cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A multi-period dynamic location planning model for emergency response

We investigate a multi-period ambulance location problem for an emergency medical service (EMS) provider that routinely aims for high quality medical response in a short period of time. However, both quality and timing of service are very costly goals to achieve. In this research, our goal is to minimize the total operational cost of an EMS organization while maintaining acceptable response times for a newly defined EMS network that consists of supply centers, hospitals, responder locations, and incidents. We propose a new dispatch model, a deferred service model, to analyze the daily operations of ambulances that involve dispatch as needed and redeploy periodically. The main premise of this model is, given incident priority levels, incident demand patterns, and EMS provider resources, to decide which incidents to serve immediately and which incidents to defer to following periods while incurring deferral penalty costs. Additionally, high-priority incidents that are not addressed within the required respo...
Moving Beyond Cardio-Centricity in Heart Failure Risk Stratification

Heart failure (HF) remains the leading cause of hospitalization among older Americans.1 Survival is improving, and as such, the prevalence of HF is expected to increase 25% by the year 2030, leading to an annual healthcare cost of $70 billion. A number of cardiovascular problems have been identified that increase the risk for developing HF, including hypertension, coronary disease, obesity and diabetes.1 HF incidence can be reduced through lifestyle interventions that target these risk factors, with examples including maintenance of normal BMI, regular exercise, modest alcohol consumption, avoidance of smoking and consuming a healthy diet.2,3
Experience prototyping

In this paper, we describe "Experience Prototyping" as a form of prototyping that enables design team members, users and clients to gain first-hand appreciation of existing or future conditions through active engagement with prototypes. We use examples from commercial design projects to illustrate the value of such prototypes in three critical design activities: understanding existing experiences, exploring design ideas and in communicating design concepts.
A Comparative First-Principles Study of the Structure, Energetics, and Properties of Li–M (M = Si, Ge, Sn) Alloys

On the basis of density functional theory calculations, we first present a comparative study on the behavior of Li atoms in M (M = Si, Ge, and Sn) and evaluate how Li incorporation affects the electronic structure and bonding nature of the host lattices. We then discuss the energetics, structural evolution, and variations in electronic and mechanical properties of crystalline and amorphous Li–M alloys. Our calculations show that Li insertion is the least favorable in Si and the most favorable in Sn owing to its large effective interstitial space and softer matrix. Upon Li incorporation, the bonding strength of the host network is weakened, attributed to the transferred charge from Li. Li interstitials can migrate easily in all three host materials with a moderate migration barrier in Si and small barriers in Ge and Sn. Because of the cation repulsive interaction, Li atoms tend to remain isolated and well dispersed in M; also induced by this cationic nature is the charge redistribution toward Li, leading t...
Purification and Characterization of Botulinum Neurotoxin FA from a Genetically Modified Clostridium botulinum Strain.

ABSTRACT Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), produced by neurotoxigenic clostridial species, are the cause of the severe disease botulism in humans and animals. Early research on BoNTs has led to their classification into seven serotypes (serotypes A to G) based upon the selective neutralization of their toxicity in mice by homologous antibodies. Recently, a report of a potential eighth serotype of BoNT, designated “type H,” has been controversial. This novel BoNT was produced together with BoNT/B2 in a dual-toxin-producing Clostridium botulinum strain. The data used to designate this novel toxin as a new serotype were derived from culture supernatant containing both BoNT/B2 and novel toxin and from sequence information, although data from two independent laboratories indicated neutralization by antibodies raised against BoNT/A1, and classification as BoNT/FA was proposed. The sequence data indicate a chimeric structure consisting of a BoNT/A1 receptor binding domain, a BoNT/F5 light-chain domain, and a novel translocation domain most closely related to BoNT/F1. Here, we describe characterization of this toxin purified from the native strain in which expression of the second BoNT (BoNT/B) has been eliminated. Mass spectrometry analysis indicated that the toxin preparation contained only BoNT/FA and confirmed catalytic activity analogous to that of BoNT/F5. The in vivo mouse bioassay indicated a specific activity of this toxin of 3.8 × 107 mouse 50% lethal dose (mLD50) units/mg, whereas activity in cultured human neurons was very high (50% effective concentration [EC50] = 0.02 mLD50/well). Neutralization assays in cells and mice both indicated full neutralization by various antibodies raised against BoNT/A1, although at 16- to 20-fold-lower efficiency than for BoNT/A1. IMPORTANCE Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), produced by anaerobic bacteria, are the cause of the potentially deadly, neuroparalytic disease botulism. BoNTs have been classified into seven serotypes, serotypes A to G, based upon their selective neutralization by homologous antiserum, which is relevant for clinical and diagnostic purposes. Even though supportive care dramatically reduces the death rate of botulism, the only pharmaceutical intervention to reduce symptom severity and recovery time is early administration of antitoxin (antiserum raised against BoNTs). A recent report of a novel BoNT serotype, serotype H, raised concern of a “treatment-resistant” and highly potent toxin. However, the toxin’s chimeric structure and characteristics indicate a chimeric BoNT/FA. Here we describe the first characterization of this novel toxin in purified form. BoNT/FA was neutralized by available antitoxins, supporting classification as BoNT/FA. BoNT/FA required proteolytic activation to achieve full toxicity and had relatively low potency in mice compared to BoNT/A1 but surprisingly high activity in cultured neurons.
The stability of β-amyloid precursor protein in nine different cell types

