cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The 2012–2013 Snow Report: Ignoring the Calendar

The 2012–2013 snow season across the lower 48 states and in Alaska defied the calendar on a number of occasions. Early season snows visited the East, while the Alaskan snowpack was slow to grow. We...
Stem Cell Research and Judaism

The potential of stem cell research to contribute to human understanding of human development, aging, ailment, and demise is indisputable. This essay surveys Judaic perspectives on these promising yet imperfect ways of securing pluripotent stem cells for scientific and medicinal purposes. As one might expect, there is disagreement among modern Jewish bioethicists about which modes of securing these cells is permissible. Yet there is overwhelming consensus among them that using such cells to improve scientific knowledge and medicinal treatments is indeed permissible if not obligatory. To appreciate these dynamics, we first look at some principles Judaism holds in regard to medicine in general. We then investigate in light of Judaic texts the particular strategies used to extract and establish pluripotent stem cells. The concluding section evaluates these principles and concerns.
A Combined Analytical Model for Performance Assessment of the Waste Package/Geologic Medium Systems

For sparsely soluble isotopes leaching rates are probably controlled by solubility limits7. For a situation like this backfill provide a significant resistance to escape of nuclides from the repository. Isotope 129I shows significant concentration level at a 10 km downstream distance. For this isotope the backfill thickness of 0.25 m used in the test case is not sufficient to reduce the concentration to an insignificant level. Materials for backfill and thickness of the backfill probably have to be chosen from the consideration of nuclides like 129I. The three dimensional transport model used here provides a relatively more accurate estimates of concentration levels and discharge rates than the one dimensional model.
Estimating Tool–Tissue Forces Using a 3-Degree-of-Freedom Robotic Surgical Tool

Robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery (MIS) has gained popularity due to its high dexterity and reduced invasiveness to the patient; however, due to the loss of direct touch of the surgical site, surgeons may be prone to exert larger forces and cause tissue damage. To quantify tool-tissue interaction forces, researchers have tried to attach different kinds of sensors on the surgical tools. This sensor attachment generally makes the tools bulky and/or unduly expensive and may hinder the normal function of the tools; it is also unlikely that these sensors can survive harsh sterilization processes. This paper investigates an alternative method by estimating tool-tissue interaction forces using driving motors' current, and validates this sensorless force estimation method on a 3-degree-of-freedom (DOF) robotic surgical grasper prototype. The results show that the performance of this method is acceptable with regard to latency and accuracy. With this tool-tissue interaction force estimation method, it is possible to implement force feedback on existing robotic surgical systems without any sensors. This may allow a haptic surgical robot which is compatible with existing sterilization methods and surgical procedures, so that the surgeon can obtain tool-tissue interaction forces in real time, thereby increasing surgical efficiency and safety.
Three-dimensional Printing in the Intestine

Intestinal transplantation remains a life-saving option for patients with severe intestinal failure. With the advent of advanced tissue engineering techniques, great strides have been made toward manufacturing replacement tissues and organs, including the intestine, which aim to avoid transplant-related complications. The current paradigm is to seed a biocompatible support material (scaffold) with a desired cell population to generate viable replacement tissue. Although this technique has now been extended by the three-dimensional (3D) printing of geometrically complex scaffolds, the overall approach is hindered by relatively slow turnover and negative effects of residual scaffold material, which affects final clinical outcome. Methods recently developed for scaffold-free 3D bioprinting may overcome such obstacles and should allow for rapid manufacture and deployment of "bioprinted organs." Much work remains before 3D bioprinted tissues can enter clinical use. In this brief review we examine the present state and future perspectives of this nascent technology before full clinical implementation.
Expression of GRP94 in human hepatocellular carcinoma

OBJECTIVE:To study the expression of GRP94 in human hepatocarcinoma.METHODS:GRP94 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry,and its characters were analyzed by the microscope analysis system.RESULTS:Thirty-eight of 40 cases (95%) of HCC showed GRP94 positive staining,and the charactoristics of expression were different.CONCLUSIONS:The GRP94 expressed in HCC was heterogenous showing in the cytoplasm,cell membrane and nucleolus. The expression of GRP94 in HCC will help the preparing of tumor vaccine.
Traffic Route Dynamic Guidance Based on Time Recursion and Supervised Learning

In order to improve the predictability for traffic information acquisition and the timeliness for path guiding,firstly,combining the difference of the road conditions in different periods with the human factors,and with the theory of time recursion,the whole structure model for traffic route dynamic guidance was constructed.Based on the comparison of the accumulated experience in knowledge base and the real-time traffic information,the route with the shortest time was proposed for driver's selection with real-time and effective road information.Secondly, according to supervised learning analysis,the dynamic guidance kernel structure was analyzed and the pseudo codes of the logical algorithms for local and whole rerouting were presented.Finally, with the example simulation analysis of different time travels and the same time travels,the reliability of the model and the program were verified.The results show that the method of the traffic route dynamic guidance can assist the drivers to have a correct judgment of traffic information in time,and reduce the loss of time because of lack of experience,or traffic emergencies.The guidance technology can be applied for the vehicles with GPS.
Dynamic Weight-Shifting for Improved Maneuverability and Rollover Prevention in High-Speed Mobile Manipulators

