Non-linear Autoregressive Distributed Lag Model Approach and the J-Curve Phenomenon: China and Her Major Trading Partners

Following Bahmani-Oskooee and Fariditavana (2016), I use the non-linear autoregressive distributed lag model approach of Shin et al. (2013) to examine the J-curve phenomenon for the Chinese economy. Most recent studies have used methods such as the linear autoregressive distributed lag model approach of Pesaran et al. (2001) which assumes a linear relationship between the exchange rate and the trade balance. I argue that lack of support for the J-curve effect could be due to assuming that effects of exchange rate changes are symmetric. Using a linear autoregressive distributed lag model approach, I am able to find support for the J-curve effect in two out of four models. When using a non-linear autoregressive distributed lag model approach, however, I am able to find support for the J-curve effect in three out of four models

Physics of epigenetic landscapes and statistical inference by cells

Biology is currently in the midst of a revolution. Great technological advances have led to unprecedented quantitative data at the whole genome level. However, new techniques are needed to deal with this deluge of high-dimensional data. Therefore, statistical physics has the potential to help develop systems biology level models that can incorporate complex data. Additionally, physicists have made great strides in understanding non-equilibrium thermodynamics. However, the consequences of these advances have yet to be fully incorporated into biology. There are three specific problems that I address in my dissertation. First, a common metaphor for describing development is a rugged "epigenetic landscape" where cell fates are represented as attracting valleys resulting from a complex regulatory network. I introduce a framework for explicitly constructing epigenetic landscapes that combines genomic data with techniques from spin-glass physics. The model reproduces known reprogramming protocols and identifies candidate transcription factors for reprogramming to novel cell fates, suggesting epigenetic landscapes are a powerful paradigm for understanding cellular identity. Second, I examine the dynamics of cellular reprogramming. By reanalyzing all available time-series data, I show that gene expression dynamics during reprogramming follow a simple one-dimensional reaction coordinate that is independent of both the time and details of experimental protocol used. I show that such a reaction coordinate emerges naturally from epigenetic landscape models of cell identity where cellular reprogramming is viewed as a "barrier-crossing" between the starting and ending cell fates. Overall, the analysis and model suggest that gene expression dynamics during reprogramming follow a canonical trajectory consistent with the idea of an "optimal path"' in gene expression space for reprogramming. Third, an important task of cells is to perform complex computations in response to external signals. Intricate networks are required to sense and process signals, and since cells are inherently non-equilibrium systems, these networks naturally consume energy. Since there is a deep connection between thermodynamics, computation, and information, a natural question is what constraints does thermodynamics place on statistical estimation and learning. I modeled a single chemical receptor and established the first fundamental relationship between the energy consumption and statistical accuracy of a receptor in a cell

Concert recording 2022-04-29a

[Track 1]. Somewhere over the rainbow / Chet Atkins -- [Track 2]. The entertainer / Chet Atkins -- [Track 3]. Vals venezolano no. 3 (Natalia) / Antonio Lauro -- [Track 4]. Falling grace / Steve Swallow -- [Track 5]. Blue in green / Miles Davis -- [Track 6]. Sira horn / Pat Metheny -- [Track 7]. All blues / Miles Davis -- [Track 8]. Beatles medley (Day tripper/Lady Madonna) / Tommy Emmanuel -- [Track 9]. Just six strings / Hunter Anderson

Concert recording 2022-04-29a

[Track 1]. Somewhere over the rainbow / Chet Atkins -- [Track 2]. The entertainer / Chet Atkins -- [Track 3]. Vals venezolano no. 3 (Natalia) / Antonio Lauro -- [Track 4]. Falling grace / Steve Swallow -- [Track 5]. Blue in green / Miles Davis -- [Track 6]. Sira horn / Pat Metheny -- [Track 7]. All blues / Miles Davis -- [Track 8]. Beatles medley (Day tripper/Lady Madonna) / Tommy Emmanuel -- [Track 9]. Just six strings / Hunter Anderson

Reduction of Intensive Care Unit Length of Stay: The Case of Early Mobilization

Bed rest or immobilization is frequently part of treatment for patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) with critical illness. The average ICU length of stay (LOS) is 3.3 days, and for every day spent in an ICU bed, the average patient spends an additional 1.5 days in a non-ICU bed. The purpose of this research study was to analyze the effects of early mobilization for patients in the ICU to determine if it has an impact on the LOS, cost of care, and medical complications. The methodology for this study was a literature review. Five electronic databases were used, with a total of 26 articles referenced for this research. Early mobilization suggested a decrease in delirium by 2 days, reduced risk of readmission or death, and reduced ventilator-assisted pneumonia, central line, and catheter infections. Length of stay in the ICU was reduced with statistical significance in several studies examining early mobilization. Limited research on cost of ICU LOS indicated potential savings with early mobilization. When implementing early mobilization in the ICU, total costs were decreased and medical complications were reduced. Early mobilization should become a standard of care for critically ill but stable patients in the ICU