Cell extracts from HeLa, macrophage, glial, C6, PC12, IMR-32, neuroblastoma, CHP-100 and P19 cells were examined for APP and its different derivatives by immunoblotting. When five antibodies (raised against different parts of APP) were used to stain western blots of nine cell extracts, three groups of immunoreactive proteins were observed: high molecular weight-(HMW, 70-125 kDa), medium molecular weight-(MMW, 30-40 kDa) and low molecular weight (LMW, 4-16 kDa). The intensity of immunoreactivity among these three groups of proteins varied in each cell line. The strongest signal for HMW protein was observed in PC 12 cells, the strongest signal for MMW protein was observed in C6 astrocyte cells, and both HMW and MMW protein bands were detected in macrophages and P19 cell lines. LMW protein bands could be detected only by antibody against the carboxyl-terminal part of the APP molecule. These experiments suggest that APP is processed differently in the various cell types. The conversion of APP to beta-peptide may be related to the stability of APP in cells and the understanding of these intermediate steps of APP processing is crucial to the elucidation of Alzheimer's disease.
Depression in Older Adults in Nursing Homes: A Review of the Literature

The rates of depression are high in nursing homes and often is not treated. A systematic literature review was conducted searching for research studies on depression interventions in nursing homes. Nineteen studies met selection criteria, which included being published in a peerreviewed journal, being set in a nursing home and utilizing an experimental design. The sample sizes of the studies ranged from 21 participants to as many as 595; the lengths of the studies varied as well from 4 weeks to 24 weeks, with six studies also including follow-ups up to one year post-intervention. Studies showed that interventions involving reminiscing on meaning of life, music and dance therapy, increasing pleasant events in the nursing home, and demonstrating goal-oriented problem-solving strategies significantly improved depressive symptoms in older adults in nursing homes. In many cases, depressive symptoms improved even in control groups due to increased social contact from researchers; depressive symptoms decreased significantly when social contact was highly individualized. Interventions involving cognitive stimulation therapy, exercise therapy and interventions involving reminiscence on personal life did not improve depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms were measured using a version of the Geriatric Depression Scale in most of the studies. The remaining studies used the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia, the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression, or the MontgomeryAsberg Depression Rating Scale. Review findings suggest that multiple interventions can be used successfully to more adequately care for depressed older adults. Discussion will include integrating pieces of these effective interventions into nursing home.
Granular Cell Tumors of the Stomach and Small Bowel: A Clinicopathological Analysis of 10 Cases

Granular cell tumor (GCT) is a neoplasm of Schwann cell origin which is uncommon in the gastrointestinal tract. We describe the clinicopathologic features for 10 cases of GCT involving the stomach and small bowel. Departmental archives were searched between 1992 and 2013 for GCTs involving the stomach and small bowel. This yielded ten cases (seven biopsies, three …
MARE2DEM: a 2-D inversion code for controlled-source electromagnetic and magnetotelluric data

This work presents MARE2DEM, a freely available code for 2-D anisotropic inversion of magnetotelluric (MT) data and frequency-domain controlled-source electromagnetic (CSEM) data from onshore and offshore surveys. MARE2DEM parametrizes the inverse model using a grid of arbitrarily shaped polygons, where unstructured triangular or quadrilateral grids are typically used due to their ease of construction. Unstructured grids provide significantly more geometric flexibility and parameter efficiency than the structured rectangular grids commonly used by most other inversion codes. Transmitter and receiver components located on topographic slopes can be tilted parallel to the boundary so that the simulated electromagnetic fields accurately reproduce the real survey geometry. The forward solution is implemented with a goal-oriented adaptive finite-element method that automatically generates and refines unstructured triangular element grids that conform to the inversion parameter grid, ensuring accurate responses as the model conductivity changes. This dual-grid approach is significantly more efficient than the conventional use of a single grid for both the forward and inverse meshes since the more detailed finite-element meshes required for accurate responses do not increase the memory requirements of the inverse problem. Forward solutions are computed in parallel with a highly efficient scaling by partitioning the data into smaller independent modeling tasks consisting of subsets of the input frequencies, transmitters and receivers. Non-linear inversion is carried out with a new Occam inversion approach that requires fewer forward calls. Dense matrix operations are optimized for memory and parallel scalability using the ScaLAPACK parallel library. Free parameters can be bounded using a new non-linear transformation that leaves the transformed parameters nearly the same as the original parameters within the bounds, thereby reducing non-linear smoothing effects. Data balancing normalization weights for the joint inversion of two or more data sets encourages the inversion to fit each data type equally well. A synthetic joint inversion of marine CSEM and MT data illustrates the algorithm's performance and parallel scaling on up to 480 processing cores. CSEM inversion of data from the Middle America Trench offshore Nicaragua demonstrates a real world application. The source code and MATLAB interface tools are freely available at http://mare2dem.ucsd.edu.
Large herbivores promote habitat specialization and beta diversity of African savanna trees.