Mobile manipulators have reduced maneuverability and risk rolling over when operated at high speeds. One of the main contributing factors is the higher center of gravity (CG) due to the manipulator arm. This paper proposes a new dynamic weight-shifting method that uses the manipulator arm on the mobile robot to improve maneuverability and reduce rollover risk. A control law is developed such that the manipulator arm keeps a low CG and the contribution of the reaction moments from its inertia is small in comparison to the reaction moments due to gravity. A linear dynamic model is used to analyze the effect of the arm design (link length, mass, etc.) on the roll dynamics. A higher fidelity nonlinear simulation is used to evaluate roll reduction and the impact on handling dynamics. Last, the dynamic weight-shifting method is implemented in hardware. With regard to reducing rollover risk, simulation results from the nonlinear model (NLM) show a 29% reduction in wheel normal load transfer by using the proposed method. In terms of improving maneuverability, experimental results with hardware demonstrate a 13% increase in lateral acceleration when using dynamic weight-shifting. By reducing the vehicle's roll motion, dynamic weight-shifting can increase safe operating speeds and maneuverability.
¿Es la libertad económica un medio para la libertad política? Friedman y las reglas del juego

Al hacerse cargo de la continua tension existente entre los valores de la libertad y la igualdad, Milton Friedman defendio categoricamente la idea que la libertad economica es un requisito necesario y previo para alcanzar la libertad politica. Este ensayo busca poner a prueba dicha idea desde la filosofia politica, sosteniendo que en ultima instancia, la relacion entre estas dos clases de libertad es inversa. Si entendemos a la politica como aquello que nos habilita para vivir colectivamente y encontrar soluciones a nuestras diferencias, entonces, importantes consecuencias pueden derivarse para una adecuada comprension de la libertad humana y del rol que esta juega al determinar las reglas fundamentales de la convivencia en sociedad.
“Homosexuality Is a Threat to Our Family and the Nation”: Anti-LGBT Movement

Chapter 3 discusses the ways in which the Protestant Right has launched the anti-LGBT movement, specifically the anti-gay movement, by examining three loci—mass media, the grade school, and the military—where the Protestant Right has hostilely engaged in anti-gay bashing. Both the grade school and the military are the sites where socially prescribed gender roles and relations based on gender binarism are constantly regulated and performed, whereas mass media are a locus where gender hierarchies, rigid gender binarism, and limited gender roles and relations can be contested, resisted, transformed, or further reinforced. Understanding the significance of these sites as the loci of the Protestant Right’s anti-LGBT battle helps to acknowledge the complex interplay of homophobia, heteropatriarchy, ethnonationalism, and anticommunism in the Protestant Right.
Reading Big Data(bases)

Now that you understand how to manage data inside R, let’s consider where data is found. While smaller data is found in comma-separated values (CSV) files or files easily converted to such, larger data tends to live in other places. This chapter deals with big data, or at least data that may be big. What is the challenge with big data? R works in memory, random access memory, not hard drives. A quick check of your system settings should reveal the amount of memory you have. We, the authors, use between 4 and 32 gigabytes in our real-world systems, with the larger number being a somewhat expensive habit. R cannot analyze data larger than available RAM.
Inertial confinement fusion target insertion concepts for the National Ignition Facility

The National Ignition Facility (NIF) will be used to demonstrate fusion ignition in a laboratory environment in order to support development of inertial fusion as a potential fusion energy source for civilian use. However, target insertion must first be addressed before inertial fusion can become a practical energy source. Since target insertion systems currently utilized are not suitable for multiple shots in quick succession, insertion concepts involving free-falling and artificially accelerated targets are developed and evaluated against a set of predetermined guidelines. It is shown that a system involving a fast retraction positioner would be suitable. 5 refs., 4 figs.
Industrial training in the USA: Assessing the concept of jointness

This article describes the revolutionary approach to industrial training programmes that is taken by the US union of United Automobile Workers. It is innovative because of the type, size and scope ...
Mechanism of Glycosaminoglycan-Mediated Bone and Joint Disease Implications for the Mucopolysaccharidoses and Other Connective Tissue Diseases