Longitudinal Study Tracking the Body Mass Index of Children in Clark County, Arkansas

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data obtained in 2011-2012, 17% (12.5 million) of children and adolescents aged 2-19 years are obese. Racial and age disparities exist with higher levels among Hispanic children (22.4%) and non-Hispanic black children (20.2%). As a child ages, the rates of obesity increase: 8.4% of 2-to-5-year-olds, 17.7% of 6-to-11-year- olds, and 20.5% of 12-to 19-year-olds. The CDC has set a body mass index (BMI) percentile for underweight as less than the 5th percentile, a healthy weight as a BMI percentile ranging from the 5th percentile to less than the 85th percentile, overweight as a BMI percentile ranging from the 85th to less than the 95th percentile and obese as a BMI percentile equal to or greater than the 95th percentile. A longitudinal study originating in 2007 tracks the BMI percentiles of children aged 3-to-14-years in Clark County, Arkansas. Each summer children in the treatment and control groups are weighed and have height measured. A BMI and BMI percentile are calculated for each child. The treatment group receives two months of weekly nutrition and physical activity classes as well as parents receive nutrition and physical activity information to implement at home. At the end of the data period, the treatment and control groups are re-assessed. Comparisons are made within and between the groups. Five hundred and forty-five children (262 males and 283 females; 292 Caucasian, 243 African American, 9 Hispanic, 1 Asian) have been followed in the study with an average of 2% of children in the underweight percentile, 49% of children in the healthy weight percentiles and 49% of children in the overweight/obese percentiles. The 2014 summer research resulted in three children in the treatment group moving from the obese to the overweight category, three children moving from the overweight to the healthy weight category, and one child moving from the obese to the healthy weight category

A survey of smoking cessation training within UK Pharmacy education

Introduction: Tobacco smoking is a significant public health problem, and remains the leading cause of preventable, premature death in the UK. In order to reduce the burden of smoking in the UK, all healthcare professionals should be able to advise and assist smokers to quit. Adequately trained pharmacists can play a key role in providing smoking cessation support and advice. The aim was to identify the extent of smoking cessation teaching and examination in UK pharmacy schools.Methods: A short survey of smoking cessation was sent to each Programme Director for all UK pharmacy schools (n=29). Results: The survey achieved a response rate of 72%. All schools dedicated time teaching smoking cessation interventions, with 76% spending more than three hours, and 90% examining students on some aspect of smoking cessation. All schools taught about Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and the role of behavioural support. At least 90% of schools taught about the role of the stop smoking services; and opportunistic brief interventions, e.g. Very Brief Advice (VBA). Only 14% covered practical delivery in clinical settings.Conclusions: UK pharmacy schools are teaching and examining students on a wide range of smoking cessation interventions, including VBA. However, there was a lack of training reported on the management of mental health patients who smoke, and practical skills training. All schools should do more to ensure they are providing practical skills training to enable students to be adequately prepared for delivering smoking cessation support to all smokers, including vulnerable populations

Hopanoids Play a Role in Membrane Integrity and pH Homeostasis in Rhodopseudomonas palustris TIE-1

Sedimentary hopanes are pentacyclic triterpenoids that serve as biomarker proxies for bacteria and certain bacterial metabolisms, such as oxygenic photosynthesis and aerobic methanotrophy. Their parent molecules, the bacteriohopanepolyols (BHPs), have been hypothesized to be the bacterial equivalent of sterols. However, the actual function of BHPs in bacterial cells is poorly understood. Here, we report the physiological study of a mutant in Rhodopseudomonas palustris TIE-1 that is unable to produce any hopanoids. The deletion of the gene encoding the squalene-hopene cyclase protein (Shc), which cyclizes squalene to the basic hopene structure, resulted in a strain that no longer produced any polycyclic triterpenoids. This strain was able to grow chemoheterotrophically, photoheterotrophically, and photoautotrophically, demonstrating that hopanoids are not required for growth under normal conditions. A severe growth defect, as well as significant morphological damage, was observed when cells were grown under acidic and alkaline conditions. Although minimal changes in shc transcript expression were observed under certain conditions of pH shock, the total amount of hopanoid production was unaffected; however, the abundance of methylated hopanoids significantly increased. This suggests that hopanoids may play an indirect role in pH homeostasis, with certain hopanoid derivatives being of particular importance