Edaphic variation in plant community composition is widespread, yet its underlying mechanisms are rarely understood and often assumed to be physiological. In East African savannas, Acacia tree species segregate sharply across soils of differing parent material: the ant-defended whistling thorn, A. drepanolobium (ACDR), is monodominant on cracking clay vertisols that are nutrient rich but physically stressful, whereas poorly defended species such as A. brevispica (ACBR) dominate on nutrient-poor but otherwise less-stressful sandy loams. Using a series of field experiments, we show that large-mammal herbivory interacts with soil properties to maintain this pattern. In the absence of large herbivores, transplanted saplings of both species established on both soil types. Browsers strongly suppressed survival and growth of ACDR saplings on sandy soil, where resource limitation constrained defensive investment. On clay soil, ACBR saplings established regardless of herbivory regime, but elephants prevented recruitment to maturity, apparently because trees could not tolerate the combination of biotic and abiotic stressors. Hence, each tree species was filtered out of one habitat by browsing in conjunction with different edaphic factors and at different ontogenetic stages. Browser abundance was greater on sandy soil, where trees were less defended, consistent with predicted feedbacks between plant community assembly and herbivore distributions. By exploring two inversely related axes of soil "quality" (abiotic stress and nutrient content), our study extends the range of mechanisms by which herbivores are known to promote edaphic specialization, illustrates how the high cost of a protection mutualism can constrain the realized niche of host trees, and shows that large-scale properties of savanna ecosystems are shaped by species interactions in cryptic ways that mimic simple abiotic determinism. These results suggest that ongoing declines in large-herbivore populations may relax spatial heterogeneity in plant assemblages and reduce the beta diversity of communities.
Cultivating the Flow of Community Literacy

Emerging from the keynote address at the inaugural Conference on Community Writing, this snapshot examines how an engaged infrastructure for community writing might operate as a flow-cultivation milieu. Such a milieu would facilitate self-determination, which suggests that people do their most compelling, rewarding, and innovative work when they exercise autonomy, pursue competence, and feel purpose; wise mentorship, in which mentors and mentees interrelate in an ongoing manner that supports mutually high expectations and achievements, and a listening stance that broadly distributes participation and shared learning. This snapshot also argues that, should an engaged infrastructure ever cease operating as a flow-cultivation milieu, it should be dismantled.
M-perm: a lightweight detector for Android permission gaps

Android apps operate under a permissions-based system where access to specific APIs are restricted through the use of permissions. Unfortunately, there is no built-in verification system to ensure that apps do not request too many or too few permissions, which could lead to serious quality and/or privacy concerns. Apps requesting too many permissions create unnecessary vulnerabilities, leaving the potential for abuse by SDKs within the app or other malicious apps installed on the device. In order to assist with the discovery of misused permissions, we created a new detection tool, M-Perm, which combines static and dynamic analysis in a computationally efficient manner compared to existing tools. M-Perm also identifies permission usage in apps including requested normal, dangerous, and 3rd party permissions. The tool, complete usage instructions, and screencast are available online: http://www.m-perm.com.
Abstract 424: Cardiac Hypertrophy In Angiotensin Ii-dependent Hypertension: Dominant Effect Of Blood Pressure

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a common manifestation of end-organ injury in HTN. ACEi and ARBs attenuate the development of LVH through actions suggested to depend on direct interruption of AT1R in cardiac myocytes, rather than their effects to lower BP. In order to define the contribution of AT1R in cardiac myocytes to LVH, we made 2 mouse lines with cell-specific deletion of AT1AR from the heart using a floxed Agtr1a allele. In the 1st line, loss of AT1AR was achieved using a heterologous Cre transgene driven by the Sm22 promoter (Tagln-Cre) expressing Cre in VSMC and cardiac myocytes. There was virtually complete loss of AT1AR from cardiac myocytes and VSMCs in aorta, but not resistance vessels. Thus, with chronic AngII infusion, Tagln-KOs develop HTN to the same level as controls (MAP: 157±6 vs. 153±6 mm Hg, P=NS). In AngII-infused controls, there was cardiac oxidative stress indicated by enhanced nitrated tyrosine, but this was reduced by ≈75% in Tagln-KOs (P<0.005). Despite the absence of AT...
Estimating the Unseen: Improved Estimators for Entropy and Other Properties

We show that a class of statistical properties of distributions, which includes such practically relevant properties as entropy, the number of distinct elements, and distance metrics between pairs of distributions, can be estimated given a sublinear sized sample. Specifically, given a sample consisting of independent draws from any distribution over at most k distinct elements, these properties can be estimated accurately using a sample of size O(k log k). For these estimation tasks, this performance is optimal, to constant factors. Complementing these theoretical results, we also demonstrate that our estimators perform exceptionally well, in practice, for a variety of estimation tasks, on a variety of natural distributions, for a wide range of parameters. The key step in our approach is to first use the sample to characterize the “unseen” portion of the distribution—effectively reconstructing this portion of the distribution as accurately as if one had a logarithmic factor larger sample. This goes beyond such tools as the Good-Turing frequency estimation scheme, which estimates the total probability mass of the unobserved portion of the distribution: We seek to estimate the shape of the unobserved portion of the distribution. This work can be seen as introducing a robust, general, and theoretically principled framework that, for many practical applications, essentially amplifies the sample size by a logarithmic factor; we expect that it may be fruitfully used as a component within larger machine learning and statistical analysis systems.
First Impressions—the Potential of Altering Initial Host-Virus Interactions for Rational Design of Herpesvirus Vaccine Vectors

The earliest host-virus interactions occur during virus attachment and entry into cells. These initial steps in the virus lifecycle influence the outcome of infection beyond delivery of the viral genome into the cell. Herpesviruses alter host signaling pathways and processes during attachment and entry to facilitate virus infection and modulate innate immune responses. We suggest in this review that understanding these early events may inform the rational design of therapeutic and prevention strategies for herpesvirus infection, as well as the engineering of viral vectors for immunotherapy purposes. Recent reports demonstrate that modulation of herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) entry results in unexpected enhancement of anti-viral immune responses. A variety of evidence suggests that herpesviruses promote specific cellular signaling responses that facilitate viral replication after binding to cell surfaces, as well as during virus entry. Of particular interest is the ability of the virus to alter innate immune responses through these cellular signaling events. Uncovering the underlying immune evasion strategies may lead to the design of live-attenuated vaccines that can generate robust and protective anti-viral immune responses against herpesviruses. These adjuvant properties may be extended to a variety of heterologous antigens expressed by herpesviral vectors.
50-kW 1kV DC bus air-cooled inverter with 1.7 kV SiC MOSFETs and 3D-printed novel power module packaging structure for grid applications

The traditional heatsink design technologies for forced air-cooling and power semiconductors with low junction temperatures have constrained the converters to be designed with massive heatsinks. The low power losses of WBG device technology and higher junction temperature operation over a wide operating range of power have not been fully utilized with liquid-cooled systems. The other major limitation has also been the traditional power module packaging “stack” approach with baseplate. This paper presents a novel power stage design which involves 1.7 kV silicon carbide (SiC) MOSFETs, a heatsink design with Genetic Algorithm (GA) and built using 3D printing technology, and a novel integrated modular power module for high power density. The air-cooled module assembly has a SiC MOSFET phase leg module with split high-side and low-side switches and a gate driver with cross-talk and short circuit protection functions. The heatsink design was modeled using a co-simulation environment with finite element analysis software and GA in MATLAB and COMSOL. The proposed concepts were verified and validated through experiments at each stage of development. The power stage was evaluated at 800V, 900 V, and 1kV for 20 kHz switching frequency and 50-kW load. The experimental results show that the CEC efficiency is 98.4 %. In addition to the efficiency, a power density of 75 W/in3 was also achieved.
Exchange and correlation in positronium-molecule scattering

Exchange and correlations play a particularly important role in positronium (Ps) collisions with atoms and molecules, since the static potential for Ps interaction with a neutral system is zero. Theoretical description of both effects is a very challenging task. In the present work we use the free-electron-gas model to describe exchange and correlations in Ps collisions with molecules similar to the approach widely used in the theory of electron-molecule collisions. The results for exchange and correlation energies are presented as functions of the Fermi momentum of the electron gas and the Ps incident energy. Using the Thomas-Fermi model, these functions can be converted into exchange and correlation potentials for Ps interaction with molecules as functions of the distance between the projectile and the target.
Urban Air Mobility Airspace Integration Concepts and Considerations

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) - defined as safe and efficient air traffic operations in a metropolitan area for manned aircraft and unmanned aircraft systems - is being researched and developed by industry, academia, and government. Significant resources have been invested toward cultivating an ecosystem for Urban Air Mobility that includes manufacturers of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, builders of takeoff and landing areas, and researchers of the airspace integration concepts, technologies, and procedures needed to conduct Urban Air Mobility operations safely and efficiently alongside other airspace users. This paper provides high-level descriptions of both emergent and early expanded operational concepts for Urban Air Mobility that NASA is developing. The scope of this work is defined in terms of missions, aircraft, airspace, and hazards. Past and current Urban Air Mobility operations are also reviewed, and the considerations for the data exchange architecture and communication, navigation, and surveillance requirements are also discussed. This paper will serve as a starting point to develop a framework for NASA's Urban Air Mobility airspace integration research and development efforts with partners and stakeholders that could include fast-time simulations, human-in-the-loop (HITL) simulations, and flight demonstrations.
The application of an integrated biogeochemical model to simulate dynamics of vegetation, hydrology and nutrients in soil and streamwater following a whole-tree harvest of a northern hardwood forest.

Understanding the impacts of clear-cutting is critical to inform sustainable forest management associated with net primary productivity and nutrient availability over the long-term. Few studies have rigorously tested model simulations against field measurements which would provide more confidence in efforts to quantify logging impacts over the long-term. The biogeochemical model, PnET-BGC has been used to simulate forest production and stream chemistry at the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest (HBEF), New Hampshire, USA. Previous versions of PnET-BGC could accurately simulate the longer-term biogeochemical response to harvesting, but were unable to reproduce the marked changes in stream NO3− immediately after clear-cutting which is an important impact of forest harvesting. Moreover, the dynamics of nutrients in major pools including mineralization and plant uptake were poorly predicted. In this study, the model was modified and parametrized allowing for a lower decomposition rate during the earlier years after the clear-cut and increased NH4+ plant uptake with the regrowth of new vegetation to adequately reproduce hydrology, aboveground forest biomass, and soil solution and stream water chemistry in response to a whole-tree harvest of a northern hardwood forest watershed (W5) at the HBEF. Modeled soil solution and stream water chemistry successfully captured the rapid recovery of leaching nutrients to pre-cut levels within four years after the treatment. The model simulated a substantial increase in aboveground net primary productivity (NPP) from around 36% to 97% of pre-cut aboveground values within years 2 to 4 of the cut, which closely reproduced the measured values. The projected accumulation of aboveground biomass 70 years following the harvest was almost 190 t ha−1, which is close to the pre-cut measured value. A first-order sensitivity analysis showed greater sensitivity of projections of the model outputs for the mature forest than the strongly aggrading forest.
Resources and the acceptability of the Repugnant Conclusion

Parfit's Repugnant Conclusion argues, against intuition, that for any world A, another world Z with higher population and minimal well-being is better. That intuition is incorrect because the argument has not considered resources that support well-being. Z must have many more resources supporting well-being than A does. Z is repugnant because it spreads those resources among too many people; another world with Z's resources and fewer people, if available, would be far superior. But Z is still better than A; it is worth accepting its very large population to get the resources needed to support their well-being.
Biomimicry: New insights for entrepreneurship scholarship

Abstract While the natural world is argued to serve as a powerful source of knowledge and insight, entrepreneurship scholars have struggled to fully engage with nature. This raises the question of whether the antecedents, mechanisms and consequences of entrepreneurship might look differently if nature’s time-tested patterns were truly considered. This paper reviews the existing linkages between biology and entrepreneurship. The value of biomimicry in inspiring new insights into entrepreneurial phenomena is then discussed, followed by a biomimicry-based mode of theorizing. Examples and future research directions are provided.
Empirical Studies of Human Rights Law

A growing body of empirical studies has provided important insights into our understanding of the causes and effects of codified human rights. Yet empirical research has treated human rights treati...
Describing Barriers and Facilitators for Medication Adherence and Self‐Management Among Kidney Transplant Recipients Using the Information‐Motivation Behavioral Skills Model

Background We aimed to develop an adapted information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model to describe barriers and facilitators for adherence and self-management among kidney transplant recipients. Methods We conducted a review of literature about kidney transplant recipients' knowledge, perceptions, and experiences and organized our results using the IMB framework. We then conducted interviews with transplant recipients and transplant providers to supplement our literature search. Results Our proposed adaption of the IMB model describes informational, motivational, and behavioral skills barriers and facilitators for medication adherence and self-management among kidney transplant recipients. Moderating factors influence not only behavioral skills, but also recipients' understanding of information and motivation to adhere and practice self-management. Conclusion By using the IMB model to organize current research and interviews with recipients and providers, we developed an adapted model for medication adherence and self-management. Results are promising to impact future educational and behavioral interventions for kidney transplant recipients.
Operational optimization of absorption column in capturing CO2 from flue gas in coal-fired power plant

The solvent scrubbing method is one of the promising technologies to capture CO2 from flue gas. In this technology, CO2 is absorbed from flue gas using a liquid solvent in an absorption column and ...
Prevalence of ischemic stroke and atrial fibrillation in young patients with migraine national inpatient sample analysis

Abstract Objective To estimate the prevalence of ischemic stroke (IS) and atrial fibrillation (AF) in young patients with migraine and to identify the independent predictors of IS in a large cohort of hospitalized patients. Methods A cohort of patients with migraine with aura (MA) and migraine without aura (MO) was identified from the National Inpatient Sample database for the years 2012 to 2015. Ischemic stroke was identified by the International Classification of Diseases–9-CM codes. Binary logistic regression and Chi-square tests were utilized. Results A total number of 834,875 young patients (18-44 years) were included in this study with a mean age of 33 years. The prevalence of IS was 1.3% and was significantly higher in patients with MA (3.7% versus 1.2%, P Conclusion In this relatively large study, the overall prevalence of IS in young migraine patients was low at 1.3%. The prevalence of IS and AF was significantly higher in patients with MA. Presence of PVD confers a high risk of IS in young patients with migraine. Migraine aura was observed to be an independent predictor of IS and AF in patients with history of migraine. Optimal control of vascular risk factors in migraine patients appears to be indicated despite the overall low risk.
E-126 Trans radial onyx middle meningeal artery embolization for subacute chronic SDH: single center series

Introduction Middle meningeal artery (MMA) embolization for the treatment of subacute/chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is an emerging therapy for minimally invasive treatment of subdural blood products. Trans radial access (TRA) may offer certain benefits to this patient population who are often on blood thinners with multiple comorbid medical issues. Methods 46 consecutive patients between 2018 and January of 2020 undergoing trans radial access for MMA embolization with Onyx were analyzed from a single center prospectively maintained database. Patient demographics, comorbidities, ambulatory times, subdural resorption status, and guide catheter type were recorded. We specifically looked at conversion to femoral access and complication rates from access for this series. Multivariate analysis with SPSS version 25 was utilized. Results 46 patients were included in this study. The average age was 71.7± 14 years. TRA was successful for MMA embolization in 44 patients (95%). There were no access site complications. The mean cSDH size was 14 ±5 mm. 5 patients had recurrent cSDH prior to undergoing MMA embolization (10.8%). 4 patients (8.7%) had adjuvant MMA embolization performed within 24 hrs of burr hole evacuation. Symptomatic improvement was seen in 88.6% of patients (39/44). Mean length of stay was 4 ±3 days, all patients previously ambulatory were ambulated immediately post procedure. 3 patients were appropriate for same day discharge. Mean followup was 8 weeks ± 4. 86.4% of patients had either resolution or partial resolution of the cSDH at mean follow-up. Univariate analysis revealed use of antiplatelet agents was associated with failed resorption of cSDH (83.3% vs 23%, P=0.009). Charlson comorbidity index, gender, age, and treatment approach (adjuvant vs primary) were not associated with failed resorption status. 48% of patients had a Charlson Comorbidity index >5. 91% of TRA embolizations were performed with a 6F 071 guide catheter. Conclusion MMA embolization with Onyx for cSDH appears to result in symptomatic and radiographic relief in the majority of patients. Trans radial access via 6F 071 guide catheter in this population with numerous comorbidities offers a safe and effective strategy for early ambulation and procedural success. Disclosures G. Rajah: None. M. Waqas: None. R. Dossani: None. A. Gong: None. K. Rho: None. S. Housley: None. H. Rai: None. F. Chin: None. M. Tso: None. E. Levy: None. A. Siddiqui: None. K. Snyder: None. J. Davies: None.
Poorly differentiated chordoma with whole‐genome doubling evolving from a SMARCB1‐deficient conventional chordoma: a case report

Evolution of poorly differentiated chordoma from conventional chordoma has not been previously reported. We encountered a case of a poorly differentiated chordoma with evidence of whole-genome doubling arising from a SMARCB1-deficient conventional chordoma. The tumor presented as a destructive sacral mass in a 43-year-old man and was comprised of a highly cellular poorly differentiated chordoma with small, morphologically distinct nodules of conventional chordoma accounting for <5% of the total tumor volume. Immunohistochemistry revealed both components were strongly reactive for brachyury and lacked normal staining for INI1. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array analysis identified multiple genomic imbalances in the conventional component, including deletions of 1p, 3p, and 22q (involving SMARCB1) and loss of chromosomes 5 and 15, while the poorly differentiated component exhibited the same aberrations at a more profound level with additional loss of chromosome 4, low level focal deletion of 17p (involving TP53), and tetraploidy. Homozygous deletion of SMARCB1 was present in both components. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis confirmed the relevant deletions in both components as well as genome doubling in the poorly differentiated tumor. This case suggests that SMARCB1 loss is an early event in rare conventional chordomas that could potentially evolve into poorly differentiated chordoma through additional genomic aberrations such as genome doubling. Further studies with additional patients will be needed to determine if genome doubling is a consistent pathway for evolution of poorly differentiated chordoma. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Homoploutia: Top Labor and Capital Incomes in the United States, 1950-2020

Homoploutia describes the situation in which the same people (homo) are wealthy (ploutia) in the space of capital and labor income in some country. It can be quantified by the share of capital-income rich who are also labor-income rich. In this paper we combine several datasets covering different time periods to document the evolution of homoploutia in the United States from 1950 to 2020. We find that homoploutia was low after World War II, has increased by the early 1960s, and then decreased until the mid-1980s. Since 1985 it has been sharply increasing: In 1985, about 17% of adults in the top decile of capital-income earners were also in the top decile of labor-income earners. In 2018 this indicator was about 30%. This makes the traditional division to capitalists and laborers less relevant today. It makes periods characterized by high interpersonal inequality, high capital-income ratio and high capital share of income in the past fundamentally different from the current situation. High homoploutia has far-reaching implications for social mobility and equality of opportunity. We also study how homoploutia is related to total income inequality. We find that rising homoploutia accounts for about 20% of the increase in total income inequality in the United States since 1986.
Methanol-Assisted Flash Sintering of ZnO

In a prior work [Nie et al., Scripta Materialia 142, 79-82 (2018)], we have demonstrated that water vapor can trigger flash sintering of ZnO powder pellets at room temperature to achieve ~98% of the theoretical density in 30 seconds without any external furnace heating. Here, we further extend this “water-assisted flash sintering (WAFS)” to “solvent-assistant flash sintering (SAFS)” using methanol as an example. Specifically, we successfully demonstrated that methanol vapor can also trigger a flash at room temperature to subsequently sinter ZnO to ~ 93 – 96% of the theoretical density in <30 seconds. We further revealed a couple of interesting new phenomena, including bifurcation in kinetic pathways and self-termination of flash sintering.
Protecting Mixed-Status Families: Equal Protection Analysis of the Social Security Number Requirement (preprint)

In response to COVID-19, Congress enacted the CARES Act, which provided stimulus payments of $1,200 to individual taxpayers ($2,400 for individuals filing a joint return) plus $500 for each qualifying child of the taxpayer. However, 26 U.S.C. § 6428(g)(1)(B) limited this payment to individuals who have a Social Security number (“SSN”) and, in the case of a joint return, both spouses must have an SSN. Although the CARES Act was not the first federal economic benefit legislation to include this requirement, it was the first to face equal protection challenges from mixed-status family members. After the judges in two CARES Act cases denied the Government’s motion to dismiss, Congress retroactively amended the CARES Act to remove the requirement. Congress did not explain its reasoning for this retroactive change. By changing the law, Congress may have mooted the two CARES Act suits, but specifically left the equal protection issue open. This Comment evaluates the operation of this SSN requirement and suggests that it is likely unconstitutional in any federal legislation that provides significant economic benefits.
Systematic study of high pT hadron production in small collision systems by the PHENIX experiment at RHIC

High p T hadrons in the small systems of d /3 He+Au and p +Al/Au collisions have been measured at the midrapidity (|ƞ | | =200 GeV. A clear system and centrality ordering in the Rp /d /HeA was observed for midrapidity π 0 production. Hadron R cp as a function of rapidity in forward and backward regions show an opposite trend to what HIJING++ predicted. Together with the difference of R cp in p +Al/Au collisions, the observation can be understood consistently with the measured long-range two-particle correlations, hinting the possible medium creation similar to A+A collisions.
Further synthesis and biological characterization of a series of 2-sulfonamidebenzamides as allosteric modulators of MrgX1

The present study describes our continued efforts in the discovery and characterization of a series of 2-sulfonamidebenzamides as allosteric modulators of MrgX1. MrgX1 has been shown to be an attractive target as a non-opioid receptor for the potential treatment of chronic pain. Working from our original compound, ML382, and utilizing iterative medicinal chemistry, we have identified key halogen substituents that improve MrgX1 potency by ~8-fold. In addition, we have evaluated the compounds in Tier 1 DMPK assays and have identified key compounds that impart improved potency and microsomal stability.
Biosynthesis of the pyrrolopyrimidine nucleoside antibiotic, toyocamycin. VII. Origin of the pyrrole carbons and the cyano carbon.

Abstract Data are presented showing the distribution of 14C and tritium from radioactive tracer experiments with ribose-1-14C, uniformly labeled ribose-14C, ribose-1-3H, ribose-3-3H, uniformly labeled adenosine-14C, and adenosine-14C following their incorporation into the pyrrolopyrimidine nucleoside antibiotic, toyocamycin, elaborated by Streptomyces rimosus. The data clearly show that carbon 2, but not carbon 8, of the purine ring is incorporated into the pyrrolopyrimidine ring of toyocamycin. Carbons 1', 2', and 3' of the ribose moiety of a purine nucleoside or purine nucleotide serve as the carbon source for carbons 6, 5, and the cyano carbon of toyocamycin, respectively. Evidence is presented which shows that two ribose units are covalently bound to the nitrogen attached to carbon 4 of the pyrimidine ring following the expulsion of nitrogen 7 and carbon 8 from the imidazole portion of the purine ring. The distribution of radioactivity in the toyocamycin from the uniformly labeled adenosine-14C and adenosine-14C experiments is consistent with the notion that carbons 1, 2, and 3 of both of these ribose units contribute equally to the biosynthesis of pyrrole carbons 6, 5, and the cyano carbon of toyocamycin, respectively.
Stomatal differentiation: the beginning and the end

Differentiation of stomata follows a series of stereotypical cell divisions and cell-state transitional steps specified by the master-regulatory transcription factors. The density and numbers of stomata are regulated by cell-cell signaling and flexibly modulated by environmental and physiological inputs. This review focuses on the latest breakthroughs in Arabidopsis elucidating the mechanisms behind the initiation of stomatal precursors, asymmetric cell division and stem cell behavior, and terminal differentiation of guard cells. I discuss new insights emerging from these studies: (i) competitive actions of signals and regulatory circuits initiating stomatal precursor pattern; (ii) a subcellular partitioning of signaling components determining the stomatal lineage stem-cell divisions; and (iii) epigenetic regulation maintaining the differentiated guard cell state.
Interaction of the Viral Activator Protein ICP4 with TFIID through TAF250.

ICP4 of herpes simplex virus is responsible for the activation of viral transcription during infection. It also efficiently activates and represses transcription in vitro depending on the promoter context. The contacts made between ICP4 and the cellular proteins that result in activated transcription have not been identified. The inability of ICP4 to activate transcription with TATA-binding protein in place of TFIID and the requirement for an initiator element for efficient ICP-4-activated transcription suggest that coactivators, such as TBP-associated factors, are involved (B. Gu and N. DeLuca, J. Virol. 68:7953-7965, 1994). In this study we showed that ICP4 activates transcription in vitro using an immunopurified TFIID, indicating that TBP-associated factors may be a sufficient subset of coactivators for ICP4-activated transcription. Similar to results seen in vivo, the presence of the ICP4 C-terminal region (amino acids 774 to 1298) was important for activation in vitro. With epitope-tagged ICP4 molecules in immunoaffinity experiments, it was shown that the C-terminal region was also required for ICP4 to interact with TFIID present in a crude transcription factor fraction. In the same assay, ICP4 was unable to interact with the basal transcription factors, TFIIB, TFIIE, TFIIF, and TFIIH and RNA polymerase II. ICP4 could also interact with TBP, independent of the C-terminal region. However, reflective of the interaction between ICP4 and TFIID, the ICP4 C-terminal region was required for an interaction with FAF250-TBP complexes and with TAF250 alone. Therefore, the interfaces or conformation of TBP mediating the interaction between ICP4 and TBP in solution is probably masked when TBP is bound to TAF250. With a series of mutant ICP4 molecules purified from herpes simplex virus-infected cells, it was shown that ICP4 molecules that can bind DNA and interact with TAF250 could activate transcription. Taken together, these results demonstrate that ICP4 interaction with TFIID involves the TAF250 molecule and the C-terminal region of ICP4 and that this interaction is part of the mechanism by which ICP4 activates transcription.
Better Vision for the Poor

About 500 million to 1 billion poor people in the world need eyeglasses but do not get them. Visual impairment is more than just a health problem; it has economic, educational, and public safety implications. In 2005, the French multinational Essilor launched a 'bottom of the pyramid' initiative to market eyeglasses to the Indian rural poor. VisionSpring was founded in 2001 as a social enterprise with the mission to provide affordable eyeglasses to the poor. Another approach to solving the vision problem emphasizes technological innovation to provide low-cost self-adjustable spectacles. None of these approaches has succeeded on a large enough scale so far. We propose an alternative solution that emphasizes dramatic cost reduction by utilizing ready-made eyeglasses, basic screening without a trained optometrist, economies of scale, piggyback distribution, and low overheads.
Power aware routing for sensor databases

Wireless sensor networks offer the potential to span and monitor large geographical areas inexpensively. Sensor network databases like TinyDB [S. Madden et al., 2002] are the dominant architectures to extract and manage data in such networks. Since sensors have significant power constraints (battery life), and high communication costs, design of energy efficient communication algorithms is of great importance. The data flow in a sensor database is very different from data flow in an ordinary network and poses novel challenges in designing efficient routing algorithms. In this work we explore the problem of energy efficient routing for various different types of database queries and show that in general, this problem is NP-complete. We give a constant factor approximation algorithm for one class of query, and for other queries give heuristic algorithms. We evaluate the efficiency of the proposed algorithms by simulation and demonstrate their near optimal performance for various network sizes.
Sliding Blocks: Conditionals and Functions

Figure 12.1 shows a block sitting on a ramp. The ramp is inclined from the horizontal at an angle of θ radians, and the block’s initial position is L meters from the lower end of the ramp. The block is initially prevented from moving, but is released at time zero. If the friction between the block and the ramp is high enough, the block will remain in place. Otherwise, it will accelerate down the ramp until it reaches the end, at which point it will abruptly stop.
Navigating “illegality”: Undocumented youth & oppositional consciousness

Abstract In recent years, a vibrant political movement has emerged, led by a sector previously thought to be too vulnerable to engage in public protest-undocumented youth. This article explores the experiences of undocumented youth and their emergent activism. I posit that growing up within the context of dominant discourses regarding immigration in a moment marked by a re-entrenchment of borders and citizenship shapes not only the lived experiences, but also the political consciousness of many undocumented young people. Drawing on 18 months of ethnographic research with undocumented Latino youth activists in California, this article argues that oppositional consciousness is forged through the constant navigation of “illegality”. I examine two sites upon which this navigation takes place – the negotiation of fear and shame and the navigation of the exclusion – and explore the way in which negotiation of “illegality” in these sites of daily life contributes to the development of an oppositional consciousness.