We have previously shown that glycosaminoglycan (GAG) storage in animal models of the mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) leads to inflammation and apoptosis within cartilage. We have now extended these findings to synovial tissue and further explored the mechanism underlying GAG-mediated disease. Analysis of MPS rats, cats, and/or dogs revealed that MPS synovial fibroblasts and fluid displayed elevated expression of numerous inflammatory molecules, including several proteins important for lipopolysaccharide signaling (eg, Toll-like receptor 4 and lipoprotein-binding protein). The expression of tumor necrosis factor, in particular, was elevated up to 50-fold, leading to up-regulation of the osteoclast survival factor, receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand, and the appearance of multinucleated osteoclast-like cells in the MPS bone marrow. Treatment of normal synovial fibroblasts with GAGs also led to production of the prosurvival lipid sphingosine-1-phosphate, resulting in enhanced cell proliferation, consistent with the hyperplastic synovial tissue observed in MPS patients. In contrast, GAG treatment of normal chondrocytes led to production of the proapoptotic lipid ceramide, confirming the enhanced cell death we had previously observed in MPS cartilage. These findings have important implications for the pathogenesis and treatment of MPS and have further defined the mechanism of GAG-stimulated disease.
Unsupported Platinum-Metal Two-Dimensional Nanoframe Oxygen Reduction Electrocatalysts: Effect of Transition Metal Composition on Activity and Stability

Currently, oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts used within proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are primarily platinum (Pt) and Pt-based alloys that are supported on high surface area carbon. At elevated voltages encountered during start-up/shut-down, the corrosion of the carbon support is accelerated which can significantly degrade the long-term stability of the catalyst. Recent work by our group has shown that unsupported (carbon-free) Pt-Ni two-dimensional (2D) nanoframes enable ORR electrocatalysts with significantly improved activity and stability compared with carbon-supported Pt and bimetallic Pt-metal alloy catalysts.1 The unique nanoframe structure consists of a hierarchical 2D framework composed of a highly catalytically active Pt-metal alloy phase with an interconnected solid and pore network that results in three-dimensional molecular accessibility. The effect of altering the transition metal was investigated as a route to further improve the ORR activity through control of the surface atomic and electronic structure of Pt. Unsupported Pt-metal (metal=Ni, Co) two-dimensional (2D) nanoframes were synthesized through controlled thermal treatments of Pt-decorated metal hydroxide/oxide nanosheets. The structure of the 2D nanoframes were determined using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Analysis of XRD and SEM data supports that Co and Ni can be incorporated into Pt-metal 2D nanoframes. Electrochemical characterizing using a rotating disk electrode configuration shows that the Pt-M 2D nanoframes exhibit significantly higher activities compared with Pt/C. The ability to create metallic 2D structures with 3D molecular accessibility opens up new opportunities for the design of high activity and stability carbon-free catalyst nanoarchitectures for numerous electrocatalytic and catalytic applications. References Godinez-Salomon, F.; Mendoza-Cruz, R; Arellano-Jimenez, M. Jose-Yacaman, M.; Rhodes, C.P; (manuscript submitted).
Using $$\ell _1$$ ℓ 1 Regularization to Improve Numerical Partial Differential Equation Solvers

Sparse regularization plays a central role in many recent developments in imaging and other related fields. However, it is still of limited use in numerical solvers for partial differential equations (PDEs). In this paper we investigate the use of $$\ell _1$$ regularization to promote sparsity in the shock locations of hyperbolic PDEs. We develop an algorithm that uses a high order sparsifying transform which enables us to effectively resolve shocks while still maintaining stability. Our method does not require a shock tracking procedure nor any prior information about the number of shock locations. It is efficiently implemented using the alternating direction method of multipliers. We present our results on one and two dimensional examples using both finite difference and spectral methods as underlying PDE solvers.
Isolation and characterization of the beta and epsilon subunit genes of mouse muscle acetylcholine receptor.

Abstract The genes coding for the beta and epsilon subunits of the mouse muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) were mapped by Southern blot analysis, and the entire loci for both genes cloned. The results indicate that they are single-copy genes. Both were sequenced to determine their size and structural organization. The beta subunit gene spans approximately 8 kilobases and is organized into 11 exons. A region containing cysteines, which are thought to form a disulfide bond and which are highly conserved, is encoded by one exon in all muscle acetylcholine receptor genes with the exception of the beta subunit gene, where it is split into two exons. The epsilon subunit gene spans 4.3 kilobases and contains 12 exons; it has the same structure as the gamma and delta nAChR genes. The intron-exon boundaries and exonic organization of the five known nAChR genes were compared. The analysis showed that the first 4 exons and the last exon of all muscle and brain nAChR subunit genes have the same boundaries, with the exception of a nAChR-related gene in Drosophila.
From Data to Actionable Evidence: How Sociologists Can Drive School Reform

More raw data on schools exist today than at any other time in history. States and districts are using these data to make a wide range of high-stakes decisions, from which schools to close, to which teachers to fire, to which students to promote. Yet, despite the magnitude of data on education, policymakers, practitioners, parents, politicians, journalists, and other stakeholders lack crucial information about what actually takes place in schools and actionable evidence about how to improve them. To redress this shortage, sociologists and other education researchers must find new ways to organize, conceptualize—and move beyond—the mountains of data that threaten to overwhelm schools.
Three-vessel fenestrated and bilateral iliac branched graft repair of a juxtarenal aortic aneurysm with bilateral common iliac aneurysms.

Abstract We describe a patient with large bilateral common iliac artery aneurysms as well as a large juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm successfully treated by a novel approach. The procedure, completed in one setting, involved this sequence: positioning and deployment of bilateral iliac branch grafts with appropriate internal iliac limbs; insertion of a three-vessel fenestrated proximal device with cannulation and stenting of the left renal artery; and positioning and deployment of a bifurcated endograft and two mating limbs to the bilateral iliac branch device. The procedure was completed with percutaneous access; the patient recovered well and was discharged on postoperative day 1.
Understanding the Functional Importance of Human Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are the major source of human genetic variation, and the functional subset of SNPs, predominantly in protein coding regions, contributes to phenotypic variation. However, much of the variation in coding regions may not produce any functional effects. There are two broad strategies for classifying polymorphism as functional or neutral: sequence-based methods predict functional significance based on conservation scores calculated from alignments of homologous gene sequences; structure-based methods map variations to known protein structures and predict likely effects based on properties of proteins. Several tools have been developed to classify polymorphism as functional or neutral based on these methods. It was shown that most of functional SNPs are evolutionarily deleterious. Though the utility of the tools has not yet been adequately demonstrated, they may have important applications in the area of medical genetics.
Context-aware mechanisms for reducing interactive delays of energy management in disks

Aggressive energy conserving mechanisms can maximize energy efficiency, but often have the negative trade-off of simultaneously reducing system responsiveness due to the switching of component power modes. This side-effect is especially prominent in hard disk drives, where the time required to switch power modes is dictated by the latency of the mechanical elements of the drive. Existing disk activity prediction schemes provide solutions for eliminating transition delays in the presence of non-interactive applications and processes, but perform poorly on systems dominated by interactive applications. The key idea in eliminating transition delays exposed to users in interactive applications is that the users are responsible for placing energy and performance demand on the systems through interactions with applications. Therefore, monitoring user interactions with applications provides an opportunity for predicting upcoming power mode transitions and, as a result, eliminating the delays associated with these transitions. In this paper, we propose a set of user behavior monitoring and prediction mechanisms that significantly reduce delays in interactive applications while minimizing energy consumption.
NREM Sleep: Anatomy and Physiology

Mammalian sleep is a complex neural process consisting of two alternating and distinct stages called non-rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Sleep onset occurs invariably through NREM sleep, which accounts for 75–80% of total sleep. NREM sleep is considered the most quiescent state of the brain and is accompanied by reduced overall cerebral metabolism and lowered brain and body temperature. Since the first report by VonEconomo indicating a role of the preoptic/anterior hypothalamic area (POA) as a hypnogenic region, almost a century ago, extensive progress has been made in more precisely identifying and characterizing the neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and neurochemistry of the hypothalamic sleep-promoting system. It is evident that the neuronal substrates, neuronal circuitry, and the underlying brain mechanisms controlling NREM sleep are rather complex and involve reciprocal interactions among a complex network of sleep-promoting and wake-promoting regions. This article summarizes the current understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the POA neural substrates that are involved in the onset and regulation of NREM sleep.
People Are Not Bananas: How Immigration Differs from Trade

Classical economists have long argued that trade and labor migration are functionally the same. Global wealth is maximized, they assert, when both goods and labor move freely across borders. There are indeed similarities between the movement of people and the movement of goods, but in many ways the disparities between the two are far more apparent. If labor migration and trade are so alike, why have many developed nations maintained high barriers to migration even as barriers to trade have fallen sharply? The contrast between the weak global patchwork governing the movement of people and the strong framework governing the movement of goods is another sign of those distinctions. Why has the United States aggressively pursued multilateral, regional, and bilateral agreements on trade while remaining stubbornly unilateral in its approach to labor migration? This essay contends that the consistent story of factor mobility told by economists misses three key differences. First, the flow of human beings has political, social, and economic impacts on developed nations that differ from the flow of goods. Second, trade is reciprocal while migration is generally a one-way flow. Both of these facts reduce the incentive of developed nations to accept increased migration. Finally, the benefits developed nations do receive through migration are, unlike the benefits of trade, almost always available through unilateral action rather than through negotiation with developing countries. The essay concludes by suggesting how we might better approach labor migration in order to maximize wealth and distributive justice on a global scale.
Practice Pattern Variation in the Use of Transesophageal Echocardiography for Open Valve Cardiac Surgery.

Objective The authors sought to assess for the presence of practice variation in the use of intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for open cardiac valve surgery. Design This study was a retrospective cohort analysis. Setting The administrative claims data used for this investigation were multi-institutional and a representative sample of commercially insured patients in the United States between 2010 and 2015. Participants The cohort consisted of adult patients, aged 18 years or older, undergoing open mitral valve (MV) or aortic valve (AV) surgery. Interventions This was an observational analysis without interventions. Measurements and Main Results Of 19,386 valve surgeries, 12,313 (64%) underwent AV replacement, 6,192 (32%) underwent MV repair or replacement, and 881 ( Conclusion Among adult patients undergoing open AV or MV surgery in the United States, 82% had a claim for an intraoperative TEE with marked variability across U.S. states. Increasing adherence to intraoperative TEE guidelines for valve surgery may represent an unrecognized opportunity to improve the quality of cardiac surgical care.
Emerging Subspecialties in Neurology: Pain medicine

Pain medicine is a multidisciplinary field specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain anywhere in the body. Neurologists have a long history of contributions to the field of pain medicine, and in our experience, today's generation of aspiring pain neurologists are finding ample opportunities for pain medicine fellowship positions as well as academic and nonacademic pain medicine career opportunities upon graduation. Pain medicine is a rapidly evolving subspecialty that challenges practitioners' cognitive, procedural, psychomotor, and interpersonal skills and offers a desirable work–life balance. Herein the authors provide a general overview of pain medicine as a neurologic subspecialty.
Dynamic Deployment of Communication Applications to Different Hardware Platforms using Ontological Representations

We consider the problem of mapping communications applications to heterogeneous hardware platforms dynamically based on available hardware. Our approach uses an ontology to specify different communications designs and their implementation in software and hardware. Making use of the ontology and rules, we automatically generate implementations of different communications applications for FPGA hardware, CPU software, or a hybrid design that mixes the two. Designs are specified in terms of “tasks” (or processing elements) and “conduits” (or connectors) for data transfer between tasks. Implementations use a library based approach where tasks are pre-designed for different platforms. Some tasks, such as controllers, are generated at run time and compiled for the appropriate target hardware. This style of specification-based deployment supports the easy migration between target hardware platforms. We present a method that uses ontological definitions for automatic code generation that allows for dynamic deployment of the application to different target hardware. We demonstrate this approach on an application consisting of two tasks: (1) spectrum sensing and (2) transmission. An automatically generated state machine implements the control flow; i.e., it decides what frequency to transmit on depending on the available spectrum. Our results show that this approach generates high quality designs with lower effort from the designer.
Cultural perceptions of breastfeeding are major determinants of breastfeeding habits

Purpose The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months of age. Studies have shown that immigrant mothers have higher breastfeeding rates compared to American-born mothers. This difference diminishes the longer immigrant mothers reside in the US. It has been suggested that the availability of formula through The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is a strong contributing factor in this lowering of breastfeeding rate. We set out to test this hypothesis by examining breastfeeding habits …
A cross-domain functional safety approach of System of Systems on example Valet Parking

The increasing momentum of autonomous driving demands for constantly new assistance functions, such as valet parking. In the process, the vehicle is increasingly becoming part of the Internet of Things (IoT) and is gradually becoming a Cyber-Physical System (CPS). An example for arising challenges due this development is the analysis and consideration of functional safety in the context of the use case "Valet Parking", which describes an autonomous parking process in a parking garage. Current challenges include the interaction of systems and distributed functional scopes in various domains (automotive, industrial automation), which now have to be analyzed and evaluated according to the relevant standards. To handle the challenges of a functional safety analysis of a cross-domain System of Systems (SoS) we present an approach in this paper.
Cognitive function in people with and without freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease.

Freezing of gait (FOG) is common in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) which is extremely debilitating. One hypothesis for the cause of FOG episodes is impaired cognitive control, however, this is still in debate in the literature. We aimed to assess a comprehensive range of cognitive tests in older adults and people with Parkinson’s with and without FOG and associate FOG severity with cognitive performance. A total of 227 participants took part in the study which included 80 healthy older adults, 81 people with PD who did not have FOG and 66 people with PD and FOG. A comprehensive battery of neuropsychological assessments tested cognitive domains of global cognition, executive function/attention, working memory, and visuospatial function. The severity of FOG was assessed using the new FOG questionnaire and an objective FOG severity score. Cognitive performance was compared between groups using an ANCOVA adjusting for age, gender, years of education and disease severity. Correlations between cognitive performance and FOG severity were analyzed using partial correlations. Cognitive differences were observed between older adults and PD for domains of global cognition, executive function/attention, and working memory. Between those with and without FOG, there were differences for global cognition and executive function/attention, but these differences disappeared when adjusting for covariates. There were no associations between FOG severity and cognitive performance. This study identified no significant difference in cognition between those with and without FOG when adjusting for covariates, particularly disease severity. This may demonstrate that complex rehabilitation programs may be undertaken in those with FOG.
Herlands: Exploring Women’s Land Movements in the United States, by Keridwen N. Luis: U Minnesota P, 2018.

Once the subject of robust ethnographic and critical study, the back-to-the-land movement has seen declining scholarly interest in recent decades. In the rare moments when back-to-the-land sites do...
E-128 Eye on the prize: trans-ophthalmic arterial embolizations of anterior cranial fossa dural arteriovenous fistulae

Introduction Anterior cranial fossa dural arteriovenous fistulas (dAVFs) represent up to 10% of all dAVFs and have traditionally been treated surgically. These lesions derive their arterial supply from the bilateral anterior ethmoidal arteries (ophthalmic artery branches) in nearly all cases. Embolization via the ophthalmic artery poses unique technical challenges due to its small caliber and risk of vision loss. To date, there is a paucity of literature regarding the safety and efficacy of performing endovascular embolizations via the ophthalmic artery. Advances in endovascular therapy, including highly trackable microcatheters and balloon microcatheters, offer the potential for safe and successful embolization via the ophthalmic artery. Here we describe our experience of anterior cranial fossa dAVF treatment by endovascular embolization via the ophthalmic artery. Materials and Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of consecutive patients with anterior cranial fossa dAVF treated by ophthalmic artery embolization at two neurovascular centers from 2012 to 2020. Primary outcome was angiographic cure of the dAVF. Secondary outcome measures included vision loss, modified Rankin Scale at 90-days, mortality, and any other iatrogenic treatment complications. Results 10 patients met inclusion criteria, which included 8 male and 2 females. Mean patient age was 61.9 (SD 8.0) years. DAVF Cognard grades were: II (1 patient), III (5 patients), and IV (4 patients). 4 patients presented with cerebral hemorrhage due to the dAVF. 6 patients presented with headache, aphasia, amaurosis fugax, or were asymptomatic and incidentally discovered. The most commonly embolized arterial feeding vessels were the anterior and posterior ethmoidal arteries (n=8) and the recurrent meningeal artery (n=2). Embolysates included Onyx (8 cases), nBCA glue (1 case), and a combination of coils and Onyx (1 case). 4 cases were performed with balloon microcatheters. Complete dAVF cure was achieved in 9 patients (90%). Two patients had delayed washout of the ophthalmic artery after embolization which was treated with aspirin without subsequent visual defect. No patients experienced vision loss, death, or permanent disability. One patient experienced a minor complication of blurry vision in the left hemi-field suggestive of posterior ischemic optic neuropathy. 90 day mRS was 0 (7 patients), 1 (2 patients), and not yet available for one patient. Conclusions Anterior cranial fossa dAVF embolization can be safely performed through the ophthalmic artery with high angiographic cure rates and a low risk of vision loss or other complications. Disclosures V. Mayercik: None. N. Telischak: None. E. Sussman: None. B. Pulli: None. R. Dodd: None. M. Marks: None. H. Do: None. J. Heit: None.
Thrombopoietin Receptor Agonists in Patients with Chronic Liver Disease.

Thrombocytopenia is one of the most common hematologic complications in cirrhosis. Despite limited data linking platelet count and bleeding risk in patients with cirrhosis, the use of platelets transfusions for invasive procedures has been a common practice. Recently, thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonists have been approved for use in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD) undergoing invasive procedures. The aim of this study was to review current literature on bleeding risk in patients with cirrhosis and the use of platelet transfusions and TPO receptor agonists in the context of invasive procedures. PubMed search was conducted to find articles relating to cirrhosis, thrombocytopenia, and new novel treatments for this condition. Search terms included CLD, cirrhosis, thrombocytopenia, bleeding, thrombosis, coagulopathy, hemostasis, and TPO receptor agonists. Romiplostim, eltrombopag, avatrombopag, and lusutrombopag are approved TPO receptor agonists, with avatrombopag and lusutrombopag specifically approved for use in patients with CLD undergoing invasive procedures. In patients with platelet counts
Cognitive functioning, patient health communication, and worry mediate pain predictive effects on health-related quality of life in youth with sickle cell disease.

OBJECTIVES The objective was to investigate the serial mediating effects of perceived cognitive functioning, patient health communication, and disease-specific worry in the relationship between pain and overall generic health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in youth with sickle cell disease (SCD) from the patient perspective. METHODS The pain, cognitive functioning, communication and worry scales from the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL) Sickle Cell Disease Module and the PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale, and the PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales were completed in a multisite national study by 233 youth with SCD of ages 5-18. Hierarchical multiple regression and serial multiple mediator model analyses were conducted to test the mediating effects of perceived cognitive functioning, health communication, and disease-specific worry as intervening variables in the association between the pain predictor variable and overall generic HRQOL. RESULTS Pain predictive effects on overall generic HRQOL were serially mediated by cognitive functioning, health communication, and disease-specific worry. In predictive analytics models utilizing hierarchical multiple regression analyses with age and gender demographic covariates, pain, cognitive functioning, health communication, and worry accounted for 65% of the variance in patient-reported overall generic HRQOL (P < .001), representing a large effect size. CONCLUSIONS Perceived cognitive functioning, patient health communication, and disease-specific worry explain in part the mechanism of pain predictive effects on overall generic HRQOL in youth with SCD. Identifying SCD-specific pain, perceived cognitive functioning, health communication, and disease-specific worry as predictor variables of overall generic HRQOL from the patient perspective may inform clinical interventions and future patient-centered clinical research.
Regularized Training of Convolutional Autoencoders using the Rényi-Stratonovich Value of Information

We propose an information-theoretic cost function or the regularized training of convolutional auto encoders that imposes an organization on the bottleneck-layer-projected samples so as to facilitate discrimination. This function is based on a continuous-space, Renyi-mutual-information version of Stratonovich’s value of information. It quantifies the maximum benefit that can be obtained for a given bottleneck-layer representation compression amount. The compression amount is controlled by a single hyperparameter that trades off between the autoencoder reconstruction quality and the hidden-layer representation uncertainty.
An extended methodology for automated calculations of non-Boltzmann kinetic sequences: H + C2H2 + X and combustion impact

Abstract It is generally assumed in phenomenological kinetic models that bimolecular reactions only occur between species whose rovibrational energy follows a Boltzmann (thermal) distribution. That is, any complexes initially formed in non-Boltzmann distributions are assumed to be thermalized by energy-transferring collisions prior to bimolecular reactions. Given the high mole fractions of reactive species, X, in combustion environments, reactive collisions of the complexes with X often occur on the same timescale as energy-transferring collisions – yielding sequences proceeding through non-Boltzmann intermediates across multiple potential energy surfaces. Recent studies have shown that such non-Boltzmann kinetic sequences can have substantial impact on the global reactivity in combustion systems. Simulations of these non-Boltzmann reaction sequences, which can be described in phenomenological kinetic models via chemically termolecular reactions, require that rovibrational excitation from one potential energy surface be carried over to the next. This paper presents an extended theoretical and computational methodology that couples multiple master equations and derives rate constants for phenomenological reactions describing the conversion of thermal reactants to thermal products for use in phenomenological kinetic schemes. The methodology is then implemented using in-house scripts for non-Boltzmann sequences involving C2H 3 * + X (with X = O2, H, and OH) where C2H 3 * is formed via H + C2H2 association – which were identified as having strong potential for influencing combustion predictions in a recent study. The results reveal that non-Boltzmann reaction sequences for X = O2 (the primary focus of this paper) significantly alters the total conversion rate from H + C2H2 to products and product branching fractions from those of thermal sequential pathways. Furthermore, the present results demonstrate that non-Boltzmann reaction sequences have significant impact – as high as an order of magnitude – on predicted ignition delay times. Similarly, they yield significantly different dependence of ignition delay times with temperature and O2 mole fraction – yielding signatures that are likely observable experimentally.
Prenatal exposure to multiple metals and birth outcomes: An observational study within the National Children's Study cohort.

Abstract Background Prenatal exposure to metals may play an important role in fetal growth. However, the epidemiologic evidence for certain metals is sparse, and most of the existing research has focused on evaluating single metals in highly exposed target populations. Objectives We evaluated associations of cadmium, lead, manganese, selenium, and total mercury exposures during pregnancy with fetal growth using data from mother-infant pairs participating in the National Children's Study. Methods Prenatal metal exposures were measured using maternal blood collected from 6 to 32 weeks of gestation. Birth outcomes, including gestational age, birthweight, birth length, head circumference, and ponderal index, were ascertained through physical measurement at birth or abstraction from medical records. Regression coefficients and their 95% confidence intervals were estimated from multivariable linear regression models in the overall study population as well as among male and female infants. We further evaluated pairwise metal–metal interactions. Results Sex-specific associations were observed for lead, with inverse associations for birthweight, birth length, head circumference, and gestational age observed only among female infants. Sex-specific associations were also observed for selenium, with a positive association for birthweight observed among male infants; selenium was also positively associated with ponderal index and inversely associated with birth length among female infants. Overall, total mercury was inversely associated with birthweight and ponderal index, and the association with birthweight was stronger among female infants. No significant associations were observed with cadmium and manganese. In the metal–metal interaction analyses, we found evidence of a synergistic interaction between lead and total mercury and antagonistic interaction between selenium and total mercury with selected birth outcomes. Conclusions Our findings suggest that prenatal exposure to metals may be related to birth outcomes, and infant sex may modify these associations.
OP0144 Development of a prospective, longitudinal, inception cohort to evaluate the outcome of rheumatoid arthritis in african-americans

It has been established that the prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in African-Americans (AA) in the United States is comparable to that of the white population. However, data comparing the clinical manifestations and outcome of RA in AA and other ethnic groups is limited. Approximately 90% of the AA population of St. Louis, MO. lives within an area of twelve contiguous zip codes, within which is the Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM). Almost 60% of the individuals within these zip codes have incomes below the poverty level, and the vast majority of such patients receive their medical care at WUSM Rheumatology Clinic. In addition, our clinic provides care for patients from the surrounding geographic area who have a more diverse distribution of income and insurance status. We propose to develop an inception cohort of AA patients with RA by ACR criteria to be entered within one year of diagnosis, and follow this cohort prospectively in a longitudinal fashion. The primary comparison group will be white patients with early RA seen at the same outpatient clinic; Russian immigrants, Hispanics, and Asian-Pacific rim patients will serve as additional comparison groups if numbers of patients are sufficient. Demographic data will be collected on zip code, income, education, medical insurance status, and literacy. Treatment for each patient will be non-randomised, and determined by the patient’s treating rheumatologist. Outcome measures will include the ACR core data set (tender and swollen joint count, MD and patient global assessment, pain VAS by patient, HAQ, and ESR), to be collected at baseline and every six months. Sharp scores will be obtained on radiographs of hands in all patients at baseline and at yearly intervals. Data will be analysed to compare ACR 50, ACR 70, mean ACR (N), HAQ scores, and Sharp scores for each group. We will also compare use of Disease Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs), specifically with regard to initiation in the first year, use of combinations of DMARDs, and use of biologic agents. Multivariate regression analysis will be performed to adjust for confounding variables which might influence outcome, such as income, education, duration of symptoms before seeking medical treatment, duration of symptoms before the introduction of DMARDs, and specific DMARDs used.
Privatized Detention & Immigration Federalism

The vast majority of detained immigrants are held in facilities operated by private corporations. This multibillion-dollar industry shapes immigration policies directly through contractual implementation, and indirectly through lobbying at all levels of government. Over the past decade, academics and dedicated advocates have shed critical light on the structural causes and effects of privatized immigration detention, offering a range of policy prescriptions along the way. Until now, however, federalism has been a virtual blind spot in that reformist agenda. Intervening, this Essay draws federalism into the spotlight. What autonomy do states and local governments have to regulate, license, or otherwise monitor private immigration detention? More specifically, under what circumstances are private entities, by dint of their public contracts, shielded from subfederal law under the doctrines of preemption, intergovernmental immunity, and derivative immunity? And is there something unique about immigration that might skew the doctrinal analysis in favor of the federal government and its contractors? By mapping the myriad ways that privatized detention intersects with immigration federalism, this Essay provides crucial mooring for the doctrinal, political, and strategic battles ahead.
The Politics of Persons: Individual Autonomy and Socio-historical Selves

1. Introduction Part I. Selves: 2. The social conception of the self: a critical taxonomy 3. The post-modern subject 4. The narrative self 5. Memory, agency, and the self Part II. Autonomy: 6. Political persons 7. The historical conception of autonomy 8. Relational autonomy 9. The dynamics of social identities Part III. Justice: 10. Justice over time: history, public reason, and political legitimacy Bibliography.
Compressed Sensing, Sparse Inversion, and Model Mismatch

The advent of compressed sensing theory has revolutionized our view of imaging, as it demonstrates that subsampling has manageable consequences for image inversion, provided that the image is sparse in an apriori known dictionary. For imaging problems in spectrum analysis (estimating complex exponential modes), and passive and active radar/sonar (estimating Doppler and angle of arrival), this dictionary is usually taken to be a DFT basis (or frame) constructed for resolution of 2π∕n, with n a window length, array length, or pulse-to-pulse processing length. However, in reality no physical field is sparse in a DFT frame or in any apriori known frame. No matter how finely we grid the parameter space (e.g., frequency, delay, Doppler, and/or wavenumber) the sources may not lie in the center of the grid cells and consequently there is always mismatch between the assumed and the actual frames for sparsity. But what is the sensitivity of compressed sensing to mismatch between the physical model that generated the data and the mathematical model that is assumed in the sparse inversion algorithm? In this chapter, we study this question. The focus is on the canonical problem of DFT inversion for modal analysis.