflation or core inflation and the growth of industrial production, and the percentage change in the equity price index, the exchange rate, and the size of the European Central Bank’s (ECB) balance sheet. It uses a generalised autoregressive conditional heteroskedasticity (GARCH) approach to model the dynamics of the monthly change in EUR swap yields and their volatility. The results of the estimated models of EUR swap yields of different maturity tenors extend the Keynesian view that the central bank’s monetary policy actions have a decisive influence on long-term government bond yields and long-term market interest rates, primarily through their effects on the current short-term interest